Controlling power usage of aerosol generators

Abstract

An aerosol generating device is provided, comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor. The controller is configured to measure (1000) the energy level of the battery using the battery monitor and calculate (1002) a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered for a first aerosolization session heating profile. The controller is configured to receive (1004) a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, and to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify (1006) the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined. The controller is configured to control (1008) the aerosol generating device to perform aerosolization sessions using the second aerosolization session heating profile.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices, and more particularly to controlling power usage in aerosol generating devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating devices, such as e-cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporization devices, are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

[0003] Heating devices for vaporization or aerosolization are known in the art. Such devices typically include a heating chamber and a heater. In operation, an operator inserts the product to be aerosolized or vaporized into the heating chamber. The product is then heated by an electronic heater to vaporize the product's ingredients for inhalation by the operator. In some examples, the product is a tobacco product similar to a traditional cigarette. Such devices are sometimes referred to as "heat-not-burn" devices, in that the product is heated to the point of aerosolization without being burned.

[0004] Challenges faced by known aerosol generating devices include providing effective control of power usage as well as improving operability. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the controller comprising: controlling a flow of power from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generator to perform an n-th aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; obtaining aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor; accessing a relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed, and updating the relationship based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session, the relationship being stored in storage accessible by the controller; determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and the energy level of the battery; The aerosol generating device is configured to control the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0006] Similar to smartphones, aerosol generating devices can be configured to indicate the battery charge status. However, this information can be counterintuitive and confusing to users when considering how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. It may not be clear to users how many aerosolization sessions can be powered during a given charge status. In traditional smoking, smokers can determine the number of cigarettes available for smoking by looking at the cigarette packet. For aerosol generating devices that indicate the battery charge status, it is not clear to the operator how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a technical solution that can be used to indicate the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the aerosol generating device's battery. The first aspect addresses this issue by providing a process for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery and outputting this information. Furthermore, this process takes into account real-time changes to the battery and the aerosol generating device, thereby achieving an accurate determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0007] Preferably, the battery monitor includes a voltage measurement module configured to measure the voltage of the battery for the aerosolization session, and the acquired aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session include the battery voltage of the nth aerosolization session measured by the voltage measurement module.

[0008] In this way, the battery voltage can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0009] Preferably, the battery monitor includes a current measurement module configured to measure the current output by the battery in the aerosolization session, and the acquired aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session include the current output by the battery in the nth aerosolization session measured by the current measurement module.

[0010] In this way, the current output of the battery can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0011] Preferably, the battery monitor includes an ambient temperature measurement module configured to measure an ambient temperature in the vicinity of the aerosol generating device during an aerosolization session, and the aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session include the ambient temperature measured in the nth aerosolization session by the ambient temperature measurement module.

[0012] In this manner, the temperature in the vicinity of the aerosol generating device can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session. Because extremes of high and low temperature can affect battery performance, adding temperature to the calculation improves the accuracy of determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0013] Preferably, the nth aerosolization session is the most recently completed aerosolization session.

[0014] In this way, the determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered can be updated according to the most recently completed aerosolization session, ensuring that the operator is continually presented with the most useful information regarding the device's battery level.

[0015] Preferably, this relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed includes a predetermined value of energy usage per aerosolization session for a series of aerosolization sessions performed consecutively.

[0016] In this way, predetermined pre-stored data regarding energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed can be used to initially determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0017] Preferably, the controller is configured to update the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed by updating the energy usage value for the nth aerosolization session determined from the aerosolization session characteristics and applying a fitting algorithm to the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed, including the updated energy usage value for the nth aerosolization session.

[0018] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session by calculating the number of future sessions that can be powered after the nth session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions to be performed for future aerosolization sessions after the nth session and the energy level of the battery.

[0019] In this manner, real-time measurements of aerosolization session characteristics are factored into the determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered, and the determined number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered therefore accurately reflects the current operating conditions of the aerosol generating device.

[0020] Preferably, the fitting algorithm comprises a recursive least squares fitting algorithm.

[0021] In this way, data on energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed can be effectively adapted to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0022] Preferably, the fitting algorithm includes a smoothing function configured to apply a higher weighting to energy usage values ​​determined at room temperature conditions than to energy values ​​determined at non-room temperature conditions.

[0023] In this way, the smoothing function helps avoid changes or "jumps" in the determination of the number of sessions that can be run that may not be intuitive to the operator, such as actively adapting the predicted number of sessions that can be powered due to changing conditions.

[0024] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine an energy offset value between the fitted relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed, including the updated energy usage value for the nth aerosolization session, and fitted data representing expected energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions before any aerosolization session is performed; The aerosol generating device is controlled to output a notification when the energy offset value exceeds a predetermined energy offset value, the notification including an instruction to clean a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device.

[0025] In this manner, this process results in a determination that the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device should be cleaned, and this internal state information is output to the user so that the user knows to clean the heating chamber to increase the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered in the future.

[0026] Preferably, the controller is configured to control the aerosol generating device to output, using a display associated with the aerosol generating device, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0027] In this way, the determined number of aerosol sessions is presented to the operator in an efficient and user-friendly manner.

[0028] Preferably, based on the updated relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and the energy level of the battery, the determined number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session is the number of the first aerosolization session; The controller Measure the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session using a battery monitor, determining a number of second aerosolization sessions, the number of second aerosolization sessions being determined by using the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled battery parameters to determine a number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery at the measured energy level of the battery after the nth aerosolization session; Compare the number of times from the first aerosolization session to the number of times from the second aerosolization session. It is configured as controlling the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session; if the number of the first aerosolization sessions is different from the number of the second aerosolization sessions, outputting the lower of the number of the first aerosolization sessions and the number of the second aerosolization sessions; and if the number of first aerosolization sessions is the same as the number of second aerosolization sessions, outputting either the number of first aerosolization sessions or the number of second aerosolization sessions; Includes:

[0029] In this manner, a second determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered is performed. If the first determination and the second determination determine that different numbers of aerosolization sessions can be powered, the lower of the two is output. Overestimating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered can lead to frustration for the operator of the aerosol generating device if the operator is unable to perform the number of aerosolization sessions predicted to power the battery. By determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by two processes and outputting the lower of the two predictions, the risk of overestimating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered is reduced. Thus, operator frustration is avoided.

[0030] Preferably, the controller is further configured to update the modeled battery parameters after the nth aerosolization session based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor.

[0031] In this way, real-time changes to the battery are taken into account, so that an accurate determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered is achieved by a second determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0032] Preferably, the aerosolization session includes heating the aerosol-generating consumable to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable.

[0033] Preferably, the aerosol-generating consumable is a tobacco rod, and the aerosolization session involves heating the tobacco rod without burning the tobacco rod.

[0034] In a second aspect, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the method comprising: using the controller to control power flow from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generating device to perform an nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; acquiring, with the controller, aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor; accessing, with the controller, a relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and updating the relationship based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session, wherein the relationship is stored in storage accessible by the controller; determining, with the controller, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and the energy level of the battery; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session; Includes:

[0035] Preferably, the method of the second aspect includes the preferred features of the first aspect.

[0036] In a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the one or more processors being configured to: using the controller to control power flow from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generating device to perform an nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; acquiring, with the controller, aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor; accessing, with the controller, a relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and updating the relationship based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session, wherein the relationship is stored in storage accessible by the controller; determining, with the controller, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and the energy level of the battery; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session; Execute steps including:

[0037] Preferably, the non-transitory computer readable medium of the third aspect includes the preferred features of the first aspect.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the controller comprising: controlling a flow of power from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generator to perform an n-th aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Measure the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session using a battery monitor, using the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled parameters of the battery to determine, for a measured energy level of the battery, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session; Controlling the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session It is configured as follows.

[0039] Similar to smartphones, aerosol generating devices can be configured to indicate the battery charge status. However, this information can be counterintuitive and confusing to users when considering how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. It may not be clear to users how many aerosolization sessions can be powered during a given charge status. In traditional smoking, smokers can determine the number of cigarettes available for smoking by looking at the cigarette packet. For aerosol generating devices that indicate the battery charge status, it is not clear to the operator how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a technical solution that can be used to indicate the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the aerosol generating device's battery. The fourth aspect addresses this issue by providing a process for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery and outputting this information. Furthermore, this process uses modeled parameters of the battery to achieve an accurate determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0040] Preferably, the controller is configured to obtain aerosolization session characteristics of an nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor, and update the modeled parameters of the battery based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session.

[0041] In this way, the modeled parameters of the battery can be updated to reflect aerosolization session characteristics rather than just having predetermined values, thereby improving the determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0042] Preferably, the battery monitor includes a voltage measurement module configured to measure the voltage of the battery for the aerosolization session, and the acquired aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session include the battery voltage of the nth aerosolization session measured by the voltage measurement module.

[0043] In this way, the battery voltage can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0044] Preferably, the battery monitor includes a current measurement module configured to measure the current output by the battery in the aerosolization session, and the acquired aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session include the current output by the battery in the nth aerosolization session measured by the current measurement module.

[0045] In this way, the current output of the battery can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0046] Preferably, the battery monitor includes an ambient temperature measurement module configured to measure an ambient temperature in the vicinity of the aerosol generating device during an aerosolization session, and the aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session include the ambient temperature measured in the nth aerosolization session by the ambient temperature measurement module.

[0047] In this manner, the temperature in the vicinity of the aerosol generating device can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session. Because extremes of high and low temperature can affect battery performance, including temperature in the calculation improves the accuracy of determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0048] Preferably, the nth aerosolization session is the most recently completed aerosolization session.

[0049] In this way, the determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered can be updated according to the most recently completed aerosolization session, ensuring that the operator is continually presented with the most useful information regarding the device's battery level.

[0050] Preferably, the controller is configured to control the aerosol generating device to output, using a display associated with the aerosol generating device, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0051] In this way, the determined number of aerosol sessions is presented to the operator in an efficient and user-friendly manner.

[0052] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine the state of charge of the battery using the battery monitor and to select an aerosolization session current profile from storage accessible by the controller, the selected aerosolization session current profile corresponding to the determined state of charge of the battery.

[0053] In this way, the determined number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered reflects the state of charge of the battery. The current output of the battery can change as the state of charge changes, and therefore taking this into account in determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered improves the accuracy of determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered as the charge level of the battery changes, compared to using a fixed value.

[0054] Preferably, the controller is configured to monitor the current applied by the battery during the nth aerosolization session and update the aerosolization session current profile stored in the storage based on one or more values ​​of the monitored current and the determined state of charge of the battery.

[0055] In this way, the current profile can be updated to reflect the operating conditions of the aerosol generating device, for example to take into account contamination of the heating chamber, thus improving the accuracy of the determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0056] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine predicted energy usage for a future aerosolization session based on the current value as a function of time of the aerosolization session current profile and the battery impedance value based on a battery impedance model using modeled parameters of the battery.

[0057] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session using the battery's measured energy level by determining the maximum number of aerosolization sessions that can be fully powered at the predicted energy usage of future aerosolization sessions relative to the battery's measured energy level.

[0058] In this way, efficient calculation of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered is achieved.

[0059] Preferably, the aerosolization session includes heating the aerosol-generating consumable to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable.

[0060] Preferably, the aerosol-generating consumable is a tobacco rod, and the aerosolization session involves heating the tobacco rod without burning the tobacco rod.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the method comprising: using the controller to control power flow from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generating device to perform an nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; measuring, with the controller, the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session using a battery monitor; using the controller to determine, for a measured energy level of the battery, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session using the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled parameters of the battery; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session; Includes:

[0062] Preferably, the method of the fifth aspect includes the preferred features of the fourth aspect.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the ... including: using the controller to control power flow from the battery to a heater of the aerosol generating device to perform an nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; measuring, with the controller, the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session using a battery monitor; using the controller to determine, for a measured energy level of the battery, the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session using the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled parameters of the battery; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session; Execute steps including:

[0064] Preferably, the non-transitory computer readable medium of the sixth aspect includes the preferred features of the fourth aspect.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the controller comprising: Use a battery monitor to measure the battery energy level, calculating a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, a being an integer greater than or equal to 0, the heating profile including one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time; receiving a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, b being an integer greater than or equal to 1, wherein an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less battery energy than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; In response to the command to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; Controlling the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b. It is configured as follows.

[0066] In this way, the heating profile for future aerosolization sessions can be adjusted to allow for additional sessions, thereby improving the user experience by providing the option to run more aerosolization sessions when the battery charge level is low.

[0067] In one example, a command to enter eco mode or low power mode may be received in the form of a communication signal when a user presses a switch on the device. Alternatively, the command may be received automatically when the battery reaches a predetermined state of charge or a predetermined energy level. For example, for a 7 Wh battery, 10% of the remaining energy level is 0.7 Wh. The units may be received as either Wh or joules, and it may be understood that 0.7 Wh = 0.7 × 3600 seconds = 2520 joules. The determination of the remaining energy level may be based on the capacity and internal resistance of the battery. As another example, the controller may be configured to automatically switch to eco mode when the battery reaches a 10% state of charge or a 5% state of charge. As will be appreciated, different low power modes may be initiated at different states of charge or different energy levels of the battery. Those skilled in the art will understand that either (or both) of these two parameters (state of charge or energy level) may be implemented in the device according to manufacturing, design, or operational requirements. The command may also be received from a battery monitor.

[0068] Preferably, incrementally modifying the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session for each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile is determined that can perform a+b aerosolization sessions is performed, the method comprising: modifying the aerosolization session heating profile by incremental modifications to the modified aerosolization session heating profile; determining the expected energy usage of the aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile; and determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of the aerosolization sessions using the modified aerosolization session heating profile; Including, the loop is repeated until a modified aerosolization session heating profile is determined such that the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of the aerosolization sessions with the modified aerosolization session heating profile is a+b; The controller designates the modified aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing the aerosolization session of a+b as a second aerosolization session heating profile. It is structured as follows.

[0069] In this way, by applying incremental corrections in a loop, the aerosolization session heating profile is adjusted as needed, providing a balance between reducing energy usage in the aerosolization session and increasing the number of aerosolization sessions, thus improving the user experience.

[0070] Preferably, determining the expected energy usage of the aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile comprises: determining an integrated aerosolization session heating profile value of the modified aerosolization session heating profile by integrating the target heater temperature value as a function of time in the modified aerosolization session heating profile; and determining an expected energy usage for an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile based on a predetermined relationship between the integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and the expected energy usage in the aerosolization session; Includes:

[0071] In this way, expected energy usage can be determined in an efficient manner.

[0072] Preferably, determining the expected energy usage of the aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile comprises: normalizing the determined integrated aerosolization session heating profile value to determine a normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value; further comprising The expected energy usage of an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile is determined based on a predetermined relationship between the normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and the expected energy usage in the aerosolization session.

[0073] In this way, expected energy usage can be determined in an efficient manner.

[0074] Preferably, incrementally modifying the aerosolization session heating profile includes incrementally lowering the target heater temperature of the aerosolization session heating profile and / or incrementally adjusting the length of time of the aerosolization session heating profile.

[0075] In this way, energy usage per aerosolization session is reduced so that more aerosolization sessions can be performed. Modifications may include increasing the device's preheat time or the length of the preheat / heating phase. Furthermore, the low-power mode or second aerosolization session heating profile may include fewer heating steps than the first aerosolization session heating profile. As an example, the eco-mode aerosolization session heating profile may not increase the heating temperature at the end of the session. In another example, the low-power aerosolization session heating profile may have a shorter overall duration and may turn off the device's heater earlier. In other words, an eco-mode or low-power mode aerosolization session may have a longer heating phase and a shorter vaping phase than a normal operating mode.

[0076] Preferably, the one or more heating steps are multiple heating steps.

[0077] Preferably, each incremental modification to the aerosolization heating profile includes a predetermined modification to one or more of the plurality of heating steps.

[0078] In this way, only a portion of the aerosolization session heating profile needs to be modified, rather than the entire heating profile, which can reduce the impact on the user experience when using Eco mode.

[0079] Preferably, each predetermined modification to one or more of the plurality of heating steps comprises a predetermined reduction in the target heater temperature of one or more of the heating steps or a predetermined adjustment to the duration of one or more of the heating steps.

[0080] In this way, the amount of energy used per aerosolization session is reduced by lowering the target heater temperature of one or more heating steps or adjusting the duration of one or more of the heating steps so that more aerosolization sessions can be performed.

[0081] Preferably, the incremental modifications have a predetermined priority; Modifying the aerosolization session heating profile includes applying incremental modifications in order of priority until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b is determined.

[0082] In this way, by performing incremental modifications in order of preference, modifications that have the least impact on the user experience can be applied with a higher priority, which reduces any negative impact on the overall user experience when using Eco mode.

[0083] Preferably, the first aerosolization session heating profile is that of the normal operating mode of the aerosol generating device.

[0084] Preferably, the normal operation mode is one in which the eco mode is not applied.

[0085] Preferably, an aerosolization session performed using the second aerosolization session heating profile uses less battery energy than the first aerosolization session heating profile.

[0086] Preferably, b=1 or 2.

[0087] In this way, the user can configure the aerosol generating device to power one or two additional aerosolization sessions compared to the normal operating mode.

[0088] Preferably, the controller is configured to control the aerosol generating device to output an indication that eco mode has been initiated.

[0089] In this way, the user may be provided with information about the operating status of the aerosol generating device so that the user knows that eco mode has been initiated.

[0090] Preferably, the aerosolization session includes heating the aerosol-generating consumable to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable.

[0091] Preferably, the aerosol-generating consumable is a tobacco rod, and the aerosolization session involves heating the tobacco rod without burning the tobacco rod.

[0092] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the method comprising: measuring, with the controller, an energy level of the battery using a battery monitor; calculating, with the controller, a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, where a is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the heating profile includes one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time; receiving, at the controller, a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, where b is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less battery energy than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; using the controller, in response to the command to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b; Includes:

[0093] Preferably, the method of the eighth aspect includes the preferred features of the seventh aspect.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the ... including: measuring, with the controller, an energy level of the battery using a battery monitor; calculating, with the controller, a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, where a is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the heating profile includes one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time; receiving, at the controller, a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, where b is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less battery energy than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; using the controller, in response to the command to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b; Execute steps including:

[0095] Preferably, the non-transitory computer readable medium of the ninth aspect includes the preferred features of the seventh aspect.

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0097] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary aerosol generating device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the progression between preheating and heating modes in an aerosolization session. [Figure 3] 10 is an operational flowchart of steps performed in a process for determining the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that a battery can power. [Figure 4A] 1 is a plot of a given energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions. [Figure 4B] 4B is the plot of FIG. 4A with a fitting line applied to the plot of a given energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions. [Figure 4C] 4B is the plot of FIG. 4A with an additional plot of energy usage measured per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions. [Figure 4D] 4C is the plot of FIG. 4C where a fitting line was applied to the plot of energy usage measured per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions. [Figures 5A-5E] 10 shows an exemplary symbol used to indicate the number of aerosolization sessions that a battery can power. [Figure 6] 10 is an operational flowchart of steps performed in a process for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by a battery. [Figure 7]1 is an exemplary equivalent circuit model of an impedance model of a battery used in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 8] 1 is a plot of an exemplary simplified current profile, with current as a function of time. [Figure 9] 7 is an operational flowchart of steps performed in a process that combines the processes of FIGS. 3 and 6 to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered. [Figure 10] 10 is an operational flowchart of steps performed in a process of modifying a heating profile to increase the number of aerosolization sessions that a battery can power for eco mode. [Figure 11] 1 is a plot of the aerosolization session heating profile. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a processing loop for incrementally modifying an aerosolization session heating profile and calculating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered. [Figure 13] 1 is a plot of energy expenditure per aerosolization session as a function of the normalized integral of the aerosolization session heating profile. [Figures 14A-14C] Exemplary displays are shown for a display when the aerosol generating device is in normal operating mode, a display when the aerosol generating device is in a first eco mode, and a display when the aerosol generating device is in a second eco mode. [Figures 15A-15B] 1 shows exemplary heating profiles for a standard aerosolization session and a low-power aerosolization session. [Figure 16] 1 shows an exemplary control schematic for an aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] 1 shows a block diagram of the elements of an aerosol generating device 100 or vapor generating device, also known as an e-cigarette. For purposes of this specification, it will be understood that the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" are interchangeable.

[0099] The aerosol generating device 100 has a body portion 112 that includes a controller 102 and at least one battery 104. Although only one battery 104 is referred to below, those skilled in the art will understand that a power system may include one or more batteries as needed, and that references to a "battery" may include "at least one battery."

[0100] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a battery monitoring module 103, sometimes referred to as a battery fuel gauge. The battery monitoring module 103 can be controlled by the controller 102 to monitor battery characteristics such as battery voltage, current, and temperature. The battery monitoring module 103 will be described in more detail below.

[0101] In an example, the heater 108 is contained within the body portion 112. In such an example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the heater 108 is disposed in a heating cavity 110 or chamber in the body portion 112. The cavity 110 is accessed by an opening 110A in the body portion 112. The cavity 110 is positioned to house an associated aerosol-generating consumable 114. The aerosol-generating consumable may include an aerosol-generating material, such as a tobacco rod including tobacco leaves. The tobacco rod may be similar to a traditional cigarette. The cross-section of the cavity 110 is approximately equal to the cross-section of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 and has a depth such that when the associated aerosol-generating consumable 114 is inserted into the cavity 110, the first end 114A of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 reaches the bottom 110B of the cavity 110 (i.e., the end 110B of the cavity 110 remote from the cavity opening 110A) and the second end 114B of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 remote from the first end 114A extends outward from the cavity 110. In this manner, a consumer can inhale the aerosol-generating consumable 114 when it is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100. In the example of FIG. 1 , the heater 108 is positioned in the cavity 110 such that the heater 108 engages the aerosol-generating consumable 114 when it is inserted into the cavity 110. In the example of FIG. 1 , the heater 108 is disposed within the cavity as a tube such that when the first end 114A of the aerosol-generating consumable is inserted into the cavity, the heater 108 substantially or completely surrounds the portion of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 within the cavity 110. The heater 108 may be a wire or ceramic heater, such as a coiled wire heater, or any other suitable type of heater. The heater 108 may include multiple, sequentially and independently activatable (i.e., powered) heating elements arranged in series along the axial length of the cavity. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater may be disposed within the cavity as an elongated, penetrating member (e.g., a needle, rod, blade, or the like), and in such an embodiment, the heater may be configured to penetrate the aerosol-generating consumable and engage the aerosol-generating material when the aerosol-generating consumable is inserted into the cavity. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater may be in the form of an induction heater.In such an embodiment, a heating element is provided on the consumable, and the heating element is inductively coupled to an induction heater within the cavity when the consumable is inserted into the cavity. The induction heater then heats the heating element by induction.

[0102] The heater 108 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating consumable 114 to a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol in an aerosolization session. An aerosolization session can be considered when the device is operated to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable 114. In examples where the aerosol-generating consumable 114 is a tobacco rod, the aerosol-generating consumable 114 includes tobacco, and the heater 108 is configured to heat the tobacco to generate an aerosol without burning the tobacco. That is, the heater 108 heats the tobacco to a predetermined temperature below the combustion point of the tobacco so that a tobacco-based aerosol is generated.

[0103] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the aerosol-generating consumable 114 need not necessarily include tobacco, and that any other material suitable for aerosolization (or vaporization), particularly heating the material without burning it, can be used in place of tobacco.

[0104] The controller 102 is configured to control the power flow of the battery 104 based on the operating mode of the aerosolization session. The operating modes can include a preheat mode and a heating mode.

[0105] The progression from preheat mode to heating mode can be seen in Figure 2. In preheat mode 202, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generating device 100 is heated to an aerosolization temperature to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable 114. The preheat phase can be considered the time during which the preheat mode is performed.

[0106] The pre-heat mode is selected by the controller 102 when an aerosolization session is initiated by a user of the aerosol generating device 100. In an example, this pre-heat mode may be triggered by the controller determining that the consumer has pressed / depressed a heat button on the device 100. In an example, an indicator, such as a light-emitting diode, integrated into the device may be configured to indicate that pre-heating is complete and the consumer can inhale the generated aerosol.

[0107] Once the preheat phase is complete, the controller exits preheat mode 202 and begins heating mode 204. In heating mode 204, the controller 102 controls the flow of power from the battery 104 to maintain the heater 108 at an aerosolization temperature so that an aerosol is generated for inhalation by the consumer. The heating phase can be considered the time during which the heating mode is running.

[0108] During an aerosolization session, a heating profile is applied. The heating profile includes one or more temperature steps to which the heater is heated, with the respective times these temperature steps are applied. If the aerosol generating device is operable in a preheating mode and a heating mode, the heating profile may include the length of time the heater is heated to different temperatures in the preheating and heating phases of the aerosolization session, in that a heating step of the heating profile may belong to either the preheating phase or the heating phase. This may include heating the heater to the aerosolization temperature (e.g., 210-250°C, or more preferably 220-240°C, or more preferably 230°C, or about 230°C) for 10 seconds in the preheating phase, followed by maintaining the heater at the aerosolization temperature for 240 seconds in the heating phase. In this example, the heating profile is 250 seconds long and includes a 10-second temperature ramp-up, followed by 240 seconds at a constant temperature. In other examples, the heating profile may include different numbers of temperature steps at different temperatures over different time periods.

[0109] An aerosol generating device may be configured to indicate to an operator an estimate of the remaining battery charge. Indicating the battery charge status in a manner similar to that of a smartphone may be counterintuitive and confusing to a user when considering how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. It may not be clear to a user how many aerosolization sessions can be powered during a given charge status. In traditional smoking, a consumer can determine the number of cigarettes available for smoking by looking at the cigarette packet. In the case of an aerosol generating device that indicates the battery charge status, it is not clear to the operator how many aerosolization sessions can be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a technical solution that can be used to indicate the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery of the aerosol generating device.

[0110] As such, Figures 3 and 6 present a process for determining and displaying the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that the battery can power.

[0111] Referring first to Figure 3, a flowchart of steps performed in a process for determining the number of remaining aerosolization sessions that a battery can power is presented. The process of Figure 3 can be performed by an aerosol generating device such as those described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or any other suitable type of aerosol generating device.

[0112] The battery can power multiple aerosolization sessions. For example, a fully charged battery may be able to power approximately 25 aerosolization sessions before needing to be recharged. However, the amount of energy used in an aerosolization session may change as the battery's state of charge decreases. That is, each aerosolization session may use a different amount of energy. Several other factors, such as battery health, external temperature, whether the heating chamber is dirty, and battery aging, may also affect the amount of energy used in an aerosolization session.

[0113] 3, the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed (n) can be used to predict the number of aerosolization sessions that the battery can power. Such a predicted relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed (n) is stored in storage accessible by the controller.

[0114] This predictive relationship is a prediction of the energy usage for each aerosolization session after the battery is charged. That is, values ​​representing the expected energy usage for each aerosolization session after the battery is fully charged can be stored, from n=1 (i.e., the first aerosolization session after the battery is charged) to n=x (where x is the maximum number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery when fully charged). That is, this relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed can include predetermined values ​​of energy usage per aerosolization session for a series of aerosolization sessions performed consecutively.

[0115] The predictive relationship can be determined in advance, for example, during a factory calibration phase, by measuring the energy usage of each aerosolization session from n=1 to n=x under ideal circumstances (e.g., when the battery is new, fully charged, and undamaged, the device is operating at room temperature, and the heating chamber is clean).

[0116] FIG. 4A shows an exemplary plot of data points 406 representing a predetermined energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404. In this example, data for aerosolization sessions n=1 through n=25 is plotted. The number of sessions that can be powered can be determined by measuring the energy stored in the battery and then sequentially subtracting energy values ​​corresponding to n=1, n=2, n=3, etc., until a threshold battery energy value is met. In an example, the threshold may be 0 J. The number of sessions that can be powered can then be determined as the number of subtractions made before the threshold is met. For example, if the subtraction of the energy value corresponding to n=23, when subtracted from the battery energy value, falls below the threshold, it is determined that 22 sessions can be powered by the battery because energy values ​​n=1 through n=22 were all subtracted from the battery's energy level before exceeding the threshold.

[0117] The data points 406 in the plot of Figure 4A can be fitted with a fitting line. Figure 4B shows such a fitting line 408 applied to the plot of Figure 4A.

[0118] Instead of using the data points for the energy values ​​of aerosolization sessions n=1 to n=x to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered, the adapted energy values ​​for aerosolization sessions n=1 to n=x can be used instead.

[0119] The data points 406 of energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 can be stored in a lookup table in storage accessible by the controller. Similarly, values ​​of a fitting line 408 of energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 can also be stored in storage accessible to the controller. Alternatively, an equation for the fitting line can be stored in the controller, and predicted energy values ​​for the aerosolization session can be calculated using the equation for the fitting line 408.

[0120] The fitting line 408 can be divided into a constant portion 408-1 and a linear, sloping portion 408-2. When the battery has a higher state of charge (i.e., a higher energy level), the energy usage per session is approximately constant. This is shown by the constant portion 408-1 of the fitting line 408, which corresponds to the first through ninth aerosolization sessions after the battery is charged. When the battery has a lower state of charge (i.e., a lower energy level), the energy usage per session increases. This is shown by the linear, sloping portion of the fitting line, which corresponds to the tenth through 25th aerosolization sessions.

[0121] As mentioned above, energy usage per aerosolization session can change over time. For example, this can be caused by non-ideal conditions such as aging of the battery, high or low external temperatures, and dirty heating chambers, among others. To address this, after each aerosolization session, the predictive relationship can be updated using the measured characteristics for the most recently completed aerosolization session.

[0122] In step 300, the controller controls the flow of power from the battery to the heater of the aerosol generating device to perform an nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0123] In an example, the nth aerosolization session is performed using a first heating profile, which may include predetermined lengths of time during which the heater is heated to different temperatures in pre-heat and heating phases of the aerosolization session.

[0124] In step 302, the controller obtains aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor. The nth aerosolization session can be considered the most recently completed aerosolization session.

[0125] The controller can use the battery monitor to measure aerosolization session characteristics associated with the nth aerosolization session, or the battery monitor can measure aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session and send these to the controller.

[0126] The battery monitor may include one or more of a voltage measurement module, a current measurement module, and / or an ambient temperature measurement module, among other modules that may be used to measure battery parameters involved in determining energy usage and state of charge.

[0127] The voltage measurement module can be configured to measure a voltage of the battery for the aerosolization session, and the obtained aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session can include a battery voltage measured for the nth aerosolization session measured by the voltage measurement module. In some examples, the voltage measurement module can be a voltmeter or a voltage measurement subcircuit.

[0128] The current measurement module can be configured to measure a current output by the battery in the aerosolization session, and the obtained aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session can include the current output by the battery in the nth aerosolization session measured by the current measurement module. In some examples, the current measurement module can be an ammeter or a current measurement subcircuit.

[0129] The ambient temperature measurement module can be configured to measure an ambient temperature proximate the aerosol generating device during the aerosolization session, and the aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session can include the ambient temperature measured in the nth aerosolization session by the ambient temperature measurement module. In some examples, the ambient temperature measurement module can be a thermometer or a temperature-sensing subcircuit. Because extreme high and low temperatures can affect battery performance, adding temperature to the calculation improves the accuracy of determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth aerosolization session.

[0130] The battery monitor can use a combination of the measured battery voltage of the aerosolization session, the measured current of the aerosolization session, and the measured ambient temperature to determine the battery's state of charge, state of health, and internal resistance. This information can be used to determine the battery's energy level (e.g., in joules). For example, the state of charge, state of health, and internal resistance as a function of state of charge and temperature can be used to determine the battery's energy content for given conditions. The measured energy consumption and actual energy consumption as a function of state of charge or energy content can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0131] The measured battery voltage can be implemented in many ways to determine the battery's state of charge, state of health, and internal resistance.

[0132] For example, in determining the state of charge, an algorithm executed by the controller may perform an Ah count (also known as a Coulomb count) that is frequently recalibrated using the open circuit voltage. In such a case, a voltage measurement before an aerosolization session (measured at a small current, but not during the aerosolization session) may be used with the Ah count during the aerosolization session to provide a state of charge value.

[0133] In another example, the controller can execute a "dynamic monitor" algorithm in which the state of charge is determined as a function of measured current, voltage, and temperature. This can be understood as a look-up table that looks up the voltage during an aerosolization session at a given current and temperature to infer the state of charge. In such an example, the battery voltage is measured during the aerosolization session.

[0134] In an example, the battery health can be determined by having the controller execute an algorithm that examines the open circuit voltage at two different state-of-charge values ​​corresponding to the amount of charge removed after the battery was determined to be fully charged. For example, consider a 2 Ah cell being aged to 1 Ah. In such an example, the open circuit voltage may be measured as 4.15 V, and after discharging 0.5 Ah, the voltage is 3.7 V. After discharging this amount, the 2 Ah battery would instead have 3.9 V (a 25% SoC difference from the 2 Ah nominal capacity). However, because 3.7 V is measured, it can be determined that 50% has been discharged, not 25%. Therefore, the state of health is recalibrated from 2 Ah (if specified in Ah, it could be % or joules instead) to 1 Ah. In this methodology, the voltage is measured before the aerosolization session. Such an algorithm may be available in commercially available fuel gauge chips.

[0135] In another example, the state of health can be based on resistance measurements by determining how much the resistance increases for a certain temperature and state of charge. Such an approach can use dynamic voltage measurements to determine the internal resistance of the battery.

[0136] In examples, the internal resistance can be based on voltage measurements both before and during the aerosolization session. In some examples, the voltage after the aerosolization session can also be used to determine the internal resistance. This approach can be useful for monitoring degradation closely related to capacity loss, with the impact of longer time-constant related effects such as diffusion. Meanwhile, "faster" internal resistance measurements are useful for monitoring the power capability degradation of the battery.

[0137] The measured current of the aerosolization session can be measured continuously during the aerosolization session to extract the exact amount of energy consumed, as well as other battery-related parameters mentioned above.

[0138] The energy usage for the nth aerosolization session can then be determined as the change in battery energy over the nth aerosolization session. In an example, this can be calculated as the difference between the energy level at the end of the (n-1)th aerosolization session and the energy level at the end of the nth aerosolization session. In another example, the change in battery energy over the nth aerosolization session can be calculated by determining the difference between the battery energy level at the start of the nth aerosolization session (either before the nth aerosolization session or at the initial start of the nth aerosolization session) and the battery energy level at the end of the nth aerosolization session.

[0139] In step 304, the controller accesses the energy usage per aerosolization session relationship and updates the relationship based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session.

[0140] The controller can be configured to update the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed by applying a fitting algorithm to the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed to update the relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed for future aerosolization sessions after the nth session.

[0141] That is, the energy usage value of the data point corresponding to the nth aerosolization session is updated from a previous value (e.g., a predetermined energy usage value for the nth session) to a value determined using the obtained aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session. The controller then rescales the plot of energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 with this updated energy usage value for the nth aerosolization session. In other words, after the nth session, the data point corresponding to the nth session is replaced with the energy usage measured in the nth session, and the fitting line is recalculated to reflect this change.

[0142] For example, if the most recently completed aerosolization session is the fifth session after the battery is recharged (i.e., n=5), the aerosolization session characteristics of the fifth aerosolization session are used to determine the actual energy usage in the fifth aerosolization session, and the energy usage value for n=5 is updated to reflect this. The fitting line is then recalculated using the updated values ​​of per-session energy usage for n=1 through n=5 (n=1 through n=4 have already been updated following aerosolization sessions n=1 through n=4) and the predetermined values ​​of per-session energy usage for n=6 through n=x (where x is the maximum number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery when fully charged).

[0143] 4B, the fitting line may have a constant portion 408-1 when the battery has a higher state of charge, and a linearly increasing portion 408-2 when the battery has a lower state of charge, due to the increased energy usage per session as the battery's state of charge decreases. In some examples, when the battery's state of charge is above a preset threshold (e.g., 70%), the controller may be configured to fit only a constant portion of the data points (i.e., only data points from the session that occur before the state of charge drops below the preset threshold). This may improve computational efficiency.

[0144] 4C shows a modified version of the exemplary plot of data points 406 representing the predetermined energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 shown in FIG. 4A. In FIG. 4C, the plot is modified to include a second set of data points 416. The second set of data points 416 represent the measured energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 for all 25 sessions. That is, each of the data points has been updated from the predetermined value (i.e., data point 406) to reflect the measured energy usage per session for each of n=1 through n=25 for data points 416. The measured energy usage per session for each of n=1 through n=25 for data points 416 reflects the “actual word” energy usage measured in the aerosolization sessions performed by the operator.

[0145] As can be seen in Figure 4D, the energy usage in the "real world" environment is higher than the expected energy usage in the ideal environment. This can be attributed to several factors, including, among others, battery aging, contamination of the heating chamber increasing the heating resistance, or extreme external temperatures stressing the battery.

[0146] Figure 4D shows a modification of Figure 4B. Figure 4D includes an exemplary plot of data points 406 representing a predetermined energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404, and a fitting line 408 for the data points 406. Figure 4D also includes an exemplary plot of data points 416 representing the measured energy usage per aerosolization session function 402 as a function of aerosolization session number 404 for all 25 sessions in a "real world" situation, and a fitting line 418 for these updated data points 416.

[0147] In an example, the fitting process can be based on a recursive least squares technique. In particular, the fitting process can be based on a recursive online trend fitting technique based on a recursive least squares filter with a forgetting factor (although other online techniques can be used as well).

[0148] In an example, the fitting process may include the application of a smoothing function. The smoothing function may give higher weighting to conditions where the aerosol generating device's battery behaves more linearly, for example, at room temperature rather than at very low temperatures where the battery may behave more unpredictably. Thus, the application of the smoothing factor may be based on a temperature measured near the aerosol generating device using a temperature measurement module. This helps avoid changes or "jumps" in the determination of the number of sessions that may be performed that may be counterintuitive to an operator, such as actively adapting the predicted number of sessions that may be powered due to changing conditions.

[0149] 4A-4D, data plotting and fitting is performed as energy usage per session as a function of session number. In some examples, this can be further refined so that data plotting and fitting is performed as energy usage per session as a function of session number and measured temperature. In other examples, data plotting can be based on battery state of charge rather than aerosolization session number.

[0150] In step 306, the controller determines the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session based on the updated relationship and the battery energy level.

[0151] The battery energy level can be determined by the controller at the end of the nth aerosolization session using the battery monitor.

[0152] The controller may be configured to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session by calculating the number of future sessions that can be powered after the nth session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions to be performed for future aerosolization sessions after the nth session and the energy level of the battery.

[0153] That is, the updated or recalculated fitting line with the data points corresponding to the nth session replaced by the measured energy usage in the nth session can then be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session. The number of sessions that can be powered can be determined using the measured energy stored in the battery, and then sequentially subtracting energy values ​​from the updated fitting line corresponding to aerosolization sessions n+1, n+2, n+3, etc. until the battery energy threshold is met.

[0154] In the above example where the most recently completed aerosolization session was the fifth session after the battery was recharged (i.e., n=5), subtraction of per-session energy values ​​from the measured battery energy level begins with the expected energy usage value for n=6 (i.e., n+1, where n=5) on the fitting line and continues with subtracting per-session energy usage values ​​for n=7, n=8, etc. on the fitting line until a threshold energy value is exceeded. If the subtraction of the energy value corresponding to n=20 when subtracted from the battery energy value is below the threshold, it is determined that the aerosol generating device is capable of powering 14 or more aerosolization sessions (i.e., aerosolization sessions 6 through 19) because all energy values ​​for n=6 through n=19 were subtracted from the battery's energy level before the threshold was exceeded.

[0155] This process is repeated after each aerosolization session after the nth session by updating the energy usage for the (n+1)th session and readjusting the energy usage per session as a function of the session number, then updating the energy usage for the (n+2)th session and readjusting the energy usage per session as a function of the session number, then updating the energy usage for the (n+3)th session and readjusting the energy usage per session as a function of the session number, etc.

[0156] In this way, the controller can continuously update its fitting of energy usage per session and revise the predicted number of aerosolization sessions that can be performed, taking into account, among other things, how the aerosol generating device is performing due to, for example, battery aging, high or low external temperatures, and fouling of the heating chamber.

[0157] In step 308, the controller controls the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0158] In some examples, the aerosol generating device may include a display screen, and the output of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session may be displayed on such screen. In other examples, the aerosol generating device may include one or more indicator lights (e.g., LEDs), and the output of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session may be displayed by illuminating such indicator lights in different ways (e.g., different numbers of lights, different colors of lights, different flashing patterns, etc.). In other examples, the aerosol generating device may include an audio output device, such as a speaker, and the output of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session may be audibly output from the speaker. In other examples, the aerosol generating device may be paired with an external device, such as a smartphone, via a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, or a wired connection via a physical interface. In such examples, the output of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session may include transmitting data corresponding to the number of sessions that can be performed to the external device, which can then be used to indicate the number of sessions that can be performed.

[0159] 5A-5E show exemplary symbols that may be used on the display of or associated with an aerosol generating device to indicate the number of aerosolization sessions that the battery can power.

[0160] 5A shows an exemplary notation for determining that a battery can power 23 aerosolization sessions. In some examples, this may relate to a substantially fully charged new battery (i.e., a battery where aging has not affected its capacity), which, when fully charged, is capable of powering the maximum number of aerosolization sessions. In such cases, x=23.

[0161] 5B shows an exemplary symbol for determining that a battery can power 21 aerosolization sessions. In some examples, this may relate to a battery that is healthy but is no longer fully charged because it has been used for two aerosolization sessions (in the example where x=23). In other examples, this may relate to a battery that is substantially fully charged but has a heating chamber that needs to be cleaned. That is, a dirty heating chamber will reduce the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered.

[0162] 5A-5E may be displayed in different colors, which may be related to the battery health and the operating conditions of the aerosol generating device.

[0163] For example, if the battery is new (i.e., not aged) and fully charged, new and partially discharged, or new and fully charged but the heating chamber of the aerosol generation device needs to be cleaned, the symbol may be presented in a first color (e.g., green), which may correspond to Figure 5A for a new battery and Figure 5B for a new, partially discharged battery or a new, fully charged battery but the heating chamber of the aerosol generation device needs to be cleaned.

[0164] If the battery is partially discharged and the heating chamber of the aerosol generator needs to be cleaned, or if the battery is aging, the symbol may be presented in a different second color (e.g., amber), which may correspond to Figure 5C where n=19.

[0165] If the battery is very old or very old and the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device needs to be cleaned, the symbol may be presented in a third color (e.g., red), which in some examples may also be used to indicate to the operator that the battery should be replaced with a new battery.

[0166] This may correspond to Figure 5D for a very aged battery where n=15, or Figure 5E for a very aged battery combined with a heating chamber of an aerosol generator that needs to be cleaned where n=12.

[0167] From steps 302 through 308, the controller updates a determination of the number of sessions that can be powered by the battery after each aerosolization session and can output this to the operator. After each aerosolization session, the controller updates the per-session energy usage data with the number of sessions just completed and uses the data from each aerosolization session that occurs to readjust the data to predict the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered. Thus, the operator is provided with a dynamic determination of the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered, taking into account factors such as battery aging, high or low external temperatures, and heating chamber contamination, among others.

[0168] 4D , it can be seen that there is an offset 420 between the constant portion 408-1 of the fit line 408 of the data points 406 representing the predetermined energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of the aerosolization session number 404 and the constant portion of the fit line 418 of the data points 416 representing the measured energy usage per aerosolization session 402 as a function of the aerosolization session number 404. The controller can monitor the offset 420 as the fit line is continuously updated as the number of sessions performed increases from n=1 to n=x and the energy usage values ​​for n=1 through n=x are updated to the measured energy usage values ​​for each aerosolization session.

[0169] This offset 420 can be due to contamination of the heating chamber. If the heating chamber becomes more contaminated, more power is required to heat the aerosol-generating consumable. As a result, more energy is used per session. The controller can be configured to monitor the offset 420 between the fitting line 408 of the predetermined energy usage per aerosolization session 406 and the fitting line 418 of the measured energy usage per aerosolization session 416 each time the fitting line is updated (i.e., after each aerosolization session). If the offset 420 exceeds a predetermined offset threshold, the controller can control the aerosol generating device to output an indication that the heating chamber needs to be cleaned.

[0170] In some examples, if the aerosol generating device includes a display screen, the heating chamber cleaning notification can be presented on the display screen. If the aerosol generating device includes one or more indicator lights (such as LEDs), the heating chamber cleaning notification can be output using the indicator lights. If the aerosol generating device includes an audio output device such as a speaker, the heating chamber cleaning notification can be output audibly from the speaker. If the aerosol generating device can be paired with an external device such as a smartphone, for example, by a wireless connection such as Bluetooth or a wired connection via a physical interface, the heating chamber cleaning notification can be transmitted as data to the external device, which can then be used to indicate to an operator that the heating chamber needs to be cleaned.

[0171] When the battery is recharged from an external source (i.e., when the battery enters a new charging cycle), for subsequent aerosolization sessions after recharging (i.e., aerosolization sessions of the new charging cycle), the controller updates the energy usage values ​​from the energy usage values ​​of the previous charging cycle, starting with the first aerosolization session (n=1). That is, the controller can update the energy usage values ​​for n=1 through n=x for each subsequent aerosolization session, n=1 through n=x, from the values ​​measured in the previous charging cycle to the respective values ​​measured in the aerosolization sessions, n=1 through n=x, of the new charging cycle. In this way, the monitored energy usage values ​​and the determined number of sessions that can be powered continue to reflect changes to the system (e.g., battery aging and heating chamber contamination) over subsequent charging cycles of the battery.

[0172] In some examples, when a new battery is installed, the energy usage values ​​for aerosolization sessions n=1 through n=x can be reset to predetermined values ​​by the controller. In this way, previous measurements of the old battery do not affect the determination of the number of sessions that can be powered by the new battery.

[0173] In some examples, the algorithms executed by the controller have the ability to adapt values ​​already determined for a new battery rather than being "reset." Such adaptation may be slower than a simpler reset, but can continue to account for contamination of the heating chamber, for example. Also, if the new battery is unrecognized (i.e., it is not a battery known to the device), the controller can use predetermined values ​​and adapt them according to the battery's determined performance.

[0174] Figure 6 presents a second process for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by a battery. The process of Figure 6 can be performed by an aerosol generating device such as those described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or any other suitable type of aerosol generating device.

[0175] In step 600, the controller controls the flow of power from the battery to the heater of the aerosol generating device to perform the nth aerosolization session, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0176] In an example, the nth aerosolization session is performed using a first heating profile, which may include predetermined lengths of time during which the heater is heated to different temperatures in the preheat and heating phases of the aerosolization session.

[0177] In step 602, the controller uses the battery monitor to measure the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session.

[0178] In a similar manner as described with reference to FIG. 3 (step 302), the controller can obtain aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor. The nth aerosolization session can be considered the most recently completed aerosolization session. The controller can use the battery monitor to measure aerosolization session characteristics associated with the nth aerosolization session, or the battery monitor can measure the aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session and send them to the controller.

[0179] 3, the battery monitor may include one or more of a voltage measurement module, a current measurement module, and / or an ambient temperature measurement module, among other modules that may be used to measure battery parameters involved in determining energy usage and state of charge. Specific details of the voltage measurement module, current measurement module, and ambient temperature measurement module will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0180] The battery monitor can use a combination of the measured battery voltage of the aerosolization session, the measured current of the aerosolization session, and the measured ambient temperature to determine the battery's state of charge, state of health, and internal resistance. This information can be used to determine the battery's energy level (e.g., in joules), as previously described herein.

[0181] In step 604, the controller uses the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled parameters of the battery to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session for the measured energy level of the battery.

[0182] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary equivalent circuit model of the impedance model of a battery used in an aerosol generating device. The modeled battery parameters are the resistance values ​​of the components in the equivalent circuit model (e.g., R in the example of FIG. 7). s , R p1 , R p2 ), and the capacitor value (for example, C p1 , C p2 ) can be.

[0183] In some examples, the controller can update the modeled battery parameters after the nth aerosolization session based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor. For example, the modeled battery parameters can be updated based on the internal resistance of the battery measured using the battery monitor. The modeled battery parameters can also be updated using a self-adaptive characteristic map. The fitting of the model can be based on the measured voltage response of the battery such that the model is fitted such that the modeled voltage response to a given current and temperature input is the same as the measured voltage response to the current and temperature input.

[0184] The aerosolization session current profile may be a simplified current profile. The current profile may be data representing the applied current from the battery as a function of time during the aerosolization session. The “actual” current profile (i.e., the current profile measured during the aerosolization session) may be highly dynamic in that the current varies over time. The simplified current profile may use one or more current values ​​as a function of time as a simplified representation of the “actual” current profile. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary simplified current profile plot with current 804 as a function of time 802. In this example, the simplified current profile uses two constant current values, 806-1 and 806-2. In other examples, the simplified current profile may use any suitable number of current values, for example, 1, 5, or 10. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that any number of constant current values ​​may be used for the simplified current profile, provided that simplification is applied in that there are fewer current values ​​than in an “actual” current profile, where the current values ​​change frequently and dynamically.

[0185] The current profile increases as the battery ages: the voltage drop increases (internal resistance increases) and therefore a higher current is required to deliver the same power / energy. Therefore, the simplified current profile can be adapted as the battery ages.

[0186] In an embodiment, one simplified current profile may be stored in storage accessible by the controller, which may access and use this simplified current profile to determine how many aerosolization sessions can be performed based on the determined energy level of the battery.

[0187] As the battery's state of charge decreases, the current profile applied by the battery for the aerosolization session may change. Therefore, in a more advanced implementation, multiple simplified current profiles may be stored in storage accessible to the controller. These simplified current profiles may be stored in a lookup table according to the battery's state of charge. That is, simplified current profiles according to the battery's state of charge may be stored in storage accessible to the controller. The controller may determine the battery's state of charge using the aerosolization session characteristics and then select the simplified current profile corresponding to the determined state of charge.

[0188] In some examples, the current profile can be derived from the amount of energy required for the aerosolization session, which can be equal to the current profile multiplied by an estimated or expected voltage response.

[0189] The predicted energy usage of future aerosolization sessions can be determined based on the current values ​​as a function of time of the simplified current profile and the impedance values ​​of the battery impedance model based on the modeled battery parameters.

[0190] In an example, the predicted energy usage of a future aerosolization session can be calculated by multiplying the current profile by the expected battery voltage response when this current profile is applied to an impedance model of the battery.

[0191] In another example, the predicted energy usage of a future aerosolization session can be calculated as the product of the square of the value of the current as a function of time from the simplified current profile and the impedance value of an impedance model of the battery based on the modeled battery parameters, i.e.,

number

[0192] The controller can use the battery's measured energy level to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session by determining the maximum number of aerosolization sessions that can be fully powered at the battery's measured energy level relative to the predicted energy usage of future aerosolization sessions.

[0193] This can be accomplished by dividing the battery's measured energy level by the predicted energy usage of future aerosolization sessions. The result of this division can then be rounded down to the nearest integer to correspond to the number of future aerosolization sessions that can be fully powered (i.e., ignoring any sessions that can only partially power).

[0194] Although the above describes using a simplified current profile, the method can also be performed using the "real" current profile, i.e., the current profile of the nth aerosolization session.

[0195] In step 606, the controller controls the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0196] Outputting the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session can be performed in the manner described with reference to step 308 of FIG. 3, and therefore will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0197] In a further refinement to determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session, the controller can be configured to perform a combination of both the process of FIG. 3 and the process of FIG. 6n.

[0198] This is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0199] In step 900, the controller can control the flow of power from the battery to the heater of the aerosol generating device to perform the nth aerosolization session, which corresponds to steps 300 and 600 in the processes of Figures 3 and 9, respectively.

[0200] In step 902, the controller can obtain measured aerosolization session characteristics of the nth aerosolization session measured using the battery monitor, which corresponds to step 302 of the process in Figure 3 and step 602 of Figure 6 using the battery monitor to measure the battery energy level after the nth aerosolization session.

[0201] In step 904, the controller can access the relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and update the relationship based on the obtained aerosolization session characteristics for the nth aerosolization session, which corresponds to step 304 of the process of FIG.

[0202] In step 906, the controller may determine the number of first aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session based on the updated relationship of energy usage per aerosolization session as a function of the number of aerosolization sessions performed and the battery energy level. This corresponds to step 306 in Figure 3, and the number of first aerosolization sessions may correspond to the number of aerosolization sessions determined in step 306 in Figure 3.

[0203] In step 908, the controller can use the aerosolization session current profile and the modeled parameters of the battery to determine, for the measured energy level of the battery, the number of second aerosolization sessions that can be powered by the battery after the nth aerosolization session. This corresponds to step 604 of Figure 6, and the number of second aerosolization sessions can correspond to the number of aerosolization sessions determined in step 604 of Figure 6.

[0204] In step 910, the controller can control the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session.

[0205] If the number of first aerosolization sessions is different from the number of second aerosolization sessions, in step 910, controlling the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session includes outputting the lower of the number of first aerosolization sessions and the number of second aerosolization sessions.

[0206] If the number of first aerosolization sessions is the same as the number of second aerosolization sessions, in step 910, controlling the aerosol generating device to output the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered on after the nth session includes outputting either the number of first aerosolization sessions or the number of second aerosolization sessions (as they are the same number).

[0207] That is, the controller determines whether the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session determined by the process of Figure 3 differs from the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered after the nth session determined by the process of Figure 6. If there is a difference, the controller controls the aerosol generating device to output the lower of the two determined numbers of aerosolization sessions that can be powered. If there is no difference, the controller can be configured to control the aerosol generating device to output either of the two determined numbers of aerosolization sessions that can be powered because they are the same.

[0208] In this way, the two processes determine different numbers of aerosolization sessions that can be powered, and the lower of the two is output. Overestimating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered can lead to frustration for the operator of the aerosol generating device if the operator is unable to perform the number of aerosolization sessions predicted to power the battery. By combining the two processes (described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6) to determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered (as in FIG. 9) and outputting the lower of the two predictions, the risk of overestimating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered is reduced. Thus, operator frustration is avoided.

[0209] In some cases, an operator may desire to perform more aerosolization sessions than the battery is determined to be capable of powering. For example, a full battery charge may be capable of heating a set number of aerosol sticks, e.g., 15 or 20 sticks, but as the battery ages or reaches a low state of charge (e.g., 5 to 10% of the remaining battery charge), it may be desirable to perform additional aerosolization sessions using limited energy or power usage. To address this issue, the controller can adapt or modify the heating profile used in the aerosolization session to increase the number of aerosolization sessions the battery can power. This technique can thus advantageously reduce the energy content required by the device's battery while still providing the user with the number of aerosolization sessions expected. This process is illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0210] The process of Figure 10 can be used in combination with one of the processes of Figure 3, Figure 6, or Figure 9 for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered, or in combination with any other process for determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered. The process of Figure 10 can be performed by an aerosol generating device such as those described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or any other suitable type of aerosol generating device.

[0211] In step 1000, the controller measures the energy level of the battery using the battery monitor.

[0212] In step 1002, the controller calculates the number of aerosolization sessions a that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and the expected energy usage per session of the first aerosolization session heating profile, where the value of a is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0213] As discussed, a heating profile includes one or more heating steps, each corresponding to heating the heater of the aerosol-generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time. FIG. 11 shows an exemplary aerosolization session heating profile. The heating profile is presented as a plot of target heater temperature 1102 as a function of time 1104 during an aerosolization session. In this case, the aerosolization session heating profile has four heating steps, labeled 1106-1, 1106-2, 1106-3, and 1106-4. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that an aerosolization session heating profile can have any suitable number of steps, one or more. These heating steps correspond to different target temperatures to which the heater is heated for a predetermined period of time during the aerosolization session. During the aerosolization session, the heater is gradually heated through such target temperatures to aerosolize the aerosol-generating material. In some examples, different heating steps are set to different target temperatures. However, some steps may be set to the same target temperature. Similarly, different heating steps can be configured to take different amounts or durations in an aerosolization session, however, some steps can be configured to take the same amount or duration in an aerosolization session.

[0214] The first aerosolization session heating profile can be that of the normal operating mode of the aerosol generating device.

[0215] The number of aerosolization sessions a that can be powered when the first aerosolization session heating profile is applied can be determined using the methods of Figures 3, 6, and 9. Alternatively, any other suitable method can be used to determine the number of aerosolization sessions a that the battery can power. For example, the controller can measure the battery's energy level using a battery monitor and divide the measured battery's energy level by a predetermined, fixed, expected energy usage per session associated with the first aerosolization session heating profile. This value can then be rounded down to the nearest number of cycles that can be fully powered.

[0216] In step 1004, the controller receives a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, where b is an integer greater than or equal to 1. An aerosolization session in eco mode uses less battery energy than an aerosolization session in non-eco mode. That is, an aerosolization session in eco mode can be considered an aerosolization session that uses battery energy more economically than an aerosolization session in non-eco or normal operating mode. This allows for more aerosolization sessions to be performed than in normal operating mode.

[0217] In step 1006, in response to the command to enter eco mode, the controller incrementally modifies the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculates the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the battery's measured energy level and expected energy usage per session for each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined.

[0218] An aerosolization session performed using the second aerosolization session heating profile uses less battery energy than the first aerosolization session heating profile, i.e., the first aerosolization session heating profile is used in a normal operating mode, while the second aerosolization session heating profile is used in an eco mode (or low power mode) that uses less energy so that more aerosolization sessions can be performed for a given energy level of the battery.

[0219] In some examples, b can have a value of 1 (b=1). In such examples, when eco mode is initiated, the controller determines a modification to the aerosolization session heating profile that is needed to enable the battery to power one or more aerosolization sessions than the battery could have powered using the first aerosolization session heating profile. Additionally or alternatively, b can have a value of 2 (b=2). In this case, when eco mode is initiated, the controller determines a modification to the aerosolization session heating profile that is needed to enable the battery to power two or more aerosolization sessions than the battery could have powered using the first aerosolization session heating profile.

[0220] In some examples, the aerosol generating device may be switchable between a normal operating mode capable of powering an aerosolization session and multiple eco modes capable of powering a+b aerosolization sessions. For example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to operate in different eco modes capable of powering different numbers of additional aerosolization sessions. In such an example, there may be a first eco mode (b=1) capable of powering one additional aerosolization session and a second eco mode (b=2) capable of powering two additional aerosolization sessions. In this example, the normal operating mode uses more energy per aerosolization session than both the first eco mode and the second eco mode. The first eco mode uses more energy per aerosolization session than the second eco mode, but less than the aerosolization session in the normal operating mode. The second eco mode uses less energy per aerosolization session than both the first eco mode and the normal operating mode.

[0221] However, one skilled in the art will understand that the same methods can be applied to modify the aerosolization session heating profile to power more than two additional aerosolization sessions in eco mode.

[0222] The aerosol generating device may have a means for switching between a normal mode and an eco mode of operation. In an example, this may be a button that triggers the eco mode when pressed. In another example, the eco mode or low power mode may be automatically initiated when the battery reaches a predetermined state of charge or a predetermined energy level, for example, when the battery reaches 10% or 5% of charge, or when the battery reaches 10% or 5% of energy level. The determination of the energy level may be based on the capacity and internal resistance of the battery. In other words, the controller may be configured to automatically switch to the eco mode or low power mode when the battery charge falls below a predetermined threshold. As will be appreciated, different low power modes may be initiated at different states of charge and / or different energy levels of the battery. To determine the second aerosolization session heating profile, the controller may incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile by incrementally lowering the target heater temperature of the aerosolization session heating profile. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile by incrementally reducing or adjusting the length of time of the aerosolization session heating profile.

[0223] These incremental modifications to the aerosolization heating profile can include predetermined modifications to one or more of the heating steps, which can be stored in storage accessible by the controller. More specifically, each predetermined modification to one or more of the plurality of heating steps may include a predetermined reduction in the target heater temperature of one or more of the heating steps or a predetermined adjustment to the duration of one or more of the heating steps.

[0224] As described with respect to Figure 11, an aerosolization session heating profile can have multiple heating steps. Modifying an aerosolization session heating profile can include modifying a heating step by lowering the target temperature of the heating step or adjusting the time that the heating step is applied.

[0225] In some examples, the modification may include adjusting the target temperature of the heating step or the length of time the heating step is applied. In other examples, the modification may include adjusting both the target temperature of the heating step and the length of time the heating step is applied. In yet another example, the modification may include adjusting the target temperature of two or more heating steps and / or the length of time two or more heating steps are applied. The modification may include increasing the pre-heat time of the device or the length of time of the pre-heat / heating phase. Furthermore, the low-power mode or second aerosolization session heating profile may include fewer heating steps than the first aerosolization session heating profile. As an example, the low-power aerosolization session heating profile may not increase the heating temperature at the end of the session. In another example, the low-power aerosolization session heating profile may have a shorter overall length of time and may turn off the heater of the device earlier. In other words, an aerosolization session in eco mode or low-power mode may have a longer heating phase and a shorter vaping phase than a normal operating mode.

[0226] When modifying an aerosolization session heating profile, in a first modification, the controller can modify the first heating step by reducing the target heater temperature and / or adjusting the length of time the step is applied, and then in a second modification after the first modification, the controller can modify the second heating step (which may be the same or different from the first heating step) by reducing the target heater temperature and / or adjusting the length of time the step is applied.

[0227] Adjusting the duration over which one or more heating steps are applied can include shortening the length of time that a heating step is applied. In some examples, the controller can adjust the duration over which a heating step is applied to reduce the overall time of the aerosolization session, thereby reducing the energy required for the aerosolization session.

[0228] In another example of a predetermined adjustment to the duration of one or more of the heating steps, the controller can shorten the length of time that each heating step is applied. For example, this can be accomplished by shortening each heating step by a predetermined number of seconds or a predetermined percentage. Again, this shortens the overall time of the aerosolization session, thereby reducing the energy required for the aerosolization session.

[0229] Adjusting the time for which one or more heating steps are applied can also include increasing the length of time for which one or more heating steps are applied. Increasing the length of time for which a heating step is applied in a preheating stage can allow for a slower preheating that uses less energy than a faster (i.e., shorter in terms of time) preheating stage. This, in turn, reduces the energy required for the aerosolization session.

[0230] The incremental modifications can have a predetermined priority in which they are applied. That is, modifying the aerosolization session heating profile can include applying the incremental modifications in priority order until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing aerosolization session a+b is determined. This priority can be stored in storage accessible to the controller.

[0231] In this example of prioritization or order for modification for modifications to the aerosolization session heating profile, the controller may apply the modifications in the following order until it determines that session a+b can be performed: 1. Reduce the second heating step by 20°C, then 2. The third heating step is reduced by 30°C, and then 3. Reduce the first heating step by 10°C, then 4. Reduce the overall session duration by 20 seconds.

[0232] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this order of priority is merely an example, and that in other examples, the heating steps and overall session duration may be modified in a different order and by different amounts.

[0233] For each incremental modification to the aerosolization session heating profile, the controller determines how many aerosolization sessions can be powered based on the measured battery energy level. In an example, this can be accomplished by dividing the measured battery energy level by the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile. This value can then be rounded down to the nearest number of aerosolization sessions that can be fully powered.

[0234] In this manner, applying the correction incrementally minimizes the impact on the overall aerosolization session compared to, for example, applying a much larger reduction / adjustment to a constant magnitude heating profile to ensure significantly lower energy usage. Applying the correction incrementally allows for fine tuning of the correction, such that the heating profile is adjusted only as needed to power aerosolization session a+b. Beneficially, this provides a balance between providing aerosolization session a+b and not unnecessarily detrimentally impacting the quality of the aerosolization session when achieving aerosolization session a+b.

[0235] Incrementally modifying the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered can involve executing a loop. Figure 12 shows a flowchart of such a loop.

[0236] In the loop, the controller may first modify the aerosolization session heating profile to a modified aerosolization session heating profile by incremental modification in step 1200. The controller may then determine the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile in step 1202. The controller may then determine the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile in step 1204. In step 1206, the controller may determine whether the number of aerosolization sessions that can be performed is a+b aerosolization sessions. If a+b aerosolization sessions can be performed, the process proceeds to step 1208, where the controller may then designate the modified aerosolization session heating profile that can perform a+b aerosolization sessions as the second aerosolization session heating profile. If a+b sessions cannot be performed (i.e., only a sessions can be performed), the loop is repeated by returning to step 1200. The loop is repeated until a modified aerosolization session heating profile is determined such that the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of the aerosolization session with the modified aerosolization session heating profile is a+b.

[0237] Determining the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile can include determining an integrated aerosolization session heating profile value for the modified aerosolization session heating profile by integrating the target heater temperature value as a function of time in the modified aerosolization session heating profile. The controller can then determine the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile based on a predetermined relationship between the integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and the expected energy usage in the aerosolization session. This predetermined relationship can be stored in storage accessible to the controller.

[0238] The integrated aerosolization session heating profile value can be calculated by the controller and can be conceptually understood as the area 1108 under the heating profile temperature line, such as in the plot of target heater temperature 1102 as a function of time 1104 of the heating profile in FIG. 11.

[0239] In a further refinement, determining the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile may include normalizing the determined integrated aerosolization session heating profile value to determine a normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value. The expected energy usage of an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile can then be determined based on a predetermined relationship between the normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and the expected energy usage in the aerosolization session. This predetermined relationship can be stored in storage accessible to the controller.

[0240] The integrated aerosolization session heating profile value can be normalized to a predetermined value, such as a maximum integrated aerosolization session heating profile value. The maximum integrated aerosolization session heating profile value is the integrated aerosolization session heating profile value of an aerosolization session heating profile that uses the maximum amount of power or energy when used in an aerosolization session. That is, the normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value has a maximum value of 1, which is for the maximum power aerosolization session heating profile.

[0241] The normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value can be determined by dividing the integrated aerosolization session heating profile value of the incrementally corrected aerosolization session heating profile by the maximally integrated aerosolization session heating profile value.

[0242] When the aerosolization session heating profile is incrementally modified, the normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value decreases from a maximum value of 1 as the target heater temperature for the heating step is reduced and / or the length of time is gradually adjusted because these incremental modifications gradually reduce the expected energy usage in the aerosolization session using the modified heating profile.

[0243] Figure 13 shows a plot of energy consumption per aerosolization session 1304 as a function of the normalized integral of the aerosolization session heating profile 1302. As can be seen from Figure 13, there is a linear relationship 1306 between the energy consumption per aerosolization session 1304 and the normalized integral of the aerosolization session heating profile 1302.

[0244] This linear relationship can be used by the controller to determine the expected energy usage in an aerosolization session for each incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile.

[0245] For example, a lookup table can be stored in storage accessible by the controller. In this lookup table, expected energy usage values ​​can be stored along with the normalized integral values ​​of each of the aerosolization session heating profiles. In this manner, the controller can determine the normalized integral values ​​of the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile and then use the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile to look up the expected energy usage of the aerosolization session.

[0246] In an alternative to the lookup table approach, the controller can calculate the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using a predetermined relationship between the normalized integral of the aerosolization session heating profile and the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the aerosolization session heating profile. In an example, this predetermined relationship can be the equation of the linear fitting line in FIG. 13. That is, the expected energy usage can be calculated as the slope of the fitting line multiplied by the normalized integral of the aerosolization session heating profile plus a constant.

[0247] In summary, in step 1006 of FIG. 10 , the controller can apply incremental (i.e., stepwise) modifications to the aerosolization session heating profile by adjusting the heating steps of the heating profile. The controller can then calculate the integral of the modified aerosolization session heating profile and normalize the integral value. The controller can then use a lookup or a predetermined relationship to determine the expected energy usage in an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile and use this modified aerosolization session heating profile to determine how many aerosolization sessions can be performed based on the measured battery level. If the number of aerosolization sessions that can be performed is not a+b (i.e., it is a), subsequent modifications can be made to the aerosolization session heating profile until it is determined that a+b aerosolization sessions are possible. If the number of aerosolization sessions that can be performed is a+b, the modified aerosolization session heating profile is used as the second aerosolization profile for Eco mode.

[0248] Alternatively, rather than normalizing the integral value of the aerosolization session heating profile, a look-up table of predetermined values ​​of expected energy usage for different modified aerosolization session heating profiles can be used.

[0249] In step 1008, the controller controls the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b.

[0250] In this way, by modifying the aerosolization session heating profile, it is possible to perform a+b sessions for a given energy level in the battery, rather than just a session.

[0251] The controller may be further configured to control the aerosol generating device to output an indication that the aerosol generating device has entered eco mode.

[0252] In some examples, the aerosol generating device may include a display screen, and outputting an indication that the aerosol generating device has entered eco mode may include displaying an indication on such screen.

[0253] FIG. 14A shows an exemplary display that may be output on the display screen when the aerosol generating device is operating in normal mode (i.e., not operating in eco mode). In this example, a=5, so "5" is displayed. FIG. 14B shows an exemplary display that may be output on the display screen when the aerosol generating device is operating in a first eco mode where b=1. In this example, a=5 and b=1, so "5+1" is displayed. That is, the display indicates the number of sessions (a) that may be powered in normal operating mode and the number of additional sessions (b) that may be powered due to the eco mode being triggered. Similarly, FIG. 14C shows an exemplary display that may be output on the display screen when the aerosol generating device is operating in a second eco mode where b=2. In this example, a=5 and b=2, so "5+2" is displayed. While the examples use values ​​of a=5 and b=1 or b=2, those skilled in the art will readily understand that other suitable numbers representing the number of available aerosolization sessions may be displayed instead.

[0254] In other examples, the aerosol generating device may be paired with an external device, such as a smartphone, by a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, or a wired connection via a physical interface. In such examples, outputting an indication that the aerosol generating device has entered eco mode may include transmitting data corresponding to the eco mode being triggered to the external device, which may then be used to indicate that the aerosol generating device has entered eco mode, similar to Figures 14A-14C.

[0255] In some examples, the controller can be configured so that eco mode can be triggered only if the battery of the aerosol generating device is capable of powering a number of aerosolization sessions equal to or less than a threshold number of sessions. In an example, the threshold may be five sessions. In this way, an operator cannot enter eco mode unnecessarily, thereby preventing the operator from unnecessarily reducing the quality of the aerosolization sessions.

[0256] FIG. 15A shows an exemplary heating profile 1500 for the normal / standard operating mode. At the beginning of an aerosolization session in the standard operating mode, the device's heater is in a heating phase 1505, preheated to reach a starting temperature of 295° C.±5° C. over a period of about 14 to about 25 seconds. The aerosolization session then continues for a period of about 300 seconds, during which the heater reaches a first vaping phase 1510 and is held at an operating temperature of 230° C.±5° C. for about half of the session (e.g., about 150 to 180 seconds). Later in the session, in a second vaping phase 1515, the heater temperature is increased to 260° C.±5° C. over a period of about 80 seconds and held at that temperature for an additional 50 to 60 seconds before the heater is turned off at the end of the session 1520.

[0257] In this standard operating mode, the operating assumption is that 20 W of power is required for 15 seconds of heating / preheating phase (resulting in 300 J of energy). Extending the preheating phase time to 30 seconds, i.e., doubling it, halves the power required to 10 W (to provide the same amount of energy, 300 J). 10 W for a 3.3 V battery means a current of approximately 3 A and a voltage drop of approximately 0.15 V. For 20 W, the current and effective voltage drop required are doubled, i.e., 6 A of current and 0.3 V of voltage drop. It is therefore believed that by lowering the power requirements from the battery and extending the heating or preheating time, the device's battery can be used for more sessions.

[0258] FIG. 15B shows another exemplary graph of a heating profile 1500 for a first standard operating mode (described in FIG. 15A) and a second heating profile 1550 for an eco or low power mode. The second heating profile 1550 has an extended heating phase 1555 in which the heater is preheated to a starting temperature of 295°C ± 5°C over a period of approximately 45 to 55 seconds. The eco mode aerosolization session lasts approximately 210 seconds, a shorter period than the standard operating mode (i.e., approximately 90 seconds shorter than the standard operating mode). This aerosolization session may also only include a single vaping phase 1560 in which the heater is brought to and held at an operating temperature of 230°C ± 5°C for the duration of the aerosolization session (e.g., on the order of 210 seconds). As will be appreciated, the aerosolization session may also include different vaping phases and temperatures according to design requirements. At the end of the eco mode aerosolization session 1565, the heater is turned off.

[0259] As an example, if a 270-second vaping session requires 1000 J of energy, shortening the session by 90 seconds saves one-third of the energy requirement, or approximately 333 J. This means that a device's battery operating in low-power / eco mode increases the number of consumable sticks that can be aerosolized with the battery's remaining charge or energy level. The device may automatically run in eco mode when the battery's remaining power reaches a predetermined threshold amount, such as 10% of the remaining charge or energy level. Alternatively, a user may manually switch the device from standard operating mode to low-power eco mode at any time / at any battery level to increase the number of aerosolization sessions. Such energy and power savings may allow the device's battery to be smaller or have a lower energy content or energy density.

[0260] 16 shows a schematic diagram of the control of an aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure. The device comprises a controller 1605 in communication with a battery 1610 and a heater 1615. The controller 1605 may be a multipoint control unit, and the heater 1615 may be a negative temperature coefficient heater.

[0261] The controller 1605 regulates the maximum power drawn from the battery 1610 and controls the heater 1615 by using a battery monitor 1620 and a heater monitor 1625. The battery monitor 1620 allows the controller 1605 to read state of charge, state of health, remaining energy, and battery temperature information from the battery 1610. The heater monitor 1625 allows the controller to read heater temperature, battery current, and battery voltage information from the heater 1615. Using information from the battery monitor 1620 and the heater monitor 1625, the controller 1605 can determine or select a battery model 1630 for the battery 1610 and a heater model 1635 for the heater 1615, each model including specific parameters for operating the battery / heater. In this manner, different operating profiles with different parameters can be implemented until the battery 1610 is fully depleted and an optimal number of aerosolization sessions is provided to the user.

[0262] Information provided by the battery model 1630 enables the controller 1605 to operate the battery 1610 in an eco mode or low power mode. The information may be in the form of an estimated minimum voltage during a session and / or number of sessions the battery 1610 can sustain according to a given temperature / load profile (from the heater model) without reaching a minimum voltage threshold set by the controller 1605. The eco or low power mode may have further sub-modes or settings that enable the controller 1605 to operate the device using a progressive power reduction mode or constant mode to ensure that a given number of consumable sticks / aerosolization sessions can be consumed per full charge of the battery 1610.

[0263] In a gradual power / energy consumption reduction setting, the duration of the preheat phase may be gradually increased as the state of charge or remaining energy of the battery 1610 decreases. For example, the preheat time may be 25 seconds for the first eco mode aerosolization session in a gradual reduction setting, followed by 30 seconds for the second session, 35 seconds for the third session, 40 seconds for the fourth session, and 45 seconds for the fifth session. Alternatively, in a low power mode constant mode setting, the preheat phase may have a fixed duration of, for example, 35 seconds. As will be appreciated, increasing the preheat time reduces the power requirements from the battery 1610, which in turn ensures that the output of the battery 1610 does not reach a minimum voltage threshold set by the controller 1605 (as a high power output may be required during the preheat phase), thus allowing the battery 1610 to sustain a greater number of aerosolization sessions.

[0264] While the foregoing examples of processes described with reference to Figures 3, 6, 9, and 10 have been described in the context of an aerosol generating device configured to aerosolize an aerosol-generating consumable, such as a tobacco rod containing tobacco, the teachings are equally applicable to "e-vapor" type aerosol generating devices in which a liquid-based aerosol-generating material is vaporized or aerosolized, for example, using a wick material and a heater. In such examples, an aerosolization session can be considered a single "puff." The teachings can also be applied to aerosol generating devices configured to generate a single puff by heating tobacco.

[0265] In the foregoing examples, the processing steps described herein performed by the controller may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or storage associated with the controller. Computer-readable media may include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include semiconductor memory and dynamic memory, among others. Non-volatile media may include optical and magnetic disks, among others.

[0266] The embodiments described above are not limiting, and it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the features of each embodiment can be incorporated into other embodiments as appropriate.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the controller comprising: measuring the energy level of the battery using the battery monitor; calculating a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, a being an integer greater than or equal to 0, the heating profile including one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined duration; receiving a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, b being an integer greater than or equal to 1, wherein an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less energy from the battery than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; In response to the command to enter the Eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session for each of the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profiles until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; controlling the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using the second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing an aerosolization session of a+b. An aerosol generating device configured to:

2. Incrementally modifying the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculating the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session for each of the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profiles until a second aerosolization session heating profile is determined that can perform a+b aerosolization sessions, comprises: modifying the aerosolization session heating profile by incremental modifications to the modified aerosolization session heating profile; determining an expected energy usage for an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile; and determining the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of aerosolization sessions using the modified aerosolization session heating profile; Including, the loop is repeated until the modified aerosolization session heating profile is determined such that the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the expected energy usage of aerosolization sessions with the modified aerosolization session heating profile is a+b; the controller is configured to designate the modified aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing aerosolization sessions a+b as the second aerosolization session heating profile. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 .

3. Determining an expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile includes: determining an integrated aerosolization session heating profile value of the modified aerosolization session heating profile by integrating the target heater temperature value as a function of time in the modified aerosolization session heating profile; and determining an expected energy usage for an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile based on a predetermined relationship between the integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and the expected energy usage for the aerosolization session; 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, comprising:

4. Determining an expected energy usage of an aerosolization session using the modified aerosolization session heating profile includes: normalizing the determined integrated aerosolization session heating profile value to determine a normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value; the expected energy usage of an aerosolization session performed using the modified aerosolization session heating profile is determined based on a predetermined relationship between a normalized integrated aerosolization session heating profile value and an expected energy usage in an aerosolization session. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3.

5. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein incrementally modifying the aerosolization session heating profile comprises incrementally lowering a target heater temperature of the aerosolization session heating profile and / or incrementally adjusting the length of time of the aerosolization session heating profile.

6. 6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more heating steps are multiple heating steps.

7. 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein each incremental modification to the aerosolization heating profile comprises a predetermined modification to one or more of the plurality of heating steps.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein each predetermined modification to one or more of the plurality of heating steps includes a predetermined reduction in the target heater temperature of one or more of the heating steps or a predetermined adjustment to the duration of one or more of the heating steps.

9. the incremental modifications have a predetermined priority; modifying the aerosolization session heating profile includes applying the incremental modifications in the priority order until the second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 or 8.

10. 10. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first aerosolization session heating profile is for a normal operating mode of the aerosol generating device.

11. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an aerosolization session performed using the second aerosolization session heating profile uses less energy from the battery than the first aerosolization session heating profile.

12. 12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein b=1 or 2.

13. 13. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to control the aerosol generating device to output an indication that the eco mode has been initiated.

14. 1. A method of operating an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the method comprising: measuring, with the controller, an energy level of the battery using the battery monitor; calculating, with the controller, a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, where a is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the heating profile includes one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time; receiving, at the controller, a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, where b is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less energy from the battery than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; using the controller, in response to the command to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session for each of the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profiles until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using the second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing aerosolization sessions of a+b; A method comprising:

15. 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a controller, and a battery monitor, the one or more processors being configured to: measuring, with the controller, an energy level of the battery using the battery monitor; calculating, with the controller, a number a of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session of a first aerosolization session heating profile, where a is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the heating profile includes one or more heating steps, each of the one or more heating steps corresponding to heating a heater of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined target heater temperature value for a predetermined period of time; receiving, at the controller, a command to enter an eco mode capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions, where b is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and an aerosolization session in the eco mode uses less energy from the battery than an aerosolization session not in the eco mode; using the controller, in response to the command to enter the eco mode, incrementally modify the aerosolization session heating profile and recalculate the number of aerosolization sessions that can be powered based on the measured energy level of the battery and an expected energy usage per session for each of the incrementally modified aerosolization session heating profile until a second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing a+b aerosolization sessions is determined; and controlling, with the controller, the aerosol generating device to perform an aerosolization session using the second aerosolization session heating profile capable of performing aerosolization sessions of a+b; A non-transitory computer-readable medium for causing execution of steps including:

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