Docking station for multiple different aerosol generators

Abstract

A docking station for a portable aerosol generator, wherein the docking station comprises an electrical port configured to be electrically connected to the portable aerosol generator, and the docking station further comprises a processing section, a memory section, and a communication section, wherein the processing section is configured to perform a first operation including the step of accessing the memory of the portable aerosol generator connected through the electrical port; perform a second operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of data stored in the memory of the connected portable aerosol generator to the memory section; perform a third operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the memory section toward a communication network through the communication section; and perform a fourth operation including the step of deleting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the communication network from the memory section when an acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a docking station for a portable aerosol generator. Generally, the present invention relates to a docking station that can be connected to a portable aerosol generator to perform various tasks, including the step of accessing the memory of the portable aerosol generator. Background Technology

[0002] Portable aerosol generators, such as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigar-like devices, heat-not-burn devices, e-vapor, or vaping devices, have recently been widely accepted and used. Generally, these portable aerosol generators provide a user with the opportunity to inhale vapor and / or aerosols generated from aerosol precursor materials or sources, such as tobacco or other solid materials and / or liquids, containing flavorings and other active ingredients. Typically, these devices ensure that the aerosol is generated accurately according to target characteristics and / or user preferences by using electronic control assemblies responsible for operating the device in a desired and reliable manner.

[0003] For this purpose, many portable aerosol generators generally include electronic controller circuits comprising a processing section and a memory section. The latter may store control and operation programs, as well as parameters and other data that influence and / or reflect the operation (i.e., aerosol generation). At the same time, users enjoy the features and functions of portable electronic devices that utilize connectivity with communication networks, such as the Internet or the so-called cloud. However, such features are not standard in all types of portable electronic devices. In particular, in the context of portable aerosol generators, connectivity to facilitate device operation, user convenience, and the long-term reliable operation of such devices is not yet widely used.

[0004] Therefore, for various reasons, it is necessary to facilitate data exchange between a portable aerosol generator and a communication network. Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide a means for providing convenient and reliable data exchange between a portable aerosol generator and a communication network.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is resolved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Additional preferred embodiments are limited to the dependent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a docking station for a portable aerosol generator is provided, the docking station comprises an electric port configured to be electrically connected to the portable aerosol generator, and the docking station further comprises a processing section, a memory section, and a communication section, wherein the processing section is configured to perform a first operation including the step of accessing the memory of the portable aerosol generator connected through the electric port; a second operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of data stored in the memory of the connected portable aerosol generator to the memory section; a third operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the memory section toward a communication network through the communication section; and a fourth operation including the step of deleting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the communication network from the memory section when an acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0007] Now, embodiments of the present invention, which are presented to better understand the concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings, and as follows: FIG. 1a schematically illustrates the elements and functions of an overall embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1b schematically illustrates additional preferred specific elements and functions of an overall embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a possible external shape of a docking station for a portable aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the device of the present invention; FIG. 3a illustrates a possible shape of a docking station adapted to operate with one or more portable aerosol generators according to another device embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3b illustrates a possible shape of a docking station adapted to operate with one or more portable aerosol generating devices or additional other devices according to another device embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0008] FIG. 1a schematically illustrates the elements and functions of an overall embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1a schematically illustrates the elements and functions of a docking station (1) configured to interact with a portable aerosol generator (2). For example, such a portable aerosol generator (2) may be implemented as an electronic portable device in the form of an electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar-type, non-combustion heating device, e-vapor, or vaping device. Generally, such a portable aerosol generator (2) provides an opportunity for a user to inhale vapor and / or aerosol generated from an aerosol precursor material or source. The docking station (1) includes an electric port (110) configured to be electrically connected to the portable aerosol generator (2), and the electric port (110) includes a standardized plug and socket (e.g., USB-C, micro USB, coaxial jack plug, etc.) that provides an electrical connection in a reliable and convenient manner.

[0009] The docking station (1) further comprises a processing section (101) and a memory section (102). The processing section (101) may be in the form of a microprocessor and / or microcontroller that provides processing resources for executing program code to provide desired functions. At the same time, this processing section may provide an interface that enables interaction between the docking station and the components and functions of the portable aerosol generator connected thereto. The memory section (102) may be implemented as a separate element or may be integrated into the microprocessor and / or microcontroller already mentioned as a common implementation with the processing section (101). Generally, the memory section (102) relates not only to memory involved during the execution of code and the provision of actual functions therefrom, but also to memory that retains information in a non-volatile manner to store programming instructions or arbitrary parameters or data that must be maintained, for example, even when processing resources are not operating or when there is no power supply to the relevant components. Accordingly, the memory section (102) may include any suitable memory such as RAM, D-RAM, S-RAM, flash memory, ROM, (E)(E)PROM, etc.

[0010] The docking station (1) further includes a communication section (103) that may be configured to communicate data from the docking station (1) to an environment and / or from the environment to the docking station (1). The latter may include a nearby network to which data can be exchanged by wireless communication technologies such as GPRS, GSM, UWB, BLE, WLAN, WiFi, UMTS, 4G, LTE, 5G, and 6G, and related advanced standards and technologies. In this way, data may also be communicated to a remote memory and processing entity (e.g., a server), or, more generally, to the Internet or the so-called cloud, as indicated by the communication network (9).

[0011] In an overall embodiment, the processing section (101) is configured to perform a set of operations schematically illustrated in the right portion of FIG. 1a. Specifically, the processing section (101) is configured to perform a first operation (301) including accessing the memory (202) of the portable aerosol generator (2) connected via the electric port (110). Specifically, the portable aerosol generator (2) may include various components and may provide various functions common in the context of generating an aerosol for a user to inhale. For example, it may include an aerosol generating assembly (210) that provides evaporative energy (e.g., in the form of heat or vibration) to release an aerosol (200) from a solid or liquid precursor material. For example, a heater may release an aerosol from a tobacco material or a liquid composition. Generally, the portable aerosol generator (2) may also likewise include a control unit (201) and a power source (211). For example, the control unit (201) may retrieve or store any data or information from the memory (202) of the portable aerosol generator during its operation. In the operation (301), access to the memory (202) may include a setting for data access to subsequently read data stored in the memory (202), by an authentication procedure, as well as a procedure for initializing the memory access, port, or any necessary interface.

[0012] Additionally, the processing section (101) is configured to perform a second operation (302) comprising the step of transferring at least a portion (d) of data (D) stored in the memory (202) of the connected portable aerosol generator (2) to the memory section (102). For example, this operation may read any data previously stored by an element or function of the portable aerosol generator (2), such as the mentioned data generated by the portable aerosol generator (2) during its operation (e.g., operation parameters, storage level indicator(s), configuration parameters, information related to user input or settings, etc.).

[0013] In a subsequent step, the processing section (101) is configured to perform a third operation (303) comprising the step of transmitting at least a portion (d') of the data (d) transmitted to the memory section toward the communication network (9) through the communication section (103). In this way, the data (d) transmitted from the portable aerosol generator (2) to the docking station (1) is part or all of the data (D) stored in the portable aerosol generator (2). Then, consequently, at least a portion (d') of such transmitted data (d) is delivered toward the communication network (9), so that for each data set (D, d, d'), the following relationship ( ) is applied. Otherwise, the processing section (101) may be configured to add, change, delete, or compress the transmitted data (d) before transmitting d'. In this alternative third operation (303), the above-mentioned relationship ( ) may not always apply. Consequently, at least some of the data stored in memory (202) is transmitted toward the communication network (9). Between one or more selection processes, the following may apply: First, This considers a situation where not all data (D) stored in the portable aerosol generator (2) must be transmitted in the operation (302), but only some of the data (d) of interest must be transmitted, such as data (d) that has been recently changed or changed since the previous access. Secondly, It considers a situation where not all data (d) transmitted to the docking station (1) is delivered, but only a portion of interest (d') is delivered, such as data (d') that has been changed compared to previously retrieved data, or data (d') that is the result of processing the data (d), including averaging, compression, etc. Therefore, the relationship ( ) may further include the fact that d' is based on d, or that d' is a processing result derived from data (d).

[0014] In another subsequent step, the processing section (101) is configured to perform a fourth operation (304) including the step of deleting at least a portion (d") of the data (d') transmitted from the memory section (102) to the communication network (9) when an acknowledgment signal (3031) is received from the communication network (9). In this way, the memory section (102) of the docking station (1) can remove unnecessary data and storage efficiency can be improved. Generally, the relationship ( Since ) can be applied, for example, all data (d) downloaded from the portable aerosol generator (2) is deleted from the memory section (102). Additionally, the docking station (1) can serve multiple different portable aerosol generators (2) because, in this way, data can be "downloaded" from various devices and "uploaded" to a network without requiring a larger buffer memory in the docking station (1) (this aspect is described in more detail with FIG. 1b and FIG. 2b).

[0015] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a fourth task (304) if the acknowledgment signal in 3011 is not received within a predetermined duration. For example, the predetermined duration may be in the range of 1 minute to 1 hour, which may reflect a typical delay time in the context of a remote server application via the Internet or cloud application. Alternatively, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a fourth task (304) if the memory section (102) is full or if the usage of the memory section (102) reaches a threshold. Additionally, the processing section (101) may be configured to store flag information indicating that the acknowledgment (3011) was not received, which may specifically trigger the step of obtaining data (d) from the portable aerosol generator (2) at the next call of the task (301). Additionally, the docking station (1) may include an indicator (104), such as an LED, which can be activated to indicate to the user that the upload of data to the communication network (9) has failed or at least that the acknowledgment has not been received. Whenever the downloaded data (d) fails to meet some predetermined criteria, additional alternative situations may occur for deleting the data (d). Specifically, the processing section (101) may be further configured to perform a fourth operation (304) if the checksum execution fails. This checksum execution may be part of the third operation (303) and may be provided to evaluate the validity or "value" of the retrieved data (d).

[0016] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to identify the connection and disconnection of the portable aerosol generator (2) in relation to the electric port (110) and to retain stored data (d) transmitted from the disconnected portable aerosol generator (2) in the memory section (102) until an acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network (9). Optionally, the processing section (101) may be configured to retain the stored data (d) in the memory section (102) until an acknowledgment signal is received, unless the acknowledgment signal (3011) is not received within a predetermined duration. Again, this predetermined duration may be in the range of 1 minute to 1 hour, which generally reflects a typical delay time in the context of a remote server application via the Internet or cloud application. In this way, the capacity of the memory section (102) is not wasted and can be used to store and process data when other work sequences need to be performed, and can potentially ensure successful transmission of target data to the communication network (9).

[0017] In the above embodiment, the docking station (1) may include a first communication link (191) between the processing section (101) and the memory section (102), and a second communication link (192) between the processing section (101) and the communication section (103). The first communication link (191) is separated from the second communication link (192). By separating these communication links, each of the first and second communication links (191, 192) may be implemented as a dedicated path (wire, channel, etc.). Since each of the first and second communication links (191, 192) may be prevented from becoming too congested or reaching their respective throughput capacities, high-performance data throughput may still be achieved.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a fifth task, including controlling the charging process of the rechargeable battery (211) of the connected portable aerosol generator (2). In this way, the docking station (101) may additionally function as a charging station for one or more portable aerosol generator(s). Thus, the time required to charge the battery (211) may also be used to achieve data exchange between the portable aerosol generator (2) and the communication network (9). Preferably, compared to a later step in which the battery (211) has been charged for some time and the user can therefore withdraw the device (2) from the docking station (1), the aforementioned task is performed at the start of the charging process because the portable aerosol generator (2) is more likely to remain connected to the docking station (1).

[0019] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a sixth operation including the step of identifying a connected portable device. This may include the step of querying a specific part of data (D) stored in the device memory (202) (i.e., a memory location where the manufacturer can record an identifier, serial number, etc.). This information may be part of the firmware or may be within the controller (211) of the portable aerosol generator (2). This operation may yield an identifier that may be particularly useful for associating a user profile with a specific portable aerosol generator or in the context of managing more than one device (2), as considered by the embodiment described in conjunction with FIG. 1b and FIG. 2b.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a seventh operation, which includes the step of downloading data from the communication network (9) and the step of uploading at least a portion of the downloaded data to a connected portable aerosol generator. In this way, an upstream data flow from the portable aerosol generator (2) to the communication network (9) is achieved in comparison to the downstream data flow described above. Uploading data in the opposite direction may enable the connected portable aerosol generator to be updated and / or remotely configured via the communication network (9). The docking station (1) may be further configured to receive data to be uploaded or commands to be executed at any time when the portable aerosol generator is connected to the docking station (1) and to initiate the upload or command. In this way, safe and reliable operation of the aerosol generator can be ensured by utilizing the time the device is connected to the docking station, such as while charging the battery (211).

[0021] FIG. 1b schematically illustrates additional preferred specific elements and functions of an overall embodiment of the present invention. Identical or equivalent elements are indicated by similar reference numbers as described in FIG. 1a. The enhanced embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1b considers the overall function of a docking station (1') that can be adapted to operate with more than one portable aerosol generator. This may include multiple devices of the same type, and also one or more portable aerosol generator(s) of different types. Thus, the disclosed function may be available not only for multiple aerosol generators of the same type (2-1, 2-2, ...), but also for various aerosol generators (2-11, 2-12, ..., 2-21, 2-22...). For example, the devices (2-1, 2-11, and 2-21) may come from different manufacturers, may come from different generations of devices of different aerosol generation technologies (e.g., non-combustion heated and e-liquid devices), or may be a mixture of the ones mentioned.

[0022] For this purpose, the processing section (101) may be configured, preferably as part of or in conjunction with the first task (301), to determine the identifier of the connected portable aerosol generator (2-1). In this way, additional details of access to the memory of the connected aerosol generator and all subsequent tasks may be adapted to suit a specific device or a specific type of device. The determination may further include the step of performing a test access routine and subsequent checks related to the acquired data (d) (e.g., by calculating a checksum or performing a validity check) to search for the type of the connected aerosol generator, even if the device does not provide any identifier information. For example, if access is not performed in a manner suitable for the connected aerosol generator, the retrieved data (d) may actually be empty. Specifically, the execution of tasks (301 and 302) may result in valid data (d) for the device (2-1), but does not initially yield valid data (d) for the device (2-11). This can trigger the processing section (101) to adjust the operation (301 and / or 302) (e.g., by varying the command and / or address parameters and format) until the data (d) retrieved for the device (2-11) passes the checksum or validity check.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to subsequently perform at least a second operation (302) and a third operation (303) on a connected portable aerosol generator. In this way, data transmission from a single aerosol generator to a communication network (9) can be achieved in a single sequence without the need to process and manage multiple data transmission sequences in parallel. Accordingly, this provides the advantage that the processing section (101) and potentially also the memory section (102) of the docking station (1') can be kept simple, even if the function of serving multiple aerosol generators or even different types of devices is maintained.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the docking station (1') may include more than one electrical port (110-1, 110-2, …) to serve more than one aerosol generator simultaneously. This may entail additional structural features that enable operation of the docking station (1') through multiple portable aerosol generators, which are described in more detail together with FIG. 2b. In this embodiment, the processing section (101) may be configured to perform a second operation (302) of transmitting at least a portion of the data (d) stored in the corresponding memory of more than one portable aerosol generator, and a third operation (303) of transmitting the data transmitted from more than one portable aerosol generator to the memory section (102) toward the communication network (9) in a predetermined order. For example, the predetermined order may take into account the size of each transmitted data (d) or each data to be transmitted (d').

[0025] Additionally, the predetermined order may also take into account the determined type of connected aerosol generator to provide a priority mechanism, etc. In this way, the predetermined order may be set to prioritize, for example, a portable aerosol generator in which the corresponding downloaded data (d) indicates relatively high device usage. Additionally, the predetermined order may be set based on a user profile associated with the connected portable aerosol generator. This may include the step of obtaining each information from the communication network (9) based on a determined identifier associated with the connected aerosol generator. The processing section (101) may be further configured to retain such information to determine each priority or preference whenever a specific device is connected, without obtaining such information again at each (re)connection.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a possible external shape of a docking station for a portable aerosol generator according to an embodiment of the device of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrated docking station (1) may provide the same elements and functions as described in FIG. 1a at a more general level. Accordingly, the docking station (1) as illustrated in FIG. 2 likewise includes elements (101 to 103) and related functions thereof. However, since this embodiment focuses on the preferred visual appearance of the docking station (1), it is illustrated in a perspective view. The docking station (1) includes a housing (111) for accommodating all elements as mentioned and described elsewhere in this disclosure. In this embodiment, the housing (111) further includes a bay (112) for accommodating a portable aerosol generator (2). The bay (112) may provide a shape that fits into the external shape of the portable aerosol generator (2) with at least some tolerance.

[0027] In this way, the bay (112) can enable connection with a counterpart (210) of the portable aerosol generator (2) via an electric port (110). The bay (112) may include guiding means to further facilitate insertion, for example, and may provide a plurality of guiding means in the form of protrusions, for example, serving connection settings. The docking station (1) includes an additional electric port (110) on a specific side of the bay (112) so that the target device (2) can be easily inserted. Preferably, the electric port (110) follows a directional plug-and-socket configuration in which the plug can be inserted into the socket by moving in only one direction and removed from the socket by moving in the opposite direction. The plug-and-socket configuration may include standardized plugs and sockets that provide an electrical connection in a reliable and convenient manner, such as USB-C, Micro USB, other USB variants, coaxial jack plugs, etc.

[0028] FIG. 3a illustrates a possible shape of a docking station adapted to operate with one or more portable aerosol generators according to another device embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrated docking station (1) may provide the same elements and functions as described at a more general level together with FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b. The docking station (1') includes a housing (111') for accommodating all elements as mentioned and described elsewhere in this disclosure. In this embodiment, the housing (111') further includes a bay (112') for accommodating one or more portable aerosol generator(s) (2-1, 2-2). The bay (112') may provide a shape that fits into at least a portion of the shape of the portable aerosol generator (2-1, 2-2, ...) with at least some tolerance. For example, the bay (112') may provide surface features or guiding means on the rear side to facilitate the insertion of individual devices (2-1, 2-2, ...), which may face the bay (112) only toward one side. A plurality of electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, ...) are positioned, for example, on the lower surface of the bay (112') to be connected to the inserted devices (2-1, 2-2, ...). The electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3) may be positioned at substantially equal distances from each other to provide structured insertion and visual alignment of the entire setup during operation.

[0029] FIG. 3b illustrates a possible shape of a docking station adapted to operate with one or more portable aerosol generating devices or additional other devices according to another device embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrated docking station (1") may provide the same elements and functions as described at a more general level together with FIGS. 1a and 1b. The docking station (1") includes a housing (111") for accommodating all elements as mentioned and described elsewhere in this disclosure. In this embodiment, the housing (111") further includes a bay (112") for accommodating one or more portable aerosol generator(s) of the same type (2-1, …), one or more portable aerosol generator(s) of a different type (2-11, …), and / or even other types of devices (4-1, …). The former group of devices has been described together with FIG. 1b, and other devices of the latter may include any other type of portable electronic device, such as the smartphone (4-1) described above, a portable computing device, a tablet computing device, a smartwatch, an auxiliary battery, a personal handheld terminal (PDA), a pocket calculator, a pocket translator, etc.

[0030] The bay (112) may provide a shape that fits into at least a portion of the outer shape of the portable aerosol generator (2-1, 2-11, ...) with at least some tolerance. For example, the bay (112) may provide surface features or guiding means on the rear side to facilitate the insertion of individual devices (2-1, 2-11, ...), which may face the bay (112) only toward one side. The bay (112) may also preferably provide a plurality of sections adapted to accommodate one type of device. A plurality of electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, ...) are disposed, for example, on the lower surface of the bay (112) to be connected to the corresponding inserted device (2-1, 2-11, 4-1, ...).

[0031] The electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3) may be partially positioned at substantially equal distances (d12, d23) from each other, but preferably may also be partially positioned at a variable distance (d34) to accommodate other types of devices that can be inserted into the docking station (1) in different directions (e.g., the illustrated smartphone (4-1) can preferably be inserted into the docking station so that its display (400) can remain visible). Additionally, while the electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3) may be positioned in the same direction, one or more ports (110-4, ..) may preferably be positioned in different directions perpendicular to at least one of the other electric ports (110-1, 110-2, 110-3). Again, the plug-and-socket configuration of the electric ports (110-1, …) may include standardized plugs and sockets that provide an electrical connection in a reliable and convenient manner, and examples of one or more types It can be USB-C, Micro USB, other USB variants, coaxial jack plugs, etc.

[0032] Although detailed embodiments have been described, they serve only to provide a better understanding of the invention as defined by the independent claims and should not be construed as limiting.

[0033] Additional embodiments are described in E1 to E15 below:

[0034] E1. A docking station for a portable aerosol generator, wherein the docking station comprises an electrical port configured to be electrically connected to the portable aerosol generator, and the docking station further comprises a processing section, a memory section, and a communication section, and the processing section comprises,

[0035] - Performing a first operation including the step of accessing the memory of a portable aerosol generator connected through the above electric port;

[0036] - Perform a second operation including the step of transferring at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the connected portable aerosol generator to the memory section;

[0037] - Performing a third operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the memory section to a communication network through the communication section;

[0038] A docking station for a portable aerosol generator configured to perform a fourth operation, including the step of deleting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the communication network from the memory section when an acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network.

[0039] E2. In embodiment E1, the processing section is,

[0040] - A docking station additionally configured to perform the fourth task if the above acknowledgment signal is not received within a predetermined duration.

[0041] E3. In embodiment E1 or E2, the processing section is,

[0042] - Preferably, a docking station further configured to perform the fourth operation if the checksum execution fails as part of the third operation.

[0043] E4. In any one of embodiments E1 to E3, the processing section is,

[0044] - Identify the connection and disconnection of the portable aerosol generator associated with the electric port, and

[0045] A docking station further configured to retain the stored data transmitted from the disconnected portable aerosol generator in the memory section until the acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network.

[0046] E5. A docking station in embodiment E4, wherein the processing section is configured to maintain the stored data in the memory section until the acknowledgment signal is received, unless the acknowledgment signal is received within a predetermined duration.

[0047] E6. A docking station adapted for one or more portable aerosol generators in any one of embodiments E1 to E5.

[0048] E7. In embodiment E6, the processing section is further configured to subsequently perform at least the second operation and the third operation on a connected portable aerosol generator, a docking station.

[0049] E8. A docking station comprising one or more electrical ports for simultaneously serving one or more aerosol generating devices in embodiment E6 or E7.

[0050] E9. In embodiment E8, the processing section is,

[0051] - Performing the second operation of transmitting at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of more than one of the connected portable aerosol generators, and

[0052] A docking station further configured to perform the third task of transmitting the data transmitted from one or more portable aerosol generators to the memory section toward the communication network in a predetermined order.

[0053] E10. A docking station in embodiment E9, wherein the predetermined order is preferably set to provide a priority mechanism for prioritizing a portable aerosol generator in which the transmitted data indicates a relatively high usage.

[0054] E11. In embodiment E9 or E10, the predetermined order is a docking station set based on a user profile associated with the connected portable aerosol generator.

[0055] E12. A docking station in any one of embodiments E1 to E11, further comprising a first communication link between the processing section and the memory section, and a second communication link between the processing section and the communication section, wherein the first communication link is separated from the second communication link.

[0056] E13. A docking station configured such that, in any one of embodiments E1 to E12, the processing section is configured to perform a fifth task including controlling the charging process of a rechargeable battery of a connected portable aerosol generator.

[0057] E14. A charging station, wherein in any one of embodiments E1 to E13, the processing section is configured to perform a sixth operation including the step of identifying a connected portable device.

[0058] E15. A charging station, wherein in any one of embodiments E1 to E14, the processing section is configured to perform a seventh operation including the step of downloading data from the communication network and the step of uploading at least a portion of the downloaded data to a connected portable device.

Claims

Claim 1 A docking station for a plurality of portable aerosol generators of different types, wherein the docking station comprises a plurality of electrical ports each configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding portable aerosol generator of the portable aerosol generator, and the docking station further comprises a processing section, a memory section, and a communication section, wherein the processing section is configured to perform a first operation as a test access routine, comprising: accessing the memory of a portable aerosol generator connected through the electrical port; a subsequent inspection related to acquired data for searching the type of the connected aerosol generator; and coordinating the access until the searched data passes the inspection; perform a second operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the connected portable aerosol generator to the memory section; perform a third operation including the step of transmitting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the memory section toward a communication network through the communication section; and perform a fourth operation including the step of deleting at least a portion of the data transmitted to the communication network from the memory section when an acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network. Station. Claim 2 A docking station according to claim 1, wherein the processing section is additionally configured to also perform the fourth operation if the acknowledgment signal is not received within a predetermined duration. Claim 3 A docking station according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the processing section is further configured to identify the connection and disconnection of the portable aerosol generator associated with the electric port, and to prioritize the storage data transmitted from the disconnected portable aerosol generator in the memory section until the acknowledgment signal is received from the communication network. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the processing section is further configured to perform at least the second operation and the third operation subsequently on a connected portable aerosol generator, a docking station. Claim 5 A docking station, wherein, in paragraph 4, the processing section is further configured to perform the second task of transmitting at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of one or more connected portable aerosol generators, and the third task of transmitting the data transmitted from one or more portable aerosol generators to the memory section toward the communication network in a predetermined order. Claim 6 In paragraph 5, the above-determined order is preferably set to provide a priority mechanism for prioritizing a portable aerosol generator in which the transmitted data indicates a relatively high usage, a docking station. Claim 7 In paragraph 5 or 6, the above-determined order is a docking station set based on a user profile associated with the connected portable aerosol generator. Claim 8 A docking station according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a first communication link between the processing section and the memory section, and a second communication link between the processing section and the communication section, wherein the first communication link is separated from the second communication link. Claim 9 A docking station configured to perform a fifth operation, wherein, in any one of claims 1 to 8, the processing section comprises controlling the charging process of a rechargeable battery of a connected portable aerosol generator. Claim 10 A docking station configured to perform a sixth operation, comprising the step of identifying a connected portable device, in any one of claims 1 to 9. Claim 11 A docking station configured to perform a seventh operation, wherein, in any one of claims 1 to 10, the processing section comprises the step of downloading data from the communication network and the step of uploading at least a portion of the downloaded data to a connected portable device.

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