Apparatus and method for realization of digital taste and digital scent

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for realizing a taste and aroma of a digital cigarette, and more particularly, to a method for a user of a digital cigarette to smoke with the digital cigarette by utilizing a digital recipe. An electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment includes a communication unit for receiving digital taste information and digital aroma information from a terminal connected to the electronic cigarette device, a control unit for generating a taste control signal corresponding to the digital taste information and an aroma control signal corresponding to the digital aroma information, an aroma generating unit for generating an aroma molecule corresponding to the aroma control signal, a taste generating unit for generating a current corresponding to the taste control signal, and an aerosol generating unit for generating an aerosol.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a method for implementing digital flavors and digital aromas, and more particularly to a method for providing various digital recipes to a user of a digital cigarette, and providing flavors and aromas corresponding to the recipes selected by the user. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the demand for electronic cigarettes has been gradually increasing. In addition, as the demand for electronic cigarettes has been increasing, the functions related to electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. In particular, the related functions according to the types and characteristics of electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An embodiment is to provide a variety of digital recipes to a user.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention is to digitally realize the taste and aroma of tobacco to a user, and to provide the taste and aroma using only an electronic device without the need for sticks or cigarettes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An electronic cigarette device in one embodiment includes a communication unit that receives digital flavor information and digital aroma information from a terminal connected to the electronic cigarette device, a processor that generates a flavor control signal corresponding to the digital flavor information and generates an aroma control signal corresponding to the digital aroma information, a flavor generation unit that generates odor molecules corresponding to the aroma control signal, a flavor generation unit that generates a current corresponding to the taste control signal, and an aerosol generation unit that generates an aerosol.

[0006] The device may further include an aroma detector that detects the aroma of an external substance and converts it into digital aroma information.

[0007] The communication unit can transmit a smoking completion notification to a terminal connected to the electronic cigarette device.

[0008] The control unit may include a conversion unit that converts the voltage of the object measured by the taste generation unit into a digital signal, a determination unit that determines a resistance value of the object based on the digital signal, and a power application unit that determines the power at which the current corresponding to the digital taste information can be applied to the object based on the resistance value of the object.

[0009] The control unit can determine whether or not the object is in contact with the taste generating unit based on the voltage of the object measured by the taste generating unit.

[0010] The taste generating unit may include at least one terminal that applies a current to an object based on the digital taste information, and a heating unit that heats the aroma generating unit based on the digital taste information.

[0011] The scent generating unit may combine scent materials in a cartridge included in the electronic cigarette device to produce a scent corresponding to the digital scent information.

[0012] An operating method of a terminal in one embodiment includes the steps of requesting digital flavor information and digital aroma information from a server, receiving the digital flavor information and digital aroma information from the server, transmitting a control signal including the digital flavor information and the digital aroma information to an electronic cigarette device connected to the terminal, and receiving a smoking completion notification from the electronic cigarette device using the digital flavor information and the digital aroma information.

[0013] The method may further include the steps of sending a subscription signal to the server, and receiving usage information from the server, the usage information including at least one of a number of available digital cigarettes corresponding to the subscription signal, a number of times the digital cigarette can be used, and a maximum number of puffs. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to an embodiment, a variety of digital recipes can be provided to a user.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the taste and aroma of tobacco can be digitally realized for a user, and the taste and aroma can be provided using only an electronic device without the need for sticks or cigarettes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of the shape of a user's tongue in contact with a mouthpiece portion according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether a mouthpiece is in contact with an object by an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3B] 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating a processor to update a resistance value of an object. [Figure 4A] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates a schematic cross-section of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment. [Figure 4C] 1 shows a schematic cross-section of a mouthpiece made of a multi-layer Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6A] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an aroma cartridge and an aerosol generating device of an electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6B] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for installing an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6C] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining whether an electronic cigarette device should spray an aerosolized flavor. [Figure 7A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the operation of a scent sensor of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] 1 is a data distribution diagram based on scent analyzed by an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7C] 11 is an example of data showing the results of detecting an aroma substance using an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7D] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a fragrance recipe by an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 9A] 1 illustrates a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9B] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device as a digital cigarette according to an embodiment. [Figure 9C] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a terminal for a digital cigarette according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The specific structural or functional description of the embodiments is disclosed for the purpose of illustration only, and may be modified in various forms. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific disclosed forms, and the scope of the present specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical spirit.

[0018] Although terms such as first or second may be used to describe multiple components, such terms should be construed only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from the other components. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be named a first component.

[0019] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that although it is directly coupled or connected to the other component, there may be other components in between.

[0020] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as ideal or overly formal unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0024] 1A, an electronic device according to an embodiment is designated an aerosol generating device, an electronic cigarette device, or a smoking stick. "Smoking" may refer to heating, burning, and other processes that result in the release of smoke or aerosol from a smokable material.

[0025] An electronic device according to an embodiment includes a processor 100 and a mouthpiece unit 110. The processor 100 includes a PWM control unit 101 and an ADC input terminal 102. The mouthpiece unit 110 includes a first terminal 111, a second terminal 112, and a resistor 113 that contact an object 120 displayed on a variable resistor.

[0026] Conventional smoking products provide the act of smoking by lighting a cigarette to burn it or by using a device to heat a stick or liquid phase. However, cigarettes require a separate combustion tool (e.g., a lighter) and are inconvenient because ash is generated when smoking, and they also have the issue of being harmful. Cigarette-type electronic cigarettes require the user to insert a stick into the cigarette holder each time they smoke, and may also generate cigarette butts as by-products after smoking. Liquid-phase electronic cigarettes can provide a uniform spray amount and smoking taste, but in order to experience the taste and aroma of various liquid-phase cigarettes, the user must replace the corresponding cartridge every time.

[0027] An electronic device according to an embodiment can digitally realize tobacco flavors and / or aromas for a user and provide the flavors and aromas by the electronic device alone without sticks or cigarettes. More specifically, the electronic device can receive a digital recipe from a user's terminal (e.g., a smartphone) and provide the user with a digital flavor and digital aroma corresponding to the digital recipe.

[0028] The digital taste according to an embodiment is realized by applying a microcurrent to a user's taste cells, and the digital scent is realized by combining scent substances using a plurality of liquid cartridges included in an electronic device. The digital recipe according to an embodiment may include a digital taste recipe and a digital scent recipe, where the digital taste recipe means a method for digitally realizing a specific taste, and the digital scent recipe means a method for digitally realizing a specific scent.

[0029] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may apply a microcurrent to the mouthpiece unit 110 to realize a digital flavor in an electronic device based on the received digital recipe. A method for realizing a digital flavor and aroma will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1B to 9B.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the PWM control unit 101 of the processor 100 may apply a microcurrent to the mouthpiece unit 110 in a PWM manner. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control is a voltage control method in which only the power required for output is switched on at a certain period and supplied from the input. Therefore, the ON / OFF ratio and duty cycle may change depending on the required output power. The control method for applying a microcurrent to the mouthpiece unit 110 using the PWM control method will be described in detail below.

[0031] An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input terminal 102 of the processor 100 according to an embodiment may convert the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 into a digital signal. The processor 100 may determine a resistance value of the object 120 based on the voltage value converted into a digital signal.

[0032] The object 120 displayed on the variable resistor according to one embodiment includes the user's lips and tongue, but the object 120 of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For ease of explanation, the first part of the object 120 is assumed to be the user's upper lip, the second part of the object is assumed to be the user's lower lip, and the third part of the object is referred to as the user's tongue.

[0033] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a part of a shape in which the user's tongue comes into contact with the mouthpiece according to one embodiment.

[0034] The description with reference to FIG. 1A may be equally applied to the description with reference to FIG. 1B, and duplicate content may be omitted.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the user's tongue 130 includes taste receptors (e.g., nerve cells). The taste receptors react chemically with a substance that comes into contact with the user's tongue 130 to generate a taste substance that is tasted, and transmit an electrical signal classified as sweet, salty, bitter, etc., depending on the concentration of the generated taste substance to the brain, and the user ultimately recognizes the taste.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the user's tongue 130 may contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece unit 110. An insulator is provided between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, and no circuit is normally connected. When the user's tongue 130 contacts the mouthpiece unit, the user's tongue 130 is modeled as a resistor located between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112.

[0037] The mouthpiece unit 110 according to an embodiment can detect whether or not the user's tongue 130 is in contact. When the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece unit 110 are in contact with the user's tongue 130, the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, which have been insulated, are connected by the user's tongue 130. When the circuit is connected, the user's tongue 130 is regarded as a variable resistor, and a current flows between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112. The mouthpiece unit 110 can measure the voltage of the second terminal 112 when the user's tongue 130 is in contact. If the processor 100 measures that the voltage exceeds a certain value (hereinafter, a first threshold), it determines that the user's tongue 130 is in contact with the mouthpiece unit 110.

[0038] The voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 according to an embodiment may be measured differently depending on the state of the user's tongue 130. If the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 changes, the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 will be different. For example, since the thickness of the tongue of each user is different, the resistance value of the tongue will be different for each user. Since the contact position between the tongue of the user and the mouthpiece part differs depending on the user's habits, the resistance value of the tongue will be different for each different user. Since the concentration and pH of saliva differs for each user, the resistance value of the tongue will be different for each user.

[0039] Even if the tongue is the same user, the resistance value may change depending on the state of the user. For example, even if the same user compares before and after drinking a drink, the flow of current through the tongue of the user changes, so the resistance value may change even if the tongue is the same user. Furthermore, the resistance value may change even if the tongue is the same user, depending on the contact position of the mouthpiece part 110 or the condition of the body.

[0040] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may determine a resistance value of the user's tongue 130 based on the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112. If the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 is determined, the processor 100 may apply a microcurrent to the mouthpiece unit 110 based on the received digital recipe. The PWM control unit 101 may determine a microcurrent value according to the resistance value of the object in the digital recipe based on the resistance value of the object. The determined microcurrent value may be applied to the user's tongue 130 via the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112.

[0041] Resistor 113 according to an embodiment is connected to second terminal 112 and grounded. The magnitude of the current applied to user's tongue 130 is determined according to the magnitude of resistor 113. Since the human tongue has a relatively low resistance, resistor 113 can be designed to have a large value so as to generate a minute current (e.g., tens of uA to hundreds of uA).

[0042] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0043] Steps 210 to 230 are performed by the processor described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B, and the description with reference to Figures 1A and 1B applies equally to the description with reference to Figure 2, and duplicate content may be omitted.

[0044] In step 210, the electronic device according to one embodiment measures the voltage at a second terminal included in the mouthpiece portion.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the object 120 contacts the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, the circuit including the first terminal and the second terminal is converted from an open circuit to a connected circuit in which a current flows through the object. Therefore, the voltage at the second terminal can be measured by distributing the voltage through the resistance of the modeled object 120 and the resistance 113. The mouthpiece unit 110 measures the voltage at the second terminal and transmits it to the processor 100.

[0046] In step 220, the electronic device, according to one embodiment, determines an object resistance value corresponding to the object based on the measured voltage.

[0047] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can convert the measured voltage value into a digital signal via the ADC input terminal 102. The processor 100 determines the resistance value of the object based on the digital signal. For example, since the power value and resistance 113 of the battery are predetermined in the electronic device, when the user's tongue 130 contacts the mouthpiece portion 110, the processor 100 can calculate the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 by dividing the voltage between the resistance of the user's tongue 130 between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 and the resistance 113 of the circuit.

[0048] In step 230, the electronics device, according to one embodiment, applies a current to the object based on the object resistance and a predetermined digital recipe.

[0049] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may determine the power to apply to the object as a current corresponding to the digital recipe based on the determined resistance value of the object. For example, the digital recipe may include data in which a particular taste and aroma is digitized and the power to be applied is determined according to the resistance value of the user's tongue 130. Thus, once the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 is determined, the processor 100 may apply a power value corresponding to the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 in the digital recipe via the PWM control unit 101.

[0050] FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating a method for an electronic device to determine whether a mouthpiece is in contact with an object, according to an embodiment.

[0051] Steps 310 to 340 are performed by the processor described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B, and the description with reference to Figures 1A to 2 may be equally applied to the description with reference to Figure 3A, and duplicate content may be omitted.

[0052] In step 310, an electronic device according to an embodiment measures the voltage at the second terminal.

[0053] In step 320, the electronic device, according to one embodiment, determines that an object has been touched if the measured voltage exceeds a first voltage threshold.

[0054] In step 330, the electronic device, in one embodiment, converts the measured voltage to a digital signal.

[0055] In step 340, the electronic device, in one embodiment, determines a resistance value of the object based on the digital signal.

[0056] In one embodiment, the electronic device determines whether or not the electronic device is in contact with the object 120 based on the measured voltage.

[0057] For example, the user's tongue 130 and the first and second terminals 111 and 112 come into contact with each other, and the open circuit is connected, allowing the voltage measurement of the second terminal 112. If the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 exceeds a first voltage threshold value that is a value preset in the processor 100, the processor 100 determines that the user's tongue 130 has come into contact with the mouthpiece unit 110.

[0058] The processor 100 can convert the measured voltage value into a digital signal via the ADC input terminal 102 .

[0059] The processor 100 can determine the resistance of the object corresponding to the digital signal converted via the ADC input terminal 102 .

[0060] FIG. 3B is a flow chart illustrating how the processor operates to update the resistance value of the object.

[0061] Steps 350 to 370 are performed by the processor described with reference to Figures 1A to 1B, and the description with reference to Figures 1A to 3A applies equally to the description with reference to Figure 3B, and duplicate content may be omitted.

[0062] In step 350, a processor according to one embodiment continuously measures the voltage at the second terminal during operation of the electronic device.

[0063] In step 360, a processor according to one embodiment monitors the amount of change in the measured voltage.

[0064] In step 370, the processor according to one embodiment updates the resistance of the object if the change in the measured voltage exceeds a second voltage threshold.

[0065] In an electronic device according to an embodiment, the received digital recipe includes data for applying an appropriate microcurrent according to the resistance value of the object 120. Since the resistance value of the object 120 may change in real time, the electronic device needs to continuously monitor the resistance value of the object 120. In order for the electronic device to realize the accurate digital taste required by the digital recipe for the object 120, precise control of the microcurrent according to the resistance value of the object 120 is required, and the processor 100 may re-determine the power of the PWM controller 101 to adjust the strength of the microcurrent if the resistance value of the object changes by more than a certain level.

[0066] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may update the resistance value of the object if the change in the voltage measured at the second terminal 112 exceeds the second voltage threshold. For example, the state of the user's tongue 130 may change during smoking, causing the voltage value at the second terminal 112 to change. When the changed voltage value at the second terminal 112 is compared with the first voltage threshold, if the absolute value of the compared voltage value exceeds the second voltage threshold, the processor 100 performs an operation for updating the resistance value of the object. The change in the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 means that the resistance value of the user's tongue 130 has changed, and the processor 100 may update the resistance value of the object with a new resistance value corresponding to the digital recipe. The processor 100 may perform an operation for applying a microcurrent to the user's tongue 130 via the PWM control unit 101 according to the resistance value of the new object.

[0067] FIG. 4A shows a schematic configuration of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 4B shows a schematic cross-section of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 4C illustrates a schematic cross-section of a mouthpiece constructed from a multi-layered Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) according to one embodiment.

[0070] The description with reference to Figures 1A to 3B may be equally applied to the description with reference to Figures 4A to 4C, and overlapping contents may be omitted. In addition, the overall operation of the mouthpiece may be controlled by processor 100 described with reference to Figures 1A to 3B.

[0071] The electronic device according to one embodiment includes a main body and a mouthpiece unit 400. The mouthpiece unit 400 may be detachable / attachable to the main body. Although not shown in Figures 4A to 4C, the main body refers to the remaining part of the electronic cigarette device excluding the mouthpiece unit 400. Hereinafter, the main body will be described in detail with reference to Figure 9A.

[0072] The mouthpiece part 400 according to one embodiment includes a cylindrical body 410 having a size and strength similar to that of a typical cigarette, an outer peripheral surface 411, an inner peripheral surface 412, a first capacitance sensor 421 and a second capacitance sensor 422 for detecting whether the mouthpiece is in contact with the lips, and a first terminal 441 and a second terminal 442 to which a microcurrent is applied to realize a digital taste.

[0073] The mouthpiece portion 400 according to one embodiment includes a heating wire portion 430 designed with a heat resistance pattern and an aerosol inhalation portion 450 that allows a user to inhale an aerosol.

[0074] The body 410 of the mouthpiece part according to one embodiment may be cylindrical like a general cigarette. The body 410 must be longer than the filter part (about 30 mm) of a cigarette or stick. The filter part of a cigarette or stick means the filter of an electronic cigarette that is used by inserting a general cigarette or stick. When a user bites the mouthpiece part 400 to inhale smoke, if the length is the same as that of a general cigarette or stick as described above, it will only come into contact with the lips in order to naturally contact the tongue. Therefore, the body 410 of the mouthpiece part needs to be longer than that of a general cigarette or stick so that it can naturally contact the tongue of the user. However, the shape of the body 410 of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape, thickness, or length of a general cigarette.

[0075] The proximal end according to one embodiment refers to the side of the mouthpiece body 410 that is closest to the side that comes into contact with the user's tongue. Conversely, the distal end refers to the side of the mouthpiece body 410 that is inserted into the main body.

[0076] The first capacitance sensor 421 according to one embodiment is disposed in a first region of the outer circumferential surface of the mouthpiece portion 400.

[0077] The second capacitive sensor 422 according to one embodiment is disposed in a second region of the outer circumferential surface circumferentially spaced from the first region.

[0078] The first micro current-applying terminal 441 according to one embodiment is disposed in a third region on the outer circumferential surface spaced apart from the second region in the longitudinal direction. The first micro current-applying terminal 441 may be disposed in the third region in the direction of the proximal end with respect to the second region. The third region may be disposed spaced apart from the second region in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined length (e.g., 10 mm or more). The first micro current-applying terminal 441 includes the first terminal 111 described above.

[0079] The second micro current-applying terminal 442 according to an embodiment is disposed in a fourth region of the outer circumferential surface spaced apart from the third region in a circumferential direction. The second micro current-applying terminal 442 may include the second terminal 112 described above.

[0080] The heating wire unit 430 according to one embodiment may be disposed in a fifth region, which is a space between the outer peripheral surface 411 and the inner peripheral surface 412. The heating wire unit 430 may heat the mouthpiece unit 400 or the aerosolized medium to a temperature similar to that of mainstream smoke (smoke that is directly inhaled into the mouth of a smoker during smoking, otherwise called sidestream smoke) of a typical cigarette or stick. For example, since the temperature of mainstream smoke of a typical cigarette or stick is approximately 25°C to 55°C, the heating wire unit 430 is designed to have a thermal resistance value and pattern similar to that of mainstream smoke of a typical cigarette or stick. However, the temperature to which the heating wire unit 430 of the present disclosure is heated is not limited to between 25°C and 55°C.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the insulating part 413 may be provided between the outer circumferential surface 411 and the heating wire part 430. The heating wire part 430 may be designed to have a thermal resistance pattern capable of applying a thermal stimulus. If the heating wire part 430 and the first micro-current applying terminal 441 and the second micro-current applying terminal 442 are not insulated, the heating wire part 430 and the micro-current applying terminals are connected through the tongue, and the resistance value changes, and therefore the heat generation temperature of the thermal resistor changes or the strength of the micro-current changes. That is, if the resistance and thermal resistor of the micro-current circuit are shorted through the tongue, normal circuit operation becomes impossible. Therefore, the heating wire part 430, the first micro-current terminal 441, and the second micro-current terminal 442 are opened through the insulating part 413.

[0082] The aerosol inhalation unit 450 according to one embodiment may be formed inside the mouthpiece unit 400 to allow the discharge of aerosol. The main body may aerosolize nicotine or a non-nicotine medium according to the user's selection and provide it to the user through the mouthpiece unit 400.

[0083] The mouthpiece portion 400 according to one embodiment is inserted into a main body to operate. Although not shown in Figures 4A to 4C, an insertion detection sensor may be arranged in the direction of the distal end of the mouthpiece portion 400, or an insertion detection sensor of the mouthpiece portion 400 may be arranged in the direction of the insertion portion of the main body.

[0084] The first capacitance sensor 421 according to an embodiment detects whether the user's upper lip touches the mouthpiece unit 400, and the second capacitance sensor 422 detects whether the user's lower lip touches the mouthpiece unit 400. The first capacitance sensor unit and the second capacitance sensor unit transmit detected information to the processor 100. The processor 100 can control the operation of the electronic device, control application of a microcurrent, and analyze the smoking pattern of the user based on the detected information.

[0085] The mouthpiece unit 400 according to an embodiment is composed of a circuit including a heating wire unit 430 and a circuit including a fine current application terminal (a first fine current application terminal and a second fine current application terminal). The circuit may be composed of a multi-layered FPCB structure in which the pattern design of the circuit including the heating wire unit 430 and the pattern design of the circuit including the fine current application terminal are separated, and the patterns of each layer are again divided into insulating layers. Unlike a general PCB structure, the FPCB structure can be applied as a flexible printed circuit board to surround a cylindrical type cigarette or a stick-shaped mouthpiece unit 400. A user does not feel a sense of strangeness through the mouthpiece unit 400 to which the multi-layered FPCB structure is applied, compared to smoking through a general cigarette or stick.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 1B and Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C, the first micro-current application terminal 441 and the second micro-current application terminal 442 according to an embodiment must be in contact with the user's tongue 130. Fig. 4C shows a portion including the heating wire part 430 and the micro-current application terminal among the upper and lower parts of the cross section of the mouthpiece. Since the user's tongue 130 generally comes into contact with only a portion of the upper / lower part of a cylindrical object, in order for the micro-current application terminals to come into contact with the user's tongue 130, the micro-current application terminals must all be arranged on the upper or lower part.

[0087] The main body according to an embodiment includes a communication unit and a processor that receives a digital recipe. The processor 100 according to an embodiment determines whether a first region of the mouthpiece unit contacts a first portion of the object. The processor 100 determines whether a second region of the mouthpiece unit contacts a second portion of the object. The processor 100 determines whether a first terminal and a second terminal of the mouthpiece unit contact a third portion of the object. The processor 100 may apply a current corresponding to the digital recipe to the third portion of the object based on whether the first terminal and the second terminal of the mouthpiece unit contact the third portion of the object. The communication unit according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9A, which will be described later.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, steps 510 to 540 are performed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4C, and the description with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4C may be equally applied to the description with reference to FIG. 5, and duplicate content may be omitted.

[0090] In step 510, an electronic device according to an embodiment receives a digital recipe. The electronic device receives a digital taste recipe and / or a digital aroma recipe included in the digital recipe from a user's terminal (e.g., a user terminal connected to the electronic device via a network).

[0091] After step 510 is performed, the hot wire 430 of the mouthpiece according to one embodiment preheats the electronic device based on the digital recipe. For example, the nicotine medium or non-nicotine medium contained in the electronic device may be preheated based on the digital recipe.

[0092] In one embodiment, the electronic device vibrates to notify the user that pre-heating is complete when the heating wire 430 of the mouthpiece and the nicotine medium or non-nicotine medium reach a certain temperature.

[0093] In step 520, the electronic device according to an embodiment determines whether the mouthpiece is in contact with the lips.

[0094] The electronic device determines whether a first region of the mouthpiece is in contact with a first portion of the object (e.g., the user's upper lip). As shown in FIG. 4A, a first capacitance sensor may be disposed in the first region of the mouthpiece.

[0095] The electronic device determines whether a second region of the mouthpiece is in contact with a second portion of the object (eg, the user's lower lip).

[0096] More specifically, the electronic device determines whether the capacitance value of the first capacitance sensor in the first region of the mouthpiece exceeds a first capacitance threshold. For example, when a user touches the first region with their upper lip to bite the mouthpiece 400, the capacitance value of the first capacitance sensor in the first region changes. If the capacitance value changes and exceeds the first capacitance threshold, the processor 100 of the electronic device determines that the user's upper lip has touched the first region.

[0097] The electronic device determines whether the capacitance value of the second capacitance sensor in the second region of the mouthpiece exceeds a second capacitance threshold. For example, if the user touches the second region with his / her lower lip to bite the mouthpiece 400, the capacitance value of the second capacitance sensor in the second region changes. If the capacitance value changes and exceeds the second capacitance threshold, the processor 100 of the electronic device determines that the user's lower lip has touched the second region.

[0098] In step 530, the electronic device according to an embodiment determines whether or not the mouthpiece is in contact with the tongue.

[0099] The electronic device determines whether or not the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400 are in contact with the third portion of the object (eg, the user's tongue).

[0100] The electronic device measures the voltage at the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400, and if the measured voltage exceeds a third voltage threshold (e.g., the same value as the first voltage threshold of FIG. 1A), determines that the mouthpiece portion has come into contact with a third portion of the object.

[0101] In step 540, the electronic device of one embodiment applies a current corresponding to the digital recipe to the third portion of the object based on whether or not the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400 are in contact with the third portion of the object.

[0102] The electronic device can apply a current to the third portion of the object only if the third portion of the object contacts the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400 .

[0103] For example, when a user bites the mouthpiece unit 400 of the electronic device with his / her mouth, the user may inhale the aerosol by biting the mouthpiece unit 400 with only the lips. The user's tongue may not contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the electronic device, and in this case, the microcurrent may not be applied. Alternatively, when a user bites the mouthpiece unit 400 of the electronic device with his / her mouth, the user's lips may contact the first terminal 111 or the second terminal 112. If the user's lips contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, the microcurrent is not applied. That is, even in this case, the electronic device must apply the microcurrent by determining whether the user's tongue 130 has contacted the first terminal 111 or the second terminal 112. Generally, since human lips and tongues have different resistance values, if the resistance value determined based on the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 of the processor 100 is determined as the resistance value of the lips, the microcurrent may not be applied to the terminals of the mouthpiece unit.

[0104] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an aroma cartridge and an aerosol generating device of an electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment.

[0105] The description with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5 may be equally applied to the description with reference to FIG. 6A, and overlapping content may be omitted.

[0106] The scent cartridge unit 600 according to one embodiment includes at least one or more scent cartridges 611-613, scent mass transfer valves 621-623 attached to the respective cartridges, a scent aerosol generating unit 630 that aerosolizes the mixed solution, and a scent aerosol transfer unit 640. In the present disclosure, the scent cartridge unit 600 is described as being composed of three scent cartridges 611-613, but the number of scent cartridges is not limited to three, and the scent cartridge unit 600 may include various numbers of scent cartridges. Similarly, the solution transfer valves 621-623 of the present disclosure are not limited to three.

[0107] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may control the scent cartridge unit based on a target mixing recipe included in the digital recipe. The processor 100 may control the operation of the scent cartridges 611-613, the scent material transfer valves 621-623, the scent aerosol generating unit 630, and the scent aerosol transferring unit 640 based on the target mixing recipe. The target mixing recipe includes mixing ratio data of the scent materials included in the scent cartridges 611-613.

[0108] The scent cartridges 611 to 613 according to an embodiment may contain different scent materials. For example, the first scent cartridge 611 may contain a light citrus scent material. The second scent cartridge 612 may contain a green herbal-spicy scent material. The third scent cartridge 613 may contain a heavy tobacco scent material.

[0109] The aroma substance transfer valves 621-623 according to an embodiment can adjust the amount of aroma substances transferred from the aroma cartridges 611-613 in accordance with a target mixing recipe under the control of the processor 100.

[0110] The scent aerosol generating unit 630 according to an embodiment may aerosolize the transferred scent materials. The processor 100 may control the scent aerosol generating unit 630 to aerosolize and spray the mixed solution contained in the scent aerosol generating unit 630 when the user puffs for smoking.

[0111] The scent aerosol moving unit 640 according to one embodiment is a moving tube for spraying the aerosolized mixed scent material. Since the aerosolized scent must be sprayed in accordance with the user's puff, the processor 100 can control the scent aerosol moving unit 640 so that the aerosolized scent is sprayed in accordance with the user's puff.

[0112] FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 6B, steps 650 to 670 are executed by the processor 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B, and descriptions that overlap with those described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 6A may be omitted.

[0114] In step 650, an embodiment of an e-cigarette device receives a target mix recipe. An embodiment of a digital recipe may include information about the target mix recipe.

[0115] In step 660, an embodiment of the electronic cigarette device mixes multiple scent materials based on a target mix recipe.

[0116] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can transmit a control signal including a target mixing recipe to the scent cartridge unit 600. The scent cartridges 611-613 and scent substance transfer valves 621-623 may transfer scent substances to the scent aerosol generating unit 630 in response to the control signal, thereby mixing multiple scent substances. Here, the processor 100 may determine the amount of multiple scent substances to be sprayed (for example, the amount of scent substance to be transferred from each of the scent cartridges 611-613) in accordance with the target mixing recipe.

[0117] In step 670, an embodiment of the e-cigarette device provides an aerosolized flavorant.

[0118] When multiple scented materials are mixed and aerosolized in the scented aerosol generating unit 630 according to an embodiment, the scented aerosol is transferred through the scented aerosol transferring unit 640 and sprayed outside the electronic cigarette device. Here, the processor 100 may control the scented cartridge unit 600 so that the scented aerosol is sprayed in accordance with the user's puffing action.

[0119] At step 670, an embodiment of the e-cigarette device detects a user's puff.

[0120] An electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment may include a puff sensor. Although not shown in the drawings, the puff sensor may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel. For example, the puff sensor 326 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0121] In step 670, the electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment aerosolizes the mixed scented material. For example, the aerosol generating unit 630 may aerosolize the scented material in conjunction with the time when the user's puff is detected.

[0122] The aerosol generating unit 630 according to an embodiment may heat the mixed scent material to aerosolize it. Here, the processor 100 may transmit a control signal to the scent cartridge unit 600 to aerosolize the scent material in conjunction with the time when the user's puff is detected.

[0123] In step 670, an embodiment of the e-cigarette device sprays an aerosolized flavorant.

[0124] The scent cartridge unit 600 according to an embodiment can spray the aerosolized scent generated in the scent aerosol generating unit 630 through the scent aerosol moving unit 640. Here, if the processor 100 detects a user's puff using the puff sensor, it can spray the scent when a part of the user (e.g., the user's lips or the user's nose) is close to the electronic cigarette device in conjunction with the time of the user's puff. That is, if the aerosolized scent is sprayed when the user's lips come into contact with the electronic cigarette or the user's nose is close to the electronic cigarette, even a small amount of the scent can be used to provide the user with a scent.

[0125] In step 670, an embodiment of the e-cigarette device extracts the user's puff interval based on the puff detection result.

[0126] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can detect how many seconds a user puffs based on the result of the user's puff detection detected by the puff sensor. Depending on the detected result, the processor 100 can extract the user's puff interval. For example, if the second puff occurs 7 seconds after the first puff, the third puff occurs 8 seconds after the second puff, and the fourth puff occurs 9 seconds after the third puff, the user's puffs are considered to occur every 8 seconds, which is the average of 7 seconds, 8 seconds, and 9 seconds. However, the measurement of the user's puff interval in the present disclosure may be performed more than three times.

[0127] FIG. 6C is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining whether an e-cigarette device sprays an aerosolized flavor.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 6C, steps 671 to 672 are executed by the processor 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B.

[0129] The discussion with reference to FIG. 6C is directed to a method in which the processor provides an aerosolized scent in step 670 shown in FIG. 6B.

[0130] The explanations with reference to FIGS. 1A, 6A and 6B also apply to FIG. 6C, and duplicated explanations may be omitted.

[0131] In step 671, an embodiment of the electronic cigarette device sprays an aerosolized flavoring material at the time of a user's puff if the time between the user's puffs exceeds a first interval threshold.

[0132] The processor 100 according to an embodiment compares the user's puff interval with a preset first interval threshold to determine whether to spray an aerosolized fragrance at the user's puff time. That is, if the release of the aerosolized fragrance at each user's puff time does not cause discomfort to the user or excessive consumption of the fragrance, the processor 100 commands the fragrance cartridge unit 600 to release the aerosolized fragrance.

[0133] For example, if the preset first interval threshold is 8 seconds and the user's puff interval (the average value of the first approximately three puff intervals) is determined to be 9 seconds, the processor 100 instructs the fragrance cartridge unit 600 to spray aerosolized fragrance material each time the user puffs.

[0134] At step 672, an embodiment of the e-cigarette device adjusts the number or amount of sprays of aerosolized fragrance if the user's time between puffs is less than or equal to a first time interval threshold.

[0135] The processor 100 according to an embodiment may compare the user's puff interval with a preset first interval threshold, and adjust the number of sprays or the amount of sprayed aerosolized fragrance if the user's puff interval is equal to or less than the first interval threshold. That is, if the user's puff interval is very short, spraying the aerosolized fragrance every time the user puffs, may cause discomfort to the user or unnecessary consumption of the fragrance. Therefore, if the user's puff interval is equal to or less than the preset first interval threshold, the aerosolized fragrance may be sprayed only at some of the user's puff times.

[0136] Alternatively, if the user's puff interval is equal to or less than a first preset interval threshold, the electronic device may spray a smaller amount of aerosolized fragrance material at the time of the user's puff. The processor 100 may use both of the above two types of adjustment methods or use only one of them alone according to the user's puff interval.

[0137] For example, if the preset first interval threshold is 8 seconds and the user's puff interval is 5 seconds, the spray may be performed once every 10 seconds, with one puff not sprayed and one sprayed at the user's puff time. Alternatively, the aerosolized fragrance material sprayed at each puff time of the user may be reduced by half. The number of sprays or the amount of spray in the present disclosure are not limited to the examples.

[0138] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a scent sensor in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0139] 6A to 6C also apply to Fig. 7A, and duplicated explanations may be omitted. The processor 100 shown in Fig. 1A may perform an operation for analyzing data from the aroma sensor.

[0140] The scent sensor according to an embodiment may include at least one or more samples inside the scent sensor to detect the scent of a substance. The sample may react to scent components of the substance to detect what components the scent of the substance contains. The sample may be composed of a plurality of predetermined components inside the scent sensor.

[0141] The initial state 710 of the sample according to one embodiment means a state in which the sample does not react to any component. In the initial state 710, the electronic device operates the scent sensor to detect a scent. When the scent sensor operates, the scent of the substance flows into the scent sensor and reacts with the sample. Although the samples of the present disclosure are expressed as being composed of 100 samples, the number of samples is not limited to 100 and may be more or less than 100.

[0142] In one embodiment, the sample data extraction graph 720 is a graphical representation of the response of the scent components of a substance. Each sample may have data extracted by a processor of an electronic device in response to the scent components of the substance. The data extraction graph 720 may represent the scent components of the substance and the concentration of each component. For example, the highest line in the graph 720 is the component that exhibited the highest response, and therefore the concentration of the component is likely to be high. Conversely, the lowest line in the graph 720 is the component that exhibited the least response, and therefore the concentration of the component is likely to be low.

[0143] The reaction state 730 of the sample according to one embodiment represents the shape of the sample after reacting with the scent components of the substance in the initial state 710. The scent sensor may store the components and concentration values ​​of the scent components of the substance based on the graph 720 and the reaction state 730.

[0144] A processor according to an embodiment can convert scent data into a scent recipe based on information about a scent cartridge including multiple cartridges. Taking the scent cartridge unit 600 in FIG. 6A as an example, the processor 100 may map multiple components (samples) that are predetermined based on information about the three scent cartridges 611-613 to each of the multiple cartridges (scent cartridges 611-613). Drawing 740 is a diagram showing the result of mapping the reaction state 730 of the sample to the multiple cartridges.

[0145] Once the mapping is complete, the processor can determine the blend ratio of the scents based on the average concentration of each component. Alternatively, the processor can determine the blend ratio of the scents based on the concentration value of the component that is most similar to the scent cartridge among the components. In addition to the methods described in this disclosure, the blend ratio of the scents may be determined, and if the scent cartridge unit 600 includes three or more scent cartridges, the processor 100 can map the sample to a level that is similar to the scent of the actual material.

[0146] FIG. 7B is a data distribution diagram based on scents analyzed by an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0147] 7B, an electronic device according to an embodiment may analyze the main components of various aroma substances. The electronic device may detect a data distribution through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The electronic device may create a library of the corresponding data distribution and store it as data.

[0148] 7B is an example of an analysis of vanillin according to an embodiment. Vanillin has different composition ratios of main components depending on the manufacturer. The electronic device may analyze the main components constituting the aroma and accumulate data related to the aroma.

[0149] The graph shown in FIG. 7B shows the analysis results with the two representative principal components constituting vanillin on the x-axis (PCA1) and y-axis (PCA2). The 0 point on the x-axis is the point where PCA1 (e.g., chemical A) has a composition ratio of 57%, and the 0 point on the y-axis is the point where PCA2 (e.g., chemical B) has a composition ratio of 37%. That is, PCA1 and PCA2 indicate the concentration values ​​of the principal components, and the two substances are shown two-dimensionally on the graph. On the x-axis, PCA1 (57%) means that the component value of chemical A has a concentration value difference of about -0.5 to +0.5 based on the 57% point (for example, the point where Acros Organic Vanillin and Merck Vanillin are divided on the table). On the y-axis, PCA2 (37%) means that the component values ​​of chemical B differ in concentration by about -0.2 and +0.2 (for example, on the table, this is the point where Ethylvanillin and Acros Organic Vanillin are separated).

[0150] For example, when vanillin from different manufacturers is measured five times, the composition ratios of the main components of Merck vanillin, Acros Organic vanillin, and Ethylvanilin are clustered in a specific region as shown in FIG 7B. The electronic device stores the clustered data and can improve the analysis accuracy of the corresponding substance when detecting a scent in the future. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a method for detecting vanillin, and may be applied to detection methods for various scent substances available on the market.

[0151] FIG. 7C is an example of data showing the results of detecting an aroma substance using an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0152] The graph in Figure 7C was also created in the same manner as the graph in Figure 7B, and is a two-dimensional graph of the composition ratio of the principal components, with the x-axis representing the point where the concentration of the principal component PC1 is 77% as the reference point, and the y-axis representing the point where the concentration of the principal component PC2 is 17% as the reference point.

[0153] 7C, an electronic device according to an embodiment can analyze components of a fragrance. The electronic device can recognize a fragrance by using data that has been stored in a library of various fragrances detected in advance. The electronic device can detect a specific fragrance and match the detection value of the specific fragrance with the library data through a predetermined algorithm to recognize the fragrance.

[0154] The graph in Figure 7C shows the distribution of data that was previously detected for two main components, organized into a library, and stored. More specifically, it shows data that was previously detected and clustered for various aroma substances including lemon flavor and strawberry flavor.

[0155] For example, the graph of Figure 7C illustrates a method of matching lemon and strawberry scents with data that has been previously detected and stored in a library. The lemon scent is previously stored in a library at the top of the graph of Figure 7C, and if the result of the electronic device detecting an external scent is detected as being in the region of the stored values ​​of the lemon scent, the electronic device determines that the external scent is a lemon scent. Similarly, the strawberry scent is previously stored in a library at the left side of the graph of Figure 7C, and if the result of the electronic device detecting a different external scent is detected as being in the region of the stored values ​​of the strawberry scent, the electronic device determines that the other external scent is a strawberry scent.

[0156] FIG. 7D is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating a scent recipe by an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 7D, steps 751 to 753 are performed by the processor 100 and the odor sensor of the electronic device described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 7C, and repeated descriptions may be omitted.

[0158] In step 751, an electronic device according to one embodiment detects the scent of a substance.

[0159] In one embodiment, the scent of a substance may be introduced into the scent sensor of the electronic device. A plurality of predetermined components inside the scent sensor react to the scent components of the substance. Data on the reacted predetermined components is transmitted to the processor 100.

[0160] In step 752, the electronic device extracts odor data representing the odor of the substance based on the detection results in terms of a number of predetermined components and respective concentrations of the components.

[0161] The processor 100 according to one embodiment analyzes the reacted predetermined components and extracts scent data representing the types and respective concentrations of the scent components of the substance. For example, if the scent components of the substance are 10, the processor 100 can digitize the types and concentrations of the 10 components and store them as data.

[0162] In step 753, the scent data is converted into a recipe based on cartridge information of a scent device that includes multiple cartridges.

[0163] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can convert scent data into a recipe based on cartridge information of a scent emitting device including a plurality of cartridges. The cartridge information may include at least one of the number and type of the plurality of scent cartridges. The processor 100 may map a plurality of components predetermined inside the scent sensor to each of the plurality of scent cartridges based on the cartridge information. That is, based on the scent cartridge information, similar components among the plurality of predetermined components may be set to a plurality of scent component groups, and each scent cartridge may be mapped to each scent component group.

[0164] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can determine the amount of each of the scent cartridges to be sprayed based on the concentration of each of the components. That is, the processor 100 can determine the mixing ratio of each of the scent cartridges of the scent cartridge based on the concentration data of the individual components in the mapped scent component group. For example, it may be assumed that the first scent component group has three components that react with the scent of the substance, the second scent component group has two components that react with the scent of the substance, and the third scent component group has five components that react with the scent of the substance. Here, the concentrations of the three components of the first scent component group, the two components of the second scent component group, and the five components of the third scent component group can be compared to determine the concentrations of each scent component group. The processor 100 determines the amount of spray of the scent cartridge (e.g., the mixing ratio) based on the concentration of each scent component group. As a result, the processor 100 can generate a scent recipe including the scent data, the cartridge information of the scent emitting device, and the mixing ratio.

[0165] The scent cartridge unit 600 according to one embodiment can mix multiple scent substances according to a generated scent recipe and provide aerosolized scent substances.

[0166] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0167] In step 810, the terminal according to an embodiment transmits a digital recipe purchase request signal to the server. A user may connect to the server through a terminal on which an application is installed. The server serves as a service platform that provides a digital recipe providing service. A user subscribes to the digital recipe providing service provided by the server through the application to generate an account for the digital recipe providing service. The server may be connected to the terminal through a network. Here, the network may include the Internet, one or more local area networks, wide area networks, cellular networks, mobile networks, other types of networks, or a combination of such networks.

[0168] For example, a smartphone application that allows users to purchase digital recipes for cigarettes lists various recipes corresponding to various types of cigarettes (e.g., Legion, Esse, Marlboro, etc.). A user may purchase recipes related to the cigarettes they wish to smoke through the application. That is, a user may transmit a request signal to a server to purchase a digital recipe for a particular cigarette in order to receive a digital recipe for the cigarette. The digital recipe may include a digital flavor recipe, which is information on a current to be applied to an object that comes into contact with the electronic device, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 7D. The digital recipe may also include a digital scent recipe, which is information on a scent-emitting method of a scent-emitting cartridge of the electronic device.

[0169] In step 820, the terminal according to one embodiment receives the digital recipe from the server.

[0170] For example, the terminal may transmit a digital recipe purchase request signal for cigarettes to the server, and the server may transmit the digital recipe to the terminal in response to the purchase request signal from the terminal. The terminal may download the received digital recipe and store it in the terminal.

[0171] In step 830, the terminal, in one embodiment, sends a control signal including the digital recipe to the electronic device.

[0172] According to an embodiment, the terminal and the electronic device may be connected via at least one wireless communication of short-range communication or cellular communication.

[0173] A terminal according to an embodiment may receive a digital recipe from a server and store it in the terminal. The terminal may transmit a control signal including a power on / off signal and a pre-heating signal to the electronic device, which includes the digital recipe of the cigarette and enables the electronic device to operate. Here, the control signal may include information on the maximum number of puffs a user can make in one smoking session. The digital recipe may also include information on electrical or thermal stimuli that realize a digital flavor.

[0174] In step 840, the terminal in one embodiment receives a notification from the electronic device that smoking has been completed using the digital recipe.

[0175] For example, when a user completes smoking according to a digital recipe using the electronic device, the electronic device transmits a notification to the terminal that the user has completed smoking, the notification being determined based on the maximum number of puffs that the user may puff in one smoking session, which is included in a control signal received from the terminal.

[0176] In step 850, the terminal according to an embodiment updates the number of times the digital recipe can be used in response to the smoking completion notification.

[0177] For example, when the terminal receives a notification that smoking according to a digital recipe has been completed on an electronic device, the number of times the digital recipe can be used is deducted by 1. For example, since a typical pack of cigarettes contains 20 cigarettes, a digital recipe for cigarettes also usually has a number of times it can be used 20 times. Here, when the user has finished smoking and the terminal receives a smoking completion notification, the number of uses of the digital recipe is updated to 19 by deducting 1.

[0178] In one embodiment, a terminal deactivates a digital recipe when the number of times the digital recipe can be used is zero.

[0179] For example, when the digital recipe has been used up to 20 times and the number of times the digital recipe has been used reaches 0, the terminal transmits a signal to the server indicating that the digital recipe has been used up.

[0180] In one embodiment, the terminal can send a deactivation signal for the digital recipe to the electronic device.

[0181] As described above, when the number of times the digital recipe has been used reaches zero, a deactivation signal is also sent to the electronic device, informing the electronic device that smoking using the digital recipe is no longer possible.

[0182] A terminal according to an embodiment may gift another terminal a usage right that allows the digital recipe to be used a specific number of times. For example, since it is possible for users to transmit and receive information via a server via a smartphone application, a user may gift a digital recipe that he or she has purchased to another user. In this case, the number of times the digital recipe was used is deducted from the terminal of the user who gifted it (for example, if the digital recipe is gifted three times, three times are deducted).

[0183] In one embodiment, the terminal can send a subscription signal to the server.

[0184] For example, if a smartphone application provides a subscription service, the terminal may send a signal to the server to subscribe. The subscription service may automatically repurchase the digital recipes as the user uses them, or the user may prepay a certain amount to use a variety of cigarettes an unlimited number of times.

[0185] The terminal according to an embodiment may receive usage information including at least one of the number of available digital recipes corresponding to the subscription signal, the number of times the digital recipes can be used, and the maximum number of puffs from the server.

[0186] For example, when a user starts to use a subscription service through a smartphone application, the terminal may transmit a signal to the server that the user is using the subscription service. Here, the server may transmit the number of available digital cigarette recipes according to the type of subscription service selected by the user, or may transmit usage information including at least one of the number of times the digital cigarette recipe can be used and the maximum number of puffs. The terminal may provide the subscription service to the user according to the signal transmitted by the server.

[0187] A subscription service according to an embodiment can analyze accumulated data such as a user's smoking pattern, purchase information, etc., and recommend custom-made recipes and provide new recipe information. The subscription service is a monthly subscription system and can provide differentiated benefits according to grades. For example, the subscription service may provide differentiated grades such as VIP service, GOLD service, SIVER service, etc. to users. Depending on the user's grade, the number of recipe downloads provided to the user (e.g., no limit for VIP), the number of recipe presents, scent cartridge delivery services, etc. may vary. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the types of grades and services described above.

[0188] In one embodiment, the electronic device receives a control signal including a digital recipe from a terminal connected to the electronic device. The control signal may include not only the digital recipe but also a maximum number of puffs allowed per smoking session.

[0189] In one embodiment, the electronic device can count the number of puffs on the object during a smoking session based on the control signal.

[0190] For example, if the terminal sets the maximum number of puffs to 14 and transmits this to the electronic device, the puff sensor of the electronic device detects the user's puffs and deducts the number of puffs.

[0191] When the number of puffs of the object according to one embodiment reaches the maximum number of puffs, a notification of completion of smoking using the digital recipe is sent to the terminal.

[0192] For example, if the maximum number of puffs is 14, and the user completes 14 puffs, the electronic device may send a smoking completion notification to the terminal.

[0193] In one embodiment, the digital recipe may be sold in a DIY, cigarette, TPO, or consumer manufactured format.

[0194] For example, a DIY sales method is a sales method in which a consumer directly combines a nicotine amount, a tobacco flavor, or a scent to create a recipe. For example, a user may select at least one or more nicotine amounts (e.g., 0.1 mg, 0.3 mg, etc.) through the DIY sales method, and select wine flavor as a tobacco flavor and hub aroma as a scent.

[0195] For example, in a cigarette sales system, a consumer may select a flavor / flavor similar to the flavor of a typical cigarette as a digital recipe. That is, the flavor of a cigarette sold in the market may be sold in the form of a digital recipe.

[0196] For example, a TPO sales model may allow consumers to select a recipe that is appropriate for the smoking situation, for example, a smoker may experience different tobacco flavors while driving, resting, after eating, or drinking alcohol, so the user can select the tobacco flavor that is appropriate for the situation.

[0197] For example, in a consumer manufacturing sales model, a consumer with an electronic device may manufacture a recipe using an aroma sensor, and the manufactured recipe may be sold to other consumers via a smartphone application.

[0198] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and the digital recipes may be manufactured for other flavors or scents available on the market, and users may select other flavors or scents or may be sold in other sales methods.

[0199] FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0200] The explanations with reference to FIGS. 1A to 8 also apply to FIG. 9A, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0201] The electronic device 900 according to one embodiment includes a mouthpiece section 910, a detection section 921, a battery 922, a processor 923, a communication section 924, an aroma sensor section 931, an aroma cartridge section 932, and a liquid phase cartridge section 933.

[0202] Mouthpiece portion 910 according to one embodiment includes the same functions and structure as mouthpiece portion 110 of FIG. 1A and mouthpiece portion 400 of FIG. 4A described above.

[0203] The detection unit 921 detects the state of the electronic device 900 or the state around the electronic device 900 , and transmits the detected information to the processor 923 .

[0204] The detection unit 921 includes at least one of a temperature sensor, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor, but is not limited thereto. For example, the detection unit 921 may include the sensors described with reference to the above-mentioned drawings. The temperature sensor can detect the temperature and transmit it to the processor 923 so that the hot wire part of the mouthpiece part 910 is not overheated.

[0205] The insertion detection sensor detects the insertion and / or removal of the mouthpiece portion 910 in the electronic device 900. For example, the insertion detection sensor may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and a signal change may be detected when the mouthpiece portion 910 is inserted and / or removed.

[0206] In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the detection unit 921 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (illuminance) sensor. A person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of the angle sensor from its name, so a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0207] The battery 922 supplies power used for the operation of the electronic device 900. The battery 922 supplies power so that the liquid phase cartridge portion 933 or the scent cartridge portion 932 is heated. The battery 922 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components described above that are provided in the electronic device. The battery 922 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 922 may be a lithium polymer (Lipoly) battery.

[0208] The processor 923 controls the overall operation of the electronic device 900. In one embodiment, the processor 923 may be realized as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be realized as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. A person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains can understand that the processor 923 may also be realized in other forms of hardware.

[0209] The processor 923 can perform the operations of the processor 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 8.

[0210] The communication unit 924 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 924 may include a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0211] The short-range wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0212] The wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 384 may use subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the electronic device 900 within the communication network.

[0213] The communication unit 924 transmits a smoking completion notification to a terminal connected to the electronic device.

[0214] The scent sensor unit 931 may include the scent sensor of the electronic device described above with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D.

[0215] The scent cartridge unit 932 may include the scent cartridge unit of the electronic device described above with reference to Figures 6A to 6C.

[0216] The liquid cartridge unit 933 includes a nicotine medium or a non-nicotine medium. The liquid cartridge unit 933 can vaporize the actual liquid phase and provide it to the user. The digital recipe may include information about the nicotine medium or other non-nicotine medium. Thus, the electronic device can vaporize the medium inside the liquid cartridge unit 933 according to the digital recipe and provide it to the user. The nicotine medium may be composed of a substance capable of providing nicotine (such as tobacco leaves, nicotine gel, nicotine activated carbon, nicotine-containing paraffin wax, tobacco medium compressed stick, etc.). The non-nicotine substance may be composed of red ginseng, caffeine, taurine, vitamins, etc. as health foods. The electronic device heats and aerosolizes the substance so that the user can inhale it. Various heating methods are possible, such as induction heating, external heating, internal heating, and ultrasonic heating.

[0217] FIG. 9B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device as a digital cigarette according to one embodiment.

[0218] Steps 941 to 943 may be performed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 9A.

[0219] In step 941, an electronic device according to an embodiment receives digital flavor and digital aroma information from a terminal connected to the electronic device.

[0220] In step 942, an electronic device according to an embodiment generates a taste control signal corresponding to the digital taste information and a flavor control signal corresponding to the digital scent information.

[0221] In step 943, an electronic device according to an embodiment generates a digital scent and a digital flavor in response to the digital taste control signal and the digital flavor control signal.

[0222] FIG. 9C is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a terminal for a digital cigarette according to an embodiment.

[0223] Steps 951 to 954 may be performed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 9A.

[0224] In step 951, a terminal according to an embodiment requests digital taste information and digital aroma information from a server.

[0225] In step 952, the terminal according to one embodiment receives the digital taste information and the digital aroma information from the server.

[0226] In step 953, the terminal according to an embodiment transmits a control signal including the digital taste information and the digital aroma information to an electronic device connected to the terminal.

[0227] In step 954, the terminal according to an embodiment receives a smoking completion notification using the digital taste information and the digital aroma information from the electronic device.

[0228] The electronic device and the control method of the electronic device, and the terminal and the operation method of the terminal shown in FIGS. 1A to 9A may be included in the operation methods shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C.

[0229] The method according to the embodiment may be embodied in the form of program instructions to be executed by various computer means and recorded on a computer readable recording medium. The recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The recording medium and the program instructions may be specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or may be well known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code, such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0230] The software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or any combination thereof, which may configure or independently or collectively instruct the processing adaptive supersampling device as desired. The software and / or data may be permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical adaptive supersampling device, virtual adaptive supersampling device, computer storage medium, or adaptive supersampling device, or signal wave transmitted to be interpreted by or provide instructions or data to the processing adaptive supersampling device. The software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer readable recording medium.

[0231] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to limited drawings, those skilled in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, and may be replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents to achieve appropriate results.

[0232] Accordingly, other implementations, embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A communication unit that receives digital flavor information and digital aroma information from a terminal connected to the electronic cigarette device; A processor that generates a taste control signal corresponding to the digital taste information and generates an aroma control signal corresponding to the digital aroma information; an odor generating unit that generates odor molecules corresponding to the odor control signal; A taste generating unit that generates a current corresponding to the taste control signal; An aerosol generating unit that generates an aerosol; 23. An electronic cigarette device comprising:

2. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1 , further comprising an aroma detection unit that detects the aroma of an external substance and converts it into digital aroma information.

3. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1 , wherein the communication unit transmits a smoking completion notification to a terminal connected to the electronic cigarette device.

4. The processor, A conversion unit that converts the voltage of the object measured by the taste generation unit into a digital signal; a determination unit that determines a resistance value of the object based on the digital signal; a power application unit that determines, based on a resistance value of the object, power that can be applied to the object to generate the current corresponding to the digital taste information; The electronic cigarette device of claim 1 , comprising:

5. The electronic cigarette device of claim 4 , wherein the processor determines whether or not the object is in contact with the flavor generating unit based on a voltage of the object measured by the flavor generating unit.

6. The taste generating unit is At least one terminal for applying a current to an object based on the digital taste information; A heating unit that heats the aroma generating unit based on the digital taste information; The electronic cigarette device of claim 1 , comprising:

7. The electronic cigarette device according to claim 1 , wherein the scent generating unit combines scent substances in a cartridge included in the electronic cigarette device to produce a scent corresponding to the digital scent information.

8. A method of operating a terminal, comprising: requesting digital taste information and digital aroma information from a server; receiving digital taste information and digital aroma information from the server; transmitting a control signal including the digital flavor information and the digital aroma information to an electronic cigarette device connected to the terminal; receiving a smoking completion notification from the electronic cigarette device using the digital taste information and the digital aroma information; and how the terminal operates.

9. sending a subscription signal to the server; receiving from the server usage information including at least one of a number of available digital cigarettes corresponding to the subscription signal, a number of times the digital cigarette can be used, and a maximum number of puffs; The method of claim 8, further comprising:

10. A computer program stored on a computer readable recording medium for executing the method of operating a terminal according to any one of claims 8 and 9 in combination with hardware.

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