Apparatus and method for realizing digital taste and digital scent

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for flavoring an electronic cigarette includes receiving a target mixing recipe, mixing a plurality of fragrance substances based on the target mixing recipe, and providing an aerosolized fragrance substance, where the step of providing an aerosolized fragrance substance includes detecting a user's puff, aerosolizing the mixed fragrance substances, and spraying the aerosolized fragrance substance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a method for realizing digital taste and digital fragrance. Specifically, the embodiments relate to a method for providing various digital recipes to users who use digital tobacco and providing a taste and fragrance corresponding to the recipe selected by the user.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for electronic cigarettes has been gradually increasing. Also, due to the increasing demand for electronic cigarettes, the functions related to electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. In particular, the related functions according to the types and characteristics of electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0004] An embodiment is to digitally realize the taste and fragrance of tobacco for a user and provide the taste and fragrance only with an electronic device without a stick or rolled tobacco.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a flavoring method of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment, the method includes receiving a target mixing recipe, mixing a plurality of flavor substances based on the target mixing recipe, providing an aerosolized flavor substance, and providing an aerosolized flavor substance. The providing step includes detecting a puff of a user, aerosolizing the mixed flavor substance, and spraying the aerosolized flavor substance.

[0006] The mixing step may include determining an ejection amount of the plurality of flavor substances according to the target mixing recipe.

[0007] The step of providing may further include the step of extracting the puff interval of the user based on the detection result.

[0008] The step of spraying the fragrance substance may include the step of spraying the aerosolized fragrance substance at the puff time of the user when the puff interval of the user exceeds the threshold of the first interval.

[0009] The step of spraying the fragrance substance may include the step of adjusting the spraying frequency or spraying amount of the aerosolized fragrance substance when the puff interval of the user is less than or equal to the threshold of the first interval.

[0010] The step of aerosolizing may include the step of aerosolizing the fragrance substance in conjunction with the time point of detecting the puff of the user.

[0011] The step of spraying the fragrance substance may include the step of spraying the fragrance substance when the distance between a part of the user and the electronic cigarette is close in conjunction with the puff time of the user.

[0012] An electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment includes a fragrance cartridge part composed of at least one or more fragrance cartridges, a communication part for receiving a target mixing recipe, and a processor for detecting the puff of the user and determining the spraying of the aerosolized fragrance substance. In the fragrance cartridge part, each of the fragrance cartridges contains a different fragrance substance, and the fragrance cartridge part includes a fragrance aerosol generation part where the fragrance substances are mixed and aerosolized, and a fragrance aerosol movement part where the aerosol moves.

[0013] The processor can determine whether to spray the aerosolized fragrance substance according to the puff interval of the user, and determine whether to spray the aerosolized fragrance substance at the puff time of the user based on the determination.

Advantages of the Invention

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

[0015] According to an embodiment, the taste and aroma of tobacco can be digitally realized for a user, and the taste and aroma can be provided only by an electronic device without a stick or roll tobacco.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

Figure 7D

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Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 9C

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The specific structural or functional description of the embodiment is disclosed for the purpose of mere exemplification and can be changed into various forms. Therefore, the embodiment is not limited to the specific disclosed form, and the scope of this specification includes changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the technical idea.

[0018] Terms such as first or second may be used to describe a plurality of components, but such terms must be interpreted only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, the first component can be named the second component, and similarly, the second component can also be named the first component.

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

[0020] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

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

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1A, an electronic device according to an embodiment is named an aerosol generating device, an electronic cigarette device, or a smoking stick. "Smoking" may be intended to cause the release of smoke or aerosol from a smokable substance by heating, combustion, and other means.

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

[0026] Conventional smoking products have provided smoking behavior by lighting and burning rolled tobacco or by heating a stick or a liquid phase using a device. However, rolled tobacco requires a separate burning tool (e.g., a lighter), has the annoyance of generating ash during smoking, and also raises harmful issues. Rolled tobacco-type e-cigarettes must smoke after clamping a stick each time, and by-products that are cigarette butts may also be generated after use. Although liquid-phase e-cigarettes can provide a uniform spray amount and taste, they must be replaced with the corresponding cartridge each time to feel the flavors and scents of various liquid-phase tobaccos.

[0027] An electronic device according to an embodiment can digitally realize the taste and / or scent of tobacco for a user and provide the taste and scent only with the electronic device without a stick or rolled tobacco. More specifically, the electronic device can receive a digital recipe from a user's terminal (e.g., a smartphone) and provide the user with a digital taste and a digital scent corresponding to the relevant digital recipe.

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

[0029] The processor 100 according to one embodiment may apply a fine current that realizes a digital taste to the mouthpiece unit 110 in an electronic device based on a received digital recipe. For the description of the method for realizing the digital taste and aroma, refer to FIGS. 1B to 9B and the following for detailed description.

[0030] The PWM control unit 101 of the processor 100 according to one embodiment may apply a fine current to the mouthpiece unit 110 in a PWM manner. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control is a voltage control method in which the output switches on only the power required for a certain period and supplies it from the input. Therefore, the ON / OFF ratio, the duty cycle, can change depending on the required output power. The control method for applying a fine current to the mouthpiece unit 110 by the PWM control method will be described in detail with reference to the following.

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

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

[0033] FIG. 1B schematically shows a part of the shape in which the user's tongue and the mouthpiece unit are in contact according to one embodiment.

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

[0035] The tongue 130 of a user according to an embodiment includes taste receptors (e.g., nerve cells). The taste receptors cause a chemical reaction with a substance in contact with the user's tongue 130 to generate a taste substance that senses taste, and transmit an electrical signal classified into sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, etc. to the brain according to the concentration of the generated taste substance, and finally the user recognizes the taste.

[0036] The tongue 130 of a user according to an embodiment may contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 110. The space between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 is made of an insulator, and the circuit is not connected normally. When the user's tongue 130 contacts the mouthpiece portion, the user's tongue 130 is modeled as a resistance located between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112.

[0037] The mouthpiece portion 110 according to an embodiment can detect the presence or absence of contact of the user's tongue 130. When the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 110 contact the user's tongue 130, the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 that were insulated are connected by the user's tongue 130. If the circuit is connected, the user's tongue 130 is regarded as a variable resistor, and a current flows between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112. The mouthpiece portion 110 can measure the voltage of the second terminal 112 when the user's tongue 130 contacts. If the processor 100 measures that the voltage exceeds a certain value (hereinafter, the first threshold value), it determines that the user's tongue 130 has contacted the mouthpiece portion 110.

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

[0039] Even the tongue of the same user can have a resistance value that varies depending on the user's condition. For example, even when comparing the situation before and after the same user drinks a beverage, the flow of current through the user's tongue changes, so even the tongue of the same user can have a different resistance value. Furthermore, even the tongue of the same user can have a resistance value that varies depending on the contact position of the mouthpiece portion 110 or the body condition.

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

[0041] The resistor 113 according to one embodiment is connected to the second terminal 112 and grounded. According to the magnitude of the resistor 113, the magnitude of the current applied to the user's tongue 130 is determined. Since a human tongue has a relatively low resistance value, the resistor 113 can be designed to have a large value so as to generate a fine current (for example, several tens of μA to several hundreds of μA).

[0042] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0043] Steps 210 to 230 are executed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, and the description with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B is equally applicable to the description with reference to FIG. 2, and overlapping content may be omitted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0050] FIG. 3A is a flowchart for explaining a method for determining whether an object is in contact with a mouthpiece portion of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0051] Steps 310 to 340 are executed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, and the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2 may also be equally applicable to the description with reference to FIG. 3A, and overlapping content may be omitted.

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

[0053] In step 320, the electronic device according to an embodiment determines that the object is in contact if the measured voltage exceeds the first voltage threshold.

[0054] In step 330, the electronic device according to an embodiment converts the measured voltage into a digital signal.

[0055] In step 340, the electronic device according to an embodiment determines the resistance value of the object based on the digital signal.

[0056] The electronic device according to an embodiment determines whether there is contact between the electronic device and the object 120 based on the measured voltage.

[0057] For example, when the user's tongue 130 contacts the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, and the open circuit is connected, the voltage of the second terminal 112 can be measured. If the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 exceeds the first voltage threshold that is preset in the processor 100, the processor 100 determines that the user's tongue 130 has contacted the mouthpiece portion 110.

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

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

[0060] FIG. 3B is a flowchart for explaining an operation method in which a processor updates the resistance value of an object.

[0061] Steps 350 to 370 are executed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1B, and the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3A are equally applicable to the description with reference to FIG. 3B, and overlapping content may be omitted.

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

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

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

[0065] In an electronic device according to one embodiment, the received digital recipe includes data for applying an appropriate fine current according to the resistance value of the object 120. Since the resistance value of the object 120 can change in real time, the electronic device needs to continuously monitor the resistance value of the object 120. In order for the electronic device to implement the exact digital flavor required by the digital recipe for the object 120, precise control of the fine current according to the resistance value of the object 120 is required, and the processor 100 may re-determine the power of the PWM control unit 101 in order to adjust the strength of the fine current if the resistance value of the object changes by a certain level or more.

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

[0067] FIG. 4A schematically shows the configuration of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment.

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

[0069] FIG. 4C schematically shows a cross-section of a mouthpiece composed of a multilayer FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) according to an embodiment.

[0070] The descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B may also be equally applicable to the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, and the overlapping content may be omitted. Also, the overall operation of the mouthpiece may be controlled by the processor 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B.

[0071] An electronic device according to an embodiment includes a main body and a mouthpiece unit 400. The mouthpiece unit 400 may be detachably / attachably connected to the main body. Although not shown in FIGS. 4A, B, and C, the main body means the remaining part of the electronic cigarette device excluding the mouthpiece unit 400. Hereinafter, the main body will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9A.

[0072] The mouthpiece part 400 according to one embodiment includes a cylindrical body 410 having a size and strength similar to those of a general rolled cigarette, an outer peripheral surface 411, an inner peripheral surface 412, a first capacitance sensor 421 and a second capacitance sensor 422 for detecting whether or not it is in contact with the lips, and a first terminal 441 and a second terminal 442 to which a fine current is applied to realize a digital taste.

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

[0074] The body 410 of the mouthpiece part according to one embodiment may be cylindrical like a general rolled cigarette. The body 410 must be longer than the filter part (about 30 mm) of a rolled cigarette or a stick. The filter part of a rolled cigarette or a stick means the filter of an electronic cigarette that is used by piercing a general rolled cigarette or a stick. When the user bites the mouthpiece part 400 to inhale smoke, if it is the same length as a general rolled cigarette or a stick as described above to naturally contact the tongue, it will only contact the lips. Therefore, it is necessary to make the body 410 of the mouthpiece part have a longer structure so that it can naturally contact the user's tongue compared to a general rolled cigarette or a stick. However, the shape of the body 410 of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape, thickness, or the above-mentioned length of a general rolled cigarette.

[0075] The proximal end according to one embodiment means the direction close to the side where the user's tongue contacts the body 410 of the mouthpiece part. On the contrary, the distal end means the direction in which the body 410 of the mouthpiece part is inserted into the main body.

[0076] The first capacitance sensor 421 according to one embodiment is arranged in a first region on the outer peripheral surface of the mouthpiece part 400.

[0077] The second capacitance sensor 422 according to one embodiment is arranged in a second region on the outer peripheral surface spaced in the peripheral direction of the first region.

[0078] The first fine current application terminal 441 according to an embodiment is disposed in a third region on the outer peripheral surface spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the second region. The first fine current application terminal 441 may be disposed in the third region in the direction of the proximal end with reference to the second region. Further, the third region may be disposed at a predetermined length (for example, 10 mm or more) apart from the second region in the longitudinal direction. The first fine current application terminal 441 includes the first terminal 111 described above.

[0079] The second fine current application terminal 442 according to an embodiment is disposed in a fourth region on the outer peripheral surface spaced apart in the peripheral direction of the third region. The second fine current application terminal 442 may include the second terminal 112 described above.

[0080] The heating wire part 430 according to an embodiment may be disposed in a fifth region which is a space between the outer peripheral surface 411 and the inner peripheral surface 412. The heating wire part 430 can heat the mouthpiece part 400 or the aerosolized medium similarly to the temperature of the mainstream smoke of a general rolled cigarette or stick (referring to the smoke directly inhaled into the smoker's mouth during smoking, and the others are called sidestream smoke). For example, since the temperature of the mainstream smoke of a general rolled cigarette or stick is approximately from 25°C to 55°C, the heating wire part 430 is designed with a thermal resistance value and pattern similar to the temperature of the mainstream smoke of a general rolled cigarette or stick. However, the temperature at which the heating wire part 430 of the present disclosure is heated is not limited to the range between 25°C and 55°C.

[0081] The insulating part 413 according to an embodiment may be provided between the outer peripheral surface 411 and the heating wire part 430. The heating wire part 430 may be designed with a thermal resistance pattern capable of applying a thermal stimulus. If the heating wire part 430, the first fine current application terminal 441, and the second fine current application terminal 442 are not insulated, the heating wire part 430 and the fine current application terminal are connected through the tongue and the resistance value changes. Therefore, the heat generation temperature of the thermal resistance changes or the intensity of the fine current changes. That is, if the resistance of the fine current circuit and the thermal resistance are short-circuited through the tongue, normal circuit operation becomes impossible. Therefore, the heating wire part 430, the first fine current terminal 441, and the second fine current terminal 442 are separated through the insulating part 413.

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

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

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

[0085] The mouthpiece part 400 according to one embodiment is composed of a circuit including a hot wire part 430 and a circuit including fine current application terminals (a first fine current application terminal and a second fine current application terminal). The circuit separates the pattern design of the circuit including the hot wire part 430 and the pattern design of the circuit including the fine current application terminals, and the pattern of each layer may be configured in a multilayer FPCB structure further divided into insulating layers. Different from the general PCB structure, the FPCB structure can be applied as a flexible printed circuit board to surround a cylindrical type of rolled cigarette or a stick-shaped mouthpiece part 400. The user does not feel much difference in texture compared to smoking through a general rolled cigarette or stick through the mouthpiece part 400 to which the multilayer FPCB structure is applied.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 1B and 4A - 4C, the first fine current application terminal 441 and the second fine current application terminal 442 according to an embodiment must be contacted by the user's tongue 130. FIG. 4C shows a portion including the heat ray part 430 and the fine current application terminals in the upper and lower parts of the cross - section of the mouthpiece. Since the user's tongue 130 generally contacts only a part of the upper / lower part of a generally cylindrical object, in order for all the fine current application terminals to contact the user's tongue 130, all the fine current application terminals must be arranged in the upper or lower part.

[0087] The main body according to an embodiment includes a communication unit for receiving a digital recipe and a processor. The processor 100 according to an embodiment determines whether there is contact between the first region of the mouthpiece part and the first part of the object. The processor 100 determines whether there is contact between the second region of the mouthpiece part and the second part of the object. The processor 100 determines whether there is contact between the first terminal and the second terminal of the mouthpiece part and the third part of the object. The processor 100 may apply a current corresponding to the digital recipe to the third part of the object based on whether there is contact between the first terminal and the second terminal of the mouthpiece part and the third part of the object. The communication unit according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9A below.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, steps 510 - 540 are executed by the processor described with reference to FIGS. 1A - 4C. The description with reference to FIGS. 1A - 4C may also be equally applicable to the description with reference to FIG. 5, and overlapping content may be omitted.

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

[0091] After step 510 is performed, the heating element 430 of the mouthpiece portion according to one embodiment preheats the electronic device based on a digital recipe. For example, the nicotine medium or non-nicotine medium built into the electronic device may be preheated based on a digital recipe.

[0092] When the heating element 430 of the mouthpiece portion and the nicotine medium or non-nicotine medium of the electronic device according to one embodiment reach a certain temperature, the electronic device notifies the user that the preheating is completed by vibration.

[0093] In step 520, the electronic device according to one embodiment determines whether there is contact between the mouthpiece portion and the lips.

[0094] The electronic device determines whether there is contact between the first region of the mouthpiece portion and the first portion of the object (for example, the upper lip of the user). As shown in FIG. 4A, a first capacitance sensor may be disposed in the first region of the mouthpiece portion.

[0095] The electronic device determines whether there is contact between the second region of the mouthpiece portion and the second portion of the object (for example, the lower lip of the user).

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

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

[0098] In step 530, the electronic device according to one embodiment determines whether there is contact between the mouthpiece portion and the tongue.

[0099] The electronic device determines whether there is contact between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400 and the third portion of the object (for example, the user's tongue).

[0100] The electronic device measures the voltage of the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400, and if the measured voltage exceeds a third voltage threshold (for example, the same value as the first voltage threshold in FIG. 1A), determines that the mouthpiece portion and the third portion of the object are in contact.

[0101] In step 540, the electronic device according to one embodiment applies a current corresponding to the digital recipe to the third portion of the object based on whether there is contact between the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400 and the third portion of the object.

[0102] The electronic device can apply a current to the third portion of the object only when the third portion of the object is in contact with the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the mouthpiece portion 400.

[0103] For example, when a user uses the mouthpiece portion 400 of an electronic device by biting it with the mouth, the user may inhale an aerosol by biting the mouthpiece portion 400 with only the lips. It is not necessary for the user's tongue to contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112 of the electronic device, and in this case, it is not necessary to apply a fine current. Or, when a user uses the mouthpiece portion 400 of an electronic device by biting it with the mouth, the user's lips may contact the first terminal 111 or the second terminal 112 for use. When the user's lips contact the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 112, no fine current is applied. That is, also in this case, the electronic device must determine whether the user's tongue 130 has contacted and apply a fine current accordingly. Generally, since the resistance values of a person's lips and tongue are different, if the resistance value determined based on the voltage value measured at the second terminal 112 of the processor 100 is determined as the resistance value of the lips, it is not necessary to apply a fine current to the terminals of the mouthpiece portion.

[0104] FIG. 6A schematically shows a flavor cartridge and an aerosol generating device of an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment.

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

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

[0107] The processor 100 according to one embodiment may control the scent cartridge unit based on the target mixing recipe included in the digital recipe. The processor 100 may control the operations of the scent cartridges 611 to 613, the scent substance transfer valves 621 to 623, the scent aerosol generation unit 630, and the scent aerosol transfer unit 640 based on the target mixing recipe. The target mixing recipe includes the mixing ratio data of the scent substances included in the scent cartridges 611 to 613.

[0108] The scent cartridges 611 to 613 according to one embodiment may each contain different scent substances. For example, the first scent cartridge 611 may contain a Light series of Citrus scent substances. The second scent cartridge 612 may contain a Green series of Herbal-spicy scent substances. The third scent cartridge 613 may contain a Heavy series of Tobacco scent substances.

[0109] The scent substance transfer valves 621 to 623 according to one embodiment correspond to the target mixing recipe based on the control of the processor 100 and can adjust the transfer amount of the scent substances contained in the scent cartridges 611 to 613.

[0110] The scent aerosol generation unit 630 according to one embodiment may aerosolize the transferred plurality of scent substances. The processor 100 can control the scent aerosol generation unit 630 so that when the user takes a puff for smoking, the mixed solution contained in the scent aerosol generation unit 630 can be aerosolized and sprayed.

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

[0112] FIG. 6B is a flowchart for explaining a mixing method of an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment.

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

[0114] In step 650, an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment receives a target mixing recipe. A digital recipe according to an embodiment may include information regarding the target mixing recipe.

[0115] In step 660, an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment mixes a plurality of fragrance substances based on the target mixing recipe.

[0116] The processor 100 according to an embodiment can transmit a control signal including the target mixing recipe to the fragrance cartridge unit 600. The fragrance cartridges 611 to 613 and the fragrance substance movement valves 621 to 623 may move the fragrance substances to the fragrance aerosol generation unit 630 by the control signal to mix a plurality of fragrance substances. Here, the processor 100 may determine the ejection amounts of the plurality of fragrance substances (for example, the amounts of the fragrance substances moving from the respective fragrance cartridges 611 to 613) according to the target mixing recipe.

[0117] In step 670, an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment provides an aerosolized fragrance substance.

[0118] If a plurality of fragrance substances are mixed and aerosolized in the fragrance aerosol generation unit 630 according to an embodiment, the fragrance aerosol moves through the fragrance aerosol movement unit 640 and is sprayed outside the electronic cigarette device. Here, the processor 100 can control the fragrance cartridge unit 600 so that the fragrance aerosol is sprayed in accordance with the puff operation of the user.

[0119] In step 670, an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment detects a user's puff.

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

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

[0122] The aerosol generation unit 630 according to an embodiment may heat and aerosolize the mixed fragrance substance. Here, the processor 100 may transmit a control signal to the fragrance cartridge unit 600 so that the fragrance substance can be aerosolized in conjunction with the time point when the user's puff is detected.

[0123] In step 670, an electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment sprays the aerosolized fragrance substance.

[0124] The fragrance cartridge unit 600 according to an embodiment can spray the aerosolized fragrance substance generated by the fragrance aerosol generation unit 630 through the fragrance aerosol movement unit 640. Here, when the processor 100 detects the user's puff with the puff sensor, if the distance between a part of the user (for example, the user's lips or the user's nose) and the electronic cigarette device is close in conjunction with the time point of the user's puff, the fragrance substance can be sprayed. That is, if the aerosolized fragrance substance is sprayed when the user's lips are in contact with the electronic cigarette or the user's nose is close to the electronic cigarette, a fragrance can be provided to the user even with a small amount of the fragrance substance.

[0125] In step 670, the electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment extracts the puff interval of the user based on the puff detection result.

[0126] The processor 100 according to one embodiment can detect, based on the puff detection result of the user detected by the puff sensor, how many seconds the user takes a puff. According to the detected result, the processor 100 can extract the puff interval of the user. For example, if the second puff occurs after 7 seconds have elapsed since the first puff, the third puff occurs after 8 seconds have elapsed since the second puff, and the fourth puff occurs after 9 seconds have elapsed since the third puff, the user's puff is considered to occur every 8 seconds, which is the average of 7 seconds, 8 seconds, and 9 seconds. However, the measurement of the user's puff interval in the present disclosure is not limited to only three times, and more measurements may be performed.

[0127] FIG. 6C is a flowchart for explaining a method for determining whether the electronic cigarette device sprays the aerosolized fragrance.

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

[0129] The description with reference to FIG. 6C is an explanation of the method in which the processor provides the aerosolized fragrance in step 670 shown in FIG. 6B.

[0130] The descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1A, 6A to 6B are also applicable to FIG. 6C, and the overlapping descriptions may be omitted.

[0131] In step 671, when the puff interval of the user exceeds the first interval threshold, the electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment sprays the aerosolized fragrance substance at the time of the user's puff.

[0132] The processor 100 according to one embodiment compares a preset first interval threshold with the puff interval of the user and determines whether to spray the aerosolized fragrance substance at the user's puff time. That is, if spraying the aerosolized fragrance substance at each puff time of the user does not cause discomfort to the user and does not result in excessive consumption of the fragrance substance, the processor 100 instructs the fragrance cartridge unit 600 to secrete the aerosolized fragrance substance.

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

[0134] In step 672, the electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment adjusts the number of sprays or the spray amount of the aerosolized fragrance substance when the user's puff interval is less than or equal to the first interval threshold.

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

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

[0137] For example, if the preset first interval threshold is 8 seconds and the user's puff interval is 5 seconds, it may be sprayed once every 10 seconds in such a form that it is not sprayed once among the user's puff times and is sprayed once. Or, the aerosolized fragrance substance sprayed at each user's puff time may be reduced by 1 / 2 and sprayed. The number of sprays or the spray amount of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples.

[0138] FIG. 7A schematically shows the operation of the fragrance sensor of the electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0139] The description with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C is also applicable to FIG. 7A, and the overlapping description may be omitted. The processor 100 shown in FIG. 1A may perform an operation for analyzing the data of the fragrance sensor.

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

[0141] The initial state 710 of the sample according to an embodiment means a state that does not react with any component. In the initial state 710, the electronic device operates the fragrance sensor to detect the fragrance. When the fragrance sensor operates, the fragrance of the substance flows into the fragrance sensor and reacts with the sample. The sample of the present disclosure is described as being composed of 100 samples, but the number of samples is not limited to 100, and may be more or less.

[0142] The sample data extraction graph 720 according to one embodiment graphically represents the reaction of the scent components of a substance. Each sample may react with the scent components of the substance, and data may be extracted by the processor of the electronic device. The data extraction graph 720 can represent the scent components of the substance and the concentration of each component. For example, the highest line in graph 720 indicates the component with the highest reactivity, so it is considered that the concentration of the component is also high. Conversely, the lowest line in graph 720 indicates the component with the lowest reactivity, so it is considered that the concentration of the component is low.

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

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

[0145] Once the mapping is completed, the processor can determine the mixing ratio of the scent substances based on the average value of the concentration of each component. Alternatively, the processor may determine the mixing ratio of the scent substances based on the concentration value of the component most similar to the scent cartridge among each component. In addition to the methods described in the present disclosure, the mixing ratio of the scent substances may be determined. When the scent cartridge unit 600 includes three or more scent cartridges, the processor 100 may map the sample to a level similar to the scent of the actual substance.

[0146] Figure 7B is a data distribution diagram of the fragrance analyzed by the electronic device according to an embodiment.

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

[0148] Figure 7B is an analysis example of Vanilin according to an embodiment. The composition ratio of the main components of Vanilin varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The electronic device can analyze the main components constituting the fragrance and accumulate data related to the fragrance.

[0149] The graph shown in Figure 7B shows the analysis results with two representative main components constituting Vanilin on the x-axis (PCA1) and y-axis (PCA2), respectively. The 0 point on the x-axis is the point where PCA1 (for example, chemical substance A) has a composition ratio of 57%, and the 0 point on the y-axis is the point where PCA2 (for example, chemical substance B) has a composition ratio of 37%. That is, PCA1 and PCA2 indicate the concentration values of the main components and show the two substances two-dimensionally on the graph. On the x-axis, PCA1 (57%) means that there is a difference in the concentration value with a difference of about -0.5 to +0.5 based on the point where the component value of chemical substance A is 57% (for example, the point where Acros OrganicVanillin and MerckVanillin are distinguished in the table). On the y-axis, PCA2 (37%) means that the component values of chemical substance B have different concentration values with a difference of about -0.2 to +0.2 (for example, the point where Ethylvanillin and Acros OrganicVanillin are distinguished in the table).

[0150] For example, when different manufacturers' vanillin is measured five times each, the composition ratios of the main components of Merck vanillin, Acros Organic vanillin, and ethyl vanillin are clustered in specific regions as shown in FIG. 7B. The electronic device can store the clustered data and improve the analysis precision for the corresponding substances when detecting scents in the future. However, the present disclosure is not limited to only the method of detecting vanillin and may also be applied to detection methods for various scent substances in the market.

[0151] FIG. 7C is an example showing the results of detecting a scent substance by an electronic device according to an embodiment in data.

[0152] The graph of FIG. 7C was also created by the same method as the graph of FIG. 7B. The x-axis shows the composition ratio of the main components in a two-dimensional graph based on the point where the concentration of the main component PC1 is 77%, and the y-axis shows the composition ratio of the main components based on the point where the concentration of the main component PC2 is 17%.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 7C, the electronic device according to an embodiment can analyze the components of the scent substance. The method for the electronic device to grasp the scent substance can use the data detected and librarized in advance for various scent substances and stored. The electronic device can detect a specific scent substance and match the detected value of the specific scent substance with the librarized data through a predetermined algorithm to grasp it.

[0154] The graph of FIG. 7C shows the data distribution of various scent substances detected in advance for two main components, librarized, and stored. More specifically, it shows the data clustered by detecting various scent substances including lemon flavor and strawberry flavor in advance.

[0155] For example, the graph in FIG. 7C shows a method of matching lemon scent and strawberry scent to data in which various scent substances have been detected and librarized in advance. The lemon scent is librarized and stored in the upper end of the graph in FIG. 7C in advance. If the result value of the external scent substance detected by the electronic device is detected as the region of the stored value of the lemon scent, the electronic device determines that the external scent substance is lemon scent. Similarly, the strawberry scent is librarized and stored in the left part of the graph in FIG. 7C in advance. If the result value of the different external scent substance detected by the electronic device is detected as the region of the stored value of the strawberry scent, the electronic device determines that the other external scent substance is strawberry scent.

[0156] FIG. 7D is a flowchart for explaining a method for an electronic device according to an embodiment to generate a scent recipe.

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

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

[0159] The scent of the substance may flow into the scent sensor of the electronic device according to an embodiment. A plurality of components determined in advance inside the scent sensor react to the scent components of the substance. Data on the plurality of determined components that have reacted is transmitted to the processor 100.

[0160] In step 752, the electronic device extracts scent data representing the scent of the substance in terms of a plurality of predetermined components and the concentration of each component based on the detection result.

[0161] The processor 100 according to one embodiment analyzes a plurality of predetermined components that have reacted, and extracts fragrance data representing the types and respective concentrations of the fragrance components of the substance. For example, if there are 10 fragrance components of the substance, the processor 100 can quantify the types and concentrations of the 10 components and store them in the data.

[0162] In step 753, the fragrance data is converted into a recipe based on the cartridge information of the fragrance emitting device including a plurality of cartridges.

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

[0164] The processor 100 according to one embodiment can determine the ejection amount of each of a plurality of scent cartridges based on the concentration of each component. That is, the processor 100 can determine the mixing ratio of each of the scent cartridges of the scent-emitting cartridge based on the concentration data of the individual components within the mapped scent component population. For example, it may be assumed that in the first scent component population, 3 components react with the scent of the substance, in the second scent component population, 2 components react with the scent of the substance, and in the third scent component population, 5 components react with the scent of the substance. Here, the concentrations of the 3 components in the first scent component population, the concentrations of the 2 components in the second scent component population, and the concentrations of the 5 components in the third scent component population can be compared to determine the concentration of each scent component population. The processor 100 determines the ejection amount (e.g., mixing ratio) of the scent cartridge based on the concentration of each scent component population. As a result, the processor 100 can generate a scent recipe including scent data, cartridge information of the scent-emitting device, and the mixing ratio, etc.

[0165] The scent cartridge unit 600 according to one embodiment can mix a plurality of scent substances according to the generated scent recipe and provide an aerosolized scent substance.

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

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

[0168] For example, in a smartphone application that can purchase digital recipes for tobacco, various recipes corresponding to various types of tobacco (for example, region, esse, Marlboro, etc.) are listed. The user may purchase a tobacco-related recipe that the user wants to smoke via the application. That is, the user can transmit a request signal to purchase a digital recipe for a specific tobacco to the server in order to receive the digital recipe for tobacco. The digital recipe may include a digital taste recipe that is current information applied to an object that contacts the electronic device, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 7D. Further, the digital recipe may include a digital fragrance recipe that is information regarding a fragrance emitting method of a fragrance cartridge of the electronic device.

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

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

[0171] In step 830, a terminal according to an embodiment transmits a control signal including a digital recipe to an electronic device.

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

[0173] A terminal according to an embodiment may receive a digital recipe from a server and store it in the terminal. The terminal may transmit a control signal including a power on / off signal and a preheating signal that enable the electronic device to operate, including a digital recipe for tobacco, to the electronic device. Here, the control signal may include information on the maximum number of puffs that a user can take in one smoking session. Also, the digital recipe may include information on electrical or thermal stimulation for realizing a digital flavor.

[0174] In step 840, a terminal according to an embodiment receives a smoking completion notification using a digital recipe from the electronic device.

[0175] For example, if a user completes smoking according to a digital recipe using the electronic device, the electronic device transmits a notification to the terminal that the user has completed smoking. Here, the electronic device transmits a smoking completion notification determined based on the maximum number of puffs that a user can take in one smoking session included in the control signal received from the terminal to the terminal.

[0176] In step 850, a terminal according to an embodiment updates the number of available uses of the digital recipe in response to the smoking completion notification.

[0177] For example, if the terminal receives a notification that smoking using a digital recipe is completed with the electronic device, the number of available uses of the digital recipe is decreased by one. For example, since a regular carton of cigarettes contains 20 cigarettes, the digital recipe for cigarettes also usually has 20 available uses. Here, if the user completes smoking and the terminal receives the smoking completion notification, the number of uses of the digital recipe is decreased by one and updated to 19 uses.

[0178] In one embodiment, when the available number of uses of a digital recipe is 0, the digital recipe is deactivated.

[0179] For example, if all 20 uses of a digital recipe are used up and the number of uses of the digital recipe becomes 0, the terminal sends a signal to the server indicating that all digital recipes have been consumed.

[0180] The terminal according to one embodiment can send a deactivation signal of a digital recipe to an electronic device.

[0181] As described above, when the number of uses of a digital recipe becomes 0, a deactivation signal is also sent to the electronic device to notify that smoking using the digital recipe is no longer possible.

[0182] The terminal according to one embodiment may present the right to use a digital recipe a specific number of times to another terminal. For example, since transmission and reception between users through a server is possible via a smartphone application, a user may present a purchased digital recipe to another user. In this case, the number of uses of the presented digital recipe is subtracted from the terminal of the presenting user (for example, if 3 times are presented, 3 times are subtracted).

[0183] The terminal according to one embodiment can send a subscription signal to the server.

[0184] For example, if a smartphone application provides a subscription service, the terminal may send a signal indicating subscription to the server. The subscription service may automatically perform re-purchase according to the number of times a user uses a digital recipe. Or, if a certain amount is paid in advance, various types of tobacco can be used without a usage limit.

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

[0186] For example, if a user starts using a subscription service via a smartphone application, the terminal may send a signal to the server indicating that the user is using the subscription service. Here, the server may send the number of available digital tobacco recipes according to the type of subscription service selected by the user. Or, it may send usage information including at least one of the number of times a digital tobacco recipe can be used and the maximum puff count. The terminal can provide the subscription service to the user based on the signal sent by the server.

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

[0188] An electronic device according to an embodiment receives a control signal including a digital recipe from a terminal connected to the electronic device. The control signal may include not only the digital recipe but also the maximum number of puffs possible in one smoking.

[0189] An electronic device according to an embodiment can count the number of puffs of an object in one smoking based on the control signal.

[0190] For example, when the terminal sets the maximum puff count to 14 and sends it to the electronic device, the puff sensor of the electronic device detects the user's puff and subtracts the puff count.

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

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

[0193] The sales method of the digital recipe according to one embodiment may be a DIY type, a roll - type tobacco type, a TPO type, or a consumer - made type.

[0194] For example, the DIY - type sales method is a sales method in which consumers directly combine the amount of nicotine, the taste of tobacco, or the fragrance to generate a recipe. For example, the user may select at least one or more nicotine amounts (e.g., 0.1mg, 0.3mg, etc.) via the DIY - type sales method, select a wine taste as the taste of tobacco, and select a herb fragrance as the fragrance.

[0195] For example, in the roll - type tobacco - type sales method, consumers may select a taste / fragrance similar to that of a common rolled tobacco as a digital recipe. That is, the taste of tobacco sold in the market may be sold in the form of a digital recipe.

[0196] For example, in the TPO - type sales method, consumers may select a recipe suitable for the smoking situation. For example, since the taste of tobacco felt by smokers during driving, during rest, after eating, or while drinking may all be different, the user can select a tobacco taste suitable for the situation.

[0197] For example, in the consumer - made type sales method, consumers having an electronic device may manufacture a recipe using a fragrance sensor. The manufactured recipe may be sold to other consumers via a smartphone application.

[0198] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described examples, and the digital recipe may be manufactured for other flavors or scents existing in the market, and the user may select other flavors or scents or sell them in other sales methods.

[0199] FIG. 9A schematically shows the configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0200] The description with reference to FIGS. 1A to 8 is also applicable to FIG. 9A, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

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

[0202] The mouthpiece unit 910 according to an embodiment includes the same functions and structures as the mouthpiece unit 110 of FIG. 1A and the mouthpiece unit 400 of FIG. 4A described above.

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

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

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

[0206] In addition to the aforementioned sensors, the detection unit 921 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, a specific description may be omitted.

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

[0208] The processor 923 controls the overall operation of the electronic device 900. In one embodiment, the processor 923 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0217] FIG. 9B is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating as a digital cigarette of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

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

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

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

[0221] In step 943, an electronic device according to an embodiment generates a digital aroma and a digital taste corresponding to the digital taste control signal and the digital fragrance control signal.

[0222] FIG. 9C is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating a terminal according to an embodiment for digital cigarettes.

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

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

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

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

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

[0228] The electronic device and the electronic device control method and the terminal and the terminal operation method described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 9A may be included in the operation method of FIGS. 9B and 9C.

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

[0230] Software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or any combination thereof, and can configure a processing adaptive supersampling device as desired or command the processing adaptive supersampling device independently or collectively. Software and / or data can be permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical adaptive supersampling device, virtual adaptive supersampling device, computer storage medium, or adaptive supersampling device, or a signal wave being transmitted, so as to be interpreted by the processing adaptive supersampling device or to provide instructions or data to the processing adaptive supersampling device. Software may be distributed on a network-connected computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0231] As described above, the embodiments have been described by way of example with reference to the limited drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the components such as the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from that described, and appropriate results can be achieved even if they are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0232] Accordingly, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described hereinafter.

Claims

1. A method for flavoring an electronic cigarette, comprising: receiving a target mixing recipe; mixing a plurality of flavor substances based on the target mixing recipe; providing an aerosolized flavor substance; wherein the step of providing the aerosolized flavor substance includes: detecting a puff of a user; extracting a puff interval of the user based on a result of the detection; aerosolizing the mixed flavor substances; spraying the aerosolized flavor substance; wherein the step of spraying the flavor substance includes adjusting a spray frequency or a spray amount of the aerosolized flavor substance such that the spray frequency or the spray amount of the aerosolized flavor substance is less when the puff interval of the user is equal to or less than a threshold value of a first interval than when the puff interval of the user is greater than the threshold value of the first interval. A method for flavoring an electronic cigarette.

2. The method for flavoring an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the step of spraying the flavor substance includes spraying the aerosolized flavor substance only at some of the puff times of the user when the puff interval of the user is equal to or less than a threshold value of a first interval.

3. The method for flavoring an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the step of mixing the plurality of flavor substances includes determining an ejection amount of the plurality of flavor substances according to the target mixing recipe.

4. The method for flavoring an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the step of spraying the flavor substance includes spraying the aerosolized flavor substance at the puff time of the user when the puff interval of the user exceeds a threshold value of a first interval.

5. The method for flavoring an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the step of aerosolizing the mixed flavor substances includes aerosolizing the flavor substances in conjunction with a time point at which a puff of the user is detected.

6. The method for flavoring an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the step of spraying the flavor substance includes spraying the flavor substance when a distance between a part of the user and the electronic cigarette is close in conjunction with the puff time of the user.

7. A computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when combined with hardware.

8. ​ ​ A scent cartridge unit comprising at least one or more scent cartridges (each of the scent cartridges contains a different scent substance), A communication unit that receives a target mixing recipe, A processor that detects the user's puff, extracts the user's puff interval based on the result of the detection, and determines the spraying of the aerosolized scent substance, Including, When the user's puff interval is less than or equal to the threshold of the first interval, the processor determines to adjust the number of sprays or the spray amount of the aerosolized scent substance so that the number of sprays or the spray amount of the aerosolized scent substance is less than that when the user's puff interval is greater than the threshold of the first interval, The scent cartridge unit is, A scent aerosol generation unit where the scent substances are mixed and aerosolized, A scent aerosol movement unit through which the aerosolized scent substance moves, An electronic cigarette device including.

9. The processor determines whether to spray the aerosolized scent substance based on the user's puff interval, and determines whether to spray the aerosolized scent substance at the time of the user's puff based on the determination. The electronic cigarette device according to claim 8.

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