Method for controlling heater temperature included in aerosol generating device according to type of cigarette and aerosol generating device for controlling heater temperature according to type of cigarette

Abstract

To provide: a method of identifying a type of cigarette inserted into an inner space of an aerosol generation device, and providing an optimal heating temperature to the identified cigarette; and an aerosol generation device for implementing the method.SOLUTION: A method of controlling a temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generation device according to a type of cigarette includes: a profile receiving step of receiving temperature profiles of different types of cigarette from a user terminal; a cigarette sensing step of sensing a cigarette coupled to the heater after receiving the temperature profiles; a profile selecting step of identifying a type of the sensed cigarette and selecting a temperature profile corresponding to the identified type from among the temperature profiles; and a power controlling step of controlling power supplied from a battery to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device for controlling the temperature of the heater for each type of cigarette, and more particularly, to a method for heating a heater based on different temperature profiles for each type of cigarette inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device and in contact with the heater, and an aerosol generating device for implementing the method. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a method in which an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette, rather than a method in which an aerosol is generated by burning a cigarette. As a result, research into heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for recognizing the type of cigarette inserted into the internal space of an aerosol generating device and providing a heating temperature most suitable for the recognized cigarette, and an aerosol generating device that embodies the method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problems includes a profile receiving step of receiving a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a user terminal, a cigarette detection step of detecting a cigarette to be coupled to a heater after receiving the temperature profile, a profile selection step of determining the type of the detected cigarette and selecting a temperature profile from the temperature profiles corresponding to the determined type, and a power control step of controlling battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

[0005] A method according to another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette via a manner of communicating with a user terminal, and includes a cigarette detection step of detecting a connection of a cigarette to the heater, a cigarette recognition step of grasping information on the detected cigarette type, a profile acquisition step of acquiring a temperature profile based on the grasped cigarette type information, and a power control step of controlling the temperature of the heater based on the acquired temperature profile.

[0006] An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problems is an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user when a cigarette is coupled to a heater and power is supplied to the heater, and includes a profile receiving unit that receives a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a user terminal, a cigarette detection unit that detects a cigarette to be coupled to the heater after receiving the temperature profile, a profile selection unit that determines the type of the detected cigarette and selects a temperature profile from the temperature profiles that corresponds to the determined type, and a power control unit that controls battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

[0007] An apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user when a cigarette is connected to a heater and power is supplied to the heater, and includes a cigarette sensing unit that senses the connection of a cigarette to the heater, a cigarette grasping unit that grasps information on the detected cigarette type, a profile acquisition unit that acquires a temperature profile based on the grasped cigarette type information, and a power control unit that controls the temperature of the heater based on the acquired temperature profile.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention may provide a recording medium storing a program for implementing the method. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a user can inhale an aerosol that is generated by heating the cigarette to a preset optimum temperature for each type of cigarette, thereby providing a satisfactory smoking experience.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the user can directly set a temperature profile that is optimal for the user, in addition to using a preset temperature profile. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagrammatic view showing an example of an overall system according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device into which a cigarette is inserted. [Diagram 3] 1 is a drawing showing an example of a cigarette. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing another example of an aerosol generating device having a cigarette inserted therein. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing yet another example of an aerosol generating device in which a cigarette is inserted. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit included in the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 13 is a block diagram showing another example of a control unit included in the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for controlling the temperature of a heater in an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for controlling the temperature of a heater in an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing yet another example of a method for controlling the temperature of a heater in an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generating device, and includes a profile receiving step of receiving a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a user terminal, a cigarette detection step of detecting a cigarette to be combined with the heater after receiving the temperature profile, a profile selection step of determining the type of the detected cigarette and selecting a temperature profile from the temperature profiles corresponding to the determined type, and a power control step of controlling battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

[0013] In the method, the cigarette type-specific temperature profile received from the user terminal is a temperature profile received by the user terminal from a cigarette database that stores cigarette type-specific temperature profiles.

[0014] In the above method, the cigarette type-specific temperature profile received from the user terminal is a temperature profile generated based on information input through an input unit of the user terminal.

[0015] In the method, the input information is recognized as any one of a QR code (Quick Reference Code), a bar code, and a case code attached to a cigarette case.

[0016] A method according to another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generating device, and includes a cigarette detection step of detecting a connection of a cigarette to the heater, a cigarette grasping step of grasping type information of the detected cigarette, a profile acquisition step of acquiring a temperature profile based on the grasped cigarette type information, and a power control step of controlling the temperature of the heater based on the acquired temperature profile.

[0017] In the method, the profile obtaining step may include obtaining the temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a storage device that stores the temperature profile for each type of cigarette.

[0018] In the method, the profile obtaining step obtains a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from information input by a user.

[0019] In the method, the profile acquiring step includes transmitting information on the recognized cigarette type to the user terminal, and receiving a temperature profile corresponding to the transmitted type information.

[0020] In the above method, the cigarette identifying step identifies cigarette type information by an RFID reader that detects an RFID tag attached to the cigarette, and the profile acquiring step transmits the cigarette type information identified by the RFID reader to the user terminal and receives a temperature profile corresponding to the transmitted cigarette type information.

[0021] In the method, the cigarette sensing step detects the coupling of the cigarette to the heater based on a result of recognizing any one of a QR code, a barcode, and an optical sticker attached to the cigarette to be coupled to the heater.

[0022] In the method, the profile selecting step may include identifying a type of cigarette based on the number of protrusions protruding from a coupling portion of the cigarette to be coupled to the heater.

[0023] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for providing a heater temperature profile to an aerosol generating device, comprising: a cigarette information receiving step of receiving information related to a type of cigarette coupled to the heater from the aerosol generating device; a temperature profile search step of searching a cigarette database for a temperature profile related to the received cigarette type based on the received information; and a temperature profile transmission step of transmitting the temperature profile searched in the cigarette database to the aerosol generating device.

[0024] In the method, the temperature profile retrieval step may include retrieving the temperature profile from a cigarette database included in the user terminal.

[0025] In the method, the temperature profile searching step may include searching for the temperature profile in a cigarette database of a server connected to the user terminal through a communication network.

[0026] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a temperature profile display step in which the user terminal displays temperature profiles for each type of cigarette through a display unit included in the user terminal; a profile transmission step in which, when the user terminal selects at least one temperature profile based on information inputted through an input unit included in the user terminal, the user terminal transmits the selected temperature profile to the aerosol generating device; and, when a cigarette is coupled to a heater of the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device controls the temperature of the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

[0027] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a temperature profile display step in which the user terminal displays a plurality of types of cigarettes through a display unit included in the user terminal; a temperature profile search step in which, when the type of cigarette is determined based on information inputted by the user terminal through an input unit included in the user terminal, the user terminal searches for a temperature profile according to the determined type of cigarette in a cigarette database storing temperature profiles for each type of cigarette; and a step in which the aerosol generating device receives the searched temperature profile, and, when a cigarette is coupled to a heater of the aerosol generating device, controls the temperature of the heater according to the received temperature profile.

[0028] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is a method for controlling the temperature of a heater of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a temperature profile display step of displaying a plurality of temperature profiles through a display unit included in the user terminal; a profile transmission step of transmitting the selected temperature profile to the aerosol generating device when at least one temperature profile is selected based on information input through an input unit included in the user terminal; and a step of the aerosol generating device receiving the selected temperature profile, and controlling the temperature of the heater according to the received temperature profile when a cigarette is coupled to the heater of the aerosol generating device.

[0029] An apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is an aerosol generating apparatus, and includes a profile receiving unit that receives a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a user terminal, a cigarette detection unit that detects a cigarette to be combined with a heater after receiving the temperature profile, a profile selection unit that identifies the type of the detected cigarette and selects a temperature profile from the temperature profiles that corresponds to the identified type, and a power control unit that controls battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

[0030] An apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is an aerosol generating apparatus, and includes a cigarette sensing unit that senses a connection of a cigarette to the heater, a cigarette grasping unit that grasps type information of the sensed cigarette, a profile acquisition unit that acquires a temperature profile according to the grasped cigarette type information, and a power control unit that controls the temperature of the heater according to the acquired temperature profile.

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention may provide a recording medium storing a program for implementing the method.

[0032] The terms used in the examples are currently widely used general terms, as far as possible, taking into consideration the functions in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select a term, and in such cases, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the description of the invention. In certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select a term, and in such cases, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the name of the term.

[0033] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean to exclude other components and means that the part may further include other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. Furthermore, terms such as "unit" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an example of an overall system according to the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the system 1 for controlling the temperature of a heater included in an aerosol generating device for each type of cigarette according to the present invention is realized through a method in which an aerosol generating device 10, a user terminal 20, and a cigarette database 30 transmit and receive information through various communication networks.

[0038] The aerosol generating device 10 is a device including a heater that is heated by power supplied from a power supply source such as a battery, and a cigarette that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user by the heated heater. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a communication interface for communicating with a user terminal 20 through a short-range communication network 40, and specific functions of the aerosol generating device 10 will be further described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0039] The user terminal 20 refers to an electronic device equipped with a display unit for displaying a screen and an input device for inputting data from a user. The input unit equipped in the user terminal 20 may include at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a microphone, a mechanical button, and a touch panel.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, the user terminal 20 is illustrated in the form of a smartphone, however, the user terminal 20 when embodying the present invention is not limited to a smartphone and may include any portable terminal such as a tablet computer (tablet PC) or a netbook.

[0041] The cigarette database 30 is a server that stores a large number of temperature profiles related to cigarettes that generate aerosol when inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 and come into contact with a heated heater, and communicates with the user terminal 20 via a communication network, receives requests from the user terminal 20, and transmits temperature profiles for each type of cigarette to the user terminal 20.

[0042] The short-range communication network 40 functions to connect the aerosol generating device 10 and the user terminal 20, and examples of short-range communication methods that can be used in the present invention include the NFC (Near Field Communication) method, which has an effective distance of approximately 10 cm, the Bluetooth method, which has an effective distance of approximately 10 m, and the Wi-fi Direct method, which has an effective distance of several tens of meters.

[0043] The short-distance communication is a general term for a process in which the aerosol generation device 10 and the user terminal 20 set up a session having a unique identification code and transmit and receive various information through the session. When one of various short-distance communication functions provided in the aerosol generation device 10 is activated and a short-distance communication function that communicates in the same manner as the short-distance communication function activated in the aerosol generation device 10 is activated among the short-distance communication functions provided in the user terminal 20, if the user terminal 20 accepts a short-distance communication setting request requested by the aerosol generation device 10, communication between the two terminals can be performed without going through a separate communication company server. According to an embodiment, a session may be set up between the aerosol generation device 10 and the user terminal 20 through the opposite procedure to the above example.

[0044] The communication network 50 functions to connect the user terminal 20 and the cigarette database 30, and includes various wireless communication networks such as a data network, a mobile communication network, and the Internet.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device with a cigarette inserted therein.

[0046] 2, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a battery 120, a control unit 110, and a heater 130. In addition, a cigarette 200 is inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0047] Only components related to this embodiment are shown in the aerosol generating device 10 in Fig. 2. Therefore, it would be understood by a person skilled in the art that this embodiment may further include other general components in addition to the components shown in Fig. 2.

[0048] 2, the battery 120, the control unit 110, and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in a line, but are not limited thereto. In other words, the arrangement of the battery 120, the control unit 110, and the heater 130 may be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0049] When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 heats the heater 130. The temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette 200 is increased by the heated heater 130, thereby generating an aerosol. The generated aerosol is delivered to the user through the filter of the cigarette 200.

[0050] If necessary, the aerosol generating device 10 can heat the heater 130 even when the cigarette 200 is not inserted in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0051] The battery 120 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generation device 10. For example, the battery 120 can supply power to heat the heater 130 and supply power necessary for the operation of the control unit 110. The battery 120 can also supply power necessary for the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like provided in the aerosol generation device 10.

[0052] The control unit 110 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generation device 10. Specifically, the control unit 110 controls the operation of not only the battery 120 and the heater 130 but also other components included in the aerosol generation device 10. The control unit 110 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generation device 10 and determine whether the aerosol generation device 10 is in an operable state.

[0053] The control unit 110 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. Those skilled in the art will understand that the controller 110 may also be realized by other types of hardware.

[0054] The heater 130 is heated by power supplied from the battery 120. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 130 can be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 can increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material within the cigarette.

[0055] The heater 130 may be an electric resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 may include an electric conductive track, and the heater 130 may be heated by passing an electric current through the electric conductive track. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above example, and may be any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 10, or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

[0056] Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 130 may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 130 may include an electrically conductive coil for inductively heating the cigarette, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that is heated by the induction heater.

[0057] 2 illustrates, but is not limited to, the heater 130 being disposed so as to be inserted inside the cigarette 200. For example, the heater 130 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette 200 depending on the form of the heating element.

[0058] In addition, a plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed in the aerosol generating device 10. In this case, the plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed so as to be inserted inside the cigarette 200, or may be disposed outside the cigarette 200. In addition, among the plurality of heaters 130, some are disposed so as to be inserted inside the cigarette 200, and the rest are disposed outside the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 2, and various shapes may be produced.

[0059] Meanwhile, the aerosol generation device 10 may further include a general-purpose component in addition to the battery 120, the control unit 110, and the heater 130. For example, the aerosol generation device 10 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generation device 10 may also include at least one sensor (such as a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, or a cigarette insertion detection sensor). The aerosol generation device 10 is also fabricated in a structure that allows external air to flow in or internal gas to flow out even when the cigarette 200 is inserted.

[0060] Although not shown in Fig. 2, the aerosol generation device 10 may form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle is used to charge the battery 120 of the aerosol generation device 10. Alternatively, the heater 130 may be heated in a state where the cradle and the aerosol generation device 10 are coupled together.

[0061] Cigarette 200 is similar to a typical combustion cigarette. For example, cigarette 200 is divided into a first portion 210 including an aerosol-generating material and a second portion 220 including a filter or the like. Alternatively, second portion 220 of cigarette 200 may also include an aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into second portion 220.

[0062] The entire first part 210 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, and the second part 220 is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part 210 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, and both the first part 210 and the second part 220 may be inserted. A user can inhale aerosol with the second part 220 held to his / her mouth. In this case, the aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first part 210, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part 220 and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0063] As an example, the external air may also flow in through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 10. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 10 and / or the size of the air passage may also be adjusted by the user. This allows the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. to be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may also flow in through at least one hole formed in the surface of the cigarette 200.

[0064] An example of a cigarette 200 will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a cigarette.

[0066] 3, the cigarette 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. The first portion 210 described above with reference to FIG.

[0067] 3, the filter rod 220 is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 220 may be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Also, the filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment that performs another function, if necessary.

[0068] The cigarette 200 is wrapped by at least one wrapper 240. The wrapper 240 has at least one hole through which external air flows in and internal gas flows out. As an example, the cigarette 200 is wrapped by one wrapper 240. As another example, the cigarette 200 is wrapped by two or more wrappers 240 in a superimposed manner. For example, the tobacco rod 210 is wrapped by a first wrapper, and the filter rod 220 is wrapped by a second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 wrapped by the individual wrappers are combined, and the entire cigarette 200 is rewrapped by a third wrapper. If the tobacco rod 210 or the filter rod 220 is each configured as a plurality of segments, each segment is also wrapped by an individual wrapper. Then, the entire cigarette 200, in which the segments wrapped by the individual wrappers are combined, is also rewrapped by another wrapper.

[0069] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. The tobacco rod 210 may also include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. A flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, is added to the tobacco rod 210 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 210.

[0070] The tobacco rod 210 can be made in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be made of a sheet or a strand. The tobacco rod 210 can also be made of shredded tobacco, which is a tobacco sheet cut into small pieces. The tobacco rod 210 can also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can distribute heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210 and improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the tobacco taste. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can also function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0071] The filter rod 220 is also a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 220 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 220 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow inside. The filter rod 220 may also be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 220 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be made to have a different shape.

[0072] The filter rod 220 may also be manufactured to produce a flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 220.

[0073] The filter rod 220 also includes at least one capsule 230. Here, the capsule 230 performs a function of generating flavor and can also perform a function of generating aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 has a structure in which an internal solution containing a flavoring agent is covered with a coating. The capsule 230 can have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0074] If the filter rod 220 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Or the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter with multiple holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and may be any material that can perform the aerosol cooling function.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the aerosol generating device into which a cigarette is inserted.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing yet another example of the aerosol generating device in which a cigarette is inserted.

[0077] 4 and 5, the battery 120, the control unit 110, the vaporizer 180, and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in a line in Fig. 4, while the vaporizer 180 and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in parallel in Fig. 5. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to that illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In other words, the arrangement of the battery 120, the control unit 110, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 180 may be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0078] When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 can activate the heater 130 and / or the vaporizer 180 to generate an aerosol from the cigarette 200 and / or the vaporizer 180. The aerosol generated by the heater 130 and / or the vaporizer 180 passes through the cigarette 200 and is delivered to the user.

[0079] In addition, a plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed in the aerosol generating device 10. In this case, the plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed so as to be inserted inside the cigarette 200, or may be disposed outside the cigarette 200. In addition, among the plurality of heaters 130, a portion of the heaters 130 may be disposed so as to be inserted inside the cigarette 200, and the remaining portion of the heaters 130 may be disposed outside the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, and various shapes may be produced.

[0080] The vaporizer 180 heats the liquid composition and generates an aerosol, which passes through the cigarette 200 and is delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 travels along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 10, which is also configured to allow the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 to pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

[0081] For example, the vaporizer 180 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generation device 10 as separate modules.

[0082] The liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition, for example a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The liquid storage unit can be made to be detached / attached to the vaporizer 180, or can be made integral with the vaporizer 180.

[0083] For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring, or vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit fragrance components, and the like. The flavoring may include components that can provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0084] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element, for example, but not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0085] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. For example, the heating element can be, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc. The heating element can also be configured by a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and can be arranged by a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element can be heated by current supply, transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, and heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol is generated.

[0086] For example, the vaporizer 180 may also be referred to as, but is not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 10 according to the present invention includes a control unit 110, a battery 120, a heater 130, a pulse width modulator processing unit 140, a display unit 150, a motor 160, and a storage device 170.

[0089] The control unit 110 controls the battery 120, the heater 130, the pulse width modulator processing unit 140, the display unit 150, the motor 160, and the storage device 170 included in the aerosol generating device 10. The control unit 110 includes an input receiving unit (not shown) that receives a button input or a touch input from a user, and a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with an external communication device such as a user terminal, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0090] The battery 120 supplies power to the heater 130 , and the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 is adjusted by the control unit 110 .

[0091] When a current is applied to the heater 130, the heater generates heat due to its inherent resistance, and when a cigarette comes into contact (couples) with the heated heater, an aerosol is generated.

[0092] The pulse width modulator processing unit 140 controls the power supplied to the heater 130 by the control unit 110 through a method of transmitting a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal to the heater 130 .

[0093] The display unit 150 displays so that the user can select at least one of the types of cigarettes to be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device and temperature profiles (temperature control profiles) according to the types of cigarettes.

[0094] The motor 160 is driven by the control unit 110 to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 10 is ready for use.

[0095] The storage device 170 stores a temperature profile for the control unit 110 to appropriately control the power supplied to the heater 130 and provide various flavors to a user who uses the aerosol generating device 10. The control unit 110 reads at least one temperature profile stored in the storage device 170 and controls the power supplied to the heater 130 according to the temperature profile, and if the power supplied to the heater 130 is appropriately controlled, the flavor of the aerosol generated by heating the heater 130 changes. For example, while smoking with the aerosol generating device 10, a user feels a soft smoking sensation or a deep smoking sensation according to the temperature profile.

[0096] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit included in the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0097] 7, a control unit 110 of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a profile receiving unit 111, a cigarette sensing unit 112, a profile selecting unit 113, and a power control unit 114. The control unit 110 of FIG. 7 is an example of the control unit 110 described in FIG. 6, and therefore, hereinafter, description overlapping with the description of FIG. 6 will be omitted.

[0098] The profile receiving unit 111 receives a cigarette type-specific temperature profile from a user terminal. The cigarette type-specific temperature profile is information in which different temperature profiles are associated with different cigarette types, and the control unit 110 controls the power supplied to the heater based on the cigarette type-specific temperature profile.

[0099] For example, if the temperature profile of a cigarette having an identification code A is X° C., the control unit 110 controls the heater temperature to X° C. when cigarette A is inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device. Since the temperature profile is set for each cigarette, the temperature profile of a cigarette having an identification code B is Y° C., not X° C. The A, B, X, and Y are letters for explanation, and may be any letters or numbers depending on the embodiment.

[0100] The temperature profile for each type of cigarette is an experimentally obtained temperature at which an aerosol with the optimal flavor can be produced for each cigarette, since even for the same cigarette, the flavor of the aerosol produced varies depending on the heater temperature, and is not only a fixed temperature value but also a variable value that changes over time.

[0101] As an alternative embodiment, the temperature profile for each type of cigarette may be a temperature profile received by the user terminal from a cigarette database. Referring to FIG 1, the user terminal 20 may transmit and receive various information to and from the cigarette database 30 via a communication network 50, and may receive a temperature profile of a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 from the cigarette database 30.

[0102] As another alternative embodiment, the temperature profile for each type of cigarette may be generated based on information input through an input unit of the user terminal. According to this alternative embodiment, the user directly sets a temperature profile for a specific cigarette through an input unit such as a soft button, a hard button, or a touch panel provided on the user terminal, and the aerosol generating device generates aerosol according to the temperature profile directly set in the above manner. The user can directly set a temperature profile that is optimal for him / her through the user terminal.

[0103] As yet another alternative embodiment, the user inputs any one of a QR code, a barcode, and a case code attached to the cigarette case into an input unit of the user terminal, allowing the user terminal to acquire a temperature profile for each type of cigarette. If various codes attached to the cigarette case are recognized through a smart application installed in the user terminal, the type of cigarette is identified as one, and the user terminal can acquire a temperature profile for each type of cigarette that is pre-included as data of the smart application. The user terminal can also connect to a cigarette database based on the recognized code to acquire a temperature profile for each type of cigarette. In the process, the temperature profile for each type of cigarette acquired by the user terminal is transmitted to the profile receiving unit 111.

[0104] The cigarette sensor 112 senses the cigarette coupled to the heater after receiving the temperature profile. Here, the coupling of the heater and the cigarette is a broad concept that includes not only the physical contact between the heater and the cigarette, but also the narrowing of the distance between the cigarette and the heater to within a preset distance to such an extent that the identification code attached to the cigarette can be sufficiently recognized by the aerosol generating device.

[0105] For example, the cigarette sensor 112 may sense that the cigarette is coupled to the heater based on a result of recognizing any one of a QR code, a barcode, and an optical sticker attached to the cigarette.

[0106] As another example, the cigarette sensor 112 may determine the type of cigarette based on the number of protrusions protruding from the connection portion of the cigarette connected to the heater. If the cigarette sensor 112 detects two protrusions on the cigarette, it detects it as an A cigarette, and if it detects three protrusions, it detects it as a B cigarette.

[0107] As yet another example, the cigarette sensor 112 may operate as an RFID reader and recognize an RFID tag attached to a cigarette to sense that the cigarette is coupled to a heater.

[0108] The profile selection unit 113 grasps the type of cigarette sensed by the cigarette sensing unit 112, and selects a temperature profile corresponding to the grasped type of cigarette from among the temperature profiles. The profile selection unit 113 selects only the temperature profile of the cigarette sensed by the cigarette sensing unit 112 from among the temperature profiles by cigarette type received from the user terminal.

[0109] The power control unit 114 controls the battery power supplied to the heater according to the temperature profile selected by the profile selection unit 113. Specifically, as described in Fig. 6, the power control unit 114 controls the pulse width modulator processing unit based on the temperature profile so that the PWM signal is appropriately supplied to the heater.

[0110] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the control unit included in the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0111] 8, a control unit 110 of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a cigarette sensor 112, a cigarette grasper 115, a profile acquirer 116, and a power controller 114. In FIG. 8, the cigarette sensor 112 and the power controller 114 have the same configuration as those described in FIG. 7, and although not shown, the control unit 110 in FIG. 8 may include a profile receiver 111 and a profile selector 113 described in FIG. 7.

[0112] The cigarette sensor 112 senses the connection of the cigarette to the heater, and the manner in which the cigarette sensor 112 senses the connection of the cigarette to the heater is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

[0113] The cigarette grasping unit 115 grasps information on the type of cigarette sensed by the cigarette sensing unit 112. If the cigarette sensing unit 112 senses that the cigarette has come into contact with the heater and is prepared for the generation of aerosol, the cigarette grasping unit 115 performs a function of grasping the type of cigarette that has come into contact with the heater.

[0114] The profile acquisition unit 116 acquires a temperature profile according to cigarette type information.

[0115] For example, the profile acquisition unit 116 may acquire the temperature profile for each type of cigarette from a storage device that stores the temperature profile for each type of cigarette. Here, the storage device that stores the temperature profile for each type of cigarette may be a memory included in the aerosol generating device, such as the storage device 170 of FIG. 6.

[0116] As another example, the profile acquiring unit 116 may acquire a temperature profile for each type of cigarette from information input by a user. If a user selects a particular temperature profile through an input unit of the user terminal, the selected temperature profile is transmitted from the user terminal to the profile acquiring unit 116. Also, a particular temperature profile may be generated in a manner in which a user directly inputs the particular temperature profile through an input unit provided in the aerosol generating device.

[0117] As yet another example different from the above example, the profile acquisition unit 116 can transmit cigarette type information recognized by the cigarette recognition unit 115 to the user terminal and receive a temperature profile corresponding to the transmitted cigarette type information.

[0118] The power control unit 114 controls the temperature of the heater according to the temperature profile acquired by the profile acquisition unit 116. In Fig. 8, the method in which the power control unit 114 controls the temperature of the heater is the same as that described in Fig. 7.

[0119] The embodiment described in FIG. 7 is characterized in that after a temperature profile for each type of cigarette is received, if the connection of the cigarette to the heater is detected, a temperature profile corresponding to the type of cigarette is selected from the previously received temperature profiles to control the heater temperature. On the other hand, the embodiment described in FIG. 8 is characterized in that the connection of the cigarette to the heater is detected, the cigarette type information is grasped, and then a temperature profile according to the cigarette type information is obtained.

[0120] As an alternative embodiment, the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device may be controlled by a method in which the aerosol generating device and the user terminal in FIG. 1 constitute one system. First, the user terminal displays temperature profiles for each type of cigarette through a display unit included in the user terminal. The user selects at least one of the temperature profiles for each type of cigarette by inputting through an input unit included in the user terminal, and the selected temperature profile for each type of cigarette is transmitted to the aerosol generating device and stored in a storage device of the aerosol generating device. Then, when a cigarette is coupled to the heater of the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device controls the temperature of the heater based on the temperature profile stored in the storage device. According to the alternative embodiment, the user selects at least one of the various temperature profiles displayed on the user terminal according to preference, and when the selected cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the temperature of the heater is controlled according to the temperature profile corresponding to the inserted cigarette.

[0121] In another alternative embodiment, the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 is controlled according to the type of cigarette selected by a user. First, a user terminal displays a plurality of types of cigarettes through a display unit included in the user terminal. The user can select the type of cigarette through an input unit included in the user terminal. When the type of cigarette is determined by the user's input, the user terminal searches for a temperature profile according to the determined type of cigarette in a cigarette database that stores a temperature profile for each type of cigarette, and transmits the temperature profile to the aerosol generating device through a short-range communication network. The aerosol generating device receives the temperature profile, and when a cigarette is coupled to the heater, controls the temperature of the heater according to the received temperature profile. This alternative embodiment is distinguished from the above example in which the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device is controlled by selecting a temperature profile for each type of cigarette, in that the user selects only the type of cigarette displayed on the user terminal.

[0122] As yet another alternative embodiment, the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device of Fig. 1 is controlled by a temperature profile selected by the user regardless of the type of cigarette. In this alternative embodiment, the user selects one of the temperature profiles displayed on the user terminal, and the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device is controlled only by the temperature profile selected by the user regardless of the type of cigarette coupled to the heater, which has the effect of enabling consistent heater temperature control.

[0123] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for controlling the heater temperature of an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention.

[0124] FIG. 9 is implemented by an aerosol generating apparatus including the control unit according to FIG. 7, so the following description will be given with reference to FIG. 7, and any overlapping description with the description of FIG. 7 will be omitted.

[0125] The profile receiving unit 111 receives the cigarette type-specific temperature profile from the user terminal (S910).

[0126] After receiving the temperature profile, the cigarette sensor 112 senses the cigarette coupled to the heater (S930).

[0127] The profile selection unit 113 determines the type of cigarette coupled to the heater, and selects a temperature profile corresponding to the determined type of cigarette from the temperature profiles by cigarette type received from the user terminal (S950).

[0128] The power control unit 114 controls the battery power supplied to the heater according to the temperature profile selected in step S950 (S970).

[0129] According to the method of steps S910 to S970, the aerosol generating device receives and stores temperature profiles for each type of cigarette in advance, and when it detects that a cigarette is inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device and is coupled or in contact with the heater, it controls the power supplied to the heater according to the temperature profile corresponding to the cigarette, thereby providing the user with a satisfying smoking experience.

[0130] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing another example of a method for controlling the heater temperature of an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention.

[0131] FIG. 10 is implemented by an aerosol generating apparatus including the control unit according to FIG. 8, so the following description will be given with reference to FIG. 8 and any overlapping description with the description of FIG. 8 will be omitted.

[0132] The cigarette sensor 112 senses the connection of a cigarette to a heater included in the aerosol generating device (S1010).

[0133] The cigarette grasping unit 115 grasps the type information of the cigarette sensed in step S1010 (S1030).

[0134] The profile acquisition unit 116 acquires a temperature profile according to the type of cigarette identified in step S1030 (S1050).

[0135] The power control unit 114 controls the temperature of the heater according to the acquired temperature profile (S1070).

[0136] According to the method of steps S1010 to S1070, when the aerosol generating device detects that a cigarette is inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device and is coupled or in contact with the heater, the aerosol generating device grasps the type of cigarette, obtains a temperature profile according to the type of cigarette, and controls the power supplied to the heater according to the temperature profile, thereby providing a user with a satisfactory smoking experience. In particular, in this embodiment, the time when the aerosol generating device obtains the temperature profile is limited to after the cigarette is inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device and coupled with the heater, so that if the temperature profile is updated in real time for each type of cigarette in the storage device that stores the temperature profile, the control unit of the aerosol generating device can efficiently and functionally control the temperature of the heater based on the latest temperature profile.

[0137] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the method for controlling the heater temperature of an aerosol generating device according to the type of cigarette according to the present invention.

[0138] More specifically, Fig. 11 sequentially illustrates the operation process of devices physically or logically included in the user terminal 20 of Fig. 1 and applications installed in the user terminal. For convenience of explanation, the subject performing each step in Fig. 11 will be referred to as a smart application.

[0139] The smart application receives information from the aerosol generating device regarding the type of cigarette coupled to the heater (S1110).

[0140] The smart application searches for a temperature profile related to the type of cigarette in the cigarette database based on the received information related to the type of cigarette (S1130). In step S1130, the cigarette database searched by the smart application may include not only a storage device included in the user terminal 20 but also a cigarette database 30 that communicates with the user terminal 20 through a communication network 50.

[0141] The smart application determines whether a temperature profile corresponding to the type of cigarette is retrieved from the cigarette database (S1150), and transmits the retrieved temperature profile to the aerosol generating device (S1170).

[0142] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a computer program executed by various components on a computer, and the computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium, which may include a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a magneto-optical medium such as a floptical disk, and a hardware device, such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory, that is specially configured to store and execute program instructions.

[0143] On the other hand, the computer program may be one specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or one that is well known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer programs include not only machine code, such as produced by a compiler, but also high-level language code that is executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0144] The specific implementation described in the present invention is an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the system are omitted. In addition, the wire connections or connecting members between components shown in the drawings are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and may be replaced or shown as various additional functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in an actual device. In addition, unless specifically stated as "essential" or "important," a component may not necessarily be required for application of the present invention.

[0145] In the present specification (particularly in the claims), the use of "the" and similar indicators may include both the singular and the plural. In addition, when a range is described in the present invention, it includes the invention to which each individual value belonging to the range is applied (unless otherwise specified), and each individual value constituting the range is described in the detailed description of the invention. Finally, unless the order of steps constituting the method according to the present invention is clearly described or otherwise specified, the steps are performed in an appropriate order. The present invention is not necessarily limited by the order of the steps. In the present invention, the use of all examples or exemplary terms (for example, etc.) is merely for the purpose of explaining the present invention in detail, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples or exemplary terms, since it is not limited by the claims. In addition, a person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0146] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims, not in the above description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0147] The present invention may be embodied in a device that is included in or is a device that produces an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user, such as an electronic cigarette.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling a temperature of a heater in an aerosol generating device, comprising: displaying a plurality of cigarette types in a user terminal through a display unit included in the user terminal; determining, in the user terminal, the type of the cigarette based on information input through an input unit included in the user terminal; transmitting, at the user terminal, the determined cigarette type to the aerosol generating device; When a cigarette is coupled to a heater of the aerosol generating device, the temperature of the heater is controlled according to a temperature profile corresponding to the type of the transmitted cigarette.

2. The aerosol generating device may further include a step of establishing a short-range communication network with the aerosol generating device, The method of claim 1 , wherein the short-range communication network includes at least one of Bluetooth communication, NFC communication, and Wi-Fi Direct communication.

3. The user terminal, The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating with an external server to receive cigarette type-specific temperature profiles stored in a cigarette database.

4. 1. A method for controlling a temperature of a heater in an aerosol generating device, comprising: receiving one of a plurality of types of cigarettes from a user terminal connected to a local communication network by the aerosol generating device; and when a cigarette is coupled to a heater of the aerosol generating device, controlling a temperature of the heater according to a temperature profile corresponding to the received cigarette; The method includes, in the user terminal, displaying a plurality of cigarette types through a display unit of the user terminal, and determining one of the plurality of cigarette types based on information input through an input unit included in the user terminal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises an electrically conductive coil and a susceptor that is heated by a magnetic field induced by the electrically conductive coil.

6. A recording medium having a program recorded thereon for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a heater of an aerosol generating apparatus, the apparatus including a user terminal, The user terminal, A display unit; An input unit; A communication unit that communicates with the aerosol generating device using a short-range communication network; A control unit configured to display a plurality of cigarette types through the display unit, determine one of the plurality of cigarette types based on information input through the input unit, and transmit the determined one cigarette type to the aerosol generating device through the communication unit, When a cigarette is coupled to a heater of the aerosol generating device, the temperature of the heater is controlled according to a temperature profile corresponding to the type of the transmitted cigarette.

8. An aerosol generating device for controlling a temperature of a heater, a communication unit that receives one of a plurality of cigarette types from a user terminal connected to a short-range communication network; a control unit that controls a temperature of the heater according to a temperature profile corresponding to the received cigarette when the cigarette is coupled to the heater, An aerosol generating device in which, in the user terminal, a plurality of cigarette types are displayed through a display unit of the user terminal, and one of the plurality of cigarette types is determined based on information input through an input unit included in the user terminal.

Images