Aerosol generator with controllable brightness level

Abstract

The aerosol generating device (1) includes a rechargeable battery (3), an atomizer (4) configured to heat an aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol, a controller (5) electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery (3) and controlling operation of the atomizer (4) during a vaping session and charging of the rechargeable battery (3) during a charging session, and a user interface (2) including a display (20) for displaying information about the vaping session or the charging session, allowing a user to control the controller (5) and select a display brightness level of the display (20) by performing at least one dedicated interaction with a defined portion (21) of the user interface (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Different types of aerosol generating devices are already known in the art. Generally, an aerosol generating device comprises - a rechargeable battery (or power source) for storing electrical energy, - an atomizer configured to heat an aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol when receiving electrical energy from the rechargeable battery, - a controller (or control device) electrically connected to the rechargeable battery for controlling the operation of the atomizer during a vaping session and the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging session, - a user interface including a display (or screen) connected to the controller for displaying information (such as the current state etc.) regarding the vaping session or the charging session and enabling a user to control the controller.

[0003] The atomizer includes a heating device including one or more electrically actuated resistive heating elements configured to heat an aerosol-forming precursor (by conduction, convection, and / or radiation) to generate an inhalable aerosol. Generally, the aerosol-forming precursor is stored in a storage portion (such as a reservoir) belonging to the aerosol generating device.

[0004] The aerosol is discharged into a flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the aerosol generating device. This outlet may be configured as a mouthpiece through which a user inhales the generated aerosol, but this is not essential.

[0005] The aerosol generator may be portable, i.e., usable when held in the user's hand. Furthermore, the aerosol generator may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a measured amount of aerosol) by operating a heating device for a variable amount of time, for example, partially or entirely as much as possible. This variable amount of aerosol may be controlled by part of a user interface, such as a vaping button and / or an inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be highly sensitive to inhalation intensity and inhalation duration in order to enable the provision of a variable amount of vapor (to mimic the smoking effect of conventional flammable smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes). The aerosol generator may also include a temperature control unit for raising the temperature of the heating device and / or heated aerosol generation precursor to a specific target temperature and then maintaining the temperature at the target temperature to enable efficient aerosol generation.

[0006] In the following description, the term “aerosol” may include suspensions of precursors as one or more solid particles, droplets, and gases. Such suspensions may be in a gaseous state containing air. In general, aerosols in this specification may refer to or include vapors, and may include one or more components of the precursors.

[0007] Furthermore, in the following description, the term “aerosol-forming precursor” (i.e., “precursor” or “aerosol-forming substance” or “substance”) may refer to one or more of liquids, solids, gels, mousses, foams, or other substances. The precursor may be treatable by a heating device of an aerosol generator to form an aerosol, and may contain one or more of nicotine, caffeine, or other active ingredients. The active ingredients may be carried by a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include, for example, propylene glycol or glycerin. Flavorings may also be present in the aerosol-forming precursor. Flavorings may include, for example, ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or similar substances. Solid aerosol-forming substances may be in the form of, for example, processed tobacco material, crimped sheets, or rods containing oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (i.e., RTB).

[0008] The user interface includes at least one light source that allows the user to view displayed information about the current vaping or charging session. For example, each light source may include at least one light-emitting diode (i.e., LED), which may also be involved in (or contribute to) the display of information. However, each light source may also include, for example, at least one OLED (organic LED) or Q-LED (quantum LED), or liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0009] In reality, each of these light sources provides a constant light intensity, thereby ensuring that the brightness level of the user interface remains constant regardless of the lighting environment. Consequently, in dark environments, the constant brightness level may be too high (or too bright), causing visual discomfort to the user, while in bright environments, the constant brightness level may be too low (or too dim), potentially preventing the user from seeing the displayed information. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The proposed invention is, - Rechargeable batteries for storing electrical energy, - This atomizer is configured to receive electrical energy from this rechargeable battery and heat an aerosol formation precursor to generate an aerosol, - A controller electrically connected to this rechargeable battery controls the operation of this atomizer during a vaping session and the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging session. - A user interface including a display connected to this controller that displays information about a vaping session or charging session and allows the user to control this controller, The present invention provides an embodiment of an aerosol generator including the following:

[0011] This aerosol generator is characterized in that its user interface is configured to allow the user to select the display brightness level of the display by performing at least one dedicated interaction with a predefined portion of the user interface.

[0012] This control of the user interface's brightness level is advantageous because it allows users to comfortably view the information displayed during vaping or charging sessions.

[0013] Embodiments of the aerosol generator may include other features, either individually or in combination. In particular, The user interface may be configured to allow the user to select a display brightness level within a given group of N levels, the definition of which is stored in memory, where N ≥ 2. In an example of the embodiment, the user interface may be configured so that each new dedicated interaction leads to the selection of a new level different from the previously selected level. In a modified embodiment, the user interface may be configured such that the continuous duration of a dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level having a difference from the previously selected level, corresponding to this duration. In an example of an embodiment or a variation thereof, the user interface may be configured such that each new dedicated interaction guides the user to select a new level higher than the previously selected level, unless the previously selected level is the highest level. For example, the user interface may be configured such that when the previously selected level is the highest level, each new dedicated interaction guides the user to select the lowest level. In a modified embodiment or a modified embodiment thereof, the user interface may be configured such that each new dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level lower than the previously selected level, unless the previously selected level is the lowest level. For example, the user interface may be configured such that when the previously selected level is this lowest level, the new dedicated interaction induces the selection of the highest level. The user interface may be configured to impose a predefined level when a new vaping or charging session begins. In a modified embodiment, the user interface may be configured to trigger the storage of a level definition selected by the user during the current vaping or charging session, and to impose a level with this stored definition when a new vaping or charging session begins. The user interface may include at least one light-emitting diode (i.e., LED) having a variable light intensity that is involved in the selected brightness level. For example, at least one light-emitting diode may be involved in (or contribute to) information display. • An aerosol generator can constitute an e-cigarette. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1]Figure 1 schematically shows an example of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description. The following detailed description is given by way of non-limiting examples only and is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is particularly intended to provide an aerosol generating device 1 that enables a user to manually control the brightness level of its user interface 2 in order to comfortably view the information displayed, particularly during a vaping session or a charging session.

[0016] In the following description, the aerosol generating device 1 is considered to be (or to constitute) an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette or personal vaporizer). However, the aerosol generating device according to the present invention may be of another type as soon as it enables the generation of an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming precursor.

[0017] It is recalled that the "aerosol-forming precursor" (or "aerosol-forming substance") may be a liquid, a solid, a gel, a mousse, or a foam, or another substance, and may contain one or more active ingredients such as nicotine or caffeine, and / or a flavor.

[0018] It is also recalled that the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of a precursor as one or more of solid particles, droplets, and a gas, and that such a suspension may be in a gas containing air.

[0019] As shown in FIG. FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention includes at least a rechargeable battery (or power source) 3, an atomizer 4, a controller (or control device) 5, and a user interface 2.

[0020] For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, the rechargeable battery 3, the controller 5, and the user interface 2 may belong to the first body 6, and the atomizer 4 may belong to the second body 7 connected to the first body 6 (for example, by screwing using two corresponding threaded parts as shown).

[0021] The rechargeable battery 3 is configured to store the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the atomizer 4, the controller 5, and the user interface 2. For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, the first body 6 may include an electrical connector 8 to which a charging cable can be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 3. Such a charging cable may be connected to an (AC) adapter or a wall socket. The charging cable and / or the (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol generating device 1.

[0022] The atomizer 4 is configured to heat the aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol when receiving electrical energy from the rechargeable battery 3 (during a vaping session). The atomizer 4 includes a heating device (not shown) including one or more electrically operated resistive heating elements configured to heat the aerosol-forming precursor (by conduction, convection, and / or radiation) to generate an aerosol. In the illustrated example, the atomizer 4 includes a first chamber 9 through which the aerosol-forming precursor is supplied through at least one opening 10 and through which air (inspired by the user) is supplied through at least one first air inlet 11. This air enters from the outside through at least one second air inlet 12. In the non-limiting illustrated example, each second air inlet 12 is defined in the housing of the first body 6. However, each second air inlet 12 may be defined in the housing of the second body 7. The heating device is preferably housed within the first chamber 9.

[0023] For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the aerosol-forming precursor may be stored in a second chamber 13 of a storage container (or tank) 14. In the illustrated example, the storage container 14 belongs to a second body 7, but it may belong to a first body 6 or define a third body. The storage container 14 includes at least one outlet 19 that supplies to the corresponding opening 10 of the atomizer 4.

[0024] The aerosol generated in the first chamber 9 is released into a channel 15 that supplies it to the outlet 16 of the aerosol generator 1. This outlet may, but is not required, be part of the mouthpiece 17 into which the user inhales the generated aerosol (during a vaping session). In the non-definitive illustrated example, the channel 15 is a path defined in the central part of the reservoir 14.

[0025] The controller 5 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 3 and controls the operation of the atomizer 4 (and in particular its heating device) during a vaping session, as well as the charging of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session. For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the controller 5 may be fixed on a printed circuit board 18 (which is housed here within the first body 6).

[0026] The explicit use of the term “controller” should not be interpreted as referring exclusively to software-executable hardware, but may implicitly, not limit, include digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage devices for storing software. Other conventional and / or custom hardware may also be included. The functions of controller 5 may be performed through the operation of programmed logic, through dedicated logic, through programmed control and interaction of dedicated logic, or manually (by the user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware and software-executable hardware in conjunction with appropriate software.

[0027] User interface 2 includes a display (or screen) 20 connected to controller 5 and configured to display information about the current vaping session or current charging session, allowing the user to control controller 5. For example, the displayed information may represent the current state, such as the current charge percentage (to full charge) of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session, or the current percentage of remaining (or elapsed) vaping time (to a programmed (or selected) vaping duration) during a vaping session. The current percentage may be represented, for example, by the length of a line, by the number of parallel bars, or by a value. Generally speaking, the representation may be a pattern made up of numbers, alphanumeric representations, or symbolic representations such as dots, squares, triangles, crosses, or battery images (similar to those used in smartphones).

[0028] The user interface 2 is also configured to allow the user to select the display brightness level of its display 20 by performing at least one dedicated interaction with a predefined portion 21 of the user interface 2. To this end, the user interface 2 is supplied with electrical energy stored in the rechargeable battery (3) either directly by the rechargeable battery (3) or indirectly through the controller 5.

[0029] This manual control of the brightness level of user interface 2 allows the user to comfortably view the information displayed by display 20 during a vaping or charging session. In fact, to comfortably view the displayed information, the user may lower the brightness level here if necessary in a dark environment, and increase the brightness level here if necessary in a bright environment.

[0030] The predefined portion 21 of user interface 2 may be dedicated to a dedicated interaction that allows the user to manually control the brightness level, but this is not required. In fact, the predefined portion 21 may have at least two functions, one of which may be automatic brightness level control between vaping or charging sessions.

[0031] For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the user interface 2 may belong to the first body 6. In this case, the housing of the first body 6 may include an opening in which the display 20 of the user interface 2 is installed. However, the user interface 2 may also belong to the second body 7. Also, for example, as shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the user interface 2 may be partially fixed to the printed circuit board 18 to facilitate and simplify connection with the controller 5.

[0032] In one embodiment, the user interface 2 may be configured to allow the user to select a display brightness level within a predetermined group of N levels, the definitions of which are stored in memory, where N ≥ 2. This memory preferably belongs to the user interface 2, but it may also belong to the controller 5, in order to optimize responsiveness.

[0033] The number of predefined levels N can take any value greater than or equal to 2. Therefore, it may be equal to 3, 4, or 5, or even larger numbers (e.g., 10 or 100, in particular when a given number of N levels is considered to be the proportion of the largest (or highest) level).

[0034] Furthermore, in an example of the embodiment, user interface 2 may be configured so that each new dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level different from the previously selected level (level n → level n+1 or level n → level n-1). In a modified embodiment, user interface 2 may be configured so that the continuous duration of a dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level having a difference from the previously selected level corresponding to this duration (e.g., level n → level n+1 → level n+2 → level n+3, or level n → level n-1 → level n-2 → level n-3, etc.). In other words, the longer the duration, the greater the difference between the previously selected level and the newly selected level.

[0035] Accordingly, the type of dedicated interaction depends on the technology of the predefined part 21 with which the user must interact. For example, if the predefined part 21 is a button, the user must press or hold it briefly to induce a single level change, or continuously ("press and hold") to induce a series of level changes. If the predefined part 21 is a responsive touch (or key) or touch button using resistive or capacitive technology, the user must touch it briefly to induce a single level change, or continuously to induce a series of level changes.

[0036] For example, User Interface 2 may be configured so that each new dedicated interaction guides the user to select a new level that is higher than the previously selected level (i.e., the one selected in the previous vaping or charging session), unless the previously selected level is the highest level (n=N). In this case, User Interface 2 may be configured so that when the previously selected level is the highest (or maximum) level (among all achievable levels), the new dedicated interaction guides the user to select the lowest (or minimum) level (among all achievable levels). In other words, if the previously selected level was the Nth and highest level (n=N), the new level (guided by the new dedicated interaction) is the 1st and lowest level (n=1).

[0037] In a modified embodiment, user interface 2 may be configured so that each new dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level that is lower than the previously selected level (i.e., the one selected in the previous vaping or charging session), unless the previously selected level is the lowest level (n=1). In this case, user interface 2 may be configured so that when the previously selected level is the lowest level (among all achievable levels), the new dedicated interaction induces the selection of the highest level (among all achievable levels). In other words, if the previously selected level was the 1st and lowest level (n=1), the new level (induced by the new dedicated interaction) is the Nth and highest level (n=N).

[0038] In other embodiments, user interface 2 may be configured to impose a predefined level when a new vaping or charging session begins. The predefined level for a new vaping session may be different from the predefined level for a new charging session. In a modified embodiment, the predefined level for a new vaping session may be equal to the predefined level for a new charging session. The (each) predefined level may be initially defined by factory programming (and therefore not changeable by the user) or may be selected by the user (for example, by selecting a (sub)menu accessible through user interface 2).

[0039] In a modified embodiment of the last example of the embodiment, user interface 2 may be configured to trigger the storage of the user-selected level definition during the current vaping or charging session. In this case, user interface 2 is configured to impose a level with the stored definition when a new vaping or charging session begins. Storing the level definition is preferably performed in memory belonging to user interface 2 to optimize responsiveness. However, this storage may also be performed in memory belonging to controller 5. Thus, each time a new vaping or charging session begins, the level used in the previous vaping or charging session is automatically reused. When the selected level for a vaping session is independent of the selected level for a charging session, it is possible to use two memories or two sub-parts of memory designated for the vaping session and the charging session, respectively, to store the level definition for the vaping session and the level definition for the charging session.

[0040] In other embodiments, the user interface 2 may include at least one light-emitting diode (i.e., LED) 22 having a variable light intensity that is involved in (or contributes to) the selected brightness level. However, other types of small-sized light sources may be involved in (or contribute to) the selected brightness level, in particular including, for example, at least one OLED (organic LED) or Q-LED (quantum LED), or liquid crystal device (LCD).

[0041] When the last example of the embodiment is carried out, at least one light-emitting diode 22 may also be involved in (or contribute to) information display. In other words, such a light-emitting diode 22 not only is involved in (or contributes to) the selected brightness level, but is also involved in (or contributes to) displaying information that may be provided to the user by the display 20.

[0042] In the non-limiting example shown in Figure 1, the user interface 2 includes nine light-emitting diodes (i.e., LEDs) 22 having variable light intensity and being involved in (or contributing to) the display of information provided to the user by the selected brightness level and the display 20. In this example, the nine LEDs 22 together define a straight line whose length represents the current charge percentage of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session, or the current percentage of the remaining (or elapsed) vaping time during a vaping session. Here, for example, to indicate to the user that two-thirds of the vaping session has elapsed, only three of the nine LEDs 22 are gray.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that some of the block diagrams in Figure 1 represent conceptual diagrams of exemplary circuits that embody the principles of the present invention as described herein.

[0044] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principle of the invention. It should be understood that various configurations, not expressly described or illustrated herein, that embody the principle of the invention and fall within its spirit and scope, can be devised by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, all examples listed herein are clearly intended solely for educational purposes to help the reader understand the principle of the invention and the concepts to which the inventors contribute to promoting the art, and should be construed as not being limitations to such specifically listed examples and conditions. Moreover, all descriptions herein enumerating the principle, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as their specific examples, are intended to encompass their equivalents.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator (1), - A rechargeable battery (3) for storing electrical energy, - The atomizer (4) is configured to receive electrical energy from the rechargeable battery (3) and heat an aerosol formation precursor to generate an aerosol, - A controller (5) electrically connected to the rechargeable battery (3) controls the operation of the atomizer (4) during a vaping session and the charging of the rechargeable battery (3) during a charging session, - A user interface (2) including a display (20) connected to the controller (5) that displays information regarding a vaping session or a charging session and allows the user to control the controller (5), Equipped with, The user interface (2) is configured to enable the user to select the display brightness level of the display (20) by performing at least one dedicated interaction with a predefined portion (21) of the user interface (2), An aerosol generator in which the user interface (2) is configured to impose a predefined level when a new vaping session or charging session begins, the predefined level being initially defined by factory programming or selected by the user.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (2) is configured to allow the user to select the display brightness level within a predetermined group of N levels, the definitions of which are stored in memory, and N ≥ 2.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that each new dedicated interaction leads to the selection of a new level different from the previously selected level.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that the continuous duration of the dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level having a difference from the previously selected level, corresponding to the duration.

5. The aerosol generator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that, unless the previously selected level is the highest level, each new dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level higher than the previously selected level.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that when the previously selected level is the highest level, the new dedicated interaction guides the selection of the lowest level.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that, unless the previously selected level is the lowest level, each new dedicated interaction induces the selection of a new level lower than the previously selected level.

8. The aerosol generator according to claim 7, wherein the user interface (2) is configured such that when the previously selected level is the lowest level, the new dedicated interaction induces the selection of the highest level.

9. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the defined level for a new vaping session is different from the defined level for a new charging session.

10. The user interface (2) further, This triggers the storage of the level definition selected by the user during the current vaping or charging session as the defined level. When a new vaping or charging session begins, it is configured to impose the defined level having the stored definition, The aerosol generator according to claim 9, wherein the level selected for a vaping session is stored independently of the level selected for a charging session.

11. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the user interface (2) includes at least one light-emitting diode (22) having a variable light intensity that is involved in the selected brightness level.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one light-emitting diode (22) is involved in displaying information.

13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol generating device constitutes an electronic cigarette.

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