Aerosol generator with compass sensor

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (100) is disclosed that includes an orientation sensor (102) configured to detect an orientation of the device, a user interface (104) configured to receive user input, and a controller (106) configured to enable or disable the user interface. The controller is configured to enable the user interface to accept user input if the detected orientation of the device is determined to be within a predetermined orientation range. The controller is further configured to disable the user interface if the detected orientation is determined to be outside the predetermined orientation range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device having an orientation sensor for improving safety.

Background Art

[0002] There is a need for aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes having functions of improving safety and saving energy.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can address some of these requirements.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes an orientation sensor configured to detect the orientation of the device, a user interface configured to receive user input, and a controller configured to enable the user interface to receive user input when it is determined that the detected orientation of the device is within a predetermined orientation range, and further configured to disable the user interface when it is determined that the detected orientation is outside the predetermined orientation range.

[0005] Thus, the device's safety is improved because the user interface cannot be activated unintentionally. The user interface only accepts input when the device is facing a specific direction (preferably a standard direction corresponding to normal use). Therefore, the possibility of unintentional operation of the device is reduced when it is not facing the direction associated with normal use (for example, when the device is in the user's bag or pocket). Advantageously, the device can remain active even when the user interface is disabled and continue to perform other functions (for example, communication with the user's phone via Bluetooth), while the user interface is disabled.

[0006] Preferably, the controller is configured to enable the user interface to accept user input when it is determined that the detected orientation of the device is within a predetermined orientation range for a predetermined period of time.

[0007] Thus, the device's safety is further enhanced because the user interface only accepts input when the device remains oriented in a specific direction for a certain period of time (which can also be seen as typical use in the user's hands). Even if the device is temporarily within a predetermined directional range, it will not activate if the time is shorter than the predetermined time. This can happen if the device is stored in a bag while in transit. This can also improve the device's energy efficiency, as it will not activate simply because it is temporarily within a predetermined directional range.

[0008] Preferably, the user interface is configured to activate the heating function of the device. In this way, the user can instruct the device to use its heating function to generate aerosols when desired, but only when the device is within a predetermined directional range. This improves the safety of the device because the user must make a conscious decision to activate the heating function. Therefore, the possibility of the heating function activating accidentally is low.

[0009] Preferably, the user interface includes buttons. In this way, the user needs to actively interact with the device to operate it, thereby reducing the possibility of unintentional activation when the device is in a bag or pocket, etc. (which can easily happen with push buttons).

[0010] Preferably, the orientation sensor includes a gyroscope. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the orientation of the device.

[0011] Preferably, the defined orientation range includes orientations in which the longitudinal axis of the device is confined to a cone defined around the vertical axis. Thus, the user interface can be activated when the device is facing the orientation most likely to coincide with the orientation of the intended use. Naturally, users may hold the aerosol generator in various ways, and different situations may require different ways of holding the device. However, it has been found that the majority of the intended uses of the device correspond to cases in which the device is held such that its longitudinal axis is within a cone defined around the vertical axis.

[0012] The angle between the cone and the vertical axis may be at least 20 degrees, possibly at least 40 or 60 degrees, and most preferably at least 80 degrees. This has been shown to accommodate most of the various usage styles in various situations stemming from a wide range of user types.

[0013] Preferably, the device includes a mouthpiece, and the specified orientation is the orientation in which the mouthpiece is facing upward. In this context, "facing upward" means that the longitudinal axis of the device extends through the mouthpiece such that it is inclined upward with respect to a horizontal plane. This is, in most cases, the preferred orientation of the device when in use.

[0014] Preferably, the apparatus is configured to receive and heat consumables. Thus, the apparatus may be used to heat multiple aerosol-forming materials. The consumables may include tobacco substrates, which may be solid or semi-solid and capable of being heated without combustion. In an alternative scenario, the consumables may include other types of substrates, for example, evaporable liquid substrates held in a reservoir.

[0015] Preferably, the device includes an opening, the opening is configured to receive a solid consumable, and the predetermined orientation is the orientation in which the opening faces upward. Thus, the device may be used to heat multiple solid aerosol-forming materials into which a user can insert.

[0016] Preferably, the controller is configured to immediately disable the user interface if it is determined that the detected orientation is outside a predetermined orientation range. In this way, the device's safety is greatly improved because the device is configured to immediately disable the user interface when the user decides they do not want to operate the device any further at the end of a break, or if they accidentally operate the device incorrectly. In this context, "immediately" means without any delay intentionally caused by the design.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for using an aerosol generator is provided, which includes the steps of: detecting the orientation of the device using an orientation sensor; enabling a user interface to accept user input using a controller if it is determined that the detected orientation of the device is within a predetermined orientation range; and disabling the user interface using the controller if it is determined that the detected orientation is outside the predetermined orientation range.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable memory medium containing executable instructions is provided, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps: determine the orientation of the device based on data from an orientation sensor; if it is determined that the detected orientation of the device is within a predetermined orientation range, enable the user interface to accept user input using a controller; and if it is determined that the detected orientation is outside the predetermined orientation range, disable the user interface using the controller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] From here, embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples, with reference to the drawings. The drawings are as follows.

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the control sequence in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a predetermined orientation region in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the device in one embodiment of the present invention when the device is facing a first direction. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the device when it is facing the second direction. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the device when it is facing the third direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating device 100 includes an orientation sensor 102 configured to detect the orientation of the aerosol generating device 100, a user interface 104 configured to receive user input and operate components of the aerosol generating device 100, a controller 106, a heater 108 configured to heat a consumable 110, a data storage medium 112, and a battery 114 configured to supply power to components of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0022] The orientation sensor 102 is configured to detect the orientation of the aerosol generating device 100. More specifically, the orientation sensor 102 is configured to measure the angle that the longitudinal axis of the device makes with the vertical axis.

[0023] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the orientation sensor 102 may include one or more sensors. Examples of suitable sensors include, but are not limited to, gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, or any combination thereof. The orientation sensor 102 is logically connected to the controller 106. The orientation sensor 102 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data indicating time-series orientation data to the controller 106. The frequency at which orientation data is supplied from the orientation sensor 102 is a design characteristic.

[0024] The user interface 104 is configured to receive user input and operate components of the aerosol generating device 100. More specifically, the user interface 104 is configured to operate the heater 108. The user interface 104 includes any interface suitable for receiving user input. Examples of suitable interfaces include buttons, switches, touchscreens, or any combination of any other method for receiving recognizable input from a user. Generally, such user interfaces may accidentally activate when the user is in their pocket or bag.

[0025] The controller 106 is configured to receive data from the orientation sensor 102 and to enable or disable the user interface 104. The controller 106 has a timing function that allows it to measure the time the aerosol generator 100 was facing a specific direction. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 106 is a microcontroller.

[0026] The heater 108 is configured to heat a consumable 110, which contains an aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substance may include a tobacco substrate that is solid or semi-solid and can be heated without combustion. In an alternative scenario, the consumable 110 may contain other types of substrates, for example, an evaporable liquid substrate held in a reservoir.

[0027] If the aerosol generator 100 is a non-combustion heating device, the heater 108 may further be configured to heat a solid consumable 110 received through the opening. The solid consumable 110 may include shredded tobacco. Solid consumables known in the art may include a mouthpiece portion, or simply an end from which a user can inhale an aerosol.

[0028] The heater 108 may be an electrical resistance heater, a convection heater, an induction heater, a laser heater, or any heating device known in the art. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the heater 108 may have multiple heating stages, for example, a preheating stage and a main heating stage. The user interface 104 is configured to operate the heater 108 to a specific heating stage.

[0029] The data storage medium 112 is configured to store data from the components of the aerosol generator 100. The data storage medium 112 may include a RAM or ROM storage device, or a similar device known to those skilled in the art. The controller 106 may include a data storage medium 112 that is well known in the art.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data storage medium 112 may be configured to store data relating to a predetermined azimuth range of the aerosol generator 100 and / or a predetermined time for which the aerosol generator 100 must be facing a specific direction. The controller 106 is logically connected to the data storage medium 112 and is configured to access data from the data storage medium 112 and the azimuth sensor 102.

[0031] The battery 114 is configured to supply power to the components of the aerosol generator 100. The battery 114 may include a replaceable alkaline battery, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or a similar battery known to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a control sequence in one embodiment of the present invention. In step 202, the orientation sensor 102 detects the orientation of the aerosol generator 100. The orientation sensor 102 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data representing time-series orientation data to the controller 106. Data regarding the current orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is fed from the orientation sensor 102 to the controller 106. The orientation data may be given in various formats, for example, in polar coordinates of the longitudinal axis of the device with respect to the vertical axis, or simply as the angle between the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis of the device.

[0033] In step 204, the controller 106 receives data from the orientation sensor 102 regarding the current orientation of the aerosol generator 100. The controller 106 is configured to read data stored in the data storage medium 112. The data storage medium 112 is configured to store data including a preferred operating range.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a predetermined azimuth range in one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the preferred operating azimuth range is bounded by the face of a cone 302 positioned around the vertical axis (in this case, the y-axis). In this example, the cone 302 is at an angle of 80 degrees to the vertical axis. Figure 3 shows a first azimuth example 306, which lies within the cone 302 and is therefore within the predetermined azimuth range. Figure 3 also shows a second azimuth example 304, which lies outside the boundary face of the cone 302 and is therefore outside the predetermined azimuth range.

[0035] The data stored in the data storage medium 112 indicates the boundary of a predetermined azimuth range 302. This can simply be a matter of whether to store the angle in polar coordinates or cylindrical coordinates. In the example in Figure 3, the angle formed by the cone 302 is 80 degrees, but in alternative embodiments, the angle may be 60 degrees, 40 degrees, or 20 degrees.

[0036] In step 206, the controller 106 is configured to determine whether the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined orientation range based on a comparison between orientation data received from the orientation sensor 102 and data including the predetermined orientation range stored in the data storage medium 112.

[0037] The controller 106 is configured to immediately disable the user interface 104 in step 208 if it determines that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is not within a predetermined orientation range. In this context, "immediately" means without any delay intentionally caused by the design. Once disabled, the user cannot provide user input to the user interface 104 and cannot operate the components of the aerosol generator 100. Even if the user interface 104 is disabled, the device as a whole can remain active. For example, the device 100 can remain active for other processing operations and can communicate with other third-party devices (e.g., the user's smartphone). In contrast, it is advantageous as a safety feature to disable the user interface 104, which is used to activate the heating function.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention when the device is facing a first orientation 404. In the first orientation 404, the orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is not within a predetermined orientation range. Therefore, the controller 106 is configured to disable the user interface 104 when this situation is detected.

[0039] The controller 106 can disable the user input interface 104, for example, by opening a switch (not shown) to prevent the transfer of signals from the user input interface 104 to the components of the aerosol generator 100. As those skilled in the art will understand, various circuit components known in the art may be used to achieve the desired disabling of the user input interface 104 by the controller 106.

[0040] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the orientation sensor 102 may be configured to immediately send warning data to the controller 106 when it detects that the orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is outside a predetermined orientation range. After receiving this warning data, the controller 106 disables the user input interface 104 within a short period of time.

[0041] If the controller 106 determines in step 206 that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined orientation range, it is configured to detect the time the aerosol generator 100 was within the predetermined orientation range in step 210. Therefore, the controller 106 may start the timer immediately after determining that the orientation of the device is within the predetermined orientation range.

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 when it is facing a second azimuth 506 and a third azimuth 606, respectively. In each of these azimuths, the orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined azimuth range, and therefore the controller 106 is configured to detect the time when the aerosol generator 100 was within the predetermined azimuth range. In each of these azimuths, the mouthpieces 516 and 616, i.e., the openings, of the aerosol generator 100 face upward (i.e., they face in the positive y direction extending through the horizontal xz plane). The openings 516 and 616 are configured to receive a tobacco stick for a non-combustion heating device.

[0043] In step 212, the controller 106 is configured to compare the detected time with a predetermined time stored in the data storage medium 112. In step 214, the controller 106 calculates whether the detected time is longer than the predetermined time.

[0044] If the controller 106 calculates that the time the aerosol generator 100 was within a predetermined azimuth range was shorter than a predetermined time, the controller 106 disables (or keeps the user interface 104 disabled) in step 208. In this situation, the user cannot provide user input to the user interface 104 and cannot operate the components of the aerosol generator 100. This prevents the device from being used to accidentally heat consumables, especially if the aerosol generator 100 is a non-combustion heating device. This is because if consumables are accidentally heated, the consumable stick and battery energy will be wasted unnecessarily.

[0045] If the controller 106 determines that the aerosol generator 100 has been within a predetermined azimuth range for a longer period than a predetermined time, the controller 106 activates the user interface 104 in step 216. In this situation, the user can provide user input to the user interface 104 and operate the components of the aerosol generator 100 (e.g., a heater).

[0046] The controller 106 can activate the user input interface 104, for example, by closing a switch (not shown) to allow the transfer of signals from the user input interface 104 to the components of the aerosol generator 100. As those skilled in the art will understand, various circuit components known in the art may be used to achieve the desired activation of the user input interface 104 by the controller 106.

[0047] In step 216, once the user interface is activated, the flowchart returns to step 202, thereby enabling the orientation sensor 102 to detect the orientation of the aerosol generator 100. The frequency at which orientation data is supplied from the orientation sensor 102 in step 202 is a design characteristic and may be around 1 Hz in some embodiments.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator, An orientation sensor configured to detect the orientation of the aerosol generator, A user interface configured to receive user input, the user interface configured to operate the heating function of the aerosol generator, A controller configured to enable the user interface to accept user input when it is determined that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator is within a predetermined orientation range, and the controller further configured to disable the user interface when it is determined that the detected orientation is outside the predetermined orientation range, Aerosol generator containing [aerosol].

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to activate the user interface to accept user input when it is determined that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator is within the predetermined orientation range for a predetermined period of time.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface includes buttons.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the orientation sensor includes a gyroscope.

5. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined azimuth range includes the azimuth in which the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generator is limited to a cone defined with respect to the vertical axis.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the angle between the cone and the vertical axis is at least 60 degrees, more preferably at least 80 degrees.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, further comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the predetermined directional range includes the direction in which the mouthpiece is facing upward.

8. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, configured to receive and heat consumables.

9. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an opening configured to receive a solid consumable, wherein the predetermined orientation range includes the orientation in which the opening faces upward.

10. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to immediately disable the user interface when it is determined that the detected orientation is outside the predetermined orientation range.

11. A method using an aerosol generator, The steps include detecting the orientation of the aerosol generator using an orientation sensor, If it is determined that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator is within a predetermined orientation range, the controller is used to enable the user interface to accept user input, wherein the user interface is configured to operate the heating function of the aerosol generator, and the step of enabling the user interface is: If it is determined that the detected direction is outside the predetermined direction range, the user interface is disabled using the controller. A method that includes this.

12. A computer-readable memory medium containing executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by a computer, A step of detecting the orientation of the aerosol generator based on data from the orientation sensor, If it is determined that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator is within a predetermined orientation range, the controller is used to enable the user interface to accept user input, wherein the user interface is configured to operate the heating function of the aerosol generator, and the step of enabling the user interface is: If it is determined that the detected direction is outside the predetermined direction range, the user interface is disabled using the controller. A computer-readable memory medium that causes the computer to perform the above action.

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