How to manage aerosol-generating devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising detecting a puff inhaled by a user, determining a location orientation of the device, and providing an indication of battery level to the user conditional on the determined location orientation and battery level of the device, the indication being provided within a predetermined interval after the puff is detected.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing aerosol generating devices for efficient use, and in particular to aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices, that are capable of indicating battery usage to the user based on certain parameters. [Background technology]

[0002] Inhalers or aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, are becoming increasingly popular. They generally heat or warm an aerosolizable material to generate an aerosol for inhalation, as opposed to burning tobacco as in traditional tobacco products. The generated aerosol may contain flavors and / or stimulants (e.g., nicotine or other active ingredients). Such devices are typically powered by batteries that must be recharged after use.

[0003] During use, a user may desire to know if the device's battery is low and therefore requires recharging. However, frequent battery level notifications may be irritating to the user. Moreover, depending on the mode of use, battery level notifications may only be desired or needed at certain times.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can provide intelligent battery level notifications to a user during use according to usage. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device, the method comprising: detecting a puff inhaled by a user; determining a location orientation of the device; and providing an indication of battery level to the user conditional on the determined location orientation and battery level of the device, the indication being provided within a predetermined interval after the puff is detected.

[0006] Advantageously, in this manner, battery level notifications can be intelligently provided to the user depending on the device's orientation corresponding to the operating mode. Thus, the user is reminded to recharge the device at a specific time without unduly and unnecessarily bothering the user during use. By providing a display depending on the battery level, the user is not provided with a battery level display when the device does not need to be charged. By providing the display within a predetermined interval after a puff is detected, the display can be automatically provided during device use at a time when the user is likely to notice the display. This allows the display to be provided without being actively triggered by the user, leading to an improved user experience.

[0007] Preferably, the method further comprises determining whether the battery level is below a predetermined level, and the indication is only provided if the battery level is below the predetermined level.

[0008] Preferably, the method further comprises determining whether a previous indication of battery level has been provided according to the determined location orientation, and the indication of battery level is provided conditional on the previous indication.

[0009] Preferably, when the device's location orientation is in a first orientation, previous indications are identified by checking a flag that is set in a session that includes puffs that are grouped together according to configurable rules.

[0010] Preferably, the battery level indication is provided if the flag indicates that no previous indication has been provided in the session.

[0011] Preferably, the configurable rules include grouping detected puffs into respective sessions based at least on the interval between successive puffs.

[0012] Preferably, when the device's position orientation is in the second orientation, the previous display is identified by a timestamp.

[0013] Preferably, the method further includes determining whether a previous indication has been provided within a preset time period, and the indication of battery level is provided only if a previous indication has not been provided within the preset time period.

[0014] Preferably, the method further comprises repeating the display of the battery level conditional on the determined position orientation.

[0015] Preferably, if a subsequent puff is detected within a predetermined interval, no indication is generated.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a puff sensor configured to detect a puff inhaled by a user; a sensor configured to determine a location orientation of the device; and a controller configured to instruct an indicator to provide an indication of battery level to the user, conditional on the determined location orientation and battery level of the device, wherein the indication is provided within a predetermined interval after the puff is detected.

[0017] Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine whether the battery level is below a predetermined level, and to instruct the indicator to provide an indication only if the battery level is below the predetermined level.

[0018] Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine whether a previous indication of battery level has been provided according to the determined position orientation, and to instruct the indicator to provide the indication conditional on the previous indication.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method described above.

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 shows an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of various components of the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 shows a flow diagram of a method of operating the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2 shows graphs illustrating the control operation of the device of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, various aspects of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the drawings, it should be noted that the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the scale ratios of the respective parts are different from the actual scales. Therefore, the specific scales etc. should be judged in consideration of the following description.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a non-combustion aerosol generating device 100, which is a device for inhaling aerosols by heating or vaporizing them without combustion. The device 100 has a rod-like shape with a body 101 extending from a non-mouthpiece end 102 to a mouthpiece end 103. An air channel or pathway is defined within the body 100 between the opposing ends 102, 103. In this example, the aerosol generating device 100 is an electronic cigarette or vaping device, hereinafter referred to as an e-cig 100. The e-cig 100 functions by vaporizing or heating an aerosol source inserted into the e-cig 100 to release a flavor or stimulant for inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece end 103. The construction and operation of such aerosol generating devices are well known in the art, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be applicable to aerosol generating devices of any shape and configured using any aerosol generation technique, including but not limited to the examples.

[0024] The e-cig 100 may include an activation switch 104 that may be configured to power the e-cig 100 on and / or off. The activation switch 104 may be a push button or a touch button disposed in any convenient location on the surface of the body 101 of the e-cig 100. Alternatively, the e-cig 100 does not rely on a switch button to activate power to the heater, but relies on a puff sensor to detect airflow and trigger the device to begin generating aerosol.

[0025] 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components or modules of the e-cig 100. In one embodiment, the e-cig 100 includes a consumable module 201a and a heating element 202 that vaporizes a consumable 201b received by the consumable module 201a to emit an aerosol containing flavors and / or stimulants for inhalation by a user. In this embodiment, the consumable 201b is a nicotine-containing substance. The presence of the consumable 201b in the consumable module 201a may be detected by a detector 201c. The consumable 201b may be in solid or liquid form and is heated by the heating element 202 to emit the aerosol without combustion. If the consumable 201b is a liquid reservoir, more than one consumable may be received in the consumable module 201a. The heating element 202 may be powered by a power source 203.

[0026] The power supply 203 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 203 provides the power necessary for the operation of the e-cig 100. For example, the power supply 203 may power all other components or modules included in the e-cig 100. The power supply 203, hereinafter also referred to as the battery 203, may be charged using an external power source using a wired connection (e.g., via a USB port and cable) or wirelessly (e.g., via a wireless charging pad).

[0027] For purposes of this description, the terms vapor and aerosol will be understood to be interchangeable. In some embodiments, the heating element is located within the aerosol-generating material, such as a capsule or cigarette, and is connectable to the aerosol-generating device rather than being a component of the aerosol-generating device itself.

[0028] In one embodiment, the flavoring is present in the consumable 201b. The flavoring may include ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like. In another embodiment, the consumable 201b may include an additional flavor source (not shown) located beyond the consumable module 201a toward the mouthpiece end 103 to produce a flavor that is inhaled by the user along with the aerosol produced from the consumable 201b. In yet another embodiment, the e-cig 100 includes two or more consumables, each containing a flavoring and / or a level of active ingredient (nicotine). In this case, each consumable can be heated separately to produce the aerosol.

[0029] The e-cig 100 also includes a controller 204 configured to control various components within the e-cig. For example, the controller 204 may control and / or monitor the power source 203, timing unit 205 (including a timer), communication unit 206, memory 207, orientation sensor 208, and puff sensor 209 included in the e-cig 100. The timing unit 205 is configured to provide time information (e.g., time of day) and generate timestamps for puff data or event data useful in analyzing a user's vaping preferences. The timing unit 205 is further configured to monitor the timing of each puff and the pauses therebetween and provide this information to the controller 204 to monitor and potentially limit the user's use of the e-cig 100. For example, the timing unit 205 may identify when to indicate to the user that a puff threshold has been reached. It should be noted that the functionality of the timing unit 205 can be integrated into the controller 204.

[0030] Controller 204 monitors the charge and discharge status of battery 203. Depending on the mode of operation (as described below), controller 204 determines whether the battery level of battery 203 is below a predetermined level and provides an indication to the user via I / O interface 210. Such indication is preferably based on inputs received from orientation sensor 208, puff sensor 209, and timing unit 205.

[0031] The communication unit 206 is configured to manage communications with any personal computing device, server, tracking device, or other e-cig in the vicinity of the e-cig 100. The memory 207 is configured to store information such as vaping usage history and user settings and preferences.

[0032] The e-cig 100 may also include various sensors, such as an orientation sensor 208 and a puff sensor 209. The orientation sensor 208, such as a gyroscope, and / or accelerometer, or tilt sensor or other suitable sensor, is configured to determine the positional orientation of the e-cig 100, for example, whether the e-cig 100 is being held face up or face down during use. When the e-cig 100 is used face up (with the activation button 104 and / or LED and / or logo facing up), a first mode of operation is activated. This mode is also referred to as a session mode. Of course, the orientation sensor may be implemented by an algorithmic combination of information collected by the various sensors that provides an estimate of the roll, pitch, and yaw of the device.

[0033] When the e-cig is used face down (with the activation button 104 and / or LED facing downwards), a second mode of operation is activated. This mode is also referred to as free mode. In other words, the e-cig 100 is rotated or turned 180 degrees along its longitudinal axis to switch between session mode and free mode.

[0034] It should be noted that the e-cig 100 being face up or face down may also be defined with respect to any visual pattern, such as a logo or surface design, that acts as a reference for the user. An activation button and LED may not be necessary to provide such a reference. In any event, sensors on the device may not rely on these physical or visual elements.

[0035] The puff sensor 209 is configured to detect inhalation puffs, and its output can be used to determine the number of puffs required to inhale the aerosol. The output of the puff sensor 209 can also be used to determine the duration required for one puff to inhale the aerosol. The recorded usage data can include puff duration (i.e., the length of the puff), puff interval (i.e., the time between successive puffs), and fluid and / or nicotine consumption. The puff sensor can simply be a detector, such as a microphone or a MEMS piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor, disposed within the flow path of the device.

[0036] The e-cig 100 may also include a consumable recognition sensor (not shown) configured to identify the consumable 201b inserted into the e-cig 100. The recognition sensor may be included in the consumable module 201a or the detector 201c. The recognition sensor may use NFC, RFID, or any other known technology to recognize the strength of the stimulant included in the consumable 201b from an NFC / RFID tag disposed on the consumable 201b.

[0037] The e-cig 100 may also include an input / output (I / O) or user interface 210 configured to provide an indication to a user and receive input from the user. The I / O interface 210 preferably comprises a display and an input device. The display may comprise a visible light emitter, including one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a screen display, or an acoustic emitter, or other suitable means for providing an indication to the user. A visible light emitter, such as an LED, may be disposed at the tip of the non-mouthpiece end 102 or on the side of the e-cig 100. Such an LED may indicate various lighting modes to provide the user with a puff state, in which aerosol is being inhaled; a no-puff state, in which aerosol is not being inhaled; a preheat state, in which the heater is heating; a ready-to-vape state, in which the heater is operating at a target temperature to generate aerosol; a depletion state, in which an LED bar indicates the depletion level of the aerosol source; and any other information regarding the operational status of the e-cig within the display. In the present invention, the display of the I / O interface 210 also provides a battery level indication to the user. The indication may be provided to the user via visual, auditory, or haptic means. The input device may be one or more user-operable buttons or a sensitive touch panel that responds to presses, toggles, or touches.

[0038] All of the above-described elements send and / or receive commands and / or data via a communication bus 211 .

[0039] In one embodiment, the e-cig 100 is also configured to communicate with a personal computing device (not shown) owned by the user. The personal computing device may be a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. For simplicity, the personal computing device will hereinafter be referred to as a smartphone. The e-cig 100 is preferably configured to wirelessly connect or pair with the smartphone using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication standards. The smartphone preferably runs a mobile application (commonly referred to as an app) that allows the user to interact with the e-cig 100 through a user-friendly interface. The app is hosted by the e-cig 100 manufacturer and may be compatible with different mobile platforms, such as iOS™ and Android™.

[0040] 3 shows a flow diagram for a process 300 for operating the e-cig 100. Note that the steps in the process 300 do not necessarily have to be performed in the same order. Also, not all steps are shown, and some of the steps may be optional and can be omitted.

[0041] In step 301, a puff inhaled by a user is detected. In this embodiment, controller 204 begins monitoring the use of e-cig 100 with the aid of puff sensor 209 and timing unit 205. Puff sensor 209 detects each puff inhaled by the user, and timing unit 205 timestamps each puff and monitors the start and end of each puff. When the device is in a first orientation corresponding to session mode, timing unit 205 starts and stops a timer between two consecutive puffs to monitor for interruptions in the puff session. However, when the device is in a second orientation corresponding to free mode, timing unit 205 monitors a preset period. Nevertheless, in both session mode and free mode, the number of puffs inhaled by the user is counted and recorded to analyze the user's vaping patterns over time.

[0042] In step 302, the device's position orientation is determined. In this embodiment, when a user begins using the e-cig 100, the orientation sensor 208 of the e-cig 100 determines whether the e-cig 100 is being held in an upright or downright position. Optionally, the orientation sensor 208 may be activated when the user presses the activation switch 104. Additionally, there may be a motion sensor that detects movement of the e-cig 100 in addition to activating the activation switch 104. Signals from the orientation sensor 208, the activation switch 104, and the motion sensor may all be processed by the controller 204 to determine whether one of two modes of operation should be activated. If the user is inhaling in an upright orientation, a session mode is activated. In the session mode, a session includes puffs that are grouped together based on configurable rules. The configurable rules may include grouping detected puffs into respective sessions based at least on the interval between successive puffs. For example, if the pause between puffs is less than seven minutes, the next puff will be counted in the same session; if the pause is more than seven minutes, the next puff will be counted in a new session. On the other hand, if the user is inhaling in a downward orientation, a free mode is activated and a preset time, e.g., seven minutes, is monitored regardless of the puff.

[0043] In step 303, an indication of the battery level is provided to the user, conditional on the device's determined location orientation and battery level. In this embodiment, whether a previous indication of the battery level was provided according to the determined location orientation is also determined. The indication of the battery level is then provided conditional on the previous indication. If the device is determined to be in a first orientation corresponding to session mode, the controller 204 checks whether a previous indication of the battery level was provided to the user during the current session. In session mode, this means whether an indication was provided to the user during the current session. The previous battery level indication is determined by the controller 204 by checking a flag, which may be a single bit, stored in the device's memory indicating that a notification has already been provided in the current session. However, if the flag indicates that a previous indication was not provided in the current session, a new indication can be provided. The controller 204 and timing unit 205 continue to monitor the pauses between puffs to determine whether a new session should be initiated. After detecting the first puff of the new session, the controller 204 determines the remaining battery level of the battery 203 in the e-cig 100. Determining the remaining charge of a battery, such as a Li-ion battery, is well known in the art. This determination is performed by checking whether the battery level has dropped below a predetermined threshold level, for example, below 25%. If this level is exceeded, the e-cig 100 may not operate at full efficiency or may simply cease operation unless use is reduced or the battery is recharged. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the battery level of the e-cig 100 during use. If the battery level is found to be below the predetermined threshold level, an indication is generated to the user to provide a low battery notification via the I / O interface 210. Thus, in session mode, the indication is provided once during the session and only when the battery level drops below the predetermined level. In this way, the user is aware that the device has a low battery without repeated indications within the session.

[0044] On the other hand, if the device is determined to be in a second orientation corresponding to free mode, the controller 204 checks whether a previous indication of battery level has been provided to the user within a preset period of time. The controller 204 identifies such a previous indication by checking the timestamp for the indication, which records a preset period starting from the time of the previous battery notification. If the user has previously been provided with an indication, no further indication is generated. However, if such an indication has not previously been generated, the controller 204 determines the remaining battery level of the battery 203 within the e-cig 100. If the battery level is found to be below a predetermined threshold level (as described above), an indication is generated to the user to provide a low battery notification via the I / O interface 210. In other words, in free mode, the time of the previous indication recorded by the timestamp is compared to a preset period (e.g., 7 minutes). If the timestamp is outside the preset period, i.e., if no indication has previously been provided within the past 7 minutes, the device can provide a new battery indication. Thus, an indication is provided only once within the preset period of time and only if the battery level falls below the predetermined level. In this way, the user becomes aware that the device has a low battery level without the display repeating within a preset period of time.

[0045] In both cases, the controller 204 signals the I / O interface 210 to generate an indication to the user if the battery level of the battery 203 falls below a predetermined level during use. Such an indication may be provided by flashing an LED in a particular color or pattern and / or by briefly vibrating the e-cig 100. The indication is preferably generated a short period of time after the completion of a puff or a predetermined interval. For example, the predetermined interval may be 1, 2, 5, or 10 seconds after the end of a puff is detected, or any value in between. If a subsequent puff is detected during this predetermined interval, no indication is generated. By configuring the controller 204 to generate an indication a short period of time after a puff, an automatic warning is provided to the user if the battery level is below a predetermined level. As a result, the user experience is improved because they do not have to be responsible for monitoring the battery level by triggering an indication via user input and do not have to worry about checking for a low battery level. Furthermore, if the indication is generated a short period of time after a puff, the user is also more likely to notice the indication when it is given. Conversely, if an indication were instead provided immediately when the battery dropped below a predetermined level, the user might not be actively using the device and therefore might miss the indication. Additionally, this allows the device to only check the battery level after each puff, which means that the device does not need to waste processing power by continuously monitoring the battery level.

[0046] The battery level notification is provided to the user only once during a session, or for a preset period of time, when the battery level is determined to be below a predetermined threshold level. In a session mode of operation, after a battery level notification is provided to the user via a display, a flag (as described above) is set by the controller 204 to indicate that a notification has already been provided in the current session, so that subsequent puffs within the same session do not trigger further displays. In a free mode of operation, after the device provides a notification to the user regarding the battery level, the timing unit 205 records a timestamp for the display (as described above). No further notifications are provided to the user within a preset period of time (e.g., 7 minutes) from the timestamp.

[0047] It should be noted that in all the above embodiments, if notification for battery level is provided at the start of a session or at a preset period, no further indication is generated during said session or at said preset period.

[0048] The low battery level notification may be provided only after the first puff is detected. In a session mode of operation, once a user activates the device and begins puffing to inhale, the device begins recording a session of puffs that are grouped together according to configurable rules. Because it is unable to provide an indication before the first puff of the session, the device continues to check its battery level and provide an indication of a critically low battery level. However, in this embodiment, if no indication is provided after checking the battery level above a predetermined threshold level (e.g., 25%), the device does not check the battery level or provide a notification in the same session. In other words, the device does not provide a notification after the next puff in the same session, even if a battery level indication has not been provided previously in the currently recorded puff session. If the battery level is critically low when the user begins vaping, a notification regarding the battery level is provided after the first puff. If the battery level is not critically low (e.g., above 25%), the device does not provide any indication of the battery level, even if the battery level drops due to powering the heating element while the user is vaping. This is to avoid unnecessarily bothering the user while using the e-cig 100. In a free mode of operation, which has a preset period of 7 minutes, when the user begins vaping by taking the first puff, the device determines whether a notification has previously been provided within the past 7 minutes (regardless of whether the device is being used for vaping). If the user takes a break of more than 7 minutes and no notification is provided, the device continues to check its battery level. If the battery level is very low (e.g., below 25%), a notification is provided, i.e., after the first puff.

[0049] Optionally, the method described above includes repeating the battery level indication conditionally on the identified location orientation. If the battery notification criteria are met after the first puff and a notification is provided accordingly, the device repeats the notification periodically, i.e., a notification is provided not only after the first puff but also after every nth puff. This is done to remind the user to recharge the e-cig 100 if the battery is low. Note that in free mode, where the monitored period is a preset period (e.g., 7 minutes, 10 minutes, or 15 minutes), the device triggers periodic notifications every period if the battery is low. In an example of 7 minutes as the preset value, a new period is recorded every 7 minutes, and if the battery notification criteria are met, a notification is provided every 7 minutes accordingly.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the device monitors all puffs in a vaping session and checks whether notification criteria are met to trigger a battery level display after each detected puff. In this case, when a user picks up the device and begins a vaping session by taking a first puff, if the battery level is above a predetermined threshold and no notification is provided after the first puff, the device checks the battery level after each subsequent puff, and if the determined battery level falls below the threshold level, the device triggers a notification. Thus, if the battery level is above a predetermined level (e.g., 25%) after the first puff but drops below 25% after several minutes of vaping, the user is notified of a low battery level midway through the vaping session. Therefore, a display is generated accordingly to provide a notification to the user. This is to notify the user in a timely manner whenever the battery level drops to a very low level, which is advantageous in situations where the user engages in long vaping sessions (e.g., vaping for more than 30 minutes or so).

[0051] 4 shows a graph 400 representing the relative responses of the timing unit 205 and puff sensor 209 in the e-cig 100. The response of the timing unit 205 is plotted on the X-axis against the response of the puff sensor 209 on the Y-axis. The puff sensor 209 detects the first puff 400-1 made by the user. As soon as the first puff 400-1 ends, i.e., on the trailing edge of the puff wave, the timing unit 205 starts a timer. The timing unit 205 continues to monitor time, and the timer is on until the next puff is detected. As soon as the next puff is detected, i.e., on the leading edge of the next puff wave, the timer is turned off. At the trailing edge of this puff wave, the timer is turned on again.

[0052] In one embodiment, after the first puff 400-1 is detected, a timer is turned on to monitor the time since the end of the first puff 400-1. As soon as the start of the next puff 400-2 is detected, the timer is turned off. The time interval between the timer turning on and turning off is specified. In this embodiment, this time interval is specified to be less than a predetermined period, for example, 7 minutes. Therefore, puffs 400-1 and 400-2 are grouped into one session. Similarly, the next puff 400-3 is also detected within the 7-minute period, and therefore puffs 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3 are grouped into the same session. In this particular embodiment, battery level notifications are not provided multiple times during the same session.

[0053] After puff 400-3, the user takes a long pause before taking the next puff 400-4. The time interval between puffs 400-3 and 400-4 is determined to be greater than seven minutes, and therefore puff 400-4 is counted toward the new session. As previously described, at this point, the device's battery level is determined, and if the battery level is found to be below a threshold level, a battery level notification is provided to the user. In this case, an indication is provided to the user notifying them of the low battery within a predetermined time interval after the end of puff 400-4. For example, an indication may be provided to the user via audio, visual, tactile means, or a combination thereof, within 1 to 10 seconds of the end of puff 400-4.

[0054] In session mode, the controller 204 monitors the pauses the user takes between puffs using information from the timing unit 205. If the pause between two consecutive puffs, determined by turning the timer on and off, is within a preset period, the controller 204 continues counting puffs in the same session. However, if the pause exceeds a preset period, e.g., seven minutes, the controller 204 resumes counting puffs in a new session. As shown in FIG. 4 , after the third puff 400-3, the user takes a long pause and takes the next puff 400-4. If this long pause is shorter than seven minutes, the timing unit 205 counts it as the fourth puff in the same session. However, if this long pause is longer than seven minutes, the timing unit 205 resets the counter and counts puff 400-4 as the first puff in the new session.

[0055] The controller 204 monitors for situations in which a user mistakenly holds the e-cig 100 in a downward orientation (and thus operates in free mode) when the user actually intended to continue holding the e-cig 100 in an upward orientation (and thus operate in session mode). The controller 204 identifies the e-cig 100 as being mistakenly held in a downward orientation if the user returns it to the upward orientation within a correction threshold. The controller 204 therefore continues to count puffs in session mode. In this manner, the device does not unduly bother the user by intelligently identifying vaping sessions.

[0056] The processing steps described herein performed by the main control unit, i.e., the controller, may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or storage, associated with the main control unit. Computer-readable media may include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include, among other things, semiconductor memory and dynamic memory. Non-volatile media may include, among other things, optical and magnetic disks.

[0057] The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed, as modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0058] As used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" is intended to represent any tangible computer-based device implemented in any method or technology for short-term and long-term storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and sub-modules, or other data in any device. Accordingly, the methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, including, but not limited to, storage and / or memory devices. Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. Moreover, as used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" includes all tangible computer-readable media, including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer storage devices, firmware, physical and virtual storage, removable and non-removable media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and any other digital source, such as a network or the Internet, including, but not limited to, volatile and non-volatile media, as well as yet undeveloped digital means, with the sole exception of transitory propagating signals.

[0059] As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques, including computer software, firmware, hardware, or any combination or subset thereof. Any such resulting program having computer-readable code means may be embodied or provided in one or more computer-readable mediums, thereby creating a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture, according to the contemplated embodiments of the present disclosure. An article of manufacture including the computer code may be created and / or used by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the code from one medium to another, or by transmitting the code over a network.

Claims

1. 1. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising: Detecting a puff inhaled by a user; determining the position and orientation of the device; providing an indication of the battery level to the user conditional on the determined location orientation and battery level of the device, the indication being provided within a predetermined interval after the puff is detected. method.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the battery level is below a predetermined level, and wherein the indication is provided only if the battery level is below the predetermined level.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising determining whether a previous indication of the battery level has been provided according to the determined location orientation, wherein the indication of the battery level is provided conditional on the previous indication.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein if the location orientation of the device is in a first orientation, the previous indication is identified by checking a flag set in a session that includes puffs that are grouped together according to a configurable rule.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the indication of the battery level is provided if the flag indicates that no previous indication has been provided in the session.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the configurable rules include grouping detected puffs into respective sessions based at least on the interval between successive puffs.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the previous indication is identified by a timestamp when the location orientation of the device is in a second orientation.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining whether the previous indication was provided within a preset time period, and wherein the indication of the battery level is provided only if the previous indication was not provided within the preset time period.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising repeating the display of the battery level conditional on the determined location orientation.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein if a subsequent puff is detected within the predetermined interval, no indication is generated.

11. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a puff sensor configured to detect a puff inhaled by a user; a sensor configured to determine a position orientation of the device; a controller configured to instruct an indicator to provide an indication of the battery level to the user, conditional on the determined location orientation and battery level of the device, the indication being provided within a predetermined interval after the puff is detected. Aerosol generator.

12. the controller determining whether the battery level is below a predetermined level; The device of claim 11 , further configured to instruct the indicator to provide the indication only if the battery level is below the predetermined level.

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether a previous indication of the battery level has been provided according to the determined location orientation, and to instruct the indicator to provide the indication conditional on the previous indication.

14. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

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