Aerosol generating device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generating module including at least one heater for heating an aerosol generating material, a battery for supplying power to the heater, a sensor module including at least one sensor for detecting inhalation by a user, a memory, and a controller for controlling power supplied to the heater, the controller determining an inhalation pattern of the user in response to a signal received from the sensor module, and if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, determining a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern, and controlling power supplied to the heater based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device and a method of operation thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The aerosol generating device is for extracting a predetermined component from a medium or substance via an aerosol. The medium may contain a variety of components. The substance contained in the medium may be a flavoring material of various components. For example, the substance contained in the medium may contain a nicotine component, a herb component, and / or a coffee component. In recent years, much research has been conducted on such aerosol generating devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to solving the above-referenced problems and other problems.

[0004] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device and an operating method thereof that can determine a user's inhalation pattern and generate an amount of aerosol corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern when the user inhales aerosol. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes an aerosol generating module including at least one heater for heating an aerosol generating material, a battery for supplying power to the heater, a sensor module including at least one sensor for detecting inhalation by a user, a memory, and a controller for controlling power supplied to the heater. The controller determines an inhalation pattern of the user in response to a signal received from the sensor module, and if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, determines a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern, and controls power supplied to the heater based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

[0006] To achieve the above object, an operating method of an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an operation of determining an inhalation pattern of a user's inhalation in response to a signal received from a sensor module including at least one sensor that detects the user's inhalation, an operation of determining a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, and an operation of supplying power to a heater that heats an aerosol generating material based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a temperature profile corresponding to a user is determined based on the user's inhalation pattern, such as inhalation strength and inhalation time, and then, when the user inhales the aerosol, the power supplied to the heater is controlled based on the temperature profile corresponding to the user, thereby providing the user with an optimal amount of aerosol.

[0008] Furthermore, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by dividing the temperature profile into a preheating section and a heating section based on the user's inhalation pattern, and optimizing the target temperature, power per unit time, etc., it is possible to provide an amount of aerosol that is more optimized for the user's inhalation pattern.

[0009] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to monitor whether the user's inhalation pattern is changed and to suggest to the user whether to optimize the existing settings based on the changed inhalation pattern, thereby improving the user's satisfaction and reliability with the product.

[0010] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of example only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0011] The above and other objects, features and other characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram referred to in the description of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram referred to in the description of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram referred to in the description of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 7C] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation method of FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation method of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation method of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of simplicity of description with reference to the drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0014] The suffixes "module" and "section" for components used in the following description are for ease of description only and do not have any special meaning or role.

[0015] In this disclosure, those well known to those skilled in the art are omitted for the sake of brevity. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are for the purpose of making various technical features easily understandable, and that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives in addition to those specifically disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but it should be understood that the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0017] When an element is said to be "connected" to another element, it will be understood that there can be other elements in between, whereas when an element is said to be "directly connected" to another element, it will be understood that there are no other elements in between.

[0018] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a communication interface 110, an input / output interface 120, an aerosol generating module 130, a memory 140, a sensor module 150, a battery 160, and / or a control unit 170.

[0021] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may be composed of only a main body. In this case, the components included in the aerosol generating device 100 may be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may be composed of a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material and a main body. In this case, the components included in the aerosol generating device 100 may be located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

[0022] The communication interface 110 may include at least one communication module for communication with an external device and / or a network. For example, the communication interface 110 may include a communication module for wired communication, such as a universal serial bus (USB). For example, the communication interface 110 may include a communication module for wireless communication, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Power (BLE), Zigbee®, near field communication (NFC), etc.

[0023] The input / output interface 120 may include an input device (not shown) for receiving commands from a user and / or an output device (not shown) for outputting information to a user. For example, the input device may include a touch panel, a physical button, a microphone, etc. For example, the output device may include a display device for outputting visual information such as a display, a light emitting diode (LED), an audio device for outputting auditory information such as a speaker or a buzzer, a motor for outputting tactile information such as a haptic effect, etc.

[0024] The input / output interface 120 can transmit data corresponding to commands input by a user via an input device to other components (etc.) of the aerosol generating device 100, and can output information corresponding to data received from other components (etc.) of the aerosol generating device 100 via an output device.

[0025] The aerosol generating module 130 can generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Here, the aerosol generating material can refer to any one or a combination of two or more substances in various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gel state, etc., capable of generating an aerosol.

[0026] The liquid aerosol generating material may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing materials, including volatile tobacco flavor components, in one embodiment, and may be a liquid containing non-tobacco materials in another embodiment, such as water, solvents, nicotine, botanical extracts, flavors, flavorings, vitamin mixtures, and the like.

[0027] The solid-state aerosol-generating material may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials such as reconstituted tobacco sheets, shredded tobacco, and granulated tobacco. The solid-state aerosol-generating material may also include solid materials containing taste modifiers, seasonings, and the like. For example, taste modifiers may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium oxide, and the like. For example, seasonings may include natural materials such as herb granules, silica containing fragrance ingredients, zeolite, dextrin, and the like.

[0028] Additionally, the aerosol generating material may further include an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

[0029] The aerosol generation module 130 can include at least one heater (not shown).

[0030] The aerosol generation module 130 can include an electrically resistive heater. For example, the electrically resistive heater can include at least one electrically conductive track and can be heated by passing an electric current through the electrically conductive track. Here, the aerosol generating material can be heated by the heated electrically resistive heater.

[0031] The electrically conductive track may comprise an electrically resistive material. As an example, the electrically conductive track may be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track may be made of a ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and a metal.

[0032] The electrical resistive heater may include an electrically conductive track formed in a variety of shapes, for example, the electrically conductive track may be formed in any one of a tube, a plate, a needle, a rod, and a coil.

[0033] The aerosol generating module 130 may include a heater using an induction heating method. For example, an induction heater may include an electric conductive coil, and an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically may be generated by adjusting a current flowing through the electric conductive coil. Here, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss may occur in the magnetic material. In addition, the lost energy may be released as thermal energy, thereby heating the aerosol generating material adjacent to the magnetic material. Here, the object that generates heat by the magnetic field may be called a susceptor.

[0034] On the other hand, the aerosol generating module 130 can also generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance by generating ultrasonic vibrations.

[0035] The aerosol generating device 100 may include a plurality of aerosol generating modules 130. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a first aerosol generating module 131 that generates an aerosol by vaporizing a liquid, and a second aerosol generating module 132 that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette. A first heater 133 included in the first aerosol generating module 131 may be a coil heater or a mesh heater. The first aerosol generating module 131 may be embodied in a cartridge form separate from the aerosol generating device 100. The first aerosol generating module 131 may be a cartomizer, an atomizer, a vaporizer, or the like. A second heater 134 included in the second aerosol generating module 132 may be a film heater including an electrically conductive track or a susceptor that heats by an induction heating method.

[0036] The memory 140 can store programs for each signal processing and control in the control unit 170, and can store processed data and data to be processed.

[0037] For example, the memory 140 can store application programs designed to perform various tasks that can be processed by the control unit 170, and can selectively provide some of the stored application programs upon request of the control unit 170.

[0038] For example, the memory 140 may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs generated, the current number of puffs generated, at least one temperature profile, at least one power profile, data on the inhalation pattern of the user, etc. Here, the puff may refer to the inhalation of the user. Inhalation may refer to the situation in which the user inhales air through the mouth or nose into the oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs of the user.

[0039] The memory 140 may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.), a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

[0040] The sensor module 150 may include at least one sensor.

[0041] For example, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a puff (hereinafter, referred to as a puff sensor). Here, the puff sensor may be embodied as a pressure sensor.

[0042] For example, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a temperature sensor) for detecting the temperature of a heater included in the aerosol generation module 130, the temperature of an aerosol generating material, etc. Here, the heater included in the aerosol generation module 130 may also function as a temperature sensor. For example, the electrically resistive material of the heater may be a material having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The sensor module 150 may sense the temperature of the heater by measuring the resistance of the heater, which changes depending on the temperature.

[0043] For example, in the case where a cigarette can be inserted into the main body of the aerosol generating device 100, the sensor module 150 can include a sensor that detects the insertion of a cigarette (hereinafter, referred to as a cigarette detection sensor).

[0044] For example, in the case where the aerosol generating device 100 includes a cartridge, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge detection sensor) that detects the attachment / detachment, position, etc. of the cartridge.

[0045] Here, the cigarette detection sensor and / or the cartridge detection sensor may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitance-type sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC) using the hall effect, or the like.

[0046] For example, the sensor module 150 may include a voltage sensor that detects the voltage applied to a component (e.g., a battery 160) provided in the aerosol generating device 100 and / or a current sensor that detects the current.

[0047] The battery 160 may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 under the control of the control unit 170. The battery 160 may supply power to other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100, such as a communication module included in the communication interface 110, an output device included in the input / output interface 120, a heater included in the aerosol generating module 130, etc.

[0048] The battery 160 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 160 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery. For example, if the battery 160 is rechargeable, the battery's charge rate (C-rate) may be, but is not limited to, 10C and the discharge rate (C-rate) may be, but is not limited to, 10C to 20C. For stable use, the battery 160 may be manufactured to ensure 80% or more of its total capacity when it is charged / discharged 2000 times.

[0049] The aerosol generating device 100 may further include a battery protection circuit module (PCM) (not shown) which is a circuit for protecting the battery 160. The battery protection module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the battery 160. For example, in order to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the battery 160, the battery protection module (PCM) may cut off an electric path to the battery 160 when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 160, when an overvoltage is applied to the battery 160, when an overcurrent flows through the battery 160, etc.

[0050] The aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power supply terminal (not shown) to which power supplied from an external source is input. For example, a power line may be connected to the power supply terminal disposed on one side of the body of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 may charge the battery 160 using power supplied through the power line connected to the power supply terminal. Here, the power supply terminal may be a terminal for USB communication.

[0051] The aerosol generating device 100 can also wirelessly receive power supplied from an external source via the communication interface 110. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can wirelessly receive power using an antenna included in a communication module for wireless communication, and can charge the battery 160 using the wirelessly supplied power.

[0052] The control unit 170 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The control unit 170 may be connected to each component included in the aerosol generating device 100, and may transmit and / or receive signals between each component to control the overall operation of each component.

[0053] The control unit 170 may include at least one processor, and may use the processor included therein to control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC, or a processor based on other hardware.

[0054] The control unit 170 can perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the control unit 170 can execute any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., a preheating function, a heating function, a charging function, a cleaning function, etc.) according to the state of each component included in the aerosol generating device 100, a user's command received via the input / output interface 120, etc.

[0055] The control unit 170 can control the operation of each component included in the aerosol generating device 100 based on the data stored in the memory 140. For example, the control unit 170 can control the battery 160 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the aerosol generating module 130 based on data about a temperature profile, a user's inhalation pattern, etc. stored in the memory 140.

[0056] The control unit 170 may determine the occurrence of a puff through a puff sensor included in the sensor module 150. For example, the control unit 170 may check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, a voltage change, etc. in the aerosol generating device 100 based on a sensing value of the puff sensor, and may determine the occurrence of a puff based on the checked result.

[0057] The control unit 170 may control the operation of each component included in the aerosol generating device 100 depending on the presence or absence of a puff and / or the number of occurrences of a puff. For example, when the control unit 170 determines that a puff has occurred, the control unit 170 may control the heater to supply a preset power according to a temperature profile stored in the memory 140. For example, the control unit 170 may control the heater to change or maintain the temperature based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

[0058] The control unit 170 may control the power supply to the heater to be cut off under a predetermined condition, for example, when the cigarette is removed and the cartridge is separated, when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, when no puffs are detected for a preset time or longer, when the remaining charge of the battery 160 is less than a preset value, etc.

[0059] The control unit 170 may calculate the remaining amount of power stored in the battery 160. For example, the control unit 170 may calculate the remaining amount of power in the battery 160 based on a sensing value of a voltage sensor and / or a current sensor included in the sensor module 150.

[0060] 2A to 4 are diagrams referred to in explaining the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 100 can include a body and / or a cartridge.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2A, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment may include a body 310 configured to allow a cigarette 201 to be inserted into an interior space defined by a housing 215.

[0063] The cigarette 201 may be similar to a typical combustion cigarette. For example, the cigarette 201 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol-generating material and a second portion including a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 201 may also include an aerosol-generating material. For example, a flavoring material formed in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

[0064] The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, or both the first part and the second part may be inserted. A user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second part in their mouth. Here, the aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first part, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user's mouth by passing through the second part.

[0065] The body 310 may be formed to have a structure that allows external air to flow into the body 310 when the cigarette 201 is inserted. Here, the external air that flows into the body 310 may pass through the cigarette 201 and flow to the user's mouth.

[0066] When the cigarette 201 is inserted, the control unit 170 can control the supply of power to the heater based on the power profile stored in the memory 140.

[0067] The control unit 170 may control the supply of power to the heater in at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

[0068] For example, the control unit 170 may control the heater to be supplied with a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio in a PWM manner. Here, the control unit 170 may control the power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

[0069] For example, the control unit 170 can determine a target temperature to be a control target based on the temperature profile. Here, the control unit 170 can control the power supplied to the heater using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference between the heater temperature and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference over time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference over time.

[0070] Meanwhile, although the PWM method and the PID method have been described as examples of control methods for supplying power to the heater, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various control methods such as a Proportional-Integral (PI) method and a Proportional-Differential (PD) method can be used.

[0071] The heater may be located at a position within the body 310 that corresponds to the position of the cigarette 201 when the cigarette 201 is inserted into the body 310. In this drawing, the heater is shown as an electrically conductive heater 220 that includes needle-like electrically conductive tracks, although the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0072] The heater can heat the inside and / or outside of the cigarette 201 using power supplied from the battery 160, and an aerosol can be generated from the heated cigarette 201. Here, a user can inhale the aerosol containing the tobacco material by inhaling through one end of the cigarette 201 with their mouth.

[0073] Meanwhile, the control unit 170 may control the heater to supply power under preset conditions even when the cigarette 201 is not inserted. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning the space into which the cigarette 201 is inserted is selected according to a command input by the user via the input / output interface 120, the control unit 170 may control the heater to supply a predetermined power.

[0074] The control unit 170 can monitor the number of puffs generated based on the sensing value of the puff sensor from the time the cigarette 201 is inserted.

[0075] The control unit 170 may initialize the current puff occurrence count stored in the memory 140 when the inserted cigarette 201 is removed.

[0076] 2B, a cigarette 201 according to one embodiment can include a tobacco rod 202 and a filter rod 203. The first portion described above with reference to FIG. 2A can include the tobacco rod 202, and the second portion can include the filter rod 203.

[0077] Although the filter rod 203 is shown as a single segment in FIG. 2B, this is not limiting. In other words, the filter rod 203 can be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 203 can include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a certain component contained in the aerosol. Also, if necessary, the filter rod 203 can further include at least one segment that performs another function.

[0078] The cigarette 201 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 205. The wrapper 205 may have at least one hole through which external air can flow in or internal gas can flow out. As an example, the cigarette 201 may be wrapped by one wrapper 205. As another example, the cigarette 201 may be wrapped by two or more wrappers 205 stacked together. For example, the tobacco rod 202 may be wrapped by a first wrapper, and the filter rod 203 may be wrapped by a second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 202 and the filter rod 203 wrapped by individual wrappers may be combined, and the entire cigarette 201 may be further wrapped by a third wrapper. If each of the tobacco rod 202 or the filter rod 203 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by an individual wrapper. Then, the entire cigarette 201, in which the segments wrapped by the individual wrappers are combined, may be further wrapped by another wrapper.

[0079] The tobacco rod 202 may include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco rod 202 may also include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. A flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, may be added to the tobacco rod 202 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 202.

[0080] The tobacco rod 202 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 202 can be manufactured from a sheet or a strand. The tobacco rod 202 can also be manufactured from small pieces obtained by cutting a tobacco sheet into small pieces. The tobacco rod 202 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 202 can uniformly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 202, thereby improving the thermal conductivity to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the tobacco taste. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 202 can also function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. Although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 202 can further include an additional susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0081] The filter rod 203 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 203 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 203 may be a cylindrical type rod or a tube type rod having a hollow inside. The filter rod 203 may also be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 203 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

[0082] The filter rod 203 may be manufactured to emit a flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 203, or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 203.

[0083] The filter rod 203 may also include at least one capsule 204. Here, the capsule 204 may function to generate flavor and may also function to generate aerosol. For example, the capsule 204 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a flavoring agent is enveloped in a coating. The capsule 204 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] If the filter rod 203 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. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes formed therein. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and may be made of any material without limitation as long as it can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0085] 2B, the cigarette 201 according to an embodiment may further include a front filter. The front filter is located on one side of the tobacco rod 202 facing the filter rod 203. The front filter can prevent the tobacco rod 202 from falling out and can prevent aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 202 during inhalation by the user from flowing into the aerosol generating device 100.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 3, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment can include a body 310 supporting a cartridge 320, the cartridge 320 holding an aerosol generating material.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 320 may be configured to be attachable / detachable to the main body 310, and according to another embodiment, the cartridge 320 may be configured integrally with the main body 310. For example, the cartridge 320 may be attached to the main body 310 by inserting at least a portion of the cartridge 320 into an internal space formed by the housing 215 of the main body 310.

[0088] The body 310 may be formed to have a structure that allows external air to flow into the body 310 when the cartridge 320 is inserted. Here, the external air that has flowed into the body 310 may pass through the cartridge 320 and flow to the user's mouth.

[0089] The control unit 170 may determine whether the cartridge 320 is attached / detached through a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 150. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulse current through one terminal connected to the cartridge and detect whether the cartridge is connected based on whether the pulse current is received through another terminal.

[0090] The cartridge 320 may include a storage section 321 that holds an aerosol generating substance and / or a heater 323 that heats the aerosol generating substance in the storage section 321. For example, a liquid transmission means impregnated (containing) the aerosol generating substance may be disposed inside the storage section 321, and an electrically conductive track of the heater 323 may be formed to have a structure that wraps around the liquid transmission means. Here, an aerosol may be generated as the liquid transmission means is heated by the heater 323. Here, the liquid transmission means may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, etc.

[0091] The cartridge 320 may include a mouthpiece 325. Here, the mouthpiece 325 may be a part that is inserted into the oral cavity of a user, and may have an exhaust hole through which the aerosol is exhausted to the outside when a puff is generated.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment may include a body 410 configured to support a cartridge 420 and allow a cigarette 401 to be inserted into an internal space 415, and the cartridge 420 containing an aerosol generating material.

[0093] The aerosol generating device 100 may include a first heater that heats an aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 420. For example, when a user inhales into the mouth through one end of the cigarette 401, the aerosol generated by the first heater may pass through the cigarette 401. Here, as the aerosol passes through the cigarette 401, tobacco materials may be provided to the aerosol, and the aerosol provided with the tobacco materials may be inhaled into the mouth of the user through one end of the cigarette 401.

[0094] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 420 and a second heater for heating the cigarette 401 inserted in the body 410. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 420 and the cigarette 401 via the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

[0095] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] 5, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user in operation S510. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user when the aerosol generating device 100 detects insertion of a cigarette through a cigarette detection sensor or when the aerosol generating device 100 receives a command to turn on the power via an input device.

[0097] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user in operation S520, it can supply power to the heater of the aerosol generating module 130 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

[0098] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user, it may determine whether a puff is generated by at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150.

[0099] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the pressure of the flow path through which air flows when a user inhales, and may detect the generation of a puff based on a change in pressure detected via the pressure sensor.

[0100] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of the flow path through which air flows when a user inhales, and may detect the occurrence of a puff based on a change in the flow rate detected via the flow sensor.

[0101] Although the following description will be made based on the pressure sensed by a pressure sensor, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be understood with respect to various sensors embodying a puff sensor.

[0102] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may store the sensing value of at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 in the memory 140.

[0103] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can store in the memory 140 data about pressure changes over time sensed via a pressure sensor.

[0104] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can convert data about pressure changes in the time domain to the frequency domain and store the data converted to the frequency domain in the memory 140.

[0105] The aerosol generating device 100 can, for example, control the power supplied to the heater in a PWM manner in the preheating section based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 140, and can control the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner in the heating section.

[0106] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects the occurrence of a puff, for example, based on a temperature profile stored in memory 140, it can supply a preset first power to the heater for a specified heating time, and can supply a second power smaller than the first power to the heater before the occurrence of a puff is detected.

[0107] For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes multiple aerosol generating modules 131, 132, it can supply power to the first heater 133 based on a first temperature profile among multiple temperature profiles stored in the memory 140, and can supply power to the second heater 134 based on a second temperature profile.

[0108] The aerosol generating device 100 can determine whether the user has finished using the device in operation S530.

[0109] The aerosol generating device 100 can determine that the user has finished using the device, for example, when it detects the removal of the cigarette via a cigarette detection sensor or when it receives a command to turn off the power via an input device.

[0110] The aerosol generation device 100 can determine that the user has finished using the device when a predetermined time (eg, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the aerosol generation device 100 detected the user's use.

[0111] The aerosol generating device 100 can, for example, monitor the number of puffs generated from the time when a puff is first detected, and when the number of puffs generated reaches a maximum number of puffs, it can determine that the user has finished using the device.

[0112] When the user finishes using the aerosol generating device 100 in operation S540, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine an inhalation pattern of the user's inhalation.

[0113] The aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the user's inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, time interval between puff occurrences (hereinafter referred to as puff occurrence interval) and / or inhalation time based on the sensing value of at least one sensor stored in memory 140.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 6, the sensing value of the pressure sensor can be confirmed when the user inhales.

[0115] The aerosol generating device 100 may use at least some of the pressure values ​​sensed via the pressure sensor to calculate the sample pressure value 600. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may calculate a representative value (e.g., an average value, a median value, etc.) of continuous pressure values ​​for a certain period of time as the sample pressure value 600. Meanwhile, the time interval between the sample pressure values ​​600 may be constant.

[0116] The aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the slope between the sample pressure values ​​600.

[0117] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine that a puff has occurred if the slope between the sample pressure values ​​600 is less than a first criterion. Here, the first criterion may refer to a minimum level of pressure change (e.g., −4 hpa / ms) at which it can be determined that the pressure has decreased due to the user's inhalation.

[0118] In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a first sample pressure value 601 as a reference pressure value when the slope between the sample pressure values ​​600 is less than a first reference value, and can determine the time corresponding to the first sample pressure value 601 as the time when a puff occurs.

[0119] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine that the puff has ended if the slope between the sample pressure values ​​600 after the puff occurs is equal to or greater than a second criterion. Here, the second criterion may refer to a pressure change at a level at which it can be determined that the pressure will not decrease any more due to the user's inhalation (e.g., -0.2 hpa / ms).

[0120] In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate a second sample pressure value 603 as the minimum pressure value when the slope between the sample pressure values ​​600 is equal to or greater than a second standard, and can determine the point in time corresponding to the second sample pressure value 603 as the end point of the puff.

[0121] The aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the time 610 from when the puff is generated to when the puff ends as the inhalation time of the user.

[0122] The aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity based on the time 610 from when the puff occurs to when the puff ends, the maximum slope 620 among the slopes calculated from when the puff occurs, the second sample pressure value 603 calculated as the minimum pressure value, and / or the difference 630 between the reference pressure value and the minimum pressure value.

[0123] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity based on the magnitude of the maximum gradient 620 among the gradients calculated from the time when the puff is generated to the time when the puff is ended.

[0124] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity in response to the ratio of the difference 630 between the reference pressure value and the minimum pressure value to the time 610 from the start of the puff to the end of the puff.

[0125] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity in response to the second sample pressure value 603 being calculated as the minimum pressure value.

[0126] Furthermore, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the total amount of inhalation and / or the amount of inhalation per unit time when a puff is generated.

[0127] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the total inhalation amount based on the result of integrating a graph of the sensing value of the pressure sensor in the time domain, and can calculate the inhalation amount per unit time by dividing the calculated total inhalation amount by the inhalation time.

[0128] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the total inhalation amount using a predetermined calculation formula with inhalation intensity and inhalation time as independent variables, and can calculate the inhalation amount per unit time by dividing the calculated total inhalation amount by the inhalation time.

[0129] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time and / or inhalation time for each of the multiple puff sections that make up the heating section, and can determine the user's inhalation pattern based on the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time and / or inhalation time calculated for each of the multiple puff sections.

[0130] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a representative value (eg, average value, median value, etc.) of the inhalation intensity calculated for each of the multiple puff sections as the inhalation intensity of the user.

[0131] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a representative value of the total inhaled amount calculated for each of the multiple puff sections as the total inhaled amount of the user.

[0132] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a representative value of the inhalation amount per unit time calculated for each of the multiple puff sections as the inhalation amount per unit time of the user.

[0133] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a representative value of the inhalation times calculated for each of the multiple puff sections as the inhalation time of the user.

[0134] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a representative value of the puff generation intervals calculated for each of the multiple puff sections as the puff generation interval of the user.

[0135] 7a and 7b, graphs 710 and 720 of sensing values ​​of a pressure sensor detected in a plurality of puff sections constituting a heating section can be seen. Here, based on the inhalation intensity calculated for each of the plurality of puff sections, for example, the minimum pressure value during a puff, it can be seen that the inhalation intensity when a user inhales aerosol as shown in first graph 710 is stronger than the inhalation intensity when a user inhales aerosol as shown in second graph 720.

[0136] Referring to Fig. 7c, a user's inhalation pattern according to inhalation time and inhalation intensity can be seen. Here, when a user inhales an aerosol as shown in the first graph 710 of Fig. 7a 730, the user's inhalation pattern may correspond to a third type with high inhalation intensity and short inhalation time. Also, when a user inhales an aerosol as shown in the second graph 720 of Fig. 7b 740, the user's inhalation pattern may correspond to a second type with low inhalation intensity and long inhalation time.

[0137] Meanwhile, in Fig. 7c, in determining the inhalation pattern of the user, the inhalation pattern is divided into first to fourth types according to the inhalation strength and inhalation time, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the inhalation pattern of the user can be divided in consideration of the total inhalation amount of the user, the inhalation amount per unit time, the puff generation interval, etc.

[0138] 8a, graphs 810 and 820 of the pressure sensor sensed values ​​converted into the frequency domain can be seen. Here, it can be seen that the graphs 810 and 820 in the frequency domain differ from each other depending on the user's inhalation pattern.

[0139] The aerosol generating device 100 may also determine the inhalation pattern of a user based on the graphs 810 and 820 in the frequency domain. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 may remove noise components from the graphs 810 and 820 converted into the frequency domain using a noise filtering algorithm such as FIR (finite impulse response), IIR (infinite impulse response), etc., and may determine the inhalation pattern of a user based on the result of removing the noise components. Here, the FIR filter and the IIR filter are linear filters, and may uniformly reduce the influence of the filter in all noise environments.

[0140] In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 may amplify the result value from which the noise components have been removed, and then determine the inhalation pattern of the user.

[0141] 8b, graphs 815 and 825 of the pressure sensor sensing values ​​in the frequency domain from which noise components have been removed from the graphs 810 and 820 shown in FIG. 8a can be seen. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 can more accurately determine the inhalation pattern of the user based on the graphs 815 and 825 from which noise components have been removed.

[0142] Referring again to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine whether the user's inhalation pattern has changed in operation S550.

[0143] The aerosol generating device 100 can compare the inhalation pattern determined in operation S540 (hereinafter referred to as the current inhalation pattern) with the user's inhalation pattern determined prior to operation S510 (hereinafter referred to as the previous inhalation pattern), and if the two inhalation patterns are different from each other, it can determine that the user's inhalation pattern has changed.

[0144] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may compare the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time of the user corresponding to the current inhalation pattern with the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time of the user corresponding to the previous inhalation pattern. Here, if at least one of the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time of the user is changed, for example, if the difference between the inhalation amounts per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined difference, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine that the inhalation pattern of the user has changed.

[0145] When the inhalation pattern of the user is changed in operation S560, the aerosol generating device 100 can generate a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern and can change the temperature profile already stored in the memory 140 to the generated temperature profile. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a target temperature of the heater, power per unit time supplied to the heater, etc., based on the inhalation pattern of the user.

[0146] The aerosol generating device 100 can determine the target temperature of the heater and / or the power per unit time supplied to the heater based on the inhalation intensity of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a higher target temperature in the heating section as the inhalation intensity is higher. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a lower power per unit time in the heating section as the inhalation intensity is lower.

[0147] The aerosol generating device 100 can determine the target temperature of the heater and / or the power per unit time supplied to the heater based on the total inhalation amount of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine the target temperature in the preheating section to be lower and the target temperature in the heating section to be higher as the total inhalation amount of the user increases. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine the power per unit time in the preheating section to be lower and the power per unit time in the heating section to be higher as the total inhalation amount of the user increases.

[0148] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine a target temperature of the heater and / or power per unit time supplied to the heater based on the puff generation interval of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a lower power per unit time in the preheating section as the puff generation interval of the user becomes longer.

[0149] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine a heating time for heating the heater based on the inhalation time of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a heating time corresponding to a heating section to be longer as the inhalation time of the user is longer.

[0150] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine one of a plurality of temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140 as the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern of the user. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0151] Meanwhile, when the inhalation pattern of the user is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can output a message (hereinafter, referred to as a proposal message) proposing a change in settings due to the change in the inhalation pattern through the output device of the input / output interface 120. Here, when a user input for changing the settings due to the change in the inhalation pattern is received through the input device of the input / output interface 120, the aerosol generating device 100 can change the preset temperature profile to a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern.

[0152] Meanwhile, when the aerosol generating device 100 is already set to change the temperature profile according to the inhalation pattern of the user, it may change to a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern without outputting a suggestion message. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may output a suggestion message through an output device of the input / output interface 120 when detecting use by a user, and may be already set to change the temperature profile according to a user input received through an input device of the input / output interface 120. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may transmit data including a suggestion message to an external device connected via short-range wireless communication through the communication interface 110, and may be already set to change the temperature profile in response to a control signal received from the external device.

[0153] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may transmit data on sensing values ​​of at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 to a server (not shown) via the communication interface 110, and may receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing values ​​through machine learning such as deep learning from the server. Here, the server may refer to a device capable of processing data in various ways using at least one processor.

[0154] In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 can perform an operation of determining the inhalation pattern of a user and an operation of generating a temperature profile using the learning model received from the server.

[0155] Machine learning means that electronic devices learn through data without humans directly instructing them on logic, allowing them to solve problems.

[0156] Deep learning is a method of teaching electronic devices human thinking based on artificial neural networks (ANN), and refers to an artificial intelligence technology that allows electronic devices to learn on their own like humans. An artificial neural network (ANN) can be implemented in the form of software or hardware such as a chip. For example, an artificial neural network (ANN) can include various algorithms such as a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), and a deep belief network (DBN).

[0157] 9, an artificial neural network (ANN) may include an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. Each layer may include multiple nodes, each layer may be connected to the next layer, and the nodes between adjacent layers may be connected to each other via weights.

[0158] The electronic device can find certain patterns in the data to form a feature map, extract low-level, mid-level, and higher-level features to recognize objects, and output the results.

[0159] Also, each node can operate based on an activation model, and can determine an output value corresponding to an input value by the activation model.

[0160] The output value of any node, e.g., a lower-level feature, can be input to a node in the next layer, e.g., a node in the mid-level feature, connected to that node. A node in the next layer, e.g., a node in the mid-level feature, can receive values ​​output from multiple nodes in the lower-level feature.

[0161] Here, the input value of each node may be a value obtained by applying a weight to the output value of the node in the previous layer. The weight may mean the strength of the connection between nodes. The deep learning process may also be considered as a process of finding appropriate weights and biases.

[0162] Meanwhile, the output value of any node, e.g., an intermediate-level feature, can be input to a node of the next layer, e.g., a higher-level feature, connected to the node in question. A node of the next layer, e.g., a higher-level feature, can receive values ​​output from multiple intermediate-level feature nodes.

[0163] The artificial neural network (ANN) can extract feature information corresponding to each level using a learned layer corresponding to each level. The artificial neural network (ANN) can recognize a given object by utilizing the feature information of the highest level through successive abstraction.

[0164] Meanwhile, ANN can be trained by adjusting the weights of the connections between nodes so that the desired output is obtained for the input data, and the bias value can also be adjusted if necessary. ANN can also continuously update the weights through training. ANN can also use methods such as back-propagation for training.

[0165] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 may store data acquired from each component included in the aerosol generating apparatus 100, data for learning the artificial neural network (ANN), etc. For example, the memory 140 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 may store a database for each component included in the aerosol generating apparatus 100, weights and biases constituting the artificial neural network (ANN) structure for learning the artificial neural network (ANN). Here, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 may generate at least one learning model used for determining the inhalation pattern of a user, generating a temperature profile, etc., by learning data on the sensing value of at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150, the inhalation pattern of a user, a temperature profile, etc., stored in the memory 140.

[0166] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation method of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 11 is a diagram explaining the operation method of Fig. 10. Detailed explanation of the contents overlapping with those explained in Fig. 5 will be omitted.

[0167] 10, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user in operation S1010. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user when it detects insertion of a cigarette via a cigarette detection sensor or when it receives a command to turn on the power via an input device.

[0168] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user in operation S1020, the aerosol generating device 100 may start a preheating section to preheat the heater of the aerosol generating module 130.

[0169] When the pre-heating section starts, the aerosol generating device 100 can increase the heater temperature to a target temperature in the pre-heating section based on a temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern stored in the memory 140.

[0170] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can control the supply of a preset power per unit time to the heater for a predetermined pre-heating time for the pre-heating section from the point at which it detects use by a user, for example, the point at which it detects the insertion of a stick or the point at which it receives user input via the input / output interface 120, so that the temperature of the heater rises to a preset target temperature of the temperature profile.

[0171] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may adjust the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner so that the temperature of the heater increases to a preset target temperature of the temperature profile from the time when the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user.

[0172] On the other hand, the target temperature in the preheating section may already be set in the temperature profile so as to be changed with time within the preheating section.

[0173] In operation S1030, the aerosol generating device 100 can check whether the preheating of the heater is completed.

[0174] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can check whether the temperature of the heater reaches the target temperature in the pre-heating section through a temperature sensor included in the sensor module 150, and if the temperature of the heater reaches the target temperature in the pre-heating section, it can determine that the pre-heating of the heater is completed.

[0175] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can monitor the time that the power per unit time of the preset temperature profile is supplied to the heater, and when a predetermined preheating time has elapsed, it can determine that the preheating of the heater is complete.

[0176] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may continue to heat the heater to the target temperature in the pre-heating section if the temperature of the heater does not reach the target temperature in the pre-heating section and / or if a predetermined pre-heating time has not elapsed.

[0177] Meanwhile, when the pre-heating of the heater is completed, for example, when the temperature of the heater reaches a target temperature in the pre-heating section and / or when the pre-heating time has elapsed, the aerosol generating device 100 may output a message regarding the completion of the pre-heating through the output device of the input / output interface 120. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate a vibration corresponding to the completion of the pre-heating by a motor.

[0178] The aerosol generating device 100 may end the pre-heating section and start a heating section to heat the heater for generating the aerosol in operation S1040. Here, the heating section may include a plurality of puff sections corresponding to inhalation by the user.

[0179] When the heating section begins, the aerosol generating device 100 can adjust the power supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 140 that corresponds to the user's inhalation pattern.

[0180] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a target temperature in the heating section according to a temperature profile stored in the memory 140, and may adjust the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner so that the heater temperature is maintained at a temperature corresponding to the target temperature in the heating section. Here, the target temperature in the heating section may be changed depending on a plurality of puff sections.

[0181] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 can adjust the power supplied to the heater based on the temperature profile in the heating section, and can determine whether a puff is generated by at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150, and can monitor the number of puffs generated.

[0182] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine whether the user has finished using the device in operation S1050. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 detects the removal of the cigarette through the cigarette detection sensor, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine that the user has finished using the device when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the time when the aerosol generating device 100 detected the user's use or when the number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs.

[0183] When the user finishes using the aerosol generating device 100, in operation S1060, the aerosol generating device 100 may check whether the number of puffs generated by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of puffs. Here, the predetermined number of puffs may be set to any one of one or more, or a maximum number of puffs or less.

[0184] When the number of puffs generated by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of puffs in operation S1070, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine an inhalation pattern of the user's inhalation. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time of the user based on the sensing value of at least one sensor stored in the memory 140.

[0185] In operation S1080, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine whether the user's inhalation pattern has changed.

[0186] When the inhalation pattern of the user is changed in operation S1090, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern and may change the temperature profile already stored in the memory 140 to the generated temperature profile. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a target temperature and / or power per unit time in the pre-heating section based on the inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time calculated for the first puff section in which a puff is first detected.

[0187] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a target temperature in the heating section and / or power per unit time based on the user's inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval and / or inhalation time calculated for multiple puff sections.

[0188] Meanwhile, when the user's inhalation pattern is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern from among a plurality of temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140.

[0189] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the temperature change of the heater according to various inhalation patterns of the user.

[0190] 11, a first graph 1110 corresponding to a first inhalation pattern with a weak inhalation intensity and a long inhalation time, and a second graph 1120 corresponding to a second inhalation pattern with a strong inhalation intensity and a short inhalation time can be seen. Here, the total amount of inhalation by the user may be the same in both inhalation patterns.

[0191] When a user's inhalation pattern is changed from a first inhalation pattern, which has a weak inhalation strength and a long inhalation time, to a second inhalation pattern, which has a strong inhalation strength and a short inhalation time, the user can inhale a large amount of aerosol in a relatively short time, and the user can also expect to inhale a large amount of aerosol in a short period of time.

[0192] Taking this into consideration, when the user's inhalation pattern is changed from the first inhalation pattern to the second inhalation pattern, the aerosol generating device 100 can heat the heater to a second target temperature T2 higher than the first target temperature T1 corresponding to the first inhalation pattern in the preheating section based on the temperature profile corresponding to the second inhalation pattern.

[0193] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can supply a power per unit time to the heater that is higher than the power per unit time corresponding to the first inhalation pattern, and heat the heater to a second target temperature T2 that is higher than the first target temperature T1 during the period from the time when use by a user is detected to the end point 1101 of the preheating section.

[0194] In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 can adjust the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner so as to maintain the temperature of the heater at a fourth target temperature T4 in the heating section, which is higher than the third target temperature T3 corresponding to the first inhalation pattern, based on the temperature profile corresponding to the second inhalation pattern.

[0195] Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing an operation method of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are diagrams for explaining the operation method of Fig. 12. Detailed explanation of the contents overlapping with those explained in Fig. 5 will be omitted.

[0196] 12, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user in operation S1201. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may detect use by a user when the aerosol generating device 100 receives a command to turn on the power via an input device.

[0197] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user in operation S1202, the aerosol generating device 100 can preheat the heater of the aerosol generating module 130.

[0198] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can supply the heater with power already set for the preheating section (hereinafter, preheating power) based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140. Here, the preheating power can be a certain percentage (e.g., 5%) of the maximum power that can be supplied to the heater.

[0199] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a target temperature in the pre-heating section based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 may adjust the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner so that the heater temperature is maintained at a temperature corresponding to the target temperature in the pre-heating section.

[0200] On the other hand, depending on the embodiment, the operation S1202 in which the aerosol generating device 100 preheats the heater can be omitted.

[0201] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine whether a puff is generated by at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 in operation S1203.

[0202] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects the occurrence of a puff in operation S1204, it can heat the heater based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

[0203] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may heat the heater by controlling the supply of power per unit time pre-set for the heating section from the battery 160 to the heater based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 may supply the heater with the pre-set power per unit time for the heating section while detecting the generation of a puff or for a pre-set time (hereinafter, heating time) from the time when the generation of a puff is detected.

[0204] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine a target temperature in the heating section based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 140. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 may adjust the power supplied to the heater in a PID manner so that the temperature of the heater increases and / or is maintained at a temperature corresponding to the target temperature in the heating section.

[0205] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may monitor the temperature of the heater through a temperature sensor while heating the heater, and may limit the power supply to the heater if the temperature of the heater exceeds a preset limit temperature. Here, the preset limit temperature may refer to a temperature corresponding to the minimum temperature of the heater at which at least one component included in the aerosol generating module 130 is damaged.

[0206] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine whether the number of puff occurrences has reached the maximum number of puff occurrences in operation S1205. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may monitor the number of puff occurrences from the time when the puff occurrence is first detected, and may update the number of puff occurrences every time the puff occurrence is detected.

[0207] If the number of puffs generated does not reach the maximum number of puffs generated, the aerosol generating device 100 may proceed to operation S1202, preheat the heater based on the temperature profile, and continue to check whether puff generation is detected.

[0208] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may store the sensing value of at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 in the memory 140 until the number of puffs generated reaches the maximum number of puffs generated.

[0209] When the number of puffs reaches the maximum number of puffs in operation S1206, the aerosol generating device 100 may determine an inhalation pattern of the user.

[0210] The aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the user's inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval and / or inhalation time based on the sensing value of at least one sensor stored in the memory 140.

[0211] In operation S1207, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine whether the user's inhalation pattern has changed.

[0212] In operation S1208, when the user's inhalation pattern is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can generate a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern, and can change the temperature profile already stored in the memory 140 to the generated temperature profile.

[0213] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a target temperature in each section, power per unit time supplied to the heater in each section, and / or a heating time during which power per unit time is supplied, based on the user's inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval, and / or inhalation time, and can generate a temperature profile based on the determined target temperature, power per unit time, and / or heating time.

[0214] Meanwhile, when the user's inhalation pattern is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern from among a plurality of temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140.

[0215] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the power per unit time supplied to the heater according to various inhalation patterns of the user.

[0216] 13, there are graphs showing an inhalation pattern with strong inhalation intensity and short inhalation time, and an inhalation pattern with weak inhalation intensity and long inhalation time, where the total inhalation amount and puff generation interval of the user may be the same in both inhalation patterns.

[0217] When the user's inhalation pattern is such that the inhalation intensity is strong and the inhalation time is short, the power per unit time corresponding to the heating section can be calculated as P1, and the heating time can be determined as Tp1.

[0218] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects occurrence of a puff at a first time point 1310, the aerosol generating device 100 may increase the power per unit time supplied to the heater to P1, and may supply the power per unit time of P1 to the heater from a second time point 1320 for a heating time Tp1. Here, the temperature of the heater may be continuously increased from the second time point 1320 to a third time point 1330 at which the heating time Tp1 has elapsed. Here, the difference between the first time point 1310 and the second time point 1320 may be determined depending on the performance of each component included in the aerosol generating device 100, the time at which a signal is transmitted and received, etc.

[0219] On the other hand, if the user's inhalation pattern is changed from an inhalation pattern with strong inhalation intensity and short inhalation time to an inhalation pattern with relatively weak inhalation intensity and relatively long inhalation time, the power per unit time corresponding to the heating section can be determined to be P2, which is lower than P1, and the heating time can be determined to be Tp2, which is longer than Tp1.

[0220] In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 may increase the power per unit time supplied to the heater to P2 when detecting the occurrence of a puff at a first time point 1310, and may supply the power per unit time of P2 to the heater for a heating time Tp2 from a second time point 1320. Here, the temperature of the heater may continuously increase from the second time point 1320 to a fourth time point 1340 at which the heating time Tp2 has elapsed.

[0221] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 100 can also change the pre-heating power in response to a change in the user's inhalation pattern.

[0222] The aerosol generating device 100 can determine the preheating power to be a power corresponding to a certain percentage of the maximum power that can be supplied to the heater.

[0223] For example, when the inhalation pattern of the user is changed from an inhalation pattern with a strong inhalation intensity and a large total inhalation amount to an inhalation pattern with a relatively weak inhalation intensity and a small total inhalation amount, the preheating power can be changed from P0 power corresponding to 5% of the maximum power to P0' power corresponding to 7% of the maximum power. In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 can be controlled to supply P0' power to the heater before the generation of a puff is detected.

[0224] In addition, when detecting generation of a puff at a first time point 1410, the aerosol generating device 100 may increase the power per unit time supplied to the heater to P2, and may supply the power per unit time of P2 to the heater for a heating time Tp1 from a second time point 1420. Here, the temperature of the heater may be continuously increased from the second time point 1420 to a third time point 1430 at which the heating time Tp1 has elapsed.

[0225] Also, the aerosol generating device 100 can control so as to supply the P0' power to the heater until the generation of the next puff is sensed.

[0226] Meanwhile, when the inhalation pattern of the user is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the maximum number of puffs generated by the user based on the temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern.

[0227] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can calculate the amount of power consumed during one inhalation by the user based on the power per unit time corresponding to the preheating section, the power per unit time corresponding to the heating section, the heating time, the puff generation interval, etc. Here, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine the maximum number of puff generation by comparing the total amount of power consumed depending on the number of puff generation with the maximum charge capacity of the battery 160.

[0228] In addition, when the determined maximum puff occurrence number differs from the currently set maximum puff occurrence number, the aerosol generating device 100 may output a suggestion message including information about changing the maximum puff occurrence number via the output device. Here, when receiving a user input for changing the temperature profile stored in the memory 140 via the input device of the input / output interface 120, the aerosol generating device 100 may change the temperature profile already stored in the memory 140 to a temperature profile corresponding to the changed inhalation pattern.

[0229] Referring again to FIG. 12, if the aerosol generating device 100 does not detect the generation of a puff in operation S1209, it may determine whether the user has finished using the device.

[0230] For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 receives a command to turn off the power via an input device, it can determine that the user's use has ended if it does not detect a puff generation within a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) from the time the previous puff generation was detected, or if a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has passed since it detected the user's use.

[0231] When the user finishes using the aerosol generating device 100 in operation S1210, the aerosol generating device 100 can check whether the number of puffs generated by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of puffs.

[0232] When the number of puffs generated by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of puffs, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine that sufficient data for determining the user's inhalation pattern is stored in the memory 140, and can determine the inhalation pattern of the user's inhalation.

[0233] On the other hand, if the user stops using the device before the number of puffs reaches the maximum number of puffs, the aerosol generating device 100 determines that sufficient data for determining the user's inhalation pattern has not been stored in the memory 140, and may not change the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

[0234] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and detailed description of the contents overlapping with those described in FIG. 5 will be omitted.

[0235] Referring to FIG. 15, the aerosol generating device 100 can sense use by a user in operation S1510.

[0236] When the aerosol generating device 100 detects use by a user in operation S1520, it can supply power to the heater of the aerosol generating module 130 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

[0237] The aerosol generating device 100 may determine whether a puff is generated by at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 while power is being supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating module 130.

[0238] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may store a sensing value of at least one sensor included in the sensor module 150 in the memory 140 while power is supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating module 130 .

[0239] In operation S1530, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine whether the user has finished using the device.

[0240] When the user finishes using the aerosol generating device 100, in operation S1540, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine an inhalation pattern of the user's inhalation.

[0241] In operation S1550, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine whether the user's inhalation pattern has changed.

[0242] In operation S1560, when the user's inhalation pattern is changed, the aerosol generating device 100 can change the temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern.

[0243] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can select one of multiple temperature profiles already stored in memory 140 as the temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern based on the user's inhalation intensity, total inhalation amount, inhalation amount per unit time, puff generation interval and / or inhalation time.

[0244] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine, as the temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern, a temperature profile in which the target temperature in the heating section is set higher among the multiple temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140, when the user's inhalation intensity is greater.

[0245] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine, as a temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern, a temperature profile among the multiple temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140 in which the power per unit time in the preheating section is set low and the power per unit time in the heating section is set high, when the total inhalation amount of the user is greater.

[0246] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can determine, as the temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern, a temperature profile in which the power per unit time in the preheating section is set lower among the multiple temperature profiles already stored in the memory 140, when the user's puff generation interval is longer.

[0247] As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a temperature profile corresponding to a user is generated based on the user's inhalation pattern, such as inhalation intensity and inhalation time, and when the user subsequently inhales aerosol, the power supplied to the heater is controlled based on the temperature profile corresponding to the user, thereby providing the user with an optimal amount of aerosol.

[0248] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by dividing the temperature profile into a preheating section and a heating section based on the user's inhalation pattern and optimizing the target temperature, power per unit time, etc., it is possible to provide an optimized amount of aerosol based on the user's inhalation pattern.

[0249] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to monitor whether the user's inhalation pattern is changed and to suggest to the user whether to optimize the existing settings based on the changed inhalation pattern, thereby improving the user's satisfaction and reliability with the product.

[0250] 1 to 15, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one aspect of the present invention includes an aerosol generating module 130 including at least one heater for heating an aerosol generating material, a memory 140, a sensor module 150 including at least one sensor for detecting inhalation by a user, a battery 160 for supplying power to the heater, and a control unit 170 for controlling the power supplied to the heater. The control unit 170 determines an inhalation pattern of the user's inhalation in response to a signal received from the sensor module 150, and if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, determines a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern, and controls the power supplied to the heater based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

[0251] According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory 140 can store a plurality of temperature profiles, and the control unit 170 can determine a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern from among the plurality of temperature profiles.

[0252] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can generate a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern and store the generated temperature profile in the memory 140 .

[0253] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can calculate at least one of an inhalation intensity, an inhalation amount, a puff generation interval, and an inhalation time based on a sensing value included in a signal received from the sensor module 150, and determine the inhalation pattern based on at least one of the calculated inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff generation interval, and the inhalation time.

[0254] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can determine the start and end points of a puff based on a slope with respect to the sensing value, calculate the difference between the start and end points as the inhalation time, and calculate at least one of the inhalation intensity and the inhalation amount based on at least one of the slope of the inhalation time with respect to the sensing value, the sensing value corresponding to the start point, and the sensing value corresponding to the end point.

[0255] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can determine at least one of a target temperature in a pre-heating section and power per unit time supplied to the heater based on at least one of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval, and the inhalation time calculated for a first puff section among a plurality of puff sections constituting the time from the start to the end of the user's use, and can determine the temperature profile corresponding to at least one of the target temperature and the power per unit time in the pre-heating section.

[0256] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can determine at least one of a target temperature in a pre-heating section and power per unit time supplied to the heater based on at least one of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval, and the inhalation time calculated for a first puff section among a plurality of puff sections constituting the time from the start to the end of the user's use, and can determine the temperature profile corresponding to at least one of the target temperature and the power per unit time in the pre-heating section.

[0257] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the device may further include an input device for receiving user input and an output device for outputting a message, and when the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, the control unit 170 may output a suggestion message via the output device suggesting a change in settings in response to a change in the inhalation pattern, and when a user input for changing the settings is received via the input device, the control unit 170 may determine a temperature profile corresponding to the user based on the determined inhalation pattern.

[0258] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can compare at least one representative value of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval, and the inhalation time calculated for each of the plurality of puff sections with at least one representative value of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval, and the inhalation time corresponding to a previous inhalation pattern, and determine whether the determined inhalation pattern is different from the previous inhalation pattern.

[0259] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further includes an output device for outputting a message, and the control unit 170 calculates a maximum number of puffs for the user based on a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern, and if the calculated maximum number of puffs differs from a preset maximum number of puffs, the control unit 170 can output a message including information about the calculated maximum number of puffs via the output device.

[0260] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 can calculate the amount of power consumed during one puff based on a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern, and compare the calculated amount of power with a maximum charge capacity of the battery 160 to calculate the maximum number of puffs.

[0261] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 calculates the number of puffs generated by the user in response to a signal received from the sensor module 150, and when the number of puffs reaches the preset number of puffs, determines an inhalation pattern for the user's inhalation. When the user's use ends in a state where the number of puffs generated is less than the preset number of puffs, the control unit 170 can omit the determination of the inhalation pattern.

[0262] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit 170 may generate a learning model for determining the temperature profile, and after the learning model is generated, a signal received from the sensor module 150 may be input to the learning model to determine a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

[0263] According to another aspect of the present invention, the device further includes a communication interface 110 including at least one communication module, and the control unit 170 transmits data regarding the signal received from the sensor module 150 to a server via the communication interface 110, and when the control unit 170 receives a learning model for determining the temperature profile from the server via the communication interface 110, the control unit 170 stores the learning model in the memory 140, and after receiving the learning model, inputs the signal received from the sensor module 150 into the learning model to determine a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

[0264] Meanwhile, an operating method of the aerosol generating device 100 according to one aspect of the present invention may include an operation of determining an inhalation pattern of a user's inhalation in response to a signal received from a sensor module 150 including at least one sensor for detecting the user's inhalation, an operation of determining a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern, and an operation of supplying power to a heater that heats an aerosol generating material based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

[0265] The specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or distinct, and the configurations or functions of specific elements or all elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be combined with other elements or combined with each other.

[0266] For example, configuration A described in one embodiment of this disclosure and the drawings and configuration B described in another embodiment of this disclosure and the drawings can be combined with each other. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible unless it is described that the combination is not possible.

[0267] Although the embodiments have been described above according to a number of exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that many other variations and embodiments are possible for those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of the present disclosure. More specifically, various modifications and variations are possible in the components and / or arrangements of the subject combinations within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to the modifications and variations of the components and / or arrangements, other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: at least one heater for heating the aerosol generating material; a battery for powering the at least one heater; at least one sensor for detecting inhalation by a user; Memory, a control unit for controlling power supplied to the at least one heater; The control unit is determining an inhalation pattern of the user in response to a signal received from the at least one sensor; determining a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern; Controlling power supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern; The control unit is calculating a puff occurrence count for the user in response to a signal received from the at least one sensor; When the number of puffs reaches a preset number of puffs, an inhalation pattern of the user is determined; The aerosol generating device omits judgment on the inhalation pattern when the user finishes using the device while the number of puffs generated is less than the preset predetermined number of puffs generated.

2. The memory stores a plurality of temperature profiles; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern from among the plurality of temperature profiles.

3. The control unit is generating a temperature profile corresponding to said inhalation pattern; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a memory configured to store the generated temperature profile.

4. The control unit is Calculating at least one of an inhalation intensity, an inhalation amount, a puff generation interval, and an inhalation time based on a sensing value included in the signal received from the at least one sensor; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the inhalation pattern is determined based on at least one of the calculated inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff generation interval, and the inhalation time.

5. The control unit is determining a start time and an end time of a puff based on a slope of the sensed value; Calculating the difference between the start time and the end time as the inhalation time; The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the inhalation intensity and the inhalation amount is calculated based on at least one of the slope of the inhalation time relative to the sensing value, the sensing value corresponding to the start point, and the sensing value corresponding to the end point.

6. The control unit is determining at least one of a target temperature in a preheating section and power per unit time supplied to the heater based on at least one of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff generation interval, and the inhalation time calculated for a first puff section among a plurality of puff sections constituting a time period from the start of use by the user to the end of use; The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the temperature profile is determined in response to the determined at least one of the target temperature and the power per unit time in the preheating section.

7. The control unit is determining at least one of a target temperature in a heating section and power per unit time supplied to the heater based on at least one of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff generation interval, and the inhalation time calculated for each of a plurality of puff sections constituting a time period from the start of use by the user to the end of use; The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , further comprising: a temperature profile determined in response to the determined at least one of the target temperature in the heating section and the power per unit time.

8. an input device for receiving user input; and an output device for outputting a message, The control unit is outputting a suggestion message via the output device, the suggestion message suggesting a change in settings in response to the change in the inhalation pattern, if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern; The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein when a user input that changes the setting is received via the input device, a temperature profile corresponding to the user is determined based on the determined inhalation pattern.

9. The control unit is The aerosol generating device of claim 4, which compares at least one representative value of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval and the inhalation time calculated for each of a plurality of puff sections constituting the time from the start to the end of the user's use with at least one representative value of the inhalation intensity, the inhalation amount, the puff occurrence interval and the inhalation time corresponding to a previous inhalation pattern, thereby determining whether the determined inhalation pattern is different from the previous inhalation pattern.

10. further comprising an output device for outputting a message; The control unit is Calculating the maximum number of puffs generated by the user based on a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern; The aerosol generating device of claim 1, which outputs a message including information about the calculated maximum number of puffs via the output device when the calculated maximum number of puffs differs from a preset maximum number of puffs.

11. The control unit is Calculating the amount of power consumed during one puff based on a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern; The aerosol generating device according to claim 10 , wherein the calculated amount of electric power is compared with a maximum charge capacity of the battery to calculate the maximum number of puffs generated.

12. The control unit is generating a learned model for determining said temperature profile; After the learning model is generated, the signal received from the at least one sensor is pre-detected. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , further comprising: a learning model for inputting the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

13. further comprising a communication interface including at least one antenna; The control unit is Transmitting data about the signals received from the sensors to a server via the communication interface; When receiving a learning model for determining the temperature profile from the server via the communication interface, storing the learning model in the memory; The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein after receiving the learning model, the signal received from the sensor is input into the learning model to determine a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern.

14. 1. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising: determining an inhalation pattern of the user in response to a signal received from at least one sensor that senses the user's inhalation; determining a temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern based on the determined inhalation pattern if the determined inhalation pattern is different from a previous inhalation pattern; and providing power to at least one heater that heats an aerosol generating material based on the temperature profile corresponding to the inhalation pattern; The operation of determining the inhalation pattern of an aerosol generating device includes calculating the number of puffs generated by the user according to a signal received from the at least one sensor, determining an inhalation pattern for the user's inhalation when the number of puffs generated reaches a predetermined number of puffs, and omitting the determination of the inhalation pattern when the user ends use in a state where the number of puffs generated is less than the predetermined number of puffs.

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