A method for configuring an aerosol generating device and a user interface system for an aerosol generating device.

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (10) equipped with a user interface system is described. The user interface system includes a plurality of predefined user inputs and at least one predefined required operating function of the aerosol generating device (10). The user interface system is selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of the user inputs and to assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each required operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to aerosol generating devices, and more particularly to aerosol generating devices for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to portable (handheld) aerosol generating devices.

[0002] The present disclosure also generally relates to a method of configuring a user interface system of an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, devices that heat rather than burn aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol for inhalation have become popular among consumers. Commonly available risk reduction or risk modification devices are material heated aerosol generating devices or so-called heat-not-burn devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol generating material to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. This temperature range is considerably lower compared to conventional cigarettes. When the aerosol generating material is heated to a temperature within this range without burning or combustion, vapor is generated, and this vapor typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the device.

[0004] Such a device may include a user interface system that responds to specific user inputs and enables the aerosol generating device to control or initiate specific operational functions. For example, the device may perform a specific action in response to a push button on the device being pressed by a user. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. The software components may be implemented, for example, using a controller for the aerosol generating device. The user interface system may respond to one or more user inputs that are predefined ("predefined user inputs") and stored as part of the user interface system. For example, if a user does not want to control the aerosol generating device using these specific user inputs, it may sometimes be possible for the user to disable some of the predefined user inputs in the user interface system. However, the relationship between user inputs and the operational functions of the aerosol generating device is usually fixed within the user interface system and cannot be changed by the user. For example, it is usually fixed that the device performs a specific operational function in response to a specific user input or action. Known user interface systems are not selectively configurable by the user according to the user's own preferences. This disclosure aims to provide a user interface system that is selectively configurable by the user for greater ease of use. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided which comprises a user interface system having a plurality of predefined user inputs and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system is Disable and enable at least one of the user inputs, The user can selectively configure the device to assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operational function of the aerosol generating device.

[0006] The aerosol generating device may be a holder for receiving an aerosol generating article (or consumable), and may be configured to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale by optionally heating the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating article may be inserted into the aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may comprise an aerosol generating material.

[0007] Aerosol generating devices are typically handheld, portable devices.

[0008] The aerosol generating device may be configured to heat the aerosol generating material or substrate without burning the aerosol generating material, thereby evaporating at least one component of the aerosol generating material, thereby generating heated vapor, which is cooled and condensed to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device during a vaping session. The aerosol generating device may also generate the aerosol by other means, for example, by using an ultrasonic transducer to atomize a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0009] Generally speaking, vapor is a substance that is in the gaseous phase at temperatures below its critical temperature, meaning that it can be condensed into a liquid by increasing the pressure without decreasing the temperature, while aerosols are fine solid particles or droplets suspended in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that the terms “aerosol” and “vapor” may be used interchangeably herein, particularly in reference to the form of inhalable media generated for the user to inhale.

[0010] An aerosol generating device may comprise a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating material, and a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may be a low-power thin-film heater, a printed heater, etc. An induction heater may be preferred. The induction heater may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor, and may be configured to heat the aerosol generating material. For example, the induction coil may be positioned adjacent to the aerosol generating space or heating chamber of an aerosol generating device designed to receive an aerosol generating material, where the aerosol generating material is optionally part of an aerosol generating article or consumable that is received by the aerosol generating device during use. When the aerosol generating material is heated using the induction heater, an alternating electromagnetic field is generated by the induction coil. The susceptor may be associated with the aerosol generating material, for example, positioned adjacent to or embedded in the aerosol generating material, and may be part of the aerosol generating article or aerosol generating device. The susceptor couples with an electromagnetic field, generating heat due to eddy currents and / or magnetic hysteresis, which is then transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol generating material. To generate the alternating current electromagnetic field necessary for induction heating, the aerosol generating device may further include an inverter electrically connected to the induction coil.

[0011] The aerosol generating material may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Examples of aerosol generating solids include powders, granules, pellets, flakes, strands, particles, gels, strips, loose leaves, cut fillers, porous materials, foamed materials, or sheets. The aerosol generating material may comprise plant-derived materials, particularly tobacco. Advantageously, the aerosol generating material may comprise, for example, reconstituted tobacco comprising tobacco and any one or more inorganic fillers such as cellulose fibers, tobacco stem fibers, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

[0012] Therefore, aerosol generating devices may also be referred to as "heated tobacco devices," "non-combustion heated tobacco devices," "tobacco product vaporization devices," etc., and are interpreted as devices suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol generating material, including liquid materials or substrates.

[0013] As briefly mentioned above, the aerosol generating material may form part of an aerosol generating article that is received by an aerosol generating device, for example, by inserting the aerosol generating article into the aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may include a filter segment at its proximal end, for example, containing cellulose acetate fibers. The filter segment may constitute a mouthpiece filter and may be coaxially aligned with the aerosol generating material. Some designs may also include one or more vapor collection areas, cooling areas, and other structures. For example, the aerosol generating article may include at least one tubular segment upstream of the filter segment. The tubular segment may function as a vapor cooling area. The vapor cooling area may advantageously allow heated vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material to cool and condense to form an aerosol with suitable properties for user inhalation, for example, through the filter segment.

[0014] The aerosol generating material may include an aerosol former. Examples of aerosol formers include polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin or propylene glycol and mixtures thereof. Typically, the aerosol generating material may contain an aerosol-forming agent content of about 5% to about 50% by dry weight. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may contain an aerosol-forming agent content of about 10% to about 20%, and optionally about 15%, by dry weight.

[0015] When heated, the aerosol-generating material may release volatile compounds. These volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavoring compounds such as tobacco flavorings.

[0016] The aerosol generating material may be a liquid material or substrate, and the device may include an atomizing configuration that atomizes the liquid material or substrate, including without heating. The liquid material or substrate may also be heated.

[0017] The term "user input" means any input that may be provided by the user of an aerosol generating device, for example, to operate or control the operation of the aerosol generating device. Each user input may correspond to a specific action performed by the user. For example, if a user presses a button on the aerosol generating device for a certain period of time, this may correspond to a specific user input in the user interface system. A non-exhaustive list of possible user inputs may include: - Press the button on the aerosol generating device for a short time (i.e., a "short press") - Pressing the button on the aerosol generating device for an intermediate period of time (i.e., "intermediate press") - Pressing the button on the aerosol generating device for an extended period of time (i.e., "long press"), - Interacting with any other type of input device (e.g., a touchscreen) of an aerosol generating device (i.e., "input device interaction"), - Removing aerosol generating items from an aerosol generating device (i.e., "removing consumables") - Inserting an aerosol generating item into an aerosol generating device (i.e., "inserting a consumable item") - Tap the aerosol generating device once (i.e., "single tap") - Tap the aerosol generating device twice (i.e., "double tap") - Tap the aerosol generating device n times, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3 (i.e., "n taps"), and - For example, moving or vibrating the aerosol generating device in a specific manner in response to a specific user input (i.e., “device movement” or “device vibration”). Moving the aerosol generating device may include, for example, lifting or tilting the aerosol generating device, or a more complex series of movements or gestures.

[0018] Multiple user inputs may be predefined as part of the user interface system and selectively enabled or disabled by the user. These predefined user inputs may, for example, be stored in memory.

[0019] The term "essential operating function" refers to any operating function that is essential for the operation of an aerosol generating device, such as starting or stopping heating (i.e., "start heating" or "stop heating"). In some aerosol generating devices, the essential operating function may include, for example, starting or stopping the operation of an aerosol generator such as an ultrasonic transducer or atomizer.

[0020] One or more required operational functions are predefined as part of the user interface system. These predefined required operational functions may, for example, be stored in memory.

[0021] If one or more enabled user inputs are assigned to each essential operation function of the aerosol generator, the user interface system is configured to control the aerosol generator to perform a specific operation function in response to one or more assigned user inputs. The user interface system may notify the user if at least one user input is not assigned to an essential operation function. The operation of the aerosol generator may be suspended until at least one user input is assigned to each essential operation function, or such assignment (e.g., a "default" assignment) may be made by the user interface system to ensure that the aerosol generator can be properly controlled. The user interface system may further include at least one predefined non-essential operation function of the aerosol generator. The user interface system may further be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of the non-essential operation functions and to assign one or more enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operation function of the aerosol generator. This allows the user to configure the user interface system to use the user's preferred user inputs to perform specific essential and non-essential operation functions of the aerosol generator, thus providing the user with more flexibility in controlling the aerosol generator.

[0022] The term "non-essential operational function" refers to any operational function that is not essential for the operation of the aerosol generating device, but which the user may wish to enable, such as checking the remaining time of a vaping session (i.e., "remaining time check"), boosting the heating of the aerosol generating material (i.e., "heat boost"), and checking the power supply charge level (i.e., "battery level check"). Such non-essential operational functions may help the user interact with or control the operation of the aerosol generating device in a preferred way that may improve the user experience.

[0023] One or more non-essential operating functions are predefined as part of the user interface system. The one or more predefined non-essential operating functions may be stored in, for example, memory. The user interface system may comprise a user interface that responds to an activated user input and initiates a particular essential or non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, for example, where the user interface outputs a control signal.

[0024] The user interface system may notify the user if any of the activated user inputs are not assigned to one or more activated operating functions. Any activated user input that is not assigned may be deactivated by the user interface system. The user interface system may notify the user if at least one user input is not assigned to an activated non-essential operating function. Any activated non-essential operating function to which at least one user input is not assigned may be deactivated by the user interface system.

[0025] The user interface system may further be selectively configurable by the user to assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions. In this case, it will be readily understood that the term "enabled operating function" includes any enabled non-essential operating function (i.e., a given non-essential operating function that has not yet been disabled by the user) and an essential operating function that cannot be disabled. For example, it may be possible to assign one of the user inputs (e.g., "double tap") to control a plurality of enabled operating functions such as "remaining time check" and "heating boost". This means that when the user double taps on the aerosol generating device, this tap is detected and the aerosol generating device is controlled to notify the user of the remaining time of the vaping session and also boost the heating of the aerosol generating material. However, the user interface system may further be configured to prevent any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned by the user to two or more incompatible enabled operating functions. For example, the same user input should not be assigned to an operating function to stop heating the aerosol generating material ("heating stop") and an operating function to boost the heating of the aerosol generating material ("heating boost") because these operating functions are clearly incompatible and it is not possible to stop and boost the heating simultaneously.

[0026] Combinations of incompatible enabled operating functions may be stored, for example, in a memory.

[0027] The aerosol generating device further comprises - a power source (e.g., a battery or other energy storage device), and - at least one input or output device, and - a controller.

[0028] Each input or output device may correspond to one or more predefined user inputs and / or one or more predefined non-essential operational functions of the aerosol generating device. For example, an input device may be a push button on the aerosol generating device that the user may use to provide user inputs such as "short press," "medium press," and "long press," depending on the length of time the push button is pressed by the user. An input device may also be a device that identifies when an aerosol generating article is inserted into or removed from the aerosol generating device by the user, and allows the user to provide user input by "consumable insertion" and "consumable removal," i.e., by intentionally inserting or removing the aerosol generating article. An input device may be an accelerometer or other motion sensor for detecting whether the aerosol generating device has been tapped ("single tap," "double tap," and "n taps"), moved ("device movement"), or vibrated ("device vibration") by the user.

[0029] The output device may be an LED driver for driving one or more LEDs to provide visual feedback to the user. The output device may also be a driver for driving a haptic actuator to provide haptic feedback to the user. As used herein, the term “haptic feedback” means any feedback that can create a tactile experience or sensation for the user, i.e., generates a tactile response. The tactile response may be, for example, applied to the user’s hand holding the aerosol generating device. The haptic actuator may be a vibration motor such as an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, a piezoelectric actuator, a linear resonant array, or an electrical actuator such as an electrical stimulation array or an electrotactile stimulator. The feedback may be provided to the user as part of one or more of the operating functions, for example, haptic feedback may be provided when the aerosol device is controlled to notify the user of the remaining time ("remaining time check") or when heating is boosted ("heat boost").

[0030] Some of the input and output devices may be electrically connected to the power supply by their respective switching devices, such as semiconductor switches (e.g., MOSFETs). The controller may be configured to open each switching device when one or more user inputs and / or one or more non-essential operating functions corresponding to a particular input or output device are disabled by the user. This improves energy efficiency because the input or output device may be electrically isolated from the power supply by opening its respective switching device when it does not need to detect a user input or as part of an operating function. When an input or output device is required for an essential operating function of the aerosol generator, its respective switching device is usually kept closed to remain electrically connected to the power supply. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. At least one input or output device may be part of the user interface system. The software component may be implemented, for example, using the controller of the aerosol generator.

[0031] The aerosol generating device may further be configured to operate in multiple operating modes, for example, a heated mode in which the aerosol generating material is heated to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale, and a non-heated mode. Alternatively, the operating modes may include, for example, a mode in which the aerosol generator is operating to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale, and a mode in which the aerosol generator is not operating.

[0032] The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user to differ for each operating mode. For each operating mode of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system may further include a plurality of predefined user inputs and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device. For each operating mode of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system may further be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one user input for each operating mode, and to assign one or more enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device for each operating mode. For example, different user inputs may be enabled or disabled for each operating mode, and enabled user inputs may be assigned to different essential and optional operating functions of the aerosol generating device for each operating mode. This provides the user greater flexibility in controlling the aerosol generating device using preferred user inputs depending on the operating mode of the aerosol generating device, for example, whether or not an aerosol is being generated.

[0033] The user interface system further includes multiple predefined device outputs, for example, - For example, providing visual feedback to the user by lighting up one or more LEDs, -This may include, for example, providing haptic feedback to the user by vibrating an aerosol device.

[0034] The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of a predefined device output, and to assign one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device. The user interface system may therefore be configured to control the aerosol generating device to execute one or more specific device outputs in response to any of one or more assigned user inputs. This provides the user with greater flexibility. For example, some users may prefer visual feedback to haptic feedback, while others may prefer haptic feedback to visual feedback. The enabled operating functions do not necessarily need to be assigned one or more device outputs, and it will be understood that the device outputs are typically added to the basic functions of the aerosol generating device, such as starting and stopping the heating of the aerosol generating material, or boosting the heating of the aerosol generating material.

[0035] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a software application for selectively configuring the user interface system of the aerosol generating device described above. The software application may be a mobile application (or "mobile app") specifically developed for use on small portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, where user inputs, operation functions, etc., and the relationships thereto are represented graphically (for example, as buttons with lines between them indicating assigned relationships), and the user inputs and operation functions of the user interface system may be disabled or enabled or associated or assigned, for example, by touching the corresponding graphic representation or by other direct operation of the graphic representation using the touchscreen of the electronic device.

[0036] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for configuring a user interface system for an aerosol generating device, the user interface system comprising a plurality of enabled user inputs and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, the method comprising a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device.

[0037] One or more enabled user inputs may be selectively assigned by the user to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device using a software application, such as a mobile application (or “Mobile App”). A portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet, running the software application may communicate with the aerosol generating device using any suitable communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) or via a wireless network. Data exchanged between the electronic device and the aerosol generating device may be used to update the user interface system so that changes corresponding to changes made by the user using the software application are also made in the user interface system running on the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may include any suitable communication devices, such as transceivers and digital controllers, for providing wireless communication with the electronic device. Alternatively, the communication devices may be located within a portable charging device (or “Pocket Charger”) configured to accept the aerosol generating device. The portable charging device communicates data with the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device is accepted into the portable charging device. The data exchanged between the electronic device and the portable charging device may be used to update the user interface system when the aerosol generating device is communicating with the portable charging device, so that changes corresponding to changes made by the user using a software application are also made to the user interface system. The electronic device may also be connected to the aerosol generating device or the portable charging device, for example, using a USB cable.

[0038] Users may selectively configure the user interface system of an aerosol generating device using software applications running on an electronic device. This makes it easier and more intuitive to selectively configure the user interface system using graphic representations of different user inputs, operating functions, etc.

[0039] The method may further include the user deriving multiple enabled user inputs by selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the user interface system's predefined user inputs.

[0040] The user interface system may further include at least one predefined non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device. The method may further include the user selectively disabling or enabling one of the non-essential operation functions, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device.

[0041] The method may further include allowing a user to selectively assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operational functions, and preventing any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned to two or more incompatible enabled operational functions.

[0042] The method may further include the user selectively configuring the user interface system differently for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device.

[0043] The user interface system may further include a plurality of predefined device outputs. The method may further include the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the plurality of device outputs, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of one embodiment of an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation article. [Figure 2A]This is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an initial user interface system for different operating modes of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2B] This is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an initial user interface system for different operating modes of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3A] This is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a user interface system configured for different operating modes of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3B] This is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a user interface system configured for different operating modes of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a configured user interface system, showing incompatible relationships. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of one embodiment of a user interface system having a device output. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Herein, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings, merely as an example.

[0046] Referring first to Figure 1, a schematic diagram shows one embodiment of the aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 100 for use with the device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a body 12 that houses various components of the aerosol generating device 10. The body 12 may have any shape that is adapted to the components described in the various embodiments described herein and is made to be a size that can be comfortably held by a user with one hand without assistance.

[0047] The first end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown on the bottom side of Figure 1, will be described for convenience as the distal, bottom, base, or lower end of the aerosol generating device 10. The second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown on the top side of Figure 1, will be described as the proximal, top, or upper end of the aerosol generating device 10. During use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 10 so that the first end 14 is facing downward and / or distal to the user's mouth, and the second end 16 is facing upward and / or close to the user's mouth.

[0048] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heating chamber 18 positioned within the main body 12. The heating chamber 18 defines an internal volume in the form of a cavity 20 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for housing the aerosol generating article 100. The heating chamber 18 has a longitudinal axis defining its longitudinal direction and is formed from a heat-resistant plastic material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The aerosol generating device 10 further includes a power supply 22, which may be one or more batteries, for example, rechargeable, and a controller 24. The controller 24 may include one or more integrated circuits and other electrical components. For example, the integrated circuit may include at least one of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and a microprocessor unit (MPU).

[0049] The heating chamber 18 opens toward the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. In other words, the heating chamber 18 has a first end 26 that opens toward the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. The heating chamber 18 is usually held apart from the inner surface of the body 12 to minimize heat transfer to the body 12.

[0050] The aerosol generating device 10 may optionally include a slide cover 28 that is laterally movable between a closed position (shown in Figure 1) in which the slide cover 28 covers the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to prevent access to the heating chamber 18, and an open position (not shown) in which the slide cover 28 exposes the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to provide access to the heating chamber 18. In some embodiments, the slide cover 28 may be biased to the closed position.

[0051] The heating chamber 18, specifically the cavity 20, is arranged to receive a substantially cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100 of the corresponding shape. Typically, the aerosol generating article 100 comprises a pre-packaged aerosol generating material or base material 102. The aerosol generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also known as a “consumable”), which may contain, for example, tobacco as the aerosol generating material 102. The aerosol generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or mouth end) and a distal end 106. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises a mouthpiece segment 108 positioned downstream of the aerosol generating material 102. The aerosol generating material 102 and the mouthpiece segment 108 are coaxially aligned within a wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in place and form a rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100.

[0052] The mouthpiece segment 108 may comprise one or more of the following components (not shown in detail), arranged sequentially and coaxially in the downstream direction, in other words, from the distal end 106 to the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100: a cooling segment, a central hole segment, and a filter segment. The cooling segment typically comprises a hollow paper tube having a thickness greater than the thickness of the wrapper 110. The central hole segment may comprise a cured mixture containing cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer, which functions to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 108. The filter segment typically comprises cellulose acetate fibers and functions as a mouthpiece filter. As heated vapor flows from the aerosol generating material 102 toward the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100, the vapor cools and condenses as it passes through the cooling segment and the central hole segment, forming an aerosol with properties suitable for inhalation by the user through the filter segment.

[0053] The heating chamber 18 has a side wall (or chamber wall) 30 extending between a base 32 located at the second end 34 of the heating chamber 18 and an open first end 26. The side wall 30 and the base 32 can be connected to each other and formed integrally as a single part. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 30 is tubular, and more specifically cylindrical. The side wall 30 may be formed such that the cross-section of the heating chamber 18 is a perfect circle or ellipse. In other embodiments, the side wall 30 may have other preferred shapes, such as a tube with an elliptical or polygonal cross-section. In yet another embodiment, the side wall 30 may be tapered.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the base 32 of the heating chamber 18 is closed, for example, sealed or airtight. That is, the heating chamber 18 is cup-shaped. This may ensure that air drawn in from the open first end 26 is prevented by the base 32 from flowing out from the second end 34 and instead guided through the aerosol-generating material 102. This may also ensure that the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 into the heating chamber 18 to the intended distance and not beyond.

[0055] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heating arrangement configuration 36 configured to heat the aerosol generating material 102 when the aerosol generating article 100 is received into the heating chamber 18.

[0056] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a pair of input devices, namely a push button 38 and an accelerometer 40. Although not shown, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include input devices for identifying when the aerosol generating article 100 was inserted into the heating chamber 18 by the user and when it was removed from the heating chamber by the user. The push button 38 may be positioned such that at least a portion of the push button is exposed from the body 12.

[0057] The aerosol generating device 10 also includes a pair of output devices, namely one or more LEDs 42 electrically connected to the controller 24 by an LED driver 44, and a haptic actuator 46 (e.g., an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor) electrically connected to the controller 24 by a motor driver 48. The LED driver 44 and motor driver 48 may be omitted if the controller 24 is configured to directly control the LEDs 42 and the haptic actuator 46.

[0058] The controller 24 may control the aerosol generating device 10 according to a user interface system that can be selectively configured by the user. The user interface system responds to specific user inputs and allows the aerosol generating device 10 to control or initiate specific operating functions, including both essential and optional operating functions. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. The software components of the user interface system may be implemented in the controller 24.

[0059] For the purposes of the following explanation, in this embodiment, the user interface system is assumed to respond to the following predefined user inputs ("predefined user inputs"), where each user input corresponds to a specific action performed by the user. - Press button 38 for a short time (i.e., a "short press") - Press and hold button 38 for an extended period of time (i.e., "long press") -Removing the aerosol generating item 100 from the aerosol generating device 10 (i.e., "removing consumables"), - Inserting the aerosol generating item 100 into the aerosol generating device 10 (i.e., "inserting consumables"), - Tap the aerosol generating device 10 twice (i.e., "double tap") - Lifting the aerosol generating device 10 ("device movement"), and - Vibrating the aerosol generating device 10 ("device vibration").

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user interface system may start or trigger the following predefined essential operation functions. -Starting the heating of the aerosol generating material ("start heating") -that is, starting the operation of the heating arrangement configuration 36, and - To stop heating the aerosol generating material ("heating stop") - That is, to stop the operation of the heating arrangement configuration 36.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user interface system may initiate or trigger the following predefined non-essential operation functions. - Check the remaining time of your vaping session ("Remaining Time Check") - Check the charge level of power supply 22 ("Battery Level Check"), and - Boosting the heating of the aerosol generating device 10 ("heating boost") - that is, increasing the heating provided by the heating arrangement configuration 36.

[0062] The push button 38 is used to detect "short presses" and "long presses" of user input, and this user input is identified based on the time the push button 38 is pressed by the user. In particular, the controller 24 receives data when the push button 38 is pressed.

[0063] The accelerometer 40 is used to detect user inputs such as "double tap," "device movement," and "device vibration." In particular, the controller 24 receives data from the accelerometer 40, which may be used to determine whether the user has tapped the aerosol generating device 10 or lifted or vibrated the aerosol generating device 10 in a manner corresponding to a predefined user input. The accelerometer 40 is connected to the power supply 22 by a semiconductor switch 52 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be released to isolate the accelerometer 40 from the power supply 22 when all of the corresponding user inputs, "double tap," "device movement," and "device vibration," are disabled from the user interface system; see below. If all of these specific user inputs are disabled, the accelerometer 40 is not needed and may therefore be isolated from the power supply 22 to conserve battery power.

[0064] Two initial (or “default”) user interface systems are shown in Figures 2A and 2B, where user input and required and optional operational functions are graphically represented. In particular, the user may selectively configure the user interface system using a software application such as a mobile application (i.e., a “mobile app”) running on the smartphone 200. The smartphone 200 wirelessly communicates with the aerosol generating device 10 so that any changes made using the software application are updated in the user interface system operating on the aerosol generating device 10. The smartphone 200 may communicate with the aerosol generating device 10 using any suitable communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) or via a wireless network, and the aerosol generating device 10 may include a suitable communication device 50. Alternatively, the smartphone 200 may wirelessly communicate with a portable charging device (not shown) for charging the power supply 22 of the aerosol generating device 10. In this case, the communication device may be provided as part of a portable charging device (not shown), and the user interface system operating on the aerosol generating device 10 may be updated when the aerosol generating device is received by the portable charging device, for example, to store, transport, or charge the aerosol generating device, or when the aerosol generating device 10 is communicating data with the portable charging device.

[0065] The initial (or "default") user interface systems for the aerosol generating device 10, shown in Figures 2A and 2B, may be based on factory settings or known user preferences, or may use a user profile that may be updated, for example, using a software application. Figure 2A shows the initial user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during heating mode, i.e., when the heating arrangement configuration 36 is used to heat the aerosol generating material 102. Figure 2B shows the initial user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during non-heating mode.

[0066] In Figure 2A, the predefined user input is: - Press and hold button 38 for an extended period of time (i.e., "long press") -Removing the aerosol generating item 100 from the aerosol generating device 10 (i.e., "removing consumables"), and - This involves tapping the aerosol generating device 10 twice (i.e., "double tapping").

[0067] Each user input is graphically represented by input buttons IB1, IB2, and IB3. Input buttons IB1, IB2, and IB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200.

[0068] The predefined essential operation is to stop heating the aerosol generating material ("stop heating"), and the predefined non-essential operation is, - Check the remaining time of your vaping session ("Remaining Time Check"), and - This involves boosting the heating of the aerosol generating device 10 ("heating boost").

[0069] Each operation function is graphically represented by function buttons FB1, FB2, and FB3, and is suitable for heating modes. Function buttons FB1, FB2, and FB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200 and are located in the row below the row of input buttons IB1, IB2, and IB3.

[0070] In Figure 2B, the predefined user input is: - Inserting the aerosol generating item 100 into the aerosol generating device 10 (i.e., "inserting consumables"), - Press and hold button 38 for an extended period of time (i.e., "long press") - Press button 38 for a short time (i.e., a "short press") - Lifting the aerosol generating device 10 ("device movement"), and - The aerosol generating device 10 is vibrated ("device vibration").

[0071] Each user input is graphically represented by input buttons IB1, IB2, ..., and IB5. Input buttons IB1, IB2, ..., and IB5 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200.

[0072] A predefined essential operation is to start heating the aerosol generating material ("start heating"), and a predefined non-essential operation is to check the remaining charge level of power supply 22 ("battery level check").

[0073] Each operation function is graphically represented by function buttons FB1 and FB2, and is suitable for non-heating mode. Function buttons FB1 and FB2 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200 and are located in the row below the row of input buttons IB1, IB2, ..., and IB5.

[0074] The user interface system may be selectively configured by the user using the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200. More specifically, the user interface system may be selectively configured by the user by touching or tapping either input or function buttons, or by other direct operations of graphic representations such as touch, hold, and drag or swipe.

[0075] Using the smartphone 200, the user may disable one or more predefined user inputs by long-pressing the appropriate input button. The user may also disable one or more predefined non-essential operational functions by long-pressing the appropriate function button. Buttons for disabled user inputs or operational functions may be grayed out on the touchscreen 202 to indicate that this particular user input or operational function is disabled. Essential operational functions (e.g., "Stop Heating" and "Start Heating") may not be disabled even if the corresponding function button is long-pressed. Long-pressing a grayed-out button will re-enable the corresponding user input or operational function. In the initial user interface system shown in Figures 2A and 2B, all user inputs and non-essential operational functions are enabled, but may be initially disabled based on known user preferences.

[0076] In the initial user interface system shown in Figures 2A and 2B, there is no predefined relationship between user inputs and operational functions, however such initial (or "default") relationships may be provided based on known user preferences. A user may assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each of the enabled operational functions. Relationships or assignments between specific user inputs and specific operational functions may be created by briefly touching the appropriate input button, then briefly touching the appropriate function button, or vice versa, or by touching the touchscreen approximately somewhere between the appropriate input button and the appropriate function button. If a user input or non-essential operational function is disabled, any existing relationships with that user input or operational function may be deleted by the user interface system or reassigned to, for example, a default relationship. If an enabled user input is not assigned to a particular operational function, the user may be prompted to either provide an assignment or disable the user input. Similarly, if a user input is not assigned to an enabled non-essential operational function, the user may be prompted to either provide an assignment or disable the non-essential operational function. If no user input is assigned to a required operational function, the user may be asked to provide an assignment to ensure the proper operation of the aerosol generating device, or the user interface system may provide a default relationship with one or more of the enabled user inputs.

[0077] Figures 3A and 3B show the user interface systems of Figures 2A and 2B after they have been selectively configured by the user. Figure 3A shows the configured user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during the heating mode, i.e., when the heating arrangement configuration 36 is used to heat the aerosol generating material 102. Figure 3B shows the configured user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during the non-heating mode.

[0078] Referring to Figure 3A, the user has disabled the user input "Remove Consumables," and the input button IB2 is shown grayed out. When the user removes the aerosol generating item 100, the aerosol generating device 10 is not controlled. The user input "Long Press" is assigned to the essential operation function "Stop Heating" so that the aerosol generating device 10 is controlled to stop the operation of the heating arrangement configuration 36 if the user presses the push button 38 for a long time during heating mode. The relationship or assignment between the user input "Long Press" and the operation function "Stop Heating" is graphically represented by a straight line connecting buttons IB1 and FB1.

[0079] The user input "double tap" is assigned to the non-essential operation functions "check remaining time" and "heat boost" when the user taps the aerosol generating device 10 twice during heating mode. The tap is detected by the accelerometer 40, and the aerosol generating device is assigned to the non-essential operation functions "check remaining time" and "heat boost" to notify the user of the remaining time of the vaping session and to increase the heating provided by the heating arrangement configuration 36. Thus, it can be seen that a particular user input, in this case "double tap," may be assigned to two or more operation functions of the user interface system, as long as they are compatible. This is not permitted if the operation functions are incompatible. See below. The relationship or assignment between the user input "double tap" and the operation functions "check remaining time" and "heat boost" is graphically represented by straight lines connecting the respective buttons. In particular, there is a first straight line connecting buttons IB3 and FB2, and a second straight line connecting buttons IB3 and FB3.

[0080] Referring to Figure 3B, the user has disabled the user input "short press," and input button IB3 is shown grayed out. The aerosol generating device 10 is not controlled if the user briefly presses push button 38 while in non-heating mode. The non-essential operation function "battery level check" is also disabled, and function button FB2 is shown grayed out. The charge level of power supply 22 cannot be checked by user input. The user has assigned all enabled user inputs (i.e., "insert consumable," "long press," "move device," and "vibrate device") to the essential operation function "start heating." When the user inserts the aerosol generating item 100 into the heating chamber 18 of the aerosol generating device 10, or presses push button 38 for a long time, or lifts or shakes the device while in non-heating mode—this movement is detected by the accelerometer 40—the aerosol generating device is controlled to start the operation of the heating arrangement configuration 36. This also transitions the aerosol generating device 10 to a heating mode, where its operation is controlled using the user interface system shown in Figure 3A. The relationship or assignment between user inputs such as "insert consumable," "long press," "move device," and "vibrate device," and the operation function "start heating," is graphically represented by straight lines connecting each button. In particular, there is a first straight line connecting buttons IB1 and FB1, a second straight line connecting buttons IB2 and FB1, a third straight line connecting buttons IB4 and FB1, and a fourth straight line connecting buttons IB5 and FB1.

[0081] Existing relationships may be removed by touching the appropriate straight line for an extended period. Alternatively, existing relationships may be reassigned by the user, for example, by touching, holding, and dragging the appropriate straight line. For example, the relationship between user input "long press" and operation function "heat stop" may be removed by touching the straight line connecting buttons IB2 and FB1 for an extended period. The user may then activate the operation function "battery level check" by touching the function button FB2 for an extended period, and then assign user input "long press" to the operation function "battery level check" by touching input button IB2 briefly and function button FB2 briefly, or vice versa.

[0082] Figure 4 shows the user interface system for a heating mode where the user attempts to assign the user input "double tap" to the "heat stop" function, even though it is already assigned to the "heat boost" function. These functions are incompatible, and the user interface system cannot assign such a relationship to the user input. However, this is permitted if the user first removes the relationship between the user input "double tap" and the "heat boost" function.

[0083] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a user interface system for a heating mode, which further includes the following predefined device outputs. - Provide visual feedback to the user by illuminating one or more LEDs 42 ("lights"). - To provide the user with a first haptic feedback by driving the haptic actuator 46 ("vibration 1"), and - Provide the user with a second haptic feedback by driving the haptic actuator 46 ("vibration 2").

[0084] Each device output is graphically represented by output buttons OB1, OB2, and OB3, and is suitable for heating modes. Output buttons OB1, OB3, and OB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200 and are located in the row below the rows of input buttons IB1, IB2, and IB3, and function buttons FB1, FB2, and FB3.

[0085] The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable any of the device outputs. The user may also assign one or more of the enabled device outputs to each of the enabled operating functions of the aerosol generating device, as described above.

[0086] In Figure 5, device outputs "Vibration 1" and "Light" are assigned to the operation function "Stop Heating". When the aerosol generating device 10 is controlled to execute the operation function "Stop Heating" in response to user input "Long Press", the heating configuration 36 stops, and the user receives visual feedback from the LED 42 and haptic feedback from the haptic actuator 46. The relationship or assignment between device outputs "Vibration 1" and "Light" and the operation function "Stop Heating" is graphically represented by straight lines connecting the respective buttons. In particular, there is a first straight line connecting buttons OB1 and FB1, and a second straight line connecting buttons OB2 and FB1. Device output "Vibration 2" is assigned to the operation function "Boost Heating". When the aerosol generating device 10 is controlled to execute the operation function "Boost Heating" (and operation function "Check Remaining Time") in response to user input "Double Tap", the heating provided by the heating configuration 36 increases, and the remaining time is notified to the user. The user also receives haptic feedback from the haptic actuator 46. The relationship or assignment between the device output "vibration 2" and the operation function "heat boost" is graphically represented by a straight line connecting buttons OB3 and FB3.

[0087] The LED driver 44 is connected to the power supply 22 by a semiconductor switch 54 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be opened to isolate the LED driver 44 from the power supply 22 if the corresponding device output "light" is disabled from the user interface system. If this particular device output is disabled, the LED driver 44 is not needed and therefore may be isolated from the power supply 22. Similarly, the motor driver 48 is connected to the power supply 22 by a semiconductor switch 56 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be opened to isolate the motor driver from the power supply 22 if the corresponding device outputs "vibration 1" and "vibration 2" are disabled from the user interface system.

[0088] While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it goes without saying that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0089] Unless otherwise stated herein or unless clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of the features described above in all possible variations is encompassed by this disclosure.

[0090] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “equipped with,” “equipped with,” and “having” should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, that is, “including but not limited,” rather than in an exclusive or exhaustive sense.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating device (10), A user interface system that responds to a plurality of predefined user inputs, which correspond to actions performed by a user and which may initiate at least one predefined essential operation function and at least one predefined non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10), Disable and enable at least one of the aforementioned user inputs, One or more of the activated user inputs are assigned to each of the essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10). Disable and enable at least one of the non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10), A user interface system that can be selectively configured by the user to assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each of the enabled non-essential operational functions of the aerosol generating device (10), Power supply (22) and At least one input or output device (40, 42, 46), each input or output device (40, 42, 46) corresponds to one or more predefined user inputs or one or more predefined non-essential operation functions of the aerosol generating device (10), A controller (24) is provided, Each input or output device (40, 42, 46) is electrically connected to the power supply (22) by the respective switching devices (52, 54, 56) of the aerosol generating device (10). The controller (24) is configured to open each of the switching devices (52, 54, 56) when one or more non-essential operation functions corresponding to one or more user inputs or input or output devices (40, 42, 46) are disabled by the user. Aerosol generating device (10).

2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface system that can be selectively configured by the user to assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions, and to prevent any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned by the user to two or more incompatible enabled operating functions.

3. Furthermore, the aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 is configured to operate in multiple operating modes, and the user interface system can be further selectively configured by the user to differ for each operating mode.

4. The user interface system further includes a plurality of predefined device outputs, and the user interface system is Disable and enable at least one of the device outputs, The user can selectively configure one or more of the activated device outputs to be assigned to each of the activated operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10). An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Furthermore, A user-operable input device (38), Motion sensor (40) and One or more light-emitting diodes (42, 44) A haptic actuator (46, 48) and one or more of the following: An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A software application for selectively configuring the user interface system of an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for configuring a user interface system for an aerosol generating device (10), wherein the user interface system comprises a plurality of enabled user inputs and at least one predefined essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10), and the method includes a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more activated user inputs are selectively assigned to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10) by the user using a software application.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising the user deriving the plurality of enabled user inputs by selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the plurality of predefined user inputs of the user interface system.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the user interface system further comprises at least one predefined non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10), and the method further comprises the user selectively disabling or enabling any of the non-essential operation functions, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising: allowing the user to selectively assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operation functions; and preventing any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned to two or more incompatible enabled operation functions.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising the user selectively configuring the user interface system differently for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device (10).

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the user interface system further comprises a plurality of predefined device outputs, and the method further comprises the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the plurality of device outputs, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

14. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device (10), wherein the aerosol generating device (10) is A user interface system that responds to a plurality of predefined user inputs that correspond to actions performed by the user and which may initiate at least one predefined essential operation function and at least one predefined non-essential operation function of the aerosol generating device (10), Power supply (22) and At least one input or output device (40, 42, 46), each input or output device (40, 42, 46) comprises at least one input or output device (40, 42, 46) corresponding to one or more predefined user inputs or one or more predefined non-essential operation functions of the aerosol generating device (10), Each input or output device (40, 42, 46) is electrically connected to the power supply (22) by the respective switching devices (52, 54, 56) of the aerosol generating device (10). The aforementioned method, The user selectively disables and enables at least one of the user inputs, The user selectively assigns one or more of the enabled user inputs to each of the essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10), The user selectively disables and enables at least one of the non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10), The user selectively assigns one or more of the enabled user inputs to each of the enabled non-essential operational functions of the aerosol generating device (10), A method comprising: releasing the respective switching devices (52, 54, 56) when the user disables one or more non-essential operation functions corresponding to one or more user inputs or input or output devices (40, 42, 46).

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