Aerosol generating device with improved connection interface

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprising: a controller including a processing circuit having one or more data processors; and a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operable connection between the aerosol generating device and either an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device, wherein the physical interface includes two electrical connection elements, and the controller is configured to: a) activate a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface; and b) activate a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface to transmit data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and at least one electrical energy source, and an external computing device, and to a computer-implemented method for controlling the aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that a user can use to consume or experience the aerosol generated by heating an aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article, for example, in one or more use sessions. The aerosol-generating devices to which the present disclosure relates are commonly referred to as heated tobacco products (HTPs), heat-not-burn devices, electronic cigarettes, and / or vaporizers. Applicant markets such devices, for example, under the brand name IQOS®.

[0003] Exemplary aerosol-generating substrates may include solid substrate materials, such as tobacco or tobacco cast leaf (TCL) materials. The substrate material may, for example, often be assembled with other elements or components to form a substantially stick-shaped aerosol-generating article. Such a stick or aerosol-generating article may be configured in a shape and size to be at least partially inserted into an aerosol-generating device, and may, for example, include a heating element or heater device for heating the aerosol-generating article and / or the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may include one or more liquids and / or solids that can be supplied to the aerosol-generating device, for example, in the form of a cartridge or container. Corresponding exemplary aerosol-generating articles may, for example, include a cartridge containing or fillable with a liquid and / or solid substrate, which can vaporize during aerosol consumption by a user upon heating the substrate and / or liquid. Typically, such a cartridge or container may be coupled, attached, or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly attached to the aerosol generating device and refilled by inserting liquids and / or solids into the cartridge.

[0004] To generate an aerosol during use or consumption, heat may be supplied by a heating element, heater device, or heat source to heat at least a portion or parts of the aerosol-generating substrate. The heating element, heater device, or heat source may be disposed within the handheld device or the hand-held portion of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, or additionally, at least a portion or the entire heating element, heater device, or heat source may be fixedly associated with or disposed within the aerosol-generating article, for example in the form of a stick or cartridge that may be attached to and / or powered by the handheld device or the hand-held portion of the aerosol-generating device.

[0005] Exemplary heating elements or heater devices can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating, and microwave heating, using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from, or stored within a battery in the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, an electrical energy source external to the aerosol-generating device can be operatively connected to the device to provide electrical energy for operation of the device. As used herein, a battery in an aerosol-generating device can generally refer to an energy storage in the aerosol-generating device configured to store electrical energy. Thus, the term battery can include one or more capacitors, one or more accumulators, or other types of energy storage. Also, a reference herein to a battery can include multiple batteries.

[0006] Typically, an aerosol-generating device may include a battery that provides the electrical energy necessary to operate the aerosol-generating device and, in particular, to heat the aerosol-generating substrate and / or article, e.g., to generate an aerosol using one or more aerosol-generating articles over one or more use sessions. The battery may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, and may be internal, removable, or external. An electrical energy source may need to be operably connected to the aerosol-generating device to charge the battery or to directly operate the aerosol-generating device. For example, the electrical energy source may be connected to the aerosol-generating device each time the battery is recharged.

[0007] The aerosol generating device may also be connected to an external computing device to transfer data between the aerosol generating device and the computing device, for example, data collected by the aerosol generating device may be extracted or data related to programming of the aerosol generating device may be input from the external computing device.

[0008] Thus, an aerosol generating device may require a connection interface, e.g., a physical connection interface, to establish an operable connection with an electrical energy source and / or an external computing device. The connection interface may need to provide connectivity for the aerosol generating device with both the electrical energy source and the external computing device. In other words, the connection interface may need to include connection elements for establishing connections between the aerosol generating device, the external electrical energy source, and the external computing device. For example, the external electrical energy source may need to be connected to the aerosol generating device's battery and power supply connection, while the external computing device may need to be connected to the aerosol generating device's controller in a data transmission connection. Thus, the connection interface may need to include connection elements for establishing both of these connections. Typically, these connections are established by providing separate connection elements, e.g., connection pins, on the connection interface and electrically connecting these connection elements to the battery and controller, respectively. Thus, typically, at least two connection elements or connection pins must be provided on the connection interface for each type of connection to be established, e.g., a pair of connection elements or connection pins for the power supply connection and another pair of connection elements or connection pins for the data transmission connection.

[0009] In conventional applications, such as aerosol generating devices, this can lead to the use of large physical connection interfaces with many connection elements or pins. Such large connection interfaces can be complex and expensive. Furthermore, the large number of connection elements may require small tracks or traces in the electrical circuit, which can make the manufacture of these parts or elements more complex and thereby increase manufacturing costs.

[0010] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved aerosol generating device that has a simpler connection interface and is easy to manufacture.

[0011] This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Optional features are provided by the dependent claims and the description. Summary of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a controller including a processing circuit having one or more data processors; and a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operable connection between the aerosol generating device and either an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device, the physical connection interface including two electrical connection elements, wherein the controller is configured to: a) activate a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface; and b) activate a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface to transmit data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface.

[0013] In the power supply mode, the aerosol generating device may be operable to transfer electrical energy between itself and an electrical energy supply source. In other words, in the power supply mode, a power supply connection may be established between the power supply source and the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may receive electrical energy required for its operation, for example, from an electrical energy supply source connected via the connection interface. The aerosol generating device may also include a battery or battery pack for storing electrical energy. Thus, in the power supply mode, the aerosol generating device and / or its battery may be charged by an electrical energy supply source connected via the connection interface. In the power supply mode, the aerosol generating device may also provide electrical energy, for example, from a battery in the aerosol generating device to the electrical energy supply source. In the data transfer mode, the aerosol generating device may be operable to transfer data between itself, in particular, between the aerosol generating device's controller and an external computing device. In other words, a data transfer connection may be established between the aerosol generating device or the aerosol generating device's controller and the external computing device. In this mode, data may be transferred from the aerosol generating device or the aerosol generating device's controller to the external computing device. Additionally, in this mode, data may be transmitted from an external computing device to the aerosol generating device or to a controller of the aerosol generating device.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, the same two electrical connection elements of the connection interface are used in both the power supply mode and the data transfer mode. The two electrical connection elements may be used, for example, to detect or characterize a power source and / or a power sink in the power supply mode, while the two electrical connection elements may be used, for example, for data transmission in the data transfer mode. Thus, an electrical connection element and / or a physical connection interface being operably connected to an electrical energy supply source may mean that the electrical connection element is used to detect, characterize, or manage the connection to the electrical energy supply source. Power transfer, e.g., charging current, does not need to actually flow through the two electrical connection elements. The actual power transfer itself may be implemented via other connection elements of the physical connection interface. Nevertheless, the two electrical connection elements are necessary for its management function for power transfer in the power transfer mode. These same two electrical connection elements may then be used in the data transfer mode, specifically to perform data transmission. Thus, in the data transfer mode, the two electrical connection elements may be used for the actual transmission of data. The two electrical connection elements of the physical connection interface may comprise or include electrical contacts or connectors, or may be the same. The two electrical connection elements of the physical connection interface may comprise or include pins, pads, or terminals, and the electrical connection between the electrical connection elements and the controller may be established via tracks, traces, or wires, for example, printed tracks or traces.

[0015] The aerosol generating device may be operable in either the power supply mode or the data transfer mode by selectively using the same two electrical connection elements to form the power supply connection or the data transfer connection. Thus, the power supply mode and the data transfer mode may be mutually exclusive, in the sense that they cannot be activated simultaneously, but can only be activated sequentially. Nevertheless, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be operable in both modes, with both modes utilizing the same two electrical connection elements of the physical connection interface. This design allows the physical connection interface of the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure to be implemented with reduced complexity. Therefore, it is not necessary to use very small and difficult-to-handle connection elements, so that the manufacturing costs of both the connection interface and the aerosol generating device can be reduced.

[0016] The controller may be configured to distinguish whether to activate the power supply mode or the data transfer mode. The controller may be configured to automatically activate the power supply mode or the data transfer mode of the physical connection interface when connection of an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device is detected. Thus, the controller may be configured to automatically determine that an electrical energy supply source or a computing device is connected to the connection interface. The controller may be configured to switch the physical connection interface to the data transfer mode upon determining that an operable connection is established between the external computing device and the two connection elements. The controller may be configured to switch the physical connection interface to the power supply mode upon determining that an operable connection is established between the electrical energy supply source and the two connection elements.

[0017] Alternatively, the controller may be configured to activate the power supply mode or data transfer mode of the aerosol generation device or the connection interface in response to a control signal. In other words, the controller may be configured to switch the aerosol generation device or the physical connection interface into the power supply mode or data transfer mode upon receiving the control signal. The control signal may be provided by a user, for example, via a user input device of the aerosol generation device, as described in more detail below. Alternatively, the control signal may be provided by an external device, for example, an external computing device operably connected to the connection interface.

[0018] As already mentioned, the physical connection interface may include or comprise an electrical connection element. The connection interface may be in the form of a socket or plug. Thus, an electrical connection between the connection interface and an electrical energy supply source or a computing device may be established by inserting the plug of the electrical energy supply source or the computing device into the socket of the connection interface. Alternatively, an electrical connection between the connection interface and an electrical energy supply source or the computing device may be established by inserting the plug of the connection interface into the socket of the electrical energy supply source or the computing device. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the physical connection interface may include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket or plug, particularly a 24-pin, 16-pin, or 6-pin USB C socket or plug. When a connection interface having only a limited number of connection elements or pins, such as a 6-pin USB C socket or plug, is used, providing both a power supply mode and a data transfer mode may only be possible through the present invention, as the number of pins may not be sufficient to provide separate pins for both power and data transfer. In connection interfaces with many electrical connection elements or pins, the dual use of two electrical connection elements or pins according to the present invention may free up other connection elements or pins for other uses and therefore may also be advantageous.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the two connection elements may include CC pins (configuration channel pins), preferably CC1 and CC2 of a USB socket or plug, such as a 6-pin USB C socket or plug. Such a 6-pin USB C connection interface may include a CC1 pin, a CC2 pin, two VBUS pins, and two GND pins. The VBUS pin may be used for power supply between an external electrical energy source and the aerosol generator and / or its battery. The GND pin may be used as a ground or return current path. The CC pins CC1 and CC2 may be used to establish and manage a source-to-sink connection. In USB Type-C, the CC pins and corresponding lines may be used to detect electrical sources and / or loads or sinks by detecting different voltages caused by different pull-up and pull-down resistor combinations in the connected device. This pull-up / pull-down CC model is part of the USB Type-C standard, the physical and functional details of which are known to those skilled in the art. According to the present disclosure, in the power supply mode, the CC pin of the USB connection interface may function in a conventional manner to enable the transfer of electrical energy to the aerosol generating device or the battery of the aerosol generating device via the VBUS pin.

[0020] Additionally, however, the same electrical connection elements, e.g., CC pins, used to establish and manage the power supply source-to-sink connection in the power supply mode may also be used in a data transfer mode that is not part of the USB standard. Thus, it may be provided that the controller is configured to configure the two connection elements as UART (Universal Asynchronous Transmitter-Receiver) Rx (Receiver) and Tx (Transmitter) pins, or as USB D+ (Data+) and D- (Data-) pins, or as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) SCL (Serial Clock) and SDA (Serial Data) pins in the data transfer mode. Thus, the two electrical connection elements may be configured to transmit data in any of the above-mentioned protocols. Other suitable protocols may also be used.

[0021] For this purpose, the controller may include two GPIO (general-purpose input / output) pins, which are electrically connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface: resistors or impedances, preferably between about 3 kΩ and 7 kΩ, particularly between 4.5 kΩ and 5.5 kΩ, e.g., 5.1 kΩ resistors. The resistors or impedances are preferably connected in a shunt fashion to the electrical connection between the connection elements of the physical connection interface and the GPIO pins of the controller. The resistors or impedances may preferably be used as pull-up / pull-down resistors or impedances for the function of the CC pins in the power supply mode, while the direct electrical connection between the connection elements of the physical connection interface and the GPIO pins of the controller may be used for data transmission in the data transmission mode. For example, a 5.1 kΩ resistor connected to the CC pins may typically characterize the aerosol generator as a sink, such that power may be supplied to the aerosol generator or its battery via the VBUS pin in the power supply mode.

[0022] To detect the aerosol generator as a sink via an electrical connection element, such as a CC pin, with respect to an external device, e.g., an electrical energy supply source, the controller may be configured to configure two GPIO pins as high impedance or high resistance in the power supply mode. In this case, the capacitance of the aerosol generator as a sink may be defined by a resistor according to the pull-up / pull-down CC model described above. Thus, the aerosol generator may be recognized as a sink by the external electrical energy supply source, and power may therefore be supplied to the aerosol generator in the power supply mode.

[0023] During normal operation of the aerosol generating device, the power supply mode may be used more frequently than the data transmission mode. Therefore, the controller may be configured to switch from the data transmission mode to the power supply mode if a data connection between the controller and an external computing device is not established for a predetermined period of time after activation of the data transmission mode. The predetermined period may be, for example, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, or 5 minutes. If no data is transmitted between the aerosol generating device or the aerosol generating device's controller and the computing device, the data transmission mode may be terminated and the device may switch to the power supply mode. This may also be a security mechanism to ensure that the CC pin is available for source-to-sink detection when an electrical energy source is connected to the connection interface.

[0024] As described above, the control signal may be used to determine which mode to activate, for example, whether to activate the data transfer mode. The control signal may be input by a user. To this end, the controller may further include an input device configured to receive the control signal from the user, preferably one of a button, knob, keyboard, touchscreen, display, light-emitting element, and speaker, e.g., a push button or a capacitive button. The user may generate the control signal by operating the input device. The controller may be configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transfer mode of the physical connection interface in response to a predetermined control signal received from the user via the input device of the aerosol generating device. The controller may be configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transfer mode of the aerosol generating device in response to receiving, via the input device of the aerosol generating device, a predetermined sequence of control signals forming an activation pattern for activating each of the data transfer mode and the power supply mode. For example, the activation pattern may include activating the input device, e.g., pressing a button a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period. Alternatively, the activation pattern may include activating the input device, e.g., pressing a button for a predetermined period.

[0025] One advantage of the present disclosure lies in the fact that the physical connection interface can be minimal, such as a 6-pin USB Type-C socket or plug, yet can implement both power supply and data transmission. Data transmission from the aerosol generating device to an external computing device in data transmission mode can be useful for reading data connected by the aerosol generating device during operation and / or its use by a user. For example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to collect usage data, which may relate to, for example, data describing or characterizing a user's aerosol generating device usage habits. This data may be read for use in usage statistics to improve the control of the aerosol generating device and the user experience. Another example of data that can be collected by the aerosol generating device may be event data, for example, relating to unusual or extreme events. Such data may include, for example, very high or very low temperatures of the aerosol generating device or its battery, failure to identify the aerosol-generating article, etc. Furthermore, the aerosol generating device may also collect error data, such as an error log of the firmware of the aerosol generating device and its controller. For the purpose of collecting, storing, and transmitting this data to an external computing device, the aerosol generating device may be provided with a data storage, which stores one or more of usage data, event data, and error data, and the controller may be configured to provide the data stored in the data storage to an external computing device connected to the physical connection interface in a data transmission mode.

[0026] By way of explicit example, one or more of usage data, event data, and error data may be: - Energy consumption per usage session, - the number of use sessions in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol, preferably per predetermined time interval; - the duration of the usage session; - rest times between successive use sessions, preferably wherein the usage pattern parameter value associated with the rest times between successive use sessions only changes for rest times between subsequent use sessions of between 0 and 40 minutes; - frequency of at least two consecutive use sessions, in particular without recharging the aerosol generator in between; - ambient temperature during the usage session; - ambient air pressure during the session of use; - ambient humidity during the usage session; - the ambient temperature during the recharging of the aerosol generator's batteries; - the temperature of the aerosol generator battery during the session of use; - the temperature of the heating element or heater unit of the aerosol-generating device during a predetermined period before the start of a use session; - number of puffs per session of use; - smoke intake, - Frequency of smoking, - Smoking rhythm, - the start time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the end time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the duration of the pause mode in the aerosol generating device; - the duration of the aerosol generator recharge event; - the downtime after recharging the aerosol generator; - Rest time with battery charge less than 10%; - Rest time with battery charge above 90%; - the density of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the weight of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the type of aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - humidity of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device; - temperature profile selected by the user, - aerosol generator firmware error logs, - aerosol generator status information; - Battery degradation data, - total number of battery charges, - total time of battery charging, - maximum battery voltage when charging, - maximum battery temperature, - minimum battery temperature, - the total duration of all usage sessions; - a total number of usage sessions.

[0027] The usage data, event data, and error data stored in the data storage and provided by the aerosol generating device to the external computing device may include any one or any combination of the data or parameters described above.

[0028] Energy consumption per use session may describe the amount of electrical energy depleted from the battery of the aerosol generating device to provide or permit a use session, e.g., from the start of the use session to the end of the use session. This may be expressed in units of battery capacity, e.g., as a percentage of the battery's state of charge (SOC) depleted to provide the use session. It may also be expressed as the total amount of battery capacity needed to provide the use session, e.g., in mAh, a standard expression for battery capacity.

[0029] The number of usage sessions of the aerosol generating device and the number of usage sessions in which the aerosol generating device was operated, respectively, may be relevant parameters since they may characterize the intensity of the user's use of the device. This may therefore make it possible to distinguish between heavy users and may be used to explain trends in the lifespan of the device and / or battery. Alternatively, the number of usage sessions may relate to a criterion different from a predetermined time interval. For example, the number of usage sessions between device recharges may be collected. For this value, the amount of time between two consecutive device recharge events may be irrelevant.

[0030] The duration of one or more use sessions may vary from user to user and may affect battery strain. Because the aerosol generator preferably maintains a heated temperature during this period, the amount of energy required for a use session may be highly correlated with its duration. By way of example only, a typical aerosol generator may allow for use sessions of up to six minutes.

[0031] The rest period between successive use sessions may be related to the temperature of the device, the device's heating element, and the battery. During a use session, the heating element, the device, and the battery may be heated by heating the aerosol-generating substrate or article. After a use session, the device and battery begin to cool or cool until they reach ambient temperature. This duration may be referred to as the rest period. As a non-limiting example, after about 40 minutes, the battery typically reaches ambient temperature, which may mean that different rest periods of 40 minutes or more may have the same effect from a temperature perspective. For this reason, optionally, only rest periods between 0 and 40 minutes may result in different values ​​for the corresponding use pattern parameter, while periods of 40 minutes or more may have the same value. A shorter rest period, not long enough for the device to reach ambient temperature, may result in less strain on the battery and therefore less battery degradation.

[0032] In particular, the frequency of at least two consecutive use sessions without recharging the aerosol generating device or battery in between may also be referred to as a back-to-back regime. This parameter may be described, for example, as the percentage of two consecutive use sessions in which the aerosol generating device or battery is not recharged before the start of the second use session. For example, in an aerosol generating device designed or configured to provide two use sessions after a fully charged battery, recharging the aerosol generating device after each use session would result in a 0% back-to-back regime, while recharging the device only after two use sessions have been performed would result in a 100% back-to-back regime. A 50% back-to-back regime would then describe recharging the device only after half of a use session and after the remaining two use sessions. Generally, the frequency of at least two consecutive use sessions may be determined by dividing the number of consecutive use sessions by the total number of use sessions.

[0033] A puff in the sense of this disclosure may describe a withdrawal and / or inhalation of an aerosol-generating device while inhaling a mixture of air and aerosol by a user. A puff may describe the volume of said mixture inhaled in one withdrawal or inhalation. Puff frequency and rhythm may describe the corresponding pattern in the generation of puffs characteristic of an individual user. By way of example only, a typical aerosol-generating device is designed to allow up to 14 puffs per aerosol-generating article.

[0034] A pause mode may refer to a special mode of an aerosol generating device that allows for pausing during a use session, and thus is not related to, and may be different from, the pause time between use sessions.

[0035] The aerosol generating device may be operated in at least two operating modes: an aerosol-emission mode and a pause mode. The aerosol generating device may be configured to heat the heating element, the aerosol-generating article, and / or the substrate at a first temperature level in the aerosol-emission mode. The first temperature level may correspond to a predetermined heating temperature or higher that may be sufficient to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating device may be further configured to heat the heating element, the aerosol-generating article, and / or the substrate at a second temperature level lower than the first temperature level in the pause mode of the aerosol generating device. The second temperature level may refer to, for example, a temperature above room temperature and below the first temperature level.

[0036] A user experience, also referred to herein as a use session or experience of an aerosol-generating article, may be interrupted, for example, by switching the device to a pause mode and later resumed by the user, and the aerosol-generating article or substrate may be maintained during the pause mode of the aerosol-generating device at a first temperature level and / or a temperature below the predetermined heating temperature used during normal use of the device (particularly during the user experience or use session), but still above room temperature or even much above room temperature. That is, the second temperature level is preferably selected to avoid degradation of the undepleted substrate or aerosol-generating article. In particular, the second temperature level may be selected to be sufficiently low to minimize depletion of the substrate or article during the pause mode, and at the same time sufficiently high to avoid condensation of vapor within the device, which could affect the quality of the undepleted aerosol-generating substrate or article.

[0037] During use of the device, particularly when a user experience or use session is taking place, the aerosol generating device may be operated in an aerosol emission mode, while during pauses in use of the device, i.e., when no user experience or use session is taking place and / or when a use session is interrupted by a pause, the aerosol generating device may be operated in a pause mode. During both the aerosol emission mode and the pause mode of the aerosol generating device, the heating element, heating circuit and / or heating arrangement may be in operation, particularly in heating operation, but at different temperature levels, i.e., a first temperature level during the aerosol emission mode, which is selected to be sufficiently high to generate an aerosol, and a second temperature level, lower than the first temperature level, during the pause mode, which is selected to be sufficiently low to minimize substrate depletion while avoiding degradation.

[0038] Depending on the type and composition of the particular aerosol-generating article or substrate used with the device, the first temperature level may be within the range of 200°C to 500°C, specifically 250°C to 450°C, specifically 270°C to 430°C, specifically 315°C to 355°C, or 240°C to 280°C. These temperatures may be suitable operating or heating temperatures sufficient to allow volatile compounds to be released from the aerosol-generating article or substrate, for example, during one or more use sessions and / or when the device is operated in an aerosol-emitting mode. For example, the first temperature level and / or heating temperature of a liquid aerosol-generating article or substrate may be lower than the first temperature level of a solid aerosol-generating article or substrate.

[0039] Generally, the second temperature level is selected to maintain the usefulness of the aerosol-generating article or substrate for an extended period of time. The second temperature level may also depend on the type and composition of the aerosol-generating article or substrate used with the device. As a result, the second temperature level may be within the range of 175°C to 225°C, specifically 185°C to 215°C, and more specifically 195°C to 205°C. These temperatures may be low enough to minimize substrate depletion during the pause mode, yet high enough to avoid vapor condensation within the device, which could lead to degradation of the aerosol-generating article or substrate.

[0040] To avoid condensation effects in the device, particularly to avoid condensation of substances within the aerosol-generating article or substrate, the second temperature level may be at least 150 degrees Celsius, particularly at least 175 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 185 degrees Celsius, and more preferably at least 195 degrees Celsius.

[0041] Conversely, to minimize depletion of the substrate or article during the pause mode, the second temperature level may be at most 220 degrees Celsius, specifically at most 225 degrees Celsius, preferably at most 215 degrees Celsius, and more preferably at least 205 degrees Celsius. Specifically, the second temperature level may be selected to reduce aerosol formation by at least 50 percent compared to the aerosol emission mode.

[0042] Relatively, the second temperature level may be, for example, at least 50 degrees Celsius, particularly at least 75 degrees Celsius, and more particularly at least 100 degrees Celsius lower than the first temperature level.

[0043] The above temperature values ​​given are preferably the average temperature of the aerosol-generating article or substrate during operation of the device. In addition, as already mentioned, the temperature values ​​may depend, among other things, on the type and composition of the aerosol-generating article or substrate used in the device.

[0044] As used herein, a suspended mode may refer to a first operating mode of an aerosol generating device in which the heating element, heating circuit and / or heating arrangement may be operated during a suspended operation of the aerosol generating device, i.e., during a suspended use of the aerosol generating device, i.e., when the user experience or use session is suspended and aerosol generation does not occur or is at least reduced to a minimal level. That is, in suspended mode, the aerosol generating device is in a suspended state of use.

[0045] Conversely, the aerosol emission mode may refer to a second mode of operation of the heating element, circuitry and / or arrangement, which is the normal heating mode of operation of the aerosol-generating device for aerosol generation, wherein the heating element, heating circuitry and / or heating arrangement may operate during use of the device by a user, i.e., when a user experience or use session occurs, specifically when aerosol generation occurs. Generally, aerosol generation may occur continuously or on demand, specifically on a puff basis, i.e., in response to a user request when taking a puff.

[0046] The density, weight, type, and / or humidity of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article can be detected by the aerosol-generating device, which recognizes, senses, and / or identifies the stick or cartridge, for example, via RFID or other means. These factors can affect the energy required to generate an aerosol from the substrate or article, and therefore affect battery degradation.

[0047] Apart from providing data to an external computing device, the aerosol generating device may also be configured to receive data from the computing device in data transmission mode. For example, the aerosol generating device may receive control signals from the computing device and be controlled by the computing device. For example, if the computing device is a smartphone, personal computer, or any other suitable computing device, a user may control the aerosol generating device via changing settings and / or access data stored on the computing device, e.g., the aerosol generating device. The controller may also be configured to receive programming input information, e.g., data related to firmware updates, from the external computing device in data transmission mode. The controller may implement this data in its software, e.g., firmware, to update it to a new version.

[0048] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating device, such as an aerosol generating device according to the disclosure herein, and at least one of an electrical energy source and an external computing device. All of the features, functions, and advantages of the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure may also be applied to the aerosol generating system, and vice versa.

[0049] The aerosol generating device may include an internal, removable, or external battery or battery pack. Any other suitable reservoir for electrical energy may be used. In a powered mode, the aerosol generating device's battery or battery pack may be charged by an external electrical energy source.

[0050] The electrical energy source may be, for example, an AC adapter or a companion device configured to charge the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device and companion device may be configured so that the aerosol generating device can be at least partially inserted into the companion device. Preferably, the electrical connection via the physical connection interface is automatically established when the aerosol generating device is at least partially inserted into the companion device. The companion device may include a storage unit for electrical energy, such as a battery or battery pack, which may have a larger capacity than the storage unit for electrical energy of the aerosol generating device. Thus, the electrical energy storage of the companion device may be used as an electrical energy source for the aerosol generating device.

[0051] The computing device may be a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, or server communicatively connectable to the aerosol generating device. The computing device may be any device capable of communicating data with the aerosol generating device and / or a controller for the aerosol generating device. The computing device may include software for establishing a data communication mode with the aerosol generating device and / or for enabling a user to control the aerosol generating device via the computing device.

[0052] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a computer-implemented method for controlling an aerosol generating device or system, such as an aerosol generating device or system according to the present disclosure, comprising: determining, in a controller of the aerosol generating device, whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to two connection elements of a physical connection interface configured to establish an operative connection between the aerosol generating device and the electrical energy source or computing device; and, depending on whether the electrical energy source or the external computing device is operably connected, operating the physical connection interface in a power supply mode to receive or provide electrical energy if the electrical energy source is operably connected to the two connection elements; and operating the physical connection interface in a data transfer mode to transfer data between the controller and the external computing device if the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements. The method may be implemented, for example, by software running on the aerosol generating device, e.g., on the controller of the aerosol generating device.

[0053] As explained above, activation of each mode may be automatic or may be triggered by a control signal provided by a user. Thus, determining whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface may include automatically detecting whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface, or receiving a control signal provided by a user of the aerosol generating device indicating whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface.

[0054] All of the features, functions, and advantages of the aerosol generating device and / or aerosol generating system according to the present disclosure may also be applied to the computer-implemented method, and vice versa.

[0055] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a control circuit comprising: a controller including a processing circuit having one or more data processors; and a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operative connection between the control circuit and either an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device, the physical interface including two electrical connection elements, wherein the controller is configured to: a) activate a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface; and b) activate a data transfer mode of the physical connection interface to transfer data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface.

[0056] All of the features, functions, and advantages of one of the aerosol generating devices, aerosol generating systems, and computer-implemented methods according to the present disclosure may also be applied to the control circuit, and vice versa. [Example]

[0057] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, the following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of which may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0058] Example 1 An aerosol generating device, comprising: a controller including processing circuitry having one or more data processors; a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operative connection between the aerosol generating device and either an electrical energy source or an external computing device, the physical connection interface including two electrical connection elements; The controller a) activating a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface; b) An aerosol generating device configured to activate a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface to transmit data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface. Example 2. An aerosol generating device as described in Example 1, wherein the controller is configured to automatically activate the power supply mode or data transmission mode of the physical connection interface when connection of an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device is detected. Example 3 An aerosol generating device described in any one of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a data transmission mode upon determining that an operational connection has been established between the external computing device and the two connection elements. Example 4. An aerosol generating device described in any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a power supply mode upon determining that an operable connection has been established between the electrical energy supply source and the two connection elements. Example 5. 5. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the controller is configured to activate a power supply mode or a data transmission mode of the aerosol generating device in response to a control signal. Example 6 An aerosol generating device described in any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a power supply mode or a data transmission mode upon receiving a control signal. Example 7 7. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a USB socket or plug. Example 8 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a 6-pin USB C socket or plug. Example 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the two connection elements comprise CC pins, preferably CC1 and CC2 of a USB socket or plug. Example 10. An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to configure two connection elements as UART Rx and Tx pins, or as USB D+ and D- pins, or as I2C SCL and SDA pins in data transmission mode. Example 11 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the controller includes two GPIO pins, which are electrically connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface and a resistor or impedance, preferably a resistor of about 4.5 kΩ to 5.5 kΩ, particularly about 5.1 kΩ. Example 12 12. An aerosol generating device as described in Example 11, wherein the controller is configured to configure two GPIO pins as high impedance in power supply mode. Example 13 An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to switch from the data transmission mode to the power supply mode if a data connection between the controller and the external computing device is not established within a predetermined period of time after activation of the data transmission mode. Example 14. An aerosol generating apparatus described in any of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the controller further includes an input device configured to receive a control signal from a user, and preferably the input device is one of a button, a knob, a keyboard, a touch screen, a display, a light-emitting element, and a speaker. Example 15. An aerosol generating device as described in Example 14, wherein the controller is configured to activate a power supply mode or a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface in response to a predetermined control signal received from a user via an input device of the aerosol generating device. Example 16. An aerosol generating device as described in Example 15, wherein the controller is configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the aerosol generating device in response to receiving a predetermined sequence of control signals forming an activation pattern for activating each of the data transmission mode and the power supply mode via an input device of the aerosol generating device. Example 17. An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 1 to 16, further comprising a data storage, wherein the data storage stores one or more of usage data, event data, and error data, and the controller is configured to provide the data stored in the data storage to an external computing device connected to the physical connection interface in a data transmission mode. Example 18. one or more of usage data, event data, and error data; - Energy consumption per usage session, - the number of use sessions in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol, preferably per predetermined time interval; - the duration of the usage session; - rest times between successive use sessions, preferably wherein the usage pattern parameter value associated with the rest times between successive use sessions only changes for rest times between subsequent use sessions of between 0 and 40 minutes; - frequency of at least two consecutive use sessions, in particular without recharging the aerosol generator in between; - ambient temperature during the usage session; - ambient air pressure during the session of use; - ambient humidity during the usage session; - the ambient temperature during the recharging of the aerosol generator's batteries; - the temperature of the aerosol generator battery during the session of use; - the temperature of the heating element or heater unit of the aerosol-generating device during a predetermined period before the start of a use session; - number of puffs per session of use; - smoke intake, - Frequency of smoking, - Smoking rhythm, - the start time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the end time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the duration of the pause mode in the aerosol generating device; - the duration of the aerosol generator recharge event; - the downtime after recharging the aerosol generator; - Rest time with battery charge less than 10%; - Rest time with battery charge above 90%; - the density of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the weight of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the type of aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - humidity of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device; - temperature profile selected by the user, - aerosol generator firmware error logs, - aerosol generator status information; - Battery degradation data, - total number of battery charges, - total time of battery charging, - maximum battery voltage when charging, - maximum battery temperature, - minimum battery temperature, - the total duration of all usage sessions; - the total number of usage sessions. Example 19. An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 1 to 18, wherein the controller is configured to receive programming input information, such as data related to firmware updates, from an external computing device in a data transmission mode. Example 20. An aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 19 and at least one of an electrical energy source and an external computing device, preferably wherein the aerosol generating device includes an internal, removable, or external battery or battery pack. Example 21. An aerosol generation system as described in Example 20, wherein the electrical energy source is an AC adapter or companion device configured to charge the aerosol generation device. Example 22. 22. The aerosol generating system of any one of Examples 20-21, wherein the computing device is a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or a server communicatively linkable to the aerosol generating device. Example 23. 20. A computer-implemented method for controlling an aerosol generating apparatus, preferably an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, comprising: determining, in a controller of the aerosol generating device, whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to two connection elements of a physical connection interface configured to establish an operative connection between the aerosol generating device and the electrical energy source or the computing device; Depending on which of the electrical energy source and the external computing device are operatively connected, operating the physical connection interface in a power supply mode to receive or provide electrical energy when an electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements; and operating the physical connection interface in a data transfer mode to transfer data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements. Example 24. Determining whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface includes: automatically detecting whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface; or The method described in Example 23, comprising receiving a control signal provided by a user of the aerosol generating device indicating whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface. Example 25. 25. The method of any one of Examples 23-24, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a USB socket or plug. Example 26. 26. The method of any one of Examples 23-25, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a 6-pin USB C socket or plug. Example 27. 27. The method according to any of embodiments 23-26, wherein the two connection elements comprise CC pins, preferably CC1 and CC2 of a USB socket or plug. Example 28. 28. The method of any one of Examples 23 to 27, wherein the controller is configured to configure the two connection elements as UART Rx and Tx pins, or as USB D+ and D- pins, or as I2C SCL and SDA pins in a data transfer mode. Example 29. 29. The method according to any of Examples 23 to 28, wherein the controller comprises two GPIO pins, and the GPIO pins are electrically connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface and a resistor or impedance, preferably a resistor of about 4.5 kΩ to 5.5 kΩ, in particular about 5.1 kΩ. Example 30. 30. The method of example 29, wherein the controller is configured to configure two GPIO pins as high impedance in the power supply mode. Example 31. 31. The method of any of Examples 23 to 30, wherein the controller is configured to switch from the data transfer mode to the power supply mode if a data connection between the controller and the external computing device is not established within a predetermined period of time after activation of the data transfer mode. Example 32. 32. The method of any of Examples 23 to 31, wherein the controller further includes an input device configured to receive a control signal from a user, and preferably, the input device is one of a button, a knob, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a display, a light-emitting element, and a speaker. Example 33. A method described in any of Examples 23 to 32, wherein the controller is configured to activate a power supply mode or a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface in response to a predetermined control signal received from a user via an input device of the aerosol generating device. Example 34. A method described in any of Examples 23 to 33, wherein the controller is configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the aerosol generating device in response to receiving a predetermined sequence of control signals forming an activation pattern for activating each of the data transmission mode and the power supply mode via an input device of the aerosol generating device. Example 35. The method of any of Examples 23 to 34, further comprising a data storage, wherein the data storage stores one or more of usage data, event data, and error data, and the controller is configured to provide the data stored in the data storage to an external computing device connected to the physical connection interface in a data transmission mode. Example 36. one or more of usage data, event data, and error data; - Energy consumption per usage session, - the number of use sessions in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol, preferably per predetermined time interval; - the duration of the usage session; - rest times between successive use sessions, preferably wherein the usage pattern parameter value associated with the rest times between successive use sessions only changes for rest times between subsequent use sessions of between 0 and 40 minutes; - frequency of at least two consecutive use sessions, in particular without recharging the aerosol generator in between; - ambient temperature during the usage session; - ambient air pressure during the session of use; - ambient humidity during the usage session; - the ambient temperature during the recharging of the aerosol generator's batteries; - the temperature of the aerosol generator battery during the session of use; - the temperature of the heating element or heater unit of the aerosol-generating device during a predetermined period before the start of a use session; - number of puffs per session of use; - smoke intake, - Frequency of smoking, - Smoking rhythm, - the start time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the end time of the pause mode of the aerosol generator; - the duration of the pause mode in the aerosol generating device; - the duration of the aerosol generator recharge event; - the downtime after recharging the aerosol generator; - Rest time with battery charge less than 10%; - Rest time with battery charge above 90%; - the density of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the weight of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - the type of aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device to generate the aerosol; - humidity of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device; - temperature profile selected by the user, - aerosol generator firmware error logs, - aerosol generator status information; - Battery degradation data, - total number of battery charges, - total time of battery charging, - maximum battery voltage when charging, - maximum battery temperature, - minimum battery temperature, - the total duration of all usage sessions; - the total number of usage sessions. Example 37. 37. A method according to any one of examples 23 to 36, wherein the controller is configured to receive programming input information, for example data related to firmware updates, from an external computing device in a data transmission mode. Example 38. A control circuit comprising: a controller including processing circuitry having one or more data processors; a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operative connection between the control circuit and either an electrical energy source or an external computing device, the physical connection interface including two electrical connection elements; The controller a) activating a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface; b) A control circuit configured to activate a data transfer mode of the physical connection interface to transfer data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface. Example 39. 39. The control circuit of Example 38, wherein the controller is configured to automatically activate the power supply mode or data transfer mode of the physical connection interface when connection of an electrical energy supply source or an external computing device is detected. Example 40. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 39, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a data transmission mode upon determining that an operational connection has been established between the external computing device and the two connection elements. Example 41. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 40, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a power supply mode when the controller determines that an operable connection has been established between the electrical energy supply source and the two connection elements. Example 42. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 41, wherein the controller is configured to activate a power supply mode or a data transmission mode of the aerosol generating device in response to a control signal. Example 43. 43. The control circuit of any one of Examples 38 to 42, wherein the controller is configured to switch the physical connection interface to a power supply mode or a data transfer mode upon receiving the control signal. Example 44. 44. The control circuit of any one of Examples 38 to 43, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a USB socket or plug. Example 45. 45. The control circuit of any one of Examples 38 to 44, wherein the physical connection interface includes a 6-pin USB C socket or plug. Example 46. 46. ​​The control circuit according to any of Examples 38-45, wherein the two connection elements comprise CC pins, preferably CC1 and CC2 of a USB socket or plug. Example 47. 47. The control circuit of any one of Examples 38 to 46, wherein the controller is configured to configure two connection elements as UART Rx and Tx pins, or as USB D+ and D- pins, or as I2C SCL and SDA pins in a data transmission mode. Example 48. 48. The control circuit according to any one of examples 38 to 47, wherein the controller comprises two GPIO pins, and the GPIO pins are electrically connected to two connection elements of the physical connection interface and a resistor or impedance, preferably a resistor of about 4.5 kΩ to 5.5 kΩ, in particular about 5.1 kΩ. Example 49. 49. The control circuit of example 48, wherein the controller is configured to configure two GPIO pins as high impedance in the power supply mode. Example 50. 50. A control circuit as described in any of Examples 38 to 49, wherein the controller is configured to switch from the data transmission mode to the power supply mode if a data connection between the controller and the external computing device is not established within a predetermined period of time after activation of the data transmission mode. Example 51. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 50, wherein the controller further comprises an input device configured to receive a control signal from a user, and preferably the input device is one of a button, a knob, a keyboard, a touch screen, a display, a light-emitting element, and a speaker. Example 52. A control circuit as described in Example 51, wherein the controller is configured to activate a power supply mode or a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface in response to a predetermined control signal received from a user via an input device of the control circuit. Example 53. A control circuit as described in Example 52, wherein the controller is configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the control circuit in response to receiving a predetermined sequence of control signals forming an activation pattern for activating each of the data transmission mode and the power supply mode via an input device of the aerosol generating device. Example 54. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 53, further comprising a data storage, wherein the data storage stores one or more of usage data, event data, and error data, and the controller is configured to provide the data stored in the data storage to an external computing device connected to the physical connection interface in a data transmission mode. Example 55. A control circuit described in any of Examples 38 to 54, wherein the controller is configured to receive programming input information, for example, data related to firmware updates, from an external computing device in a data transmission mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0059] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures.

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus, an electrical energy supply, and an external computing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the controller and the physical connection interface. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] These drawings are schematic only and are not to scale.

[0062] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generation system 1 for generating an aerosol for consumption by a user, for example, in one or more use sessions. The system 1 may include an aerosol generation device 2 for generating the aerosol and a companion device 3 for at least partially receiving the aerosol generation device 2 and / or an external computing device 18. The companion device 3 may be a charging device for charging the aerosol generation device 2 and / or its energy storage or battery. In the exemplary configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the companion device 3 may be configured as an electrical energy supply source 23 for the aerosol generation device 2. However, other devices may be used as the external electrical energy supply source 23, such as an AC adapter. The electrical energy supply source 23 is configured to transfer power to and / or from the aerosol generation device 2 in a power supply mode. The computing device 18 is then configured to establish a data connection with the aerosol generation device 2 in a data transfer mode. In the exemplary configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the computing device 18 is a smartphone, although any other suitable computing device 18 may be employed.

[0063] The aerosol-generating device 2 may include an insertion opening 4 for at least partially inserting an aerosol-generating article 17. The aerosol-generating article 17 may include an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, and / or a cartridge containing a liquid, for example, a liquid that can be aerosolized for inhalation.

[0064] The aerosol-generating device 2 may further include a controller 19 including processing or control circuitry 5 having one or more processors 6. To generate aerosol during use or consumption of the aerosol-generating article 17, the aerosol-generating device 2 may include at least one heating element 7 or heater device to apply heat to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 17. The controller 19 may be configured to control the activation, activation, and / or deactivation of the at least one heating element 7. The controller 19 may further be configured to carry out the steps of the methods described herein.

[0065] To power the at least one heating element 7, the aerosol generation device 2 may further include at least one energy storage unit for storing electrical energy or power, for example in the form of a battery 15. The aerosol generation device 2 may further include at least one physical connection interface 12 for coupling to at least one corresponding electrical connector 13 of the companion device 3 or the computing device 18. For example, when the aerosol generation device 2 is at least partially inserted into the opening 14 of the companion device 3, the connection interface 12 of the aerosol generation device 2 may couple with one or more electrical connectors 13 of the companion device 3 to charge the at least one battery 15 of the aerosol generation device 2. Alternatively, the connection interface 12 of the aerosol generation device 2 may couple to one or more electrical connectors 13 of the computing device 18. The electrical connector 13 of the computing device 18 may be, for example, a plug attached to a cable suitable for data transmission between the aerosol generation device 2 and the computing device 18.

[0066] The aerosol generating device 2 may further include a user interface component including, for example, an input device 8 or input element in the exemplary form of a push button or a capacitive button. The input device 8 may be used as a power button to activate or deactivate the heating element 7 for aerosol generation, thereby activating or deactivating the aerosol generating device 2. The input device 8 may also be used to provide control signals for activating a power supply mode or a data transfer mode. Upon activation of the aerosol generating device 2, the heating element 7 may be activated and heat may be applied to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 17, thereby generating aerosol for consumption by a user, for example, in a use session.

[0067] The aerosol generating device 2 may further include a communication arrangement 9 or communication circuitry 9 having one or more communication interfaces 10 for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device 2 with a companion device 3, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a mobile data connection (e.g., but not limited to, a 3G / 4G / 5G connection), an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, an optical data connection (such as, but not limited to, IrDa), a radio connection, a short-range connection, and / or an IoT connection.

[0068] The aerosol generating device 2 may further include data storage 11 for storing information or data such as usage data, event data, and error data. The data storage 11 may also store battery degradation data and / or collected values ​​of one or more mathematical functions or formulas, software, and computer instructions that may be executed by the controller 10 and / or processing circuitry 5. One or more sensors 16 may be disposed on the aerosol generating device 2 to collect data, such as usage data, event data, and error data.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of an exemplary setup according to the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the connection arrangement between the controller 19, the physical connection interface 12, and the battery 15. All of the components shown in FIG. 2 may be part of and / or disposed on the aerosol generation device 2. In the exemplary setup according to FIG. 2, the connection interface 12 is configured as a 6-pin USB Type-C socket or plug, and the following description will refer to this type of connection interface 12. However, other suitable connection interfaces 12 may be used.

[0070] The connection interface 12 may include two electrical connection elements 22. These may be provided as two CC pins, i.e., CC1 and CC2, of the connection interface 12. Apart from these two electrical connection elements 22, the connection interface 12 may include two VBUS pins 24 and two GND pins 25. The VBUS pin 24 may be used to supply power to and from the aerosol generation device 2. These may be used, for example, to charge the battery 15 of the aerosol generation device 2 and may therefore be electrically connected to the battery 15 via a charger 26, for example, a battery charger integrated circuit (IC). The GND pin 25 may be used as a ground and / or current return line and may be electrically connected to the charger 26, for example.

[0071] The two electrical connection elements 22, the CC1 pin and the CC2 pin, may be connected to the controller 19 via two GPIO pins 21 of the controller 19. Thus, the CC1 pin may be connected to one GPIO pin 21 of the controller 19, and the CC2 pin may be connected to another GPIO pin 21 of the controller 19. The function and / or resistance or impedance of the GPIO pin 21 may be individually configured by the controller 19. Due to the electrical connection between the GPIO pin 21 and the connection element 22, the connection element 22 may be similarly configurable by the controller 19. In addition to the connection between the connection element 22 and the GPIO pin 21 of the controller 19, the connection element 22 may also be connected to at least one resistor 20, each of which may be configured as a conventional pull-up and / or pull-down resistor for the CC line, for example, a 5.1 kΩ resistor, which may further be connected. The resistors 20 may be arranged in a branch connection from the connection element 22, i.e., the connection between the CC pin and the controller 19. This exemplary setup allows for the implementation of both power supply and data transfer modes using only connection interface 12, as further explained below.

[0072] The power supply mode may be the normal operating mode of the aerosol generation device 2. Thus, the aerosol generation device 2 may default to the power supply mode. In the power supply mode, the controller 19 may configure the GPIO pin 21 as a high impedance / resistance, with an impedance / resistance much greater than that of the resistor 20. This means that in the power supply mode, the external electrical energy supply source 23 connected via the connection interface 12 may sense the resistance of the resistor 20, acting in a typical pull-up / pull-down CC model, to identify the aerosol generation device 2 as a source or a sink. For example, if the battery 15 is being charged by the external electrical energy supply source 23, the resistance of the resistor 20 may be used to characterize the aerosol generation device 2 as a sink, such that electrical energy is supplied to the battery 15 by the electrical energy supply source 23. As is typical for CC lines, the current and / or wattage supplied to the aerosol generation device 2 by the electrical energy supply source 23 may depend on the combination of the pull-up and pull-down resistors of the electrical energy supply source 23 and the aerosol generation device 2. For example, a companion device 3 configured to charge the aerosol generation device 2 or an AC adapter or another electrical energy supply source 23 may be connected to the connection interface 12 via a standard USB C socket or plug. The connection element 22 is then used to configure and manage the power supply connection so that the electrical energy supply source 23 and the aerosol generation device 2 and / or the battery 15 of the aerosol generation device 2 can participate in power transfer.

[0073] To exit the power supply mode and activate the data transfer mode, the controller 19 may receive a control signal input by the user via the input device 8. For example, the user may activate the input device 8 in a predetermined pattern and / or for a predetermined period of time to explicitly request activation of the data transfer mode by the controller 19. In the data transfer mode, or to activate the data transfer mode, the controller 19 may configure the GPIO pin 21 for data transmission using a data transfer protocol or bus such as UART, USB, or I2C. By electrical connection between the GPIO pin 21 and the connection element 22, the connection element 22 may also be used for data transmission to the external computing device 18, for example, as UART Tx and Rx, USB D+ and D−, or I2C SCL and SDA. This means that the external computing device 18, such as a smartphone or personal computer, may be connected to the connection interface 12 with a standard USB C socket or plug and participate in data transmission with the aerosol generating device 2. Any desired data may then be communicated in any direction between the aerosol generation device 2 and / or the controller 19 of the aerosol generation device 2 and the computing device 18 .

[0074] Therefore, the present disclosure provides that the same two connection elements 22, for example, the CC pins of a USB connection interface, can be used in both the power supply mode and the additional data transfer mode. This dual use of the two connection elements 22 eliminates the need to provide different connection elements for the power supply mode and the data transfer mode. Therefore, the connection interface 12 of the aerosol generation device 2 can be simplified both in terms of its own complexity and in terms of the complexity of the assembly process of the aerosol generation device 2.

[0075] 3 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 30 according to the present disclosure. Method 30 may begin at step 31. For example, method 30 may begin with an unknown device being connected to connection interface 12. Then, at step 32, it may be determined what type of device is connected to connection interface 12. This may include automatic determination of the device type, for example, by a pull-up / pull-down CC model to identify a source-to-sink connection with electrical energy supply source 23. Alternatively, this may include receiving a control signal input by a user via input device 8, which prompts controller 19 to activate either a power supply mode or a data transfer mode. Such a control signal may indicate, for example, that a computing device 18 is connected to connection interface 12. Thus, the control signal may request activation of the data transfer mode.

[0076] To activate the data transfer mode, the controller 19 may configure the data connection in step 33. To this end, the controller 19 may configure the connection element 22 for a particular data transfer protocol or bus via a connection with the GPIO pin 21 of the controller 19. The connection element 22 is then used in step 34 for the data connection and data transfer between the computing device 18 and the aerosol generation device 2 and / or the controller 19 of the aerosol generation device 2.

[0077] To activate the power supply mode, the controller 19 may configure the power supply connection in step 35. In particular, the controller 19 may configure the GPIO pin 21 of the controller 19 as high impedance / resistance. In this way, a device connected to the connection interface 12 can sense the resistor 20 connected to the connection element 22 and use the resistance to determine the type of power supply connection required for the aerosol generation device 2. The respective type of power supply connection can then be established, so that in step 36 the connection element 22 can be used for the power supply connection between the electrical energy supply source 23 and the aerosol generation device 2 and / or the battery 15 of the aerosol generation device 2. For example, the battery 15 of the aerosol generation device 2 may be charged by the power supply source 23 connected via the connection interface 12.

[0078] Method 30 ends at step 37. For example, method 30 may end when a device connected to connection interface 12 is disconnected or removed.

[0079] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical values ​​expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is to be understood as A±10%. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include numerical values ​​that are within the common standard error for measurement of the property that the number A modifies. In some instances, as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a controller including processing circuitry having one or more data processors; a physical connection interface configured to selectively establish an operative connection between the aerosol generating device and either an electrical energy source or an external computing device, the physical connection interface including two electrical connection elements; The controller: a) activating a power supply mode of the physical connection interface to receive or provide electrical energy from or to the electrical energy supply source when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface; b) An aerosol generating device configured to activate a data transmission mode of the physical connection interface to transmit data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to automatically activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the physical connection interface when connection of the electrical energy supply source or the external computing device is detected, or the controller is configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the aerosol generating device in response to a control signal.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a USB socket or plug.

4. 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the physical connection interface comprises a 6-pin USB C socket or plug.

5. 5. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two connection elements comprise CC pins, preferably CC1 and CC2 of a USB socket or plug.

6. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to configure the two connection elements as UART Rx and Tx pins, or as USB D+ and D- pins, or as I2C SCL and SDA pins in data transmission mode.

7. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller includes two GPIO pins, which are electrically connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface and a resistor or impedance, preferably a resistor of approximately 4.5 kΩ to 5.5 kΩ, in particular approximately 5.1 kΩ.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to configure the two GPIO pins as high impedance in the power supply mode.

9. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller is configured to switch from the data transmission mode to the power supply mode if a data connection between the controller and the external computing device is not established within a predetermined period of time after activation of the data transmission mode.

10. the controller further includes an input device configured to receive a control signal from a user, preferably the input device being one of a button, a knob, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a display, a light-emitting element, and a speaker; Preferably, the controller is configured to activate the power supply mode or the data transmission mode of the physical connection interface in response to a predetermined control signal received from a user via the input device of the aerosol generating device.

11. An aerosol generating device described in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a data storage, the data storage storing one or more of usage data, event data, and error data, and the controller configured to provide the data stored in the data storage to the external computing device connected to the physical connection interface in the data transmission mode.

12. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive programming input information, for example data related to firmware updates, from the external computing device in the data transmission mode.

13. An aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and at least one of an electrical energy source and an external computing device, Preferably, the aerosol generating device includes an internal, removable, or external battery or battery pack; Preferably, the electrical energy source is an AC adapter or companion device configured to charge the aerosol generating device; Preferably, the computing device is a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, or server communicatively connectable to the aerosol generating apparatus.

14. A computer implemented method for controlling an aerosol generating device, preferably an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: determining in the controller of the aerosol generating device whether an electrical energy source or an external computing device is operably connected to two connection elements of a physical connection interface configured to establish an operative connection between the aerosol generating device and the electrical energy source or the computing device; depending on which of the electrical energy source and the external computing device are operatively connected; operating the physical connection interface in a power supply mode to receive or provide electrical energy when the electrical energy supply source is operably connected to the two connection elements; and operating the physical connection interface in a data transfer mode to transfer data between the controller and the external computing device when the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements.

15. determining whether the electrical energy source or the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the physical connection interface; automatically detecting whether the electrical energy source or the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface; or The method of claim 14, comprising receiving a control signal provided by a user of the aerosol generating device indicating whether the electrical energy source or the external computing device is operably connected to the two connection elements of the connection interface.

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