Battery level indicator for aerosol generation devices

Abstract

A method for indicating a battery level of a battery of an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance contained in a consumable is provided, comprising the steps of determining an amount of charge remaining in the battery, calculating the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery, and displaying information, said information indicating the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices, and in particular to the display of the battery level of an aerosol-generating device. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, devices that heat rather than burn or combust substances to generate vapor or aerosol for inhalation by users have become increasingly popular.

[0003] Such commonly used devices that heat rather than burn or combust substances may be tobacco-based devices, also known as heated tobacco products. These devices typically contain tobacco and / or other suitable substances that are heated rather than burned to generate an inhalable aerosol. Tobacco and / or other suitable substances are also commonly sometimes referred to as aerosol-generating substances, and the devices are generally sometimes referred to as aerosol-generating devices.

[0004] Typically, the aerosol-generating substance is placed in a container, also referred to as a stick or a tobacco stick, which can be inserted into and removed from the aerosol-generating device by a user. Accordingly, sticks or tobacco sticks are consumables.

[0005] To heat the aerosol-generating substance, the aerosol-generating device comprises a battery for supplying power to a heating mechanism of the aerosol-generating device that heats the aerosol-generating substance. The amount of charge stored in the battery when the battery is fully charged is typically such that it allows for the complete use of two or more consumables. Complete use is to be understood in the sense that the aerosol-generating substance for generating an aerosol has been completely exhausted. The battery is typically a rechargeable battery.

[0006] Typically, before starting an aerosol generation session using an aerosol generation device, users check the amount of charge remaining in the battery (hereinafter also referred to as the battery level) to ensure that the consumables inserted or to be inserted into the aerosol generation device can be fully used with the amount of charge remaining in the battery. This is especially important for users if they intend to go to an environment where it is impossible or difficult to charge the battery.

[0007] In conventional technology, the battery level is displayed as a percentage using any appropriate output means placed on the aerosol generating device. The percentage indicates the battery level relative to a fully charged or completely discharged battery. However, relying solely on a percentage display makes it difficult for the user to determine how many more consumables can be fully used with the remaining charge in the battery.

[0008] On the other hand, the number of consumables that can be fully used with the remaining charge in the battery is important information for the user, as it allows them to manage battery charging more effectively. For example, the user can plan battery charging in advance to effectively avoid unnecessary charging and discharging of the battery, such as complete discharge, which may adversely affect or have a negative impact on the battery's lifespan and performance. Furthermore, it is desirable to avoid wasting resources used to manufacture consumables by fully using them. Moreover, this information allows the user to better manage the consumption of consumables, thus reducing their concerns about the amount of charge remaining in the battery. For example, the user may want to know if there is enough charge remaining in the battery to completely empty, for example, three or another desired number of consumables.

[0009] Furthermore, the display of the battery level also depends on the overall shape and design of the aerosol generating device. For example, since aerosol generating devices are handheld devices, a smooth surface that provides the user with physical ergonomic advantages is usually preferred. Such a smooth surface should not be obstructed by means of displaying the battery level.

[0010] Therefore, a battery level indicator for aerosol generating devices is necessary that is easy for users to understand and allows them to better manage battery charging and consumable consumption. Furthermore, such a battery level indicator should also conform to the overall shape and design of the aerosol generating device. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The problems and objectives described above are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for indicating the battery level of a battery of an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance contained in a consumable, the method comprising the steps of: determining the amount of charge remaining in the battery; calculating the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery; and displaying information, wherein the information indicates the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided, the device comprising: a heating chamber configured to allow a user to place a consumable containing an aerosol generating substance inside the heating chamber; a heater configured to supply heat to the heating chamber, thereby heating the aerosol generating substance inside the consumable; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; an output unit for displaying information to the user; and a control unit configured to perform the method according to the aspect described above.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided comprising an aerosol generating device and a charging case as detailed above, wherein the charging case is equipped with a display for displaying the calculated number above.

[0015] Herein, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are presented to better understand the inventive concept of the present invention, but should not be considered as limiting the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1A] A schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 1B] A schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 1C] This diagram shows a schematic representation of an aerosol generation device in a communication environment with an external device. [Figure 1D] This diagram shows a schematic representation of consumables to be used with an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the functional components of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating a method for indicating the battery level of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4A]This document shows the numerical and graphical representations of the battery level of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] This document shows the numerical and graphical representations of the battery level of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] This document shows the numerical and graphical representations of the battery level of a smartphone-based aerosol generation device according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5B] This document shows the numerical and graphical representations of the battery level of a smartphone-based aerosol generation device according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] This shows the arrangement of an indicator on an aerosol generating device for indicating the battery level, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Further details of the graphical representation of the battery level of an aerosol generating device by an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] An aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a hand-held device shaped like a rounded cobblestone, and comprises an access portion 11 and a housing portion 12. The access portion 11 is located at the top of the aerosol-generating device 1 and comprises means for opening and closing an opening 13 leading to a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device 1. In the heating chamber, a user may place at least one consumable 100 comprising an aerosol-generating substance. The access portion 11 may, for example, comprise a lid that can be at least partially removed from the housing portion 12. In other embodiments, the access portion 11 may comprise a slider, for example. The slider can be moved between two positions, such as an open position and a closed position, for opening and closing the opening 13 leading to the heating chamber.

[0019] Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention when the access portion 11 is closed. As further shown in Figure 1B, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be provided with one or more input means 14 (for example, comprising one or more buttons) on the outside of the housing portion 12 for controlling (for example, turning on or off) the aerosol-generating device 1.

[0020] The housing portion 12 of the aerosol-generating device 1 may have a smooth outer surface, which, in combination with the cobblestone-like shape, provides physical ergonomic benefits to the user. The housing portion 12 houses at least the aforementioned heating chamber, and further houses additional components of the aerosol-generating device 1, as will be described in detail below.

[0021] A user may place a consumable 100 comprising an aerosol-generating substance into the heating chamber.

[0022] Figure 1D shows a schematic diagram of a consumable 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The consumable 100 may be a stick or a tobacco stick, which contains tobacco and / or other suitable substances that are heated rather than burned in a heating chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol. The consumable 100 may further contain a flavoring agent. The consumable 100 may have an elongated shape, for example, a cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 1D. The consumable 100 may be divided into two parts. The first part 110 contains the aerosol-generating substance, and the second part is a filter part 120.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the functional components of the aerosol generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The heating chamber 10 described above may be such that the user can place one consumable 100 at a time, or multiple consumables 100 at a time. The heating chamber 10 may also have a cylindrical shape, similar to the consumable 100. The shapes of the consumable 100 and the heating chamber 10 should not be considered limiting to the concept of the present invention.

[0025] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a heater 20 (or heating mechanism 20) for supplying heat to a heating chamber 10, thereby heating the aerosol generating substance 110 in the consumable 100. The heater 20 may be a heater 20 that supplies heat to the heating chamber 10 based on resistance heating, or it may be a heater 20 that supplies heat to the heating chamber 10 based on induction heating. The type of heating is not considered to limit the concept of the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, the heater 20 may be positioned outside the heating chamber 10 to indirectly heat the aerosol-generating substance 100, for example, through heat transfer by convection, or it may be positioned entirely or at least partially inside the heating chamber 10 to directly or indirectly heat the aerosol-generating substance 100. The position of the heater 20 relative to the heating chamber 10 should not be considered limiting to the concept of the present invention.

[0027] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a battery 30 for supplying power to the heater 20. The battery 30 is a rechargeable battery. When the battery 30 is fully charged, the amount of charge stored in the battery makes it possible to fully use (or consume) multiple consumables 100. Fully use (or consumption) should be understood as meaning that the aerosol generating material 110 for generating aerosols has burned out. Hereafter, the full use (or consumption) of one consumable 100 may also be referred to as a complete (or completed) aerosol generating session.

[0028] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises an output unit 40 for displaying information to the user. This information includes information indicating the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the battery level). The output unit 40 may be any suitable output unit, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD display) or an LED display, or one or more indicators, for example, a lamp or light-emitting device (LED). The lamp or light-emitting device (LED) may be monochromatic or multicolor, or in other words, it may emit light of a single color, or light of multiple colors, or it may emit white light. Further details of the output unit 40 are described below.

[0029] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a control unit 50 for performing various processes as described below. In particular, the control unit 50 performs a process for carrying out steps of a method for indicating the battery level of the battery 30 of the aerosol generating device 1, as described below.

[0030] The control unit 50 is any suitable unit, or includes any suitable unit such as a computer processing unit capable of performing computer processing. The control unit 50 (also called a controller) may be, for example, a microprocessing unit (MCU). Furthermore, the control unit 50 may include storage means such as memory. The memory may be a separate unit from the control unit 50, also located inside the housing 12. The memory can store various information necessary for processing by the control unit 50. Furthermore, the memory may store a computer program (code) including instructions, which, when the program is executed by the control unit 50, cause the control unit 50 to perform processing (or method steps) of embodiments of the present invention, as further detailed below.

[0031] The aerosol generating device 1 may also include transmitting and / or receiving means 60 for sending and receiving data to and from an external device. The external device may be an electronic device such as a smartphone 2 or another electronic device for personal use, or it may be a charging case 3. The charging case 3 may be used to charge the battery 30 of the aerosol generating device 1 when the aerosol generating device 1 is placed inside the charging case 3. Figure 1C schematically shows the aerosol generating device 1 communicating with a smartphone 2 and a charging case 3.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for indicating the battery level of the battery 30 of the aerosol generating device 1 for generating aerosols from an aerosol generating substance contained in a consumable 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] This method includes the following steps: determining the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 (step S1000); calculating the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 (step S2000); and displaying information, wherein the information indicates the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 (step S3000).

[0034] The following sections will elaborate on these steps in more detail.

[0035] In embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 50 may determine the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 based on various measurements. The specific method for determining the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 should not be considered limiting to the present invention.

[0036] The calculation of the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 can be performed in the initial calibration process or in the learning process, as will be further detailed below.

[0037] The initial calibration process relates to the first use of the aerosol generation device 1. First use can be understood as meaning that the user intends to initiate their first aerosol generation session.

[0038] The memory of the aerosol generating device 1 stores initial information, including a predetermined amount of charge (Z0) required to fully use one consumable 100. This predetermined amount of charge (Z0) required to fully use one consumable 100 may be obtained in a laboratory setting during testing performed on the aerosol generating device 1, or on other aerosol generating devices equipped with batteries having the same or similar characteristics as the aerosol generating device 1 of this embodiment, and / or one consumable, or it may be obtained by theoretical calculation. This information may then be pre-stored in the aerosol generating device 1 as a predetermined amount of charge (Z0) required to fully use one consumable 100. Pre-stored means that this information is stored in the memory of the aerosol generating device 1 when a user purchases the aerosol generating device 1.

[0039] For initial calibration, the control unit 50 determines the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 and calculates the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, based on the pre-stored amount of charge (Z0) required to use one consumable 100 and the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The control unit 50 then performs a step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The step of the control unit 50 displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 may include the control unit 50 sending a command to the output unit 40 to display information indicating the calculated number. The information indicating the calculated number may be displayed to the user in numerical, visual, or graphical form, as will be further detailed below.

[0040] When a user uses the aerosol generating device 1, the control unit 50 calculates, in a learning process as detailed below, the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The learning process is advantageous because, as the use of the aerosol generating device 1 progresses, the battery 30 may degrade, and as a result, the pre-stored amount of charge (Z0) required to use one consumable 100 may no longer match the amount of charge required to use one consumable 100 with the current battery characteristics.

[0041] The control unit 50 determines a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 before the consumable 100 is used. The first value (Y) may be determined, for example, at the start of power supply for use of the consumable, or at a predetermined time before power supply for use of the consumable, or based on a predetermined trigger signal received by the control unit 50. Examples of such trigger signals are described further below.

[0042] The control unit 50 further determines a second value (X) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 after the consumable 100 has been completely used.

[0043] This second value (X) is subtracted from the first value (Y), and the amount of charge (Z1) required to completely use one consumable 100 is determined as a result of subtracting the second value (X) from the first value (Y). This determined amount of charge (Z1) required to completely use one consumable 100 is stored. The control unit 50 may store the determined amount (Z1) in the memory described above.

[0044] The control unit 50 performs the step of determining the amount of charge required to fully use one consumable 100 for the next consumption, or in other words, each time one consumable 100 is fully used, the amount of charge required to fully use the consumable 100 is determined as detailed above, and as a result, data Z2, Z3, ... Zx are generated and stored in the memory described above.

[0045] The step of calculating the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 may be performed in various ways, as detailed below.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 before the consumable 100 is used is divided by the last stored amount of charge (Zx) (last consumed amount) required to completely use one consumable, thereby obtaining a first division result. The first division result is rounded down to the nearest integer, thereby allowing the calculation of the number of consumables 100 that can be completely used to generate aerosols with the remaining charge in the battery 30.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, an average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to fully use one consumable 100 may be calculated, and a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 before the consumable 100 is used is divided by the aforementioned average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to fully use one consumable 100 to obtain a second division result. The second division result is rounded down to the nearest integer, thereby allowing the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used to generate aerosols with the remaining charge in the battery 30 to be calculated.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to completely use one consumable is calculated from a predetermined number x of subsequent stored amounts (Zi, ..., Zi+x) of charge required to completely use one consumable (the amount consumed in the last x times).

[0049] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present invention, the average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to completely use one consumable includes determining a period based on a clock signal and calculating the average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to completely use one consumable from the stored amounts (Zi, ..., Zi+x) of the amount of charge required to completely use one consumable stored within this determined period. The length of the period may be pre-stored in the memory detailed above. For example, if the control unit 50 has an internal clock, this internal clock may be used to determine the period. The period may be, for example, one hour or more. For example, if a value (Zi) is not found within the period because the user did not use the aerosol generating device 1 within the period, the last calculated average value (Zav) of the amount of charge required to completely use one consumable 100 is used.

[0050] As detailed above, after calculating the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the remaining charge in the battery 30, the control unit 50 performs the step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The step of the control unit 50 displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 may include the control unit 50 sending a command to the output unit 40 to display information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30.

[0051] The step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 may include displaying numerical information (numerical representation) or displaying visual or graphical information (graphical representation).

[0052] Numerical representation may include displaying the calculated number on the output means 40, as shown in Figure 4A, in this case displaying the number 12. There is usually no limit to the maximum number that can be displayed in this way. In this case, the output unit 40 may be a liquid crystal display or an LED display.

[0053] Visual or graphical representations may include the use of indicators in the output unit 40, as shown in Figure 4B. The indicators may be multiple LEDs in the form of shapes or symbols such as dots, circles, triangles, or squares, which are positioned appropriately on the aerosol generating device, sufficiently spaced apart so that each is clearly visible. In other words, the output unit 40 may include multiple LEDs. The LEDs are illuminated to indicate how many consumables 100 are fully usable with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The number of illuminated LEDs represents the number of consumables fully usable with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. In other words, the step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 10 that are fully usable with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 includes the step of illuminating one or more indicators based on the aforementioned calculated number. In this embodiment, the number of illuminated indicators is equal to the calculated number.

[0054] In this embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4B, the indicator is positioned at the top of the housing 12 near the opening 13, through which the user inserts the consumable 100 into the heating chamber 10. This position of the indicator, in other words, this position of the output unit 40, allows the user to easily see the displayed information when opening the access section 11 to insert the consumable 100 into the heating chamber 10. Furthermore, by positioning the indicator at the top of the housing section 12, the surface on which the user normally grips the aerosol generating device 1 is not obstructed by the indicator, and as a result, the physical ergonomic advantages of this surface for the user are not hindered.

[0055] In this embodiment, the number of indicators placed on the output unit 40 is equal to the maximum number of consumables that can be fully used when the battery 30 is fully charged.

[0056] In another embodiment of the present invention, the number of indicators located on the output unit 40 may be less than the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used when the battery 30 is fully charged. One such embodiment is described further below.

[0057] The control unit 50 may further instruct the transmitting / receiving means to transmit a calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 to an external device that displays information indicating the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. The external device may be, for example, a smartphone 2, or another electronic device for personal use, or a charging case 3, as shown in Figure 1C.

[0058] Therefore, a graphical or numerical representation of the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 is performed by an external device, such as a smartphone 2 or a charging case 3.

[0059] The smartphone 2 may have application software installed to display either a numerical representation 21 of the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, as shown in Figure 5A, or a graphical representation 22 of the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery, as shown in Figure 5B. The numerical representation 21 may include additional text information, as shown in Figure 5A. The graphical representation 22 may display a shape, such as a circle, corresponding to the calculated number, as shown in Figure 5B.

[0060] The charging case 3 may be equipped with an output means similar to the output means 40 of the aerosol generating device 1 for displaying the calculated number.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 50 may further transmit the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery to the smartphone 2 (or other electronic device for personal use) so that the step of calculating the number of consumables as detailed is performed by the smartphone 2 (or other electronic device for personal use) instead of, or in addition to, the control unit 50 performing this step.

[0062] In other words, if the aerosol generating device 1 can connect to the application software of the smartphone 2, the aerosol generating device 1 transmits a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery to the smartphone 2, and the application software of the smartphone 2 performs the step of calculating the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, as detailed above, and then performs the step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, as detailed above.

[0063] The aerosol generating device 1 may connect to a smartphone 2, or other electronic devices for personal use, or an external device such as a charging case 3, via wireless or wired communication. In this case, the transmitting / receiving means 60 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be configured to perform wired or wireless communication. Wireless communication may include, for example, short-range wireless communication or long-range wireless communication.

[0064] As detailed above, the control unit 50 may be triggered to determine a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 based on a predetermined trigger signal received by the control unit 50. According to the above description, the trigger should be understood not only as a trigger for determining a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, but also as a trigger for indicating the battery level of the battery 30 of the aerosol generating device 1 by performing the steps of the method detailed above with reference to Figure 3.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the trigger may include the user opening the access unit 11 by moving a slider, for example, to open (e.g., before starting an aerosol generation session) or close (e.g., after completing an aerosol generation session) the opening 13 leading to the heating chamber 10. Thus, when the user opens the slider to open the opening 13 leading to the heating chamber 10 in order to insert the consumable 100, the steps of the method described with reference to Figure 3 are performed, and the battery level is displayed as detailed above. In this way, the user does not need to operate the aerosol generation device 1 any further to start displaying the battery level. This is advantageous because it eliminates the need to provide the aerosol generation device 1 with any further means to start displaying the battery level. It also improves the user experience because it informs the user of the remaining battery level (i.e., how many tobacco sticks / consumables can be inhaled / used) before starting an aerosol generation session. This is particularly useful when the remaining battery level is not sufficient to complete one aerosol generation session (e.g., inhaling one tobacco stick). Similarly, after an aerosol generation session is complete, when the user closes the slider to close the opening 13 leading to the heating chamber 10, the steps of the method described with reference to Figure 3 are performed and the battery level is shown as detailed above. Such immediate battery indication after inhalation is advantageous in helping the user anticipate battery charging and / or the next aerosol generation session.

[0066] In other embodiments of the present invention, the trigger may include the user pressing one or more buttons on the input unit 14, the user inserting the consumable 100 into the heating chamber 10, or the user lightly tapping, shaking, or vibrating the device.

[0067] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the trigger may occur via an external device, for example, following a user operating an external device, such as a smartphone 2, to request a battery display via the application software described above.

[0068] In the embodiment detailed above with reference to Figure 4B, a graphical representation of information indicating the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30 includes illuminating a number of LEDs (indicators), where the number of illuminated LEDs is equal to the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. This scheme requires a fairly large number of LEDs to be placed on the aerosol generating device 1, because the number of LEDs that can be illuminated must be equal to the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used when the battery 300 is fully charged. In other words, in such a case, the size of the output unit 40 becomes considerably larger. Therefore, a fairly large surface area is required to place such a large number of LEDs (output unit 40) on the aerosol generating device 1.

[0069] However, since the size of the handheld aerosol generating device 1, as detailed above, is limited, it is preferable that the number of LEDs placed on the aerosol generating device 1 be less than the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used when the battery 30 is fully charged. Therefore, it is necessary to determine a lighting pattern that can display information indicating the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30, without compromising the clean design of the aerosol generating device 1, without impairing the physical ergonomic advantages that such a design has for the user, and in a manner that is easily understood by the user, while being adapted to the limited size of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0070] Accordingly, in a further embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined number of indicators that can be illuminated in the output unit 40 are arranged on the aerosol generating device 1, and this predetermined number is less than the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used when the battery 30 is fully charged.

[0071] In this embodiment of the present invention, an illumination pattern for illuminating the indicators is determined based on a calculated number of consumables 100 and a predetermined threshold. Determining the illumination pattern for the indicators includes determining how many of the predetermined number of indicators to illuminate and determining the color of the illumination based on the calculated number of consumables 100 and a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be a predetermined number of indicators arranged on the aerosol generating device 1, or a multiple of the predetermined number of indicators arranged on the aerosol generating device 1.

[0072] The indicator can be an LED that can emit light in different colors.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined number of LEDs is four. In this embodiment of the present invention, each LED can emit light in at least three different colors.

[0074] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the four LEDs (output unit 40) on the aerosol generating device 1. As shown in Figure 6, the four LEDs are arranged in a straight line along the extension direction of the housing 12 and are located at the bottom of the housing 12. Since these four LEDs are located at the bottom of the aerosol generating device 1, they are positioned away from the gripping position of the aerosol generating device 1, and as a result, the physical ergonomic advantages of the contact surface between the user's hand and the aerosol generating device 1 are not interfered with.

[0075] The details of the lighting pattern are schematically shown in Figure 7.

[0076] The first color of each LED, for example white, indicates that five consumables 100 can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30. If there are four LEDs lit in the first color, for example white, this means that 16 to 20 or more consumables 100 can be fully used with a determined amount of charge remaining in the battery 30.

[0077] If there are three LEDs lit in the first color (one LED is not emitting light, i.e., dim), this means that with the determined charge amount of 100 remaining in the battery 30, 11 to 15 consumables can be fully used.

[0078] If there are two LEDs lit in the first color (the other two LEDs are dim), this means that with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery, you can fully use 6 to 10 consumables.

[0079] If one LED is lit in the first color (the other three LEDs are dim), this means that with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery, five consumables can be fully used.

[0080] Once the calculated number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30 reaches four, the color of the illumination changes to a second color, for example, yellow. In this case, each LED illuminated in the second color corresponds to one consumable 100 that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30. Therefore, if all four LEDs are illuminated in the second color, this means that four consumables 100 can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30. If three LEDs are illuminated in the second color (one LED is dim), this means that three consumables 100 can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30. If two LEDs are illuminated in the second color (two LEDs are dim), this means that two consumables 100 can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30.

[0081] However, when the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30 becomes one, the color of the illumination changes to a third color, for example, red. Thus, one LED illuminated in red (for example, the bottom LED in Figure 7; the other three LEDs are dim) indicates that only one consumable 100 can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30. In this way, the user can easily understand that only one consumable 100 can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in battery 30, and that battery 30 needs to be charged.

[0082] In summary, the above describes a method for indicating the battery level of the battery 30 of the aerosol generating device 1 in terms of the number of consumables 100 that can be fully used with the remaining charge in the battery 30. This allows the user to easily understand how many consumables 100 can be fully used with the remaining charge in the battery 30. Furthermore, the method of indication is also suitable for the limited size of the aerosol generating device 1 and does not interfere with the physical ergonomic advantages of the contact surface between the user's hand and the aerosol generating device 1.

[0083] While detailed embodiments have been described, these are merely intended to provide a better understanding of the invention as defined by the appended claims and should not be considered limiting.

Claims

1. A method for indicating the battery level of a battery in an aerosol generating device for generating aerosols from aerosol-generating substances contained in consumables, A step of determining the amount of charge remaining in the battery, To determine a first value (Y) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery before the consumables are used, After the aforementioned consumables have been completely used, a second value (X) of the amount of charge remaining in the battery is determined, Steps including, A step of subtracting the second value (X) from the first value (Y), The steps include determining the amount of charge (Zx) required to completely use one consumable by subtracting the second value (X) from the first value (Y), A step of storing the determined amount of charge (Zx) required to fully use one consumable, The steps include: calculating the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery; A method comprising the step of displaying information, the information indicating the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining and storing the amount of charge (Zx) required to fully use one consumable is performed each time the consumable is fully used.

3. The step of calculating the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery is: The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising dividing the first value (Y) by the last stored charge amount (Zx) required to completely use one consumable, thereby obtaining a first division result.

4. The step of calculating the number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery is: Calculate the average value of the amount of charge (Zx) required to completely use one consumable, The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising dividing the first value (Y) by the average value of the amount of charge (Zx) required to completely use one consumable, thereby obtaining a second division result.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the amount of charge remaining in the battery to the electronic device so that the step of calculating the number of consumables is performed by the electronic device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is a smartphone or a charging case.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery includes displaying the calculated number.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying information indicating the calculated number of consumables that can be fully used with the determined amount of charge remaining in the battery includes the step of illuminating one or more indicators based on the calculated number.

9. A predetermined number of indicators are placed on the aerosol generating device, The aforementioned method further, The method according to claim 8, comprising determining the illumination pattern of the indicator based on the calculated number of consumables and a predetermined threshold.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining the illumination pattern of the indicators includes determining the number of indicators to be illuminated out of a predetermined number of indicators, and determining the color of the illumination based on the calculated number of consumables and the predetermined threshold.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of indicators arranged on the aerosol generating device is four.

12. an aerosol generating device for generating aerosols, A heating chamber, configured to allow the user to place consumables containing aerosol-generating substances inside the heating chamber, A heater configured to supply heat to the heating chamber, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substance in the consumable, A battery configured to supply power to the heater, An output unit for displaying information to the user, an aerosol generating device comprising: a control unit configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A system comprising an aerosol generating device and a charging case according to claim 12, wherein the charging case includes a display for displaying the calculated number.

Images