Aerosol generating device and method for certifying a removable battery in an aerosol generating device

Abstract

The authentication method for an aerosol generator and a removable battery in an aerosol generator is as follows: When a removable battery is newly installed, it is electrically coupled to a protection circuit module provided in the removable battery, access is made to the protection circuit module, authentication information for the removable battery is obtained from the protection circuit module, and based on the obtained authentication information, it is determined whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery. If it is determined to be an authenticated battery, the operation of the aerosol generator is controlled in an authenticated mode in which all functions of the aerosol generator are activated by power supply from the removable battery, or if it is determined to be an unauthenticated battery, some functions of the aerosol generator are deactivated by power supply from the removable battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a method for authenticating a detachable battery in the aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, the demand for a method of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette, has been increasing. Accordingly, research on heat-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] On the other hand, as the worldwide interest in environmental issues has been increasing, there is a current situation in which environmental friendliness and safety are required to be demonstrated throughout the entire life cycle from the production to the recycling of batteries. Accordingly, in the e-cigarette field, research on separable batteries has been advanced while promoting the development of related technologies such as battery reuse and recycling.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an aerosol generating device, when a battery is embodied to be easily separated by a user, the use of an unauthenticated battery due to the attachment of an unauthenticated battery may shorten the lifespan of the aerosol generating device or cause a failure, and it is impossible to guarantee the safety of use of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, a method for determining whether a battery used in an aerosol generating device has been verified by the manufacturer is required.

[0005] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems can be analogized from the following embodiments.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, in order to prevent the use of uncertified batteries that could compromise the safety of the aerosol generating device or cause device failure, the present invention provides an aerosol generating device that incorporates a function to easily verify whether the manufacturer of the removable battery to be used has certified it.

[0007] In one aspect, the authentication method for a removable battery in an aerosol generator includes the steps of: accessing a protection circuit module provided in the removable battery by electrically coupling with the protection circuit module provided in the removable battery when a removable battery is newly installed in the aerosol generator; obtaining authentication information for the removable battery from the accessed protection circuit module; determining, based on the obtained authentication information, whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery for the aerosol generator; and, if the battery is determined to be an authenticated battery, controlling the operation of the aerosol generator in an authenticated mode that activates all functions of the aerosol generator by power supply from the removable battery, or, if the battery is determined to be an unauthenticated battery, controlling some functions of the aerosol generator by power supply from the removable battery.

[0008] In other aspects, the aerosol generator includes a battery connection that is electrically coupled to a protection circuit module provided in the removable battery when a removable battery is newly installed in the aerosol generator, and a processor that accesses the protection circuit module through the battery connection to obtain authentication information for the removable battery from the protection circuit module, determines whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery based on the obtained authentication information, and controls the operation of the aerosol generator in an authenticated mode in which all functions of the aerosol generator are activated by power supply from the removable battery if it is determined to be an authenticated battery, or in an unauthenticated mode in which some functions of the aerosol generator are deactivated by power supply from the removable battery if it is determined to be an unauthenticated battery.

[0009] Furthermore, from another perspective, a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium may include a recording medium on which one or more programs containing instruction words that perform the methods described above are recorded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As mentioned above, when a removable battery is installed, certification of the removable battery is performed, and the use of certified batteries is encouraged. This prevents the use of uncertified batteries, prevents malfunctions of the aerosol generator due to the use of uncertified batteries, and ensures the safe use of the device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2B]This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2C] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2D] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2E] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating a detachable battery used in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the installation of a new detachable battery in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the transmission path of authentication information for authenticating a removable battery according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating in detail the authentication information stored in a protection circuit module according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a detailed flowchart of the authentication method for a removable battery in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of an aerosol generator in an uncertified mode according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of an aerosol generator in an authentication mode according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of the authentication method for a removable battery in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] In one aspect, the authentication method for a removable battery in an aerosol generator includes the steps of: accessing a protection circuit module provided in the removable battery by electrically coupling with the protection circuit module provided in the removable battery when a removable battery is newly installed in the aerosol generator; obtaining authentication information for the removable battery from the accessed protection circuit module; determining, based on the obtained authentication information, whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery for the aerosol generator; and, if the battery is determined to be an authenticated battery, controlling the operation of the aerosol generator in an authenticated mode that activates all functions of the aerosol generator by power supply from the removable battery, or, if the battery is determined to be an unauthenticated battery, controlling some functions of the aerosol generator by power supply from the removable battery.

[0013] The terminology used in the embodiments is selected as widely used and general terms as possible, taking into account the function of the present invention, although this may vary depending on the intent of the articulators in the field, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In certain cases, the applicant may have arbitrarily selected terms, in which case their meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not merely names of terms, but must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention.

[0014] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, it means, unless otherwise specified, that it does not exclude other components, but rather that it may include other components. Furthermore, terms such as "...part" and "...module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is embodied by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0015] As used herein, when an expression such as “at least any one of” is in front of an arrayed component, it modifies the entire component that is not each of the arrayed components. For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” must be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a removable battery 110, a heater 120, a processor 130, a user interface 140, a memory 150, a sensor 160, and a battery connection unit 170. However, the internal hardware components of the aerosol generating device 100 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. Those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment can understand that some of the hardware configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or a new configuration (for example, a communication module, etc.) may be further added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0020] Hereinafter, without limiting the space where each component included in the aerosol generating device 100 is located, the operations of each component will be described.

[0021] The removable battery 110 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generator 100. For example, the removable battery 110 can supply power to heat the heater 120. It can also supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components within the aerosol generator 100, such as the heater 120, processor 130, user interface 140, memory 150, sensor 160, or battery connector 170. The removable battery 110 is, for example, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery or a lithium-ion battery, but is not limited to these.

[0022] The detachable battery 110 is a replaceable (separable) type power source that can be installed in a battery housing provided within the aerosol generator 100 or removed from the battery housing. The detachable battery 110 is equipped with electrical contacts, and when the detachable battery 110 is installed in the aerosol generator 100, the electrical contacts of the detachable battery 110 are electrically connected to the electrical contacts of a battery connection part 170 provided in the aerosol generator 100, and can be implemented to provide battery-related data to the aerosol generator 100 or to supply power. As an alternative, the detachable battery 110 may be equipped with a charging coil (transmitter / receiver coil) for supplying power to the aerosol generator 100 by wireless charging instead of separate electrical contacts, in which case the battery connection part 170 may be implemented by the transmitter / receiver coil. In other words, the power supply method of the detachable battery 110 is diverse, and the electrical connection method between the detachable battery 110 and the battery connection part 170 of the aerosol generator 100 changes depending on the power supply method supported by the detachable battery 110.

[0023] The removable battery 110 may be equipped with a charger interface (not shown) that connects to an external charger. Power for charging the removable battery 110 may be supplied to the removable battery 110 through the charger interface. The removable battery 110 may be charged by an external charger while coupled to the aerosol generator 100 or while removed from the aerosol generator 100 (uninstalled).

[0024] The removable battery 110 may optionally be equipped with a wireless tag such as an RFID tag or an NFC tag. The wireless tag equipped on the removable battery 110 can be read through a short-range communication protocol with a wireless module such as an RFID module or an NFC module. When the removable battery 110 is equipped with a wireless tag, the wireless tag records identification information associated with the removable battery 110, battery capacity information, etc. In such a case, the aerosol generator 100 can obtain various information about the removable battery 110 by tagging the wireless tag of the removable battery 110.

[0025] The heater 120 is powered by the removable battery 110 under the control of the processor 130. The heater 120 can use the power supplied by the removable battery 110 to heat the cigarette inserted into the aerosol generator 100 or the cartridge attached to the aerosol generator 100. In other words, the heater 120 can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material contained in the cigarette or cartridge.

[0026] The heater 120 may be located in the body of the aerosol generator 100. Alternatively, if the aerosol generator 100 consists of a body and a cartridge, the heater 120 may be located in the cartridge. If the heater 120 is located in the cartridge, it may be powered by a removable battery 110 located in the body.

[0027] The heater 120 can be embodied as an electrically resistive heating heater made of an electrically resistive material. For example, the electrically resistive material is a metal or metal alloy including, but is not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 120 can be embodied as, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0028] The heater 120 may be implemented as an induction heating type heater. The heater 120 corresponds to a heater assembly that is a set of conductive coil and susceptor for heating a cigarette or cartridge by induction heating.

[0029] The heater 120 can heat a cigarette inserted into a containment space provided within the aerosol generator 100. Because the cigarette is contained within the containment space of the aerosol generator 100, the heater 120 can be located inside and / or outside the cigarette. This allows the heater 120 to heat the aerosol-generating material inside the cigarette and generate an aerosol.

[0030] On the other hand, the heater 120 may be embodied as a coil heater provided only within the cartridge. The cartridge includes a coil heater, a liquid transfer means, and a liquid storage section, and can generate an aerosol by transferring an aerosol-generating substance contained in the liquid storage section through the liquid transfer means, and by heating the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer means with the coil heater. For example, if the heater 120 is a coil heater, it may be made of a material such as nickel-chromium and may be wound around the liquid transfer means or positioned adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0031] The processor 130 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. The processor 130 may include at least one processing unit, such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The processor 130 may be embodied as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executable by this microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied as other forms of hardware.

[0032] The processor 130 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor 160 and control subsequent processing based on the sensed results. For example, the processor 130 can control the power supplied to the heater 120 so that the heater 120 starts or stops operating, based on the results sensed by the sensor 160. The processor 130 can also control the amount of power and the time supplied to the heater 120 so that the heater 120 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature, based on the results sensed by the sensor 160.

[0033] The processor 130 can control the operation of the heater 120 based on a pre-stored temperature profile. The processor 130 can also control the temperature of the heater 120 after sensing the user's puffs using the puff sensor in the sensor 160. Furthermore, the processor 130 can count the number of puffs using the puff sensor, and if the number of puffs reaches a pre-set number, it can interrupt the power supply to the heater 120.

[0034] The processor 130 may control the user interface 140 based on the sensing results. For example, after counting the number of puffs using the puff sensor, if the number of puffs reaches a pre-set number, the processor 130 may use a lamp, motor, or speaker to notify the user that the aerosol generator 100 is finished.

[0035] On the other hand, the processor 130 can recognize or detect the removal or installation of the removable battery 110 through the battery connection part 170. When a removable battery 110 is newly installed, the processor 130 can determine whether the removable battery 110 is a certified or uncertified product and decide whether to operate the aerosol generator 100 in either battery certified mode or battery uncertified mode. The certification process for the removable battery 110 will be described in more detail later with reference to other drawings.

[0036] The user interface 140 can provide the user with information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 100. The user interface 140 may include a variety of interface means, such as a display or lamp that outputs visual information (UI (user interface) screen), a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs acoustic information, input / output (I / O) interface means (e.g., buttons or touchscreens) that receive information input from the user or output information to the user, and terminals for supplying charging power.

[0037] On the other hand, when a removable battery 110 is newly installed, the user interface 140 can provide a notification indicating whether the aerosol generator 100 is currently operating in authenticated mode or unauthenticated mode, depending on whether the removable battery 110 is authenticated or not.

[0038] The memory 150 is hardware that stores various types of data processed within the aerosol generator 100, and can store data processed by the processor 130 and data being processed. The memory 150 can be implemented in various forms such as RAM (random access memory) including DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0039] The memory 150 can store various types of information, such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, the maximum number of puffs, the temperature profile, the user's smoking information, and information for battery authentication. On the other hand, the memory 150 can also store backup and restore data for backup and restore processes to maintain various data within the aerosol generator 100 before and after battery replacement during the replacement process of the removable battery 110.

[0040] The battery connection section 170 is a connector that forms an electrical connection with the removable battery 110 when the removable battery 110 is newly installed in the aerosol generator 100. Specifically, the battery connection section 170 can form an electrical connection with the protection circuit module (PCM) provided in the removable battery 110.

[0041] The aerosol generator 100 is powered by a removable battery 110 via a battery connection port 170, and can send and receive data by accessing the protective circuit module of the removable battery 110 via the battery connection port 170.

[0042] On the other hand, the detachable battery 110 can be coupled to the aerosol generator 100 by, for example, being fixed to a battery housing (not shown) having a hook structure. As another example, it can also be implemented by magnetically coupling a magnetic material provided on a part of the detachable battery 110 to a magnetic material area or electromagnet area provided on a part of the battery housing. In other words, the method by which the detachable battery 110 according to this embodiment is attached to the aerosol generator 100 is not limited to just one method, but can be implemented in a variety of ways.

[0043] Although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 may be configured with a separate cradle to form an aerosol generation system. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100 while storing the aerosol generator 100. That is, the cradle is a dedicated device solely for the aerosol generator 100, powered by the cradle's battery while the aerosol generator 100 is housed in the storage space inside the cradle, and used to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100.

[0044] Figures 2A to 2E are drawings illustrating embodiments of the aerosol generator of Figure 1 in various types. Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generator 100 can be embodied in various types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e, such as utilizing an electric resistance heating method or an induction heating method, a method further equipped with a vaporizer, or a cartridge method. Figures 2A to 2E show only some elements to illustrate the types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e, and other general-purpose elements may be further included in the aerosol generators 200a to 200e in addition to the elements shown in Figures 2A to 2E.

[0045] In Figures 2A to 2E, the removable battery 110, heaters 120a to 120e, and processor 130 are components corresponding to the removable battery 110, heater 120, and processor 130 in Figure 1, respectively, and can perform the functions of the removable battery 110, heater 120, and processor 130 described in Figure 1.

[0046] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating an electrical resistance type aerosol generator 200a according to an exemplary embodiment. The aerosol generator 200a is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0047] Referring to Figure 2A, the aerosol generator 200a may include a removable battery 110, a heater 120a, and a processor 130.

[0048] A cigarette 20a can be inserted into the internal containment space of the aerosol generator 200a. Once the cigarette 20a is inserted into the aerosol generator 200a, the aerosol generator 200a can generate an aerosol from the cigarette 20a by heating it using the heater 120a. The generated aerosol is transmitted to the user through the cigarette 20a, allowing the user to smoke the cigarette 20a.

[0049] The heater 120a can be heated by power supplied from the removable battery 110. The heater 120a is an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater 120a includes a conductive track, and the heater 120a can be heated by current flowing through the conductive track.

[0050] The conductive track of the heater 120a is made of an electrically resistive material, the heating temperature is determined by the power consumption of the resistor, and the resistance value of the conductive track can be set based on the power consumption of the resistor of the conductive track. The resistance value of the conductive track can be set in various ways depending on the constituent material, length, width, thickness, or pattern of the electrically resistive material.

[0051] Due to its temperature coefficient of resistance characteristic, the internal resistance of a conductive track increases as the temperature rises. For example, the temperature and resistance of a conductive track can be proportional within a given temperature range. Utilizing this principle, a heater 120a made of a conductive track can heat a cigarette 20a using an electrical resistance method.

[0052] Conductive tracks can be made from tungsten, gold, platinum, silver, copper, nickel-palladium, or combinations thereof. Conductive tracks may also be doped with appropriate doping materials and may include alloys.

[0053] The shape of the heater 120a can be varied, such as tubular, plate-shaped, needle-shaped, or rod-shaped. Multiple heaters 120a may also be arranged. The heater 120a can be inserted into the cigarette 20a and used in an internal heating method to heat the inside of the cigarette 20a.

[0054] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200a. When the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200a, power is supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heater 120a for heating operation of the heater 120d, and the temperature of the conductive track can be controlled.

[0055] The processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120a by controlling the power supplied to the heater 120a. For example, the processor 130 can control the temperature at which the cigarette 20a is heated by the heater 120a using a temperature profile.

[0056] Figures 2B and 2C are diagrams illustrating aerosol generators 200b and 200c further comprising vaporizers 125b and 125c according to exemplary embodiments. Each of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0057] Referring to Figures 2B and 2C, the aerosol generators 200b and 200c further include vaporizers 125b and 125c. Cigarettes 20b and 20c can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c.

[0058] Figure 2B shows that the steamer 125b and heater 120b are arranged in a single line. However, Figure 2C shows that the steamer 125c and heater 120c are arranged in parallel. In other words, the aerosol generators 200b and 200c can be distinguished according to the arrangement of the steamer 125b.

[0059] Heaters 120b and 120c may be heated by power supplied from a removable battery 110. Heaters 120b and 120c are electrically resistive heaters and may include, for example, conductive tracks.

[0060] Unlike heater 120a described in Figure 2A, heaters 120b and 120c in Figures 2B and 2C can be implemented as an external heating method, positioned on the outer periphery of cigarettes 20b and 20c, and heating the outer surface of cigarettes 20b and 20c.

[0061] The vaporizers 125b and 125c heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, which can then be transmitted to the user through the cigarettes 20b and 20c. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizers 125b and 125c is transported along the airflow passage of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c, and the airflow passage can be configured so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizers 125b and 125c is transmitted to the user through the cigarettes 20b and 20c.

[0062] The vaporizers 125b and 125c may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element (or vaporization element). However, each of the liquid storage unit, liquid transfer means, and heating element may be an independent module and located at another location within the aerosol generator 100, not inside the vaporizers 125b and 125c.

[0063] The liquid storage section can store liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The liquid storage section may be manufactured to detach from / attach to the vaporizers 125b, 125c, or it may be manufactured integrally with the vaporizers 125b, 125c. For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavorings, or vitamin mixtures. The liquid composition may also include aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0064] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage section to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means may be a wick made of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic, but is not limited to these.

[0065] The heating elements provided within the vaporizers 125b and 125c are for heating (vaporizing) the liquid composition transmitted by the liquid transmission means. For example, the heating elements may be metal heating wires, metal heating plates, ceramic heaters, etc., but are not limited to these. Alternatively, the heating elements may consist of conductive filaments such as nichrome wire and be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid transmission means. The heating elements are heated by an electric current supply, and heat is transferred to the liquid composition in contact with the heating elements, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated. For this reason, the vaporizers 125b and 125c may also be referred to by other terms such as cartomizer or atomizer.

[0066] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generators 200b and 200c. When the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generators 200b and 200c, power can be supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heaters 120b and 120c and the vaporizers 125b and 125c for heating operation.

[0067] The processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heaters 120b, 120c and the vaporizers 125b, 125c by controlling the power supplied to these heaters. For example, the processor 130 can control the heating temperature of the cigarettes 20b, 20c by the heaters 120b, 120c and the vaporizers 125b, 125c using a temperature profile.

[0068] Figure 2D is a diagram illustrating an induction heating type aerosol generator 200d according to an exemplary embodiment. The aerosol generator 200d is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0069] Referring to Figure 2D, the aerosol generator 200d may include a heater 120d with a coil 121d and a susceptor 122d, a removable battery 110, and a processor 130.

[0070] The aerosol generator 200d can generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette 20d housed within it using an induction heating method. The induction heating method refers to a method of heating a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field by applying an alternating magnetic field that periodically changes direction. Therefore, the aerosol generator 200d can heat the cigarette 20d by applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnetic material, causing it to release thermal energy, and then transferring this released thermal energy to the cigarette. Here, the magnetic material that generates heat in response to the external magnetic field is a susceptor 122d. The susceptor 122d is provided in the aerosol generator 200d. Alternatively, instead of being provided in the aerosol generator 200d, the susceptor 122d may be provided inside the cigarette 20d in the form of a section, slice, or strip.

[0071] The susceptor 122d is made of a ferromagnetic material. For example, the material of the susceptor 122d may include metal or carbon. The material of the susceptor 122d may include at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the material of the susceptor 122d may include at least one of ceramics such as graphite and zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P).

[0072] The aerosol generator 200d can accommodate a cigarette 20d. The aerosol generator 200d may have a space for accommodating the cigarette 20d. A susceptor 122d may be positioned around the space for accommodating the cigarette 20d. For example, the susceptor 122d may have a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outside of the cigarette 20d. Therefore, when the cigarette 20d is accommodated in the aerosol generator 200d, the cigarette 20d is housed in the accommodation space of the susceptor 122d, and the susceptor 122d may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the cigarette 20d. However, the shape of the susceptor 122d is not limited to this and can be diverse.

[0073] The heater 120d uses an induction heating method and can heat the cigarette 20d contained in the aerosol generator 200d by utilizing a susceptor 122d that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field generated by the coil 121d.

[0074] The coil 121d is arranged to be wound along the outer surface of the susceptor 122d, and an alternating magnetic field can be applied to the susceptor 122d. When power is supplied to the coil 121d from the aerosol generator 200d, a magnetic field can be formed in the internal region of the coil 121d. When an alternating current is applied to the coil 121d, the direction of the magnetic field formed inside the coil 121d can be continuously changed. If the susceptor 122d is located inside the coil 121d and is exposed to a periodically changing alternating magnetic field, the susceptor 122d may generate heat, and the cigarette housed in the susceptor 122d may be heated. The shape of the coil 121d is cylindrical, wound along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 20d, but is not limited thereto, and the coil 121d may be embodied in various types, such as a planar coil.

[0075] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200d, and when the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200d, it can, for example, supply power to the coil 121d for the heating operation of the heater 120d.

[0076] The processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120d by controlling the power supplied to the coil 121d. For example, the processor 130 can control the heating temperature of the cigarette 20d by inductive heating of the susceptor 122d by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field induced by the coil 121d using a temperature profile.

[0077] On the other hand, while Figure 2D describes the heater 120d as being implemented by an induction heating method using a coil 121d and a susceptor 122d, in other embodiments, the heater 120d may be made of an electrically resistive heater (for example, a cylindrical film heater) as described in Figures 2B and 2C, and may be implemented in a way that heats the outside of the cigarette 20d. That is, if the heater 120d is made of an electrically resistive heater, the aerosol generating device 200d in Figure 2D may be implemented in a way that generates an aerosol from the cigarette 20d using only the electrically resistive heater (heater 120d) without the vaporizers 125b and 125c shown in Figures 2B and 2C.

[0078] Figure 2E is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generator 200e equipped with a replaceable cartridge 210e containing an aerosol generating substance 20e according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0079] The aerosol generator 200e in Figure 2E includes a cartridge 210e containing an aerosol generating substance 20e and a main body 220e supporting the cartridge 210e. The aerosol generator 200e is one type of the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1. In this case, the hardware configuration included in the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1 can be divided and located as the main body 220e and the cartridge 210e.

[0080] Cartridge 210e can be attached to the main body 220e with the aerosol-generating substance 20e contained inside. Cartridge 210e can be attached to the main body 210 by inserting a portion of cartridge 210e into the receptacle of the main body 210.

[0081] Cartridge 210e contains, but is not limited to, a liquid aerosol-generating substance 20e, which may be in any one of the following states: solid, gas, or gel. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0082] The heater 120e located inside the cartridge 210e performs a heating operation in response to an electrical signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main unit 220e. As a result, the aerosol-generating substance 20e inside the cartridge 210e is vaporized by the heating of the heater 120e, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0083] The heater 120e generates heat through electrical resistance to heat the aerosol-generating substance transmitted to the liquid transfer means. It is embodied in conductive filaments of metal materials such as copper, nickel, or tungsten, or ceramic heating elements, and may be wound around the liquid transfer means or positioned adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0084] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200e, and when the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200e, power can be supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heater 120e for heating operation.

[0085] The processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120e by controlling the power supplied to the heater 120e. For example, the processor 130 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol-generating substance 20e by the heater 120e using a temperature profile.

[0086] On the other hand, although not shown in Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generators 200a to 200e may be configured with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can store the aerosol generators 200a to 200e or charge the removable batteries 110 of the aerosol generators 200a to 200e.

[0087] According to various embodiments, the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1 is embodied in at least one of the types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e shown in Figures 2A to 2E, but is not necessarily limited thereto and can be embodied in other types as well.

[0088] The aerosol generators 200a to 200e shown in Figures 2A to 2E can all utilize a detachable battery 110 as a power source. The detachable battery 110 is a battery that is replaced by being attached to or detached from the aerosol generators 200a to 200e.

[0089] However, if the battery can be easily detached / installed by the user, the user may, intentionally or unintentionally, install an uncertified battery in the aerosol generator. In such cases, the use of an uncertified battery may shorten the lifespan of the aerosol generator or cause it to malfunction, compromising the safety of using the aerosol generator. Therefore, a method is required to determine whether the battery used in the aerosol generator is a battery manufactured or verified by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, to identify whether a removable battery is a certified battery, certification of the removable battery can be performed through access to a protective circuit module provided in the removable battery. The certification process for removable batteries in an aerosol generator will be described in more detail below.

[0090] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a detachable battery used in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0091] Referring to Figure 3, the removable battery 110 may include a battery cell 111 and a protection circuit module (PCM) 112.

[0092] The battery cell 111 is a power source that stores electrical energy to supply power for driving electronic devices such as the aerosol generator 100. The battery cell 111 consists of a battery utilizing metals such as lithium (Li), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni), and is, for example, a Li-ion battery cell. That is, the battery cell 111 is a rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged over a certain lifespan. However, the battery cell 111 is not limited to this and can also be embodied in other types of lithium polymer batteries.

[0093] The protection circuit module 112 is an integrated circuit (IC) that safely protects and manages the battery, and typically has overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, overcurrent interruption, and short-circuit protection functions. Furthermore, the protection circuit module 112 may also have a cell balancing function.

[0094] In other words, the protection circuit module 112 may include circuit elements and a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the circuit elements are mounted to perform various electrical functions (e.g., pre-cut function) to prevent performance degradation or burnout of the battery cell 111. In addition, the protection circuit module 112 may be implemented as part of a battery management system (BMS) that performs various functions including battery capacity measurement, charge / discharge cycle measurement, temperature measurement, or voltage measurement.

[0095] The protection circuit module 112 may include a positive contact terminal on the PCB that contacts the positive tap of the battery cell 111, and a negative contact terminal that contacts the negative tap of the battery cell 111. The protection circuit module 112 may be electrically connected to the battery cell 111 through the positive and negative contact terminals.

[0096] When the removable battery 110 is installed in the aerosol generator 100, the processor 130 of the aerosol generator 100 can control the charging and discharging of the battery cells 111, control the power supply from the battery cells 111, and access battery-related data stored in the protection circuit module 112 by communicating with the protection circuit module 112 through the battery connection section 170.

[0097] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the installation of a new detachable battery in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0098] Referring to Figure 4, the aerosol generator 100 currently does not have a battery installed. This state occurs when the battery has reached the end of its lifespan, the user wants to use a battery with a different capacity, or for any other reason the user wants to replace it with a new battery. At this point, the user attempts to install the first detachable battery 110-1 as a new battery in the aerosol generator 100.

[0099] Here, if the first removable battery 110-1 is a defective / illegal product such as an unsupported battery or an uncertified battery, the aerosol generator 100 may unintentionally malfunction or experience a decrease in performance. Therefore, the aerosol generator 100 may restrict the normal use of the battery if it is not a certified battery. For example, even if the first removable battery 110-1 is coupled to the aerosol generator 100 as an uncertified battery, the aerosol generator 100 may restrict the normal use of the aerosol generator 100 by preventing normal power supply from the first removable battery 110-1, or by deactivating some functions even if normal power supply is provided. However, if the first removable battery 110-1 is certified as a certified battery and certification for the first removable battery 110-1 is successful, the aerosol generator 100 will control itself to allow the normal use of the first removable battery 110-1.

[0100] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the transmission path of authentication information for authenticating a removable battery according to one embodiment.

[0101] Referring to Figure 5, when a removable battery 110 is newly installed, the aerosol generator 100 is electrically coupled to the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110, thereby allowing access to the protection circuit module 112.

[0102] Specifically, the connector 1121 of the protective circuit module 112 of the removable battery 110 is connected to the connector 1701 of the battery connection part 170, thereby electrically connecting the protective circuit module 112 and the battery connection part 170. This allows the processor 130 to access the protective circuit module 112 through the battery connection part 170.

[0103] The integrated circuit IC 1120 within the protection circuit module 112 stores authentication information for authenticating the removable battery 110. By electrically connecting the protection circuit module 112 to the battery connector 170, the processor 130 can obtain the authentication information from the protection circuit module 112 through the battery connector 170.

[0104] In other words, the aerosol generator 100 according to this embodiment can perform battery authentication using the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110 for the purpose of authenticating the removable battery 110.

[0105] The authentication information is unique information relating to the removable battery 110, and means battery identification information. In other words, the authentication information is information that confirms whether or not the battery product is managed by the manufacturer of the aerosol generator 100, the battery supplier, or other sales entity. The authentication information may include, for example, type information of the product serial number, type information of an encrypted code, or information embodied in other types. That is, the type of battery identifier included in the authentication information is not limited to any one type, but is information embodied in various types, provided that the uniqueness of the removable battery 110 is authenticated.

[0106] On the other hand, the electrical connection between the protection circuit module 112 and the battery connection 170 is a path that enables not only data access such as the transmission of authentication information, but also the supply of power from the battery cells 111 of the removable battery 110 to the hardware configuration within the aerosol generator 100.

[0107] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating in detail the authentication information stored in a protection circuit module according to one embodiment.

[0108] Referring to Figure 6, the integrated circuit IC 1120 of the protection circuit module 112 includes a memory 1122.

[0109] Memory 1122 is a memory element integrated with the processing unit within the integrated circuit IC 1120, and stores battery-related data. Memory 1122 can be implemented in various forms such as RAM (including DRAM and SRAM), ROM, and EEPROM. Memory 1122 stores specification information of the removable battery 110, such as the capacity of the battery cells 111, voltage / current-related information, and manufacturing date.

[0110] Meanwhile, the memory 1122 of the protection circuit module 112 stores the authentication information described in Figure 5.

[0111] The authentication information includes first identification information 601 indicating product-specific information relating to the protection circuit module 112 itself, and second identification information 602 indicating product-specific information relating to the battery cell 111 currently connected to the protection circuit module 112. For example, at least one of the first identification information 601 and the second identification information 602 is product serial number type information, but is not limited to this, and identification information 601 or 602 may also be embodied in other types of information for identifying the product. On the other hand, the first identification information 601 and the second identification information 602 may be embodied in the same type of information, or in other types of information.

[0112] In a removable battery 110, the protection circuit module 112 and the battery cell 111 may be manufactured as an integrated unit. However, since the protection circuit module 112 and the battery cell 111 are only electrically coupled within the removable battery 110, it is possible that only the protection circuit module 112 may be separated from the removable battery 110 and replaced with another module, or only the battery cell 111 may be separated and replaced with another battery cell. If battery authentication is performed using only the identification information of the protection circuit module 112, it will not be possible to prevent the battery cell 111 from being replaced with another uncertified battery cell and used.

[0113] Therefore, in order to ensure the reliability of both the protection circuit module 112 and the battery cell 111 provided within the removable battery 110, the protection circuit module 112 obtains second identification information 602 of the battery cell 111 itself from the currently coupled battery cell 111 through electrical connection and stores this together with the first identification information 601 as authentication information in the memory 1122. As a result, if the battery cell 111 is arbitrarily replaced with another battery cell within the removable battery 110, the authentication information will either store other second identification information relating to the other battery cell, or the second identification information will be lost.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the processor 130 can determine whether the removable battery 110 is authenticated by comparing the first identification information 601 and the second identification information 602 with authentication identification information pre-stored in the memory 150 of the aerosol generator 100. Alternatively, the processor 130 can determine whether the removable battery 110 is an authenticated battery by comparing the identification information with identification information stored in the battery database DB of an external manufacturer using the communication means provided in the aerosol generator 100. The method by which the processor 130 uses the identification information to determine whether the removable battery 110 is an authenticated battery is not limited to just one of these methods, and a variety of means can be employed.

[0115] In other words, the aerosol generator 100 according to this embodiment can access the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110 to obtain authentication information including the first identification information 601 and the second identification information 602, and use this to perform battery authentication.

[0116] Figure 7 is a detailed flowchart of the authentication method for a removable battery in an aerosol generator according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, the authentication method for the removable battery 110 is a process that is processed chronologically in the aforementioned drawings (for example, the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1).

[0117] In step 701, the processor 130 detects that a removable battery 110 has been newly installed in the aerosol generator 100 through the battery connection part 170.

[0118] In step 702, the processor 130 accesses the protection circuit module 112, which is provided in the newly installed removable battery 110, by being electrically coupled to the protection circuit module 112 through the battery connector 170.

[0119] In step 703, the processor 130 obtains authentication information for the removable battery 110 (e.g., first identification information 601 and second identification information 602) from the protection circuit module 112 (e.g., memory 1122) of the removable battery 110.

[0120] Here, the first identification information 601 included in the authentication information indicates product-specific information about the protection circuit module 112 itself, and the second identification information 602 indicates product-specific information about the battery cell 111 currently connected to the protection circuit module 112.

[0121] In step 704, the processor 130 performs primary authentication to the protection circuit module 112 based on the acquired first identification information 601.

[0122] For example, the processor 130 can determine the success or failure of primary authentication by verifying whether the serial number indicated by the acquired first identification information 601 is a serial number in a format managed by the manufacturer of the aerosol generator 100, the battery manufacturer, or other sales entity. As another example, if the acquired first identification information 601 is encrypted, the processor 130 can determine the success or failure of primary authentication by decrypting the first identification information 601 using a predetermined method and verifying whether the decrypted data is an authenticated protection circuit module 112. In other words, the method by which the processor 130 determines the success or failure of authentication based on the first identification information 601 is not limited to just one method, depending on the type of first identification information 601, and a variety of methods can be employed.

[0123] In step 705, the processor 130 controls the system to perform step 706 if the primary authentication is successful. However, if the primary authentication fails, the processor 130 controls the system to perform step 709. In other words, if the primary authentication fails, the aerosol generator 100 may operate in unauthenticated mode.

[0124] In step 706, if the processor 130 determines that the protection circuit module 112 is an authenticated module through primary authentication, it performs secondary authentication on the battery cell 111 based on the acquired second identification information 602.

[0125] Similar to primary authentication, the processor 130 can determine the success or failure of secondary authentication by verifying whether the serial number indicated by the acquired secondary identification information 602 is a serial number in a format managed by the manufacturer of the aerosol generator 100, the battery manufacturer, or other sales entity. As another example, if the acquired secondary identification information 602 is encrypted, the processor 130 can determine the success or failure of secondary authentication by decrypting the secondary identification information 602 using a predetermined method and verifying whether the decrypted data is the authenticated battery cell 111. In other words, the method by which the processor 130 determines the success or failure of authentication based on the secondary identification information 602 is not limited to just one method, depending on the type of secondary identification information 602, and a variety of methods can be employed.

[0126] In step 707, the processor 130 controls the system to perform step 708 if secondary authentication is successful. That is, if secondary authentication is successful, the aerosol generator 100 may operate in authenticated mode. However, if secondary authentication fails, the processor 130 controls the system to perform step 709. That is, if secondary authentication fails, the aerosol generator 100 may operate in unauthenticated mode.

[0127] In step 708, if the two-step authentication process of primary and secondary authentication is successful, the processor 130 determines that the installed removable battery 110 is an authenticated battery and controls the aerosol generator 100 to operate in authentication mode. Here, authentication mode means a mode in which all functions of the aerosol generator 100 can operate normally due to the normal power supply from the removable battery 110.

[0128] In step 709, the processor 130 determines that if authentication in either the primary or secondary authentication step fails, the installed removable battery 110 is an unauthenticated battery and controls the aerosol generator 100 to operate in unauthenticated mode. In other words, the processor 130 determines that the currently installed removable battery 110 is an unauthenticated battery if it is unauthenticated for either the first identification information 601 or the second identification information 602.

[0129] Uncertified mode refers to a mode in which the normal use of the removable battery 110 in the aerosol generator 100 is restricted.

[0130] For example, in uncertified mode, the aerosol generator 100 can cut off the power supply from the detachable battery 110.

[0131] In other examples, in unauthenticated mode, the aerosol generator 100 can be partially powered by the removable battery 110, but some functions of the aerosol generator 100 can be deactivated by power supply from the removable battery 110. In other words, in unauthenticated mode, the aerosol generator 100 can be restricted to only a limited number of functions when powered by the removable battery 110.

[0132] The aerosol generator 100 according to this embodiment authenticates the removable battery 110 by performing a two-step authentication process, which includes primary authentication of the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110 and secondary authentication of the battery cells 111 provided in the removable battery 110. This prevents the removable battery 110 from being misused by arbitrarily replacing some of its internal components.

[0133] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an aerosol generator in an uncertified mode according to one embodiment.

[0134] Referring to Figure 8, we will explain assuming that the currently installed second detachable battery 110-2 was determined to be an uncertified battery through the two-step certification process described in Figure 7.

[0135] The user interface 140 provides a notification 810 indicating that the second removable battery 110-2 currently installed in the aerosol generator 100 is an uncertified battery and that the aerosol generator 100 is currently operating in uncertified mode. For example, the notification 810 may include a pop-up window containing a message indicating that an uncertified battery (second removable battery 110-2) is currently installed.

[0136] On the other hand, the processor 130 can restrict the execution of certain functions using a pre-configured function restriction list so that the aerosol generator 100 operates in unauthenticated mode. In other words, some functions of the aerosol generator 100 powered by the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2) in unauthenticated mode may be deactivated.

[0137] For example, the processor 130 can restrict the heating function of the heater 120 in unauthenticated mode. Specifically, as one example, the processor 130 can cut off power supply to the heater 120 from the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2). This makes smoking using the aerosol generator 100 operating in unauthenticated mode impossible. On the other hand, as another example, the processor 130 can only supply a limited amount of power to the heater 120 from the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2), thereby controlling the heater 120 so that only a small amount of aerosol is not generated. Alternatively, as yet another example, the processor 130 can supply normal power to the heater 120 from the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2), but can control the heater 120 based on other pre-configured temperature profiles that generate only a small amount of aerosol, which is not a normal temperature profile. In other words, the limited heating function of heater 120 in unauthenticated mode means that even if heater 120 is deactivated or activated, it will only generate a small amount of aerosol. On the other hand, the aforementioned limitation of the heating function of heater 120 is merely illustrative, and heater 120 may operate with other limited functions.

[0138] For example, the processor 130 can limit the charging speed of the uncertified battery (second removable battery 110-2) in uncertified mode. In other words, the speed at which the uncertified battery (second removable battery 110-2) is charged by an external charger in uncertified mode may be limited to a slower rate than the charging speed in certified mode.

[0139] For example, in unauthenticated mode, the processor 130 can restrict the display of information regarding the remaining charge level (SoC: State of Charge) of the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2) through the user interface 140.

[0140] For example, in unauthenticated mode, the processor 130 can restrict the display of information regarding the performance (e.g., State of Health (SoH)) of the unauthenticated battery (second removable battery 110-2) through the user interface 140.

[0141] In other words, in unauthenticated mode, the aerosol generator 100 may have some functions already set in the function restriction list restricted or deactivated.

[0142] However, the aforementioned restriction functions are merely examples for the sake of explanation and must all be included in the function restriction list. In other words, the functions restricted (deactivated) in unauthenticated mode include only some of the restriction functions described exemplified above, and may be configured in various ways to restrict other functions as well. The functions restricted in unauthenticated mode may be pre-configured by the manufacturer of the aerosol generator 100 or may be modified in various ways by user operation.

[0143] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an aerosol generator in an authentication mode according to one embodiment.

[0144] Referring to Figure 9, we will explain assuming that the currently installed third detachable battery 110-3 was determined to be an uncertified battery through the two-step certification process described in Figure 7.

[0145] In authentication mode, the aerosol generator 100 can operate all functions normally with proper power supply from the authenticated battery (third removable battery 110-3).

[0146] On the other hand, according to one embodiment, when the aerosol generator 100 is operating in authentication mode, the processor 130 can adjust the puff configuration that can be supported by the aerosol generator 100 by identifying the capacity of the battery cell based on the second identification information of the battery cell provided in the authenticated battery (third removable battery 110-3).

[0147] Specifically, if the third removable battery 110-3 is a high-capacity battery, the processor 130 can customize the puff environment settings of the aerosol generator 100 for the high-capacity battery. For example, the processor 130 can adjust various environment settings, such as setting the total number of puffs that can be supported without charging the high-capacity battery (e.g., 400 puffs in total), the duration of one puff (e.g., a maximum of 5 minutes), or setting a temperature profile optimized for the high-capacity battery. If the third removable battery 110-3 is a low-capacity battery, the processor 130 can adjust the environment settings in a different way than when it is a high-capacity battery.

[0148] On the other hand, the battery capacity types and puff environment settings for each battery capacity described in Figure 9 are illustrative examples and are not limiting. The aerosol generator 100 may be controlled to accommodate even more diverse battery capacity types and adjust to even more diverse puff environment settings. However, in authentication mode, the aerosol generator 100 may operate without separate puff environment settings for each battery capacity.

[0149] In Figures 8 and 9 above, the user interface 140 of the aerosol generator 100 was illustrated as having a display screen. However, according to other embodiments, the user interface 140 may be implemented in a type that does not have a separate display screen. In such cases, the user interface 140 can distinguish between authenticated mode and unauthenticated mode and notify the user through a variety of other means, such as LED (light-emitting diode) flashing, LED hue change, LED number change, and audible notification.

[0150] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for authenticating a removable battery in an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. The method in Figure 10 corresponds to the steps performed chronologically in the previously described diagrams. Therefore, even if the details omitted below are described in the aforementioned diagrams, the information provided in the diagrams can also be applied to the method in Figure 10.

[0151] In step 1001, the processor 130 accesses the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110 by electrically coupling with the protection circuit module 112 provided in the removable battery 110 when the removable battery 110 is newly installed in the aerosol generator 100.

[0152] In step 1002, the processor 130 obtains authentication information for the removable battery 110 from the accessed protection circuit module 112.

[0153] In step 1003, the processor 130 determines, based on the acquired authentication information, whether the removable battery 110 is an authenticated battery for the aerosol generator 100 or an unauthenticated battery.

[0154] In step 1004, the processor 130 controls the operation of the aerosol generator 100 in either an authenticated mode, which activates all functions of the aerosol generator 100 powered by the removable battery 110, or an unauthenticated mode, which deactivates some functions of the aerosol generator 100 powered by the removable battery 110, if the battery is determined to be authenticated.

[0155] The method described above can be created using a program executed on a computer and can be implemented on a general-purpose digital computer that runs the program using a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. Furthermore, the data structure used in the method described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium by various means. The computer-readable recording medium includes recording media such as magnetic recording media (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, USB, floppy disk (registered trademark), hard disk, etc.) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.).

[0156] Those with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it will be embodied in modified forms that do not deviate from the essential characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered in an explanatory rather than restrictive view. The scope of the invention is expressed in the claims, not in the above description, and all differences within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. In a method for certifying a removable battery in an aerosol generating device, When a removable battery is newly installed in the aerosol generator, the process involves electrically coupling with the protection circuit module provided in the removable battery, thereby accessing the protection circuit module, The steps include obtaining authentication information for the removable battery from the accessed protection circuit module, Based on the acquired authentication information, the step of determining whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery for the aerosol generating device, A method comprising the step of controlling the operation of the aerosol generator in an authenticated mode in which all functions of the aerosol generator are activated by power supply from the removable battery when the battery is determined to be authenticated, or in an unauthenticated mode in which some functions of the aerosol generator are deactivated by power supply from the removable battery when the battery is determined to be unauthenticated.

2. The aforementioned steps to be achieved are: The method according to claim 1, wherein first identification information of the protection circuit module and second identification information of a battery cell provided in the removable battery are obtained from the memory of the protection circuit module.

3. The aforementioned determination step is, The steps include performing primary authentication of the protection circuit module based on the first identification information obtained, If the primary authentication determines that the protection circuit module is an authenticated module, the step includes performing a secondary authentication on the battery cell based on the acquired second identification information. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the battery cell is determined to be a certified battery cell by the secondary certification, the removable battery is determined to be a certified battery.

4. The aforementioned determination step is, The method according to claim 2, wherein if either of the acquired first identification information and the acquired second identification information is unauthenticated, the removable battery is determined to be the unauthenticated battery.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information includes type information of the product serial number.

6. The aforementioned functions that have been deactivated in the unauthenticated mode are The method according to claim 1, further comprising a heating function for the heater of the aerosol generating apparatus.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rate at which the removable battery is charged by an external charger in the unauthenticated mode is limited to a rate slower than the rate at which it is charged in the authenticated mode.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a notification through the user interface of the aerosol generator indicating that the aerosol generator is currently operating in an unauthenticated mode after the removable battery has been newly installed.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting the puff environment configuration that can be supported by the aerosol generator by identifying the capacity of the battery cell based on second identification information of the battery cell provided in the removable battery when the aerosol generator is operating in the authentication mode.

10. In an aerosol generating device, When a removable battery is newly installed in the aerosol generator, the battery connection part is electrically coupled to the protection circuit module provided in the removable battery, Aerosol generator comprising: a processor that accesses the protection circuit module through the battery connection portion to obtain authentication information for the removable battery from the protection circuit module, determines whether the removable battery is an authenticated battery or an unauthenticated battery based on the obtained authentication information, and controls the operation of the aerosol generator in an authenticated mode in which all functions of the aerosol generator are activated by power supply from the removable battery if it is determined to be an authenticated battery, or in an unauthenticated mode in which some functions of the aerosol generator are deactivated by power supply from the removable battery if it is determined to be an unauthenticated battery.

11. The aforementioned processor, The first identification information of the protection circuit module and the second identification information of the battery cell provided in the removable battery are obtained from the memory of the protection circuit module. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, which performs primary authentication of the protection circuit module based on the acquired first identification information and secondary authentication of the battery cell based on the acquired second identification information.

12. If the processor determines that the protection circuit module is a module that has been authenticated by the primary authentication, it performs the secondary authentication on the battery cell. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor determines that the battery cell is a certified battery cell based on the secondary authentication, and determines that the removable battery is the certified battery.

13. It further includes a heater for heating the aerosol-generating material, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the certain functions deactivated in the unauthenticated mode include the heating function of the heater of the aerosol generating apparatus.

14. The aerosol generator according to claim 10, further comprising a user interface that provides a notification indicating that the aerosol generator is currently operating in an unauthenticated mode after the removable battery has been newly installed.

15. A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores a program for executing any one of claims 1 to 9 on a computer.

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