Puff detecting method for aerosol provision system and aerosol provision system

Abstract

The present application discloses a puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system and an aerosol provision system. Wherein the method comprises: according to a set interval time, detecting the actual temperature of a heater of the system; when the actual temperature deviates from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference, adjusting the power of the heater according to set rules to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature; when it is determined that the number of deviations the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the cumulative deviation time that actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets a first preset condition, determining that a user has taken a puff. The present application utilizes the continuous changes in temperature and power caused by a user's puff to record the parameters that characterize the continuous changes and determine the user's puff accordingly, achieving reliable puff detection. And there is no need to add new components, reducing costs.

Description

[0001] PUFF DETECTING METHOD FOR AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM AND AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of aerosol provision technology, particularly to a puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system, and an aerosol provision system.

[0004] Background

[0005] An aerosol provision system refers to a system that accommodates an article containing an aerosol-generating material and heats the article to produce an aerosol.

[0006] Existing aerosol provision systems are heated according to a constant temperature heating curve or a step heating curve with fixed time intervals during use. However, the user's puff can be unpredictable, and the current heating curve may not match the user's actual puff, which can result in an inconsistent puffing experience. Heating control based on the user's actual puff may improve the consistency of the user's puffing experience. Therefore, detecting the user's puff may be useful for heating control. Moreover, it can also provide feedback control on the user's subsequent puffing behaviour based on their puff, such as reminding if there is excessive puff. It can be seen that detecting the user's puff has multiple important meanings.

[0007] Summary

[0008] The present application discloses a puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system and an aerosol provision system, to achieve puff detection in an aerosol provision system.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system, which comprises: according to a set interval time, detecting the actual temperature of a heater of the system; when the actual temperature deviates from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference, adjusting the power of the heater according to set rules to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature; when it is determined that the number of deviations the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the cumulative deviation time that actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets a first preset condition, determining that a user has taken a puff.

[0010] As used herein, the “adjustment coefficient of power” refers to the rate at which the power of the heater changes from one instance to a following instance. That is, the adjustment coefficient of power is a numerical factor by which the power at one instance is multiplied in order to arrive at the power at the following instance. When a user takes a puff, the aerosol in the aerosol provision system is sucked away to take away the heat, making the actual temperature of the system reduced. Based on the temperature control rules, when the actual temperature decreases, the system will adjust the power to make the system reach the set target temperature as quickly as possible. That is, the user's puff will bring changes in temperature and power adjustment. Each puff will last for a certain period, therefore, compared with other factors, the temperature changes caused by puffing have a certain degree of continuity, which correspondingly brings about the continuity of the power adjustment. Based on this, embodiments may record and analyse the temperature and power of the system, and determine the occurrence of puffing by the number, the cumulated time, and the adjustment coefficient characterizing the continuous changes in the temperature and power, which can achieve stable puff detection. During the detecting process, existing temperature sensors (which are already provided based on the needs of system temperature control) and controllers may be used, without the need to add new components, thus achieving low-cost puff detection.

[0011] Optionally, the deviation of the actual temperature from the target temperature comprises two deviation modes, namely the actual temperature being higher than the target temperature and the actual temperature being lower than the target temperature; the method comprises: in one detecting cycle, if the current deviation mode of the temperature is the same as the previous deviation mode of the temperature, accumulating the number of deviations corresponding to this detecting cycle, and taking the accumulated number of deviations as the latest number of deviations in the detecting cycle, if not, starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting the number of deviations.

[0012] The method may comprise: in one detecting cycle, calculating the cumulative deviation time based on the number of deviations and the set interval time.

[0013] Optionally, the number of deviations the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the cumulative deviation time that the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meeting a first preset condition comprises: in one detecting cycle, the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time meets the first preset condition; in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time meets the first preset condition, wherein the deviation mode of the multiple detecting cycles is the same; or, there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time meets the first preset condition, wherein the deviation mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same. By conducting puff detection through multiple detecting cycles, it is possible to avoid erroneous determinations caused by the randomness of one detecting cycle, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of detection.

[0014] Optionally, the method comprises: filtering all detecting cycles within a preset time window, and deleting detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles; and wherein the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles refers to the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles within the filtered set of detecting cycles.

[0015] Even if the user keeps puffing, there may be temporary unexpected temperature changes due to accidental factors. By filtering and deleting such detecting cycles, the adverse effects of accidental factors on puff detection can be reduced, and the accuracy and stability of detection can be improved.

[0016] The deviation mode may be that the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature.

[0017] Optionally, the power adjustment comprises two power adjustment modes, namely power increase and power decrease. The method may comprise: in one detecting cycle, if the current power adjustment mode is the same as the previous power adjustment mode, accumulating the number of power adjustments corresponding to this detecting cycle, and taking the accumulated number of power adjustments as the latest number of power adjustments in the detecting cycle, if not, starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting the number of power adjustments.

[0018] Optionally, in one detecting cycle, the larger the number of power adjustments, the greater the adjustment coefficient of power.

[0019] In order to reach the target temperature as quickly as possible, the system may be controlled as follows: when the actual temperature has not reached the target temperature after the previous power adjustment, the system may continue to increase the power and as the number of power adjustments increases, the adjustment coefficient of power, namely the change rate of power relative to the previous power, may increase to strive to reach the target temperature as quickly as possible. Therefore, the larger the number of temperature deviations there are, the larger the number of power adjustments there may be, and the greater the adjustment coefficient of power may be.

[0020] Based on this, the magnitude of the adjustment coefficient of power can characterize the number of power adjustments or the number of temperature deviations in reverse. That is, the magnitude of the adjustment coefficient of power can also characterize whether the temperature or power is in a continuous change for puff detection. The adjustment of the power of the heater according to set rules may comprise: adjusting the power of the heater according to the adjustment coefficient of power and the previous power.

[0021] Optionally, the adjustment coefficient of power is calculated as follows: calculating Kn+1 according to the formula Kn+1=m*Kn, determining the adjustment coefficient f(Kn+1) for the (n+1)-th adjustment of power according to Kn+1 ; the larger Kn+1 , the larger f(Kn+1); wherein, n is the number of continuous times the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature; Kn ^ 1 , n ^ 1; m > 1. The adjustment of the power of the heater according to the adjustment coefficient of power and the previous power may comprise: adjusting the power of the heater for the (n+1)-th time according to the formula Pn+1=Pn*f(Kn+1); wherein, Pn and Pn+1 are respectively the power of the heater after the n-th adjustment and the (n+ 1 )- th adjustment.

[0022] In the formulas above, f(Kn) is the adjustment coefficient of power for the n-th adjustment, Kn is a calculation factor of f at instance n, n is an integer, m is a coefficient by which K at one instance is multiplied in order to arrive at K at the following instance, and Pn is the power of the heater after the n-th adjustment.

[0023] Based on this formula, the relationship between the adjustment coefficient of power and the number of temperature deviations and the number of power adjustments can be quantified, allowing for stable and reliable puff detection based on the value of the adjustment coefficient of power.

[0024] Optionally, m=n+1.

[0025] Optionally, the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meeting a first preset condition comprises: in one detecting cycle, the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition; or, in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, wherein the power adjustment mode of the multiple detecting cycles is the same; or, there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, wherein the power adjustment mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same.

[0026] By conducting puff detection through multiple detecting cycles, it is possible to avoid erroneous determinations caused by the randomness of one detecting cycle, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of detection.

[0027] The method may comprise: filtering all detecting cycles within a preset time window, and deleting detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles; and wherein the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles refers to the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles within the filtered set of detecting cycles.

[0028] Even if the user keeps puffing, there may be temporary unexpected changes in the temperature due to accidental factors, thus bringing about unexpected power adjustments. By filtering and deleting such detecting cycles, any adverse effects of accidental factors on puff detection can be reduced, and the accuracy and stability of detection can be improved.

[0029] Optionally, the power adjustment mode is power increase.

[0030] Optionally, the system has a constant-temperature stage with the same target temperature during the heating process, and in the constant-temperature stage, when it is determined that the number of deviations the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the cumulated deviation time that actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets a first preset condition, determining that a user has taken a puff.

[0031] The target temperature may be 250 °C - 400 °C.

[0032] The set interval time may be 15 - 25 ms.

[0033] The method may comprise: recording the number of puffing actions taken by a user.

[0034] Optionally, the method comprises: determining the start of a puffing session; and during the puffing session, if the recorded number of puffing actions reaches or exceeds a preset number threshold of puffing actions, determining that the puffing session ends.

[0035] By detecting the user's puff, it can be determined whether the user has finished one puffing session. This can facilitate further control based on the puffing session in the future.

[0036] The method may comprise: when it is determined that the puffing session ends, controlling the output of an indication of the end of the puffing session or controlling the heater to enter sleep mode.

[0037] The method may comprise: when it is determined that a user has taken a puff, controlling the power of the heater to increase, or controlling the target temperature of the heater to increase.

[0038] When the user takes a puff, the aerosol in the system may be reduced. In order to replenish the aerosol as quickly as possible for the user's next puff, embodiments may control the heater power / target temperature of the system to increase, to achieve rapid replenishment of the aerosol.

[0039] In accordance with a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a heater, configured to heat an aerosol generating material in the aerosol provision system during use; and a controller, configured to execute the puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system mentioned above.

[0040] Embodiments may utilize the continuous changes in temperature and power caused by a user's puff to record at least one of the number of temperature deviations, the cumulative deviation time, the number of power adjustments and the adjustment coefficient of power that characterize continuous changes, and determine the user's puff accordingly, achieving reliable and stable puff detection. Based on this detecting method, there may be no need to add new components to the existing system, and low-cost puff detection can be achieved.

[0041] In accordance with a third aspect, there is provided a computer device, which comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and when executed by the processor, the computer program implements the or any of the methods mentioned above or below.

[0042] In accordance with a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium with a computer program stored therein, wherein when executed, the computer program implements the or any of the methods mentioned above or below.

[0043] In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method of detecting when a user takes a puff on an aerosol provision system, the method comprising: periodically detecting an actual temperature of a heater of the system, a time interval between detections being a set interval time; if the actual temperature differs from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference, adjusting the power of the heater to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature; and determining that a user has taken a puff if it is determined that the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or an adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition.

[0044] The method may include one or more or all of the method steps described above or below.

[0045] In accordance with an aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system, comprising: a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating material configured to be received in the aerosol provision system during use; and a controller configured to: periodically detect an actual temperature of the heater, a time interval between detections being a set interval time; adjust the power of the heater to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature if the actual temperature differs from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference; and determine that a user of the system has taken a puff if it is determined that the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or an adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition.

[0046] The controller may be configured to perform one or more or all of the method steps described above or below.

[0047] The or any of the aerosol provision systems described above may comprise an aerosol provision device and a consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

[0048] Additional aspects and advantages will be partially described in the following description, some will become apparent from the following description.

[0049] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed content of the present application will become more understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Moreover, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, among which:

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic structure diagram of an aerosol provision system;

[0052] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a puff detecting method implemented in the aerosol provision system;

[0053] Figure 3 shows a flow chart of determining a puffing session based on the puff detection; and

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic structure diagram of a computer device.

[0055] Detailed Description

[0056] The following describes some embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only for explaining the technical principles and are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0057] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user in use, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolgenerating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0058] According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0059] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

[0060] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

[0061] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0062] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0063] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0064] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0065] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0066] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0067] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0068] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0069] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0070] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosolmodifying agent.

[0071] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0072] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosolformer materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0073] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

[0074] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0075] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0076] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.

[0077] Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

[0078] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0079] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0080] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

[0081] In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3. Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0082] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0083] The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0084] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0085] The material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

[0086] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0087] A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

[0088] An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosolmodifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

[0089] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0090] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems (which may also be referred to as vapour delivery systems) such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system I device and electronic aerosol delivery system I device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

[0091] Aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable device part and a replaceable (disposable / consumable) cartridge part. Often, the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol-generating material and the vaporiser (which may collectively be called a “cartomizer”) and the reusable device part will comprise the power provision (e.g. rechargeable power source) and control circuitry. It will be appreciated these different parts may comprise further elements depending on functionality. For example, the reusable device part will often comprise a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics, and the replaceable cartridge device part in some cases comprises a temperature sensor for helping to control temperature. Cartridges are electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, or magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol-generating material in a cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol-generating material, the cartridge may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Systems and devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part systems / devices.

[0092] It is common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure will be taken to comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part system employing disposable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated that the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for different configurations, for example single-part systems or modular systems comprising more than two parts, refillable devices and single-use disposables, as well as other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a boxier shape. More generally, it will be appreciated certain embodiments of the disclosure are based on aerosol delivery systems which are operationally configured to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and the constructional aspects of systems configured to provide the functionality in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure is not of primary significance.

[0093] Implementing the detection of a user's puff (i.e. a user drawing on the system / device) in an aerosol provision system can be of great significance for heating control, user's puff control, and so on. Based on this, the present application provides a puff detecting method, which utilizes the continuous changes in temperature and power caused by a user's puff to record the number, the cumulative time and the adjustment coefficient that characterize the continuous changes in temperature and power, and determine the occurrence of puffing accordingly, to achieve stable and reliable puff detection. During the detecting process, the method may only need to utilize the existing temperature sensors (which are already provided based on the needs of system temperature control) and controllers, without the need to add new components, thus achieving low-cost puff detection.

[0094] Embodiment I

[0095] Embodiment I of the present application provides an aerosol provision system. Figure 1 is a schematic structure diagram of an aerosol provision system. It shows the composition of the aerosol provision system 100 in a simplified manner, where each component is not drawn to scale and parts unrelated to the understanding of the present application are omitted.

[0096] As shown in Figure 1 , the aerosol provision system 100 comprises a housing 10 and an article 20 (such as one or more cigarettes or e-liquids) located at least partially inside the housing 10. The article 20 comprises an aerosol-generating material that can be atomized to produce an aerosol.

[0097] In addition, the aerosol provision system 100 comprises a power source 40, such as a rechargeable battery, arranged inside the housing 10.

[0098] The aerosol provision system 100 comprises a heater 30 for generating heat when being energized to heat and atomize aerosol-generating material of the article 20.

[0099] The aerosol provision system 100 comprises a temperature sensor 50 for detecting the actual temperature of the heater 30. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 50 may be configured as a dedicated temperature sensor. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the temperature sensor 50 is configured to detect the resistance value of the heater 30 to ultimately determine the temperature based on the resistance value (i.e. to indirectly determine the temperature of the heater 30).

[0100] The aerosol provision system 100 further comprises a controller 60. The controller 60 is connected to the heater 30, the power source 40 and the temperature sensor 50, and configured to control the power supply provided by the power source 40 to the heater 30 based on the actual temperature of the heater 30, and detect the user's puff based on recorded temperature- and power-related parameters.

[0101] Embodiment II

[0102] Embodiment II of the present application provides a puff detecting method implemented in an aerosol provision system. This aerosol provision system may be the aerosol provision system described in Embodiment I and Figure 1. Figure 2 is a flow chart of the puff detecting method implemented in the aerosol provision system. This method is applied in the controller of the aerosol provision system. As shown in Figure 2, the method comprises: According to a set interval time, detecting the actual temperature of a heater of the system (step S21).

[0103] In this embodiment, the interval time may be a fixed value or a variable value. The interval time may be pre-set in the controller of the system, or set based on a user input. In one embodiment, the interval time is 15 - 25 ms, for example 20 ms. The shorter the interval time, the more timely the tracking of the temperature of the heater.

[0104] When the actual temperature deviates from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference, adjusting the power of the heater according to set rules to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature (step S22). The predetermined difference may be pre-set in the controller of the system, or set based on a user input. By setting a predetermined difference, the situations where the actual temperature is close to the target temperature can be filtered out, to eliminate deviations caused by detection errors of the temperature sensor or normal fluctuations in the temperature of the heater.

[0105] In an embodiment, the power of the heater may be adjusted according to the following set rules:

[0106] A target temperature is set in the heater, and refers to the temperature that the system expects the heater to reach. The controller periodically detects the actual temperature of the heater, and when it detects that the actual temperature of the heater deviates from (i.e., is different from) the target temperature, it will adjust the power supplied to the heater by the power source to make the heater reach the target temperature as quickly as possible. If the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, the power supplied to the heater by the power source will be controlled to increase, so that the temperature of the heater can be raised to approach or reach the target temperature. If the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature, the power supplied to the heater by the power source will be controlled to decrease, so that the temperature of the heater can be reduced to approach or reach the target temperature.

[0107] In one embodiment, when making specific adjustments to the power, the controller will determine an adjustment coefficient of power (also known as the change rate of power) based on the number of temperature deviations, and the number of power adjustment times, etc., and calculate the current power adjustment value by combining the adjustment coefficient of power with the previous power value, so that the temperature of the heater can approach or reach the target temperature as quickly as possible.

[0108] If the actual temperature of the heater deviates from the target temperature due to some factors, according to the heating control rules of the system, the controller will adjust the power supplied to the heater by the power source to make the actual temperature of the heater approach or reach the target temperature as quickly as possible. The system may use one to two power adjustments to raise the actual temperature of the heater to the target temperature. For example, in a case in which the detection interval of the controller for the actual temperature of the heater is 20 ms, the temperature adjustment of the heater can be completed within about 20 - 40 ms. But, as mentioned earlier, the user's puff (i.e. an individual puff of a user) is continuous (usually lasting 3 - 5 s), resulting in continuous changes in the temperature of the heater. This continuity is manifested as the controller detecting multiple times or for a prolonged period that the actual temperature of the heater deviates from the target temperature. Correspondingly, the controller will adjust the power supplied to the heater by the power source multiple times, and the adjustment coefficient of power will also exhibit certain characteristics. The temperature deviations, the power adjustments, and the adjustment coefficient of power caused by the user's puff all have certain characteristics. The controller realizes the detection of the user's puff based on these characteristics.

[0109] When it is determined that a number of deviations the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or a cumulative deviation time during which the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, determining that a user has taken a puff (step S23).

[0110] As used herein, the deviation of the actual temperature from the target temperature refers to the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature. The number of deviations refers to the number of times the actual temperature differs from the target temperature. Correspondingly, the cumulative deviation time refers to the cumulative time when the actual temperature differs from the target temperature.

[0111] Hence, it will be appreciated that in step S23, when it is determined that the number of times that the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or the cumulative time during which the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, it is determined that a user has taken a puff.

[0112] As mentioned earlier, parameters such as the number of deviations, the cumulative deviation time, the number of power adjustments and the adjustment coefficient of power caused by the user's puff all have certain characteristics. Therefore, these parameters can be recorded or obtained, and when it is determined that at least one of these parameters meets the first preset condition, it can be determined that the user has taken a puff. The first preset condition may be determined based on empirical values.

[0113] The deviation of the actual temperature from the target temperature comprises two deviation modes (which may be referred to herein as deviation modes of the temperature), namely the actual temperature being higher than the target temperature and the actual temperature being lower than the target temperature. In one embodiment, the number of deviations refers to the number of deviation durations under the same deviation mode. It may be calculated as follows:

[0114] In one detecting cycle, if the current deviation mode of the temperature is the same as the previous deviation mode of the temperature, accumulating the number of deviations corresponding to this detecting cycle, and taking the accumulative number of deviations as the latest number of deviations in the detecting cycle, if not (i.e. if the current deviation mode of the temperature is not the same as the previous deviation mode of the temperature), starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting of the number of deviations. That is, once a deviation mode of the temperature is different from the previous one, the number of deviations will be recalculated in a new cycle.

[0115] Correspondingly, the cumulative deviation time is the cumulative time within each detecting cycle. The cumulative deviation time may be determined based on the clock record of the system, or based on the number of deviations and the interval time set in step S21 above. In the case of a fixed interval time, the larger the number of deviations, the greater the cumulative deviation time.

[0116] Considering the decrease in temperature caused by the user's puff of the aerosol, in some embodiments, the number of deviations used to determine a puff refers to the number of deviation durations the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, and the cumulative deviation time refers to the cumulative deviation time when the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature.

[0117] Of course, considering the more specific heating control rules of some aerosol provision systems, the deviation times used to determine a puff may alternatively or in addition be the number of deviation durations the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature, and the cumulative deviation time may refer to the cumulative deviation time when the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature. For example, when the user's puff takes away the aerosol, in order to replenish the aerosol, the temperature of the heater may be significantly increased, at this point, the controller will detect that the actual temperature of the heater continues to be higher than the target temperature.

[0118] In an embodiment, the user’s puff may be determined based on whether the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time in one detecting cycle meets the first preset condition. When it is detected that the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time in one detecting cycle meets the first preset condition, it is determined that the user has taken a puff. In this mode, to ensure reliability, strict requirements are placed on the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time. For example, it may be required that the number of deviations reaches 10 times and / or the cumulative deviation time exceeds 200 ms.

[0119] In an embodiment, if in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time meets the first preset condition, it is determined that the user has taken a puff, wherein the deviation mode of the multiple detecting cycles is the same. Due to the integration of multiple detecting cycles, this mode can reduce the errors caused by a single detecting cycle, and compared to the determination method of a single detecting cycle, it can appropriately reduce the requirements for the number of deviations and / or cumulative deviation time. For example, over 3 detecting cycles, the first preset condition may comprise the number of deviations reaching 5 times and / or the cumulative deviation time exceeding 100 ms. In addition, considering that a single puff is taken continuously, the multiple detecting cycles in this embodiment can be limited to multiple cycles within a set time window.

[0120] In another embodiment, if there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of deviations and / or the cumulative deviation time meets the first preset condition, it is determined that the user has taken a puff, wherein the deviation mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same. This mode integrates multiple detecting cycles and considers the continuity between cycles, improving the reliability of puff detection.

[0121] The puffing intensity of a user during a single puffing session is unpredictable, taking the influence of external environment into account. This results in uneven changes in the actual temperature of the heater during a single puffing duration, with most of the time the actual temperature being lower than the target temperature due to puffing of the aerosol. However, in some cases, there may be a decrease in the actual temperature, but after the power adjustment, it can quickly replenish to the target temperature or even exceed the target temperature. These moments may be brief and may be a rare occurance. At this time, all detecting cycles within a preset time window are filtered, and detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition are deleted, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles and determine a puff based on the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in the filtered set of detecting cycles.

[0122] For example, 7 continuous detecting cycles may be obtained within a time window, with a corresponding number of temperature deviations being respectively: the actual temperature is below the target temperature 6 times, below the target temperature 7 times, below the target temperature 2 times, below the target temperature 7 times, below the target temperature 5 times, above the target temperature 1 time, and below the target temperature 6 times. When cycles in which the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature by less than 3 times account for a smaller proportion, they can be filtered out. If there are fewer cycles in which the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature and the number of deviations is less than 3 times, they can be filtered out. In the filtered set of detecting cycles, if the number of deviations in 5 consecutive detecting cycles (reaching the second preset number) is not less than 5 times (meeting the first preset condition), it can be determined that the user has taken a puff.

[0123] The power adjustment comprises two power adjustment modes, namely power increase and power decrease. In one embodiment, the number of power adjustments refers to the continuous number of power adjustments under the same mode of power adjustment, which is calculated as follows: in one detecting cycle, if the current power adjustment mode is the same as the previous power adjustment mode, accumulating the number of power adjustments corresponding to this detecting cycle, and taking the accumulative number of power adjustments as the latest number of power adjustments in the detecting cycle, if not (i.e. if the current power adjustment mode is not the same as the previous power adjustment mode), starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting the number of power adjustments. Every temperature deviation brings about a power adjustment, and it is foreseeable that the larger the number of temperature deviations, the larger the number of power adjustments.

[0124] Considering the decrease in temperature caused by the user's puff of the aerosol, and an increase in the power, in some embodiments, the number of power adjustments used to determine a puff refers to the number of adjustments made to increase the power.

[0125] Regarding the adjustment coefficient of power, in one embodiment, within the same detecting cycle, when the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, the power increases, and the adjustment coefficient of power increases with the increase of the number of power adjustments (or the number of temperature deviations). If the actual temperature of the heater remains below the target temperature after the previous adjustment made to increase the power, it indicates that the previous power adjustment was not strong enough. At this point, the controller will increase the adjustment coefficient of power to adjust the power with greater force (i.e. a larger increase in power), so that the temperature of the heater can approach or reach the target temperature as quickly as possible.

[0126] In one embodiment, a method for calculating the adjustment coefficient of power within the same detecting cycle is provided:

[0127] When the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature in a detecting cycle, calculating Kn+1 according to the formula Kn+1=m*Kn, determining the adjustment coefficient f(Kn+1) for the (n+1)-th adjustment of power according to Kn+1 ; the larger Kn+1 , the larger f(Kn+1). n is the number of continuous times the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, and Kn ^ 1, n ^ 1, m > 1. According to this formula, the larger the number n of deviations that the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, the greater the number n+1 of power adjustments required, and the greater the corresponding adjustment coefficient of power f(Kn+1).

[0128] When the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature in a detecting cycle, calculating Kn+1 according to the formula Kn+1=Kn / m, determining the adjustment coefficient f(Kn+1) for the (n+ 1 )-th adjustment of power according to Kn+1 ; the smaller Kn+1 , the smaller f(Kn+1). n is the number of continuous times the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature; Kn ^ 1 , n ^ 1; m > 1. According to this formula, the larger the number n of deviations that the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature, the greater the number n+1 of power adjustments required, and the smaller the corresponding adjustment coefficient of power f(Kn+1).

[0129] According to the formula Pn+1=Pn*f(Kn+1), the power Pn+1 applied to the heater for the (n+ 1 )-th time may be determined based on the power Pn of the n-th time.

[0130] In an embodiment, m = n+1 , that is, the adjustment coefficient of power increases exponentially with respect to the number of temperature deviations.

[0131] It can be seen that under the above rules for determining the adjustment coefficient of power, the adjustment coefficient of power is related to the number of power adjustments and the number of temperature deviations. When the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, a larger adjustment coefficient of power represents a larger number of power adjustments and a larger number of temperature deviations. The user's puff can therefore be determined based on whether the adjustment coefficient of power is greater than a set threshold.

[0132] In an embodiment, puffing may be determined based on whether the number of the power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition in one detecting cycle. In this mode, to ensure reliability, strict requirements may be placed on the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power. For example, 10 power adjustments may be required.

[0133] In an another embodiment, if in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, it is determined that the user has taken a puff, wherein the modes of power adjustments in the multiple detecting cycles are the same. Due to the integration of multiple detecting cycles, this mode can reduce the errors caused by a single detecting cycle, and compared to the determination method of a single detecting cycle, it can appropriately reduce the requirements for the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power. In addition, considering that a single puff is taken continuously, the multiple detecting cycles in this embodiment can be limited to multiple cycles within a set time window.

[0134] In another embodiment, if there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, it is determined that the user has taken a puff, wherein the power adjustment mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same. This mode integrates multiple detecting cycles and considers the continuity between cycles, improving the reliability of puff detection.

[0135] The puffing intensity of a user during a single puffing session is unpredictable, taking the influence of external environment into account. This results in uneven changes in the actual temperature of the heater during a single puffing duration, with most of the time the actual temperature being lower than the target temperature due to puffing of the aerosol, requiring more power adjustments. However, in some cases, there may be a decrease in the actual temperature, but after a few times of power adjustments, it can quickly replenish to the target temperature or even exceed the target temperature. These moments may be brief and may be a rare occurrence. At this time, all detecting cycles within a preset time window are filtered, and detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition are deleted, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles and determine puff based on the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in the filtered set of detecting cycles.

[0136] For example, 7 continuous detecting cycles may be obtained within a time window, with corresponding number of power adjustments being respectively: the power increases 6 times, increases? times, increases 2 times, increases 7 times, increases 5 times, decreases 1 time, and increases 6 times. When cycles with less than 3 power increases account for a smaller proportion, they can be filtered out. If there are fewer cycles in which the power decreases and the number of power adjustments is less than 3 times, they can be filtered out. In the filtered set of detecting cycles, if the number of adjustments made to increase the power in 5 consecutive detecting cycles (reaching the second preset number) is not less than 5 times (meeting the first preset condition), it can be determined that the user has taken a puff.

[0137] In an embodiment, the above target temperature may be selected from 250 °C - 400 ° C.

[0138] The heater can be set with different target temperatures for different heating stages. For example, when the system is first started, the heater may be in a heating stage where the target temperature gradually increases, to quickly raise from room temperature to an atomizable temperature of an article. When the system reaches the atomizable temperature, it may enter a constant temperature stage, in which the target temperature is a fixed value or within a small temperature fluctuation range. In an embodiment, the above puff detecting method is applied during the process in which the system is in the constant temperature stage.

[0139] Based on the above puff detection, a determination of puffing of the user can be realized. Based on this, a next feedback control can be performed.

[0140] In an embodiment, a flow chart of determining a puffing session based on the puff detection is shown in Figure 3. It specifically comprises:

[0141] Determining the start of a puffing session (step S31).

[0142] Recording the number of puffing actions (step S32).

[0143] During the puffing session, if the recorded number of puffing actions reaches or exceeds a preset number threshold of puffing actions, determining that the puffing session ends (step S33).

[0144] Furthermore, the method further comprises: When it is determined that the puffing session has ended, controlling the output of an indication of the end of the puffing session or controlling the heater to enter sleep mode (step S34).

[0145] Traditional cigarettes can provide users with a puffing session experience. For example, once a traditional cigarette is lit, the puffing session begins; when a cigarette burns to the boundary between the tobacco and the filter, the user can understand the end of the puffing session has been reached. Traditional cigarettes have signs or signals to provide users with an experience indicating the start and end of a puffing session.

[0146] Based on the puffing session experience, the users can gain insight into their puffing status to rest timely as needed and avoid health problems caused by prolonged puffing. Other feedback actions can also be taken based on this, such as purchasing new cigarettes.

[0147] Unlike traditional cigarettes, an aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette does not have a clear boundary to provide a user with puffing session instructions. But according to puffing experience, the number of puffing actions in a puffing session is often below a threshold. The above embodiments are based on this, and calculate the number of puffing actions based on detected puffing actions, and determine whether the puffing session has ended based on the number of puffing actions and the preset number threshold of puffing actions. Based on the determination of the puffing session, indicators can be controlled and output for further feedback from the user, or the system can be controlled to enter a sleep mode to put the user into a resting state.

[0148] In another embodiment of the present application, the method further comprises: when it is determined that a user has taken a puff, controlling the power of the heater to increase, or controlling the target temperature of the heater to increase, to achieve the quick atomization of the article, thus rapidly replenishing the aerosol, for the next puff and use for the user. This ensures the stability of aerosol concentration throughout the entire puffing process, thereby improving the consistency of the user's puffing experience.

[0149] It should be noted that the controller in the system of Embodiment I may be configured to implement the puff detecting method of Embodiment II.

[0150] Embodiment III

[0151] Corresponding to Embodiment II above, the present application further provides a computer device, which comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and when executed by the processor, the computer program implements the puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system provided in any one of the above embodiments.

[0152] Figure 4 shows an example computer device 1500, which may comprise a processor 1510, a video display adapter 1511 , a disk drive 1512, an input / output interface 1513, a network interface 1514, and a storage 1520 (which may be referred to herein as memory 1520). The processor 1510, the video display adapter 1511 , the disk drive 1512, the input / output interface 1513, the network interface 1514 and the storage 1520 may be configured to communicate through a communication bus 1530.

[0153] The processor 1510 may be implemented using a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits, to execute relevant programs, and achieve the technical solution provided in this application.

[0154] The memory 1520 may be implemented in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), static storage devices, dynamic storage devices, etc. The memory 1520 may store an operating system 1521 for controlling the operation of electronic devices and a basic input / output system (BIOS) 1522 for controlling low-level operations of electronic devices. In addition, it may also store a web browser 1523, a data storage management system 1524, and a device identification information processing system 1525, and so on. The above device identification information processing system 1525 may be the application program that implements the aforementioned steps in embodiments. In summary, when implementing the technical solution provided in this application through a software or firmware, the relevant program code may be stored in the memory 1520 and called and executed by the processor 1510.

[0155] The input / output interface 1513 is used to connect input / output modules to achieve information input and output. The input / output module may be configured as a component in the device (not shown), or may be externally connected to the device to provide corresponding functions. Wherein input devices may comprise keyboards, mice, touch screens, microphones, various sensors, etc., while output devices may comprise displays, loudspeakers, vibrators, indicator lights, etc.

[0156] The network interface 1514 is used to connect the communication module (not shown) to enable communication and interaction between this device and other devices. The communication module may achieve communication through wired methods (such as USB, a network cable, etc.) or wireless methods (such as mobile networks, WIFI, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0157] The bus comprises a path for transmitting information between various components (such as the processor 1510, the video display adapter 1511 , the disk drive 1512, the input / output interface 1513, the network interface 1514, and the memory 1520) of the device.

[0158] In addition, the electronic device may also obtain collection condition information from a virtual resource object collection condition information database for condition judgment, and so on.

[0159] It should be noted that although only the processor 1510, the video display adapter 1511 , the disk drive 1512, the input / output interface 1513, the network interface 1514, the storage 1520 and the bus in the device are shown, in the implementation process, the device may also comprise other components necessary for normal operation. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the above-mentioned device may only comprise the components necessary for implementing the solution of the present application, and do not necessarily include all the components shown in the figures.

[0160] Embodiment IV

[0161] Corresponding to Embodiments I to III mentioned above, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein in this embodiment, the same or similar content as Embodiments I to III mentioned above can be referred to in the previous introduction and will not be repeated here.

[0162] The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, when executed by the processor, the computer program implements the puff detecting method for an aerosol provision system mentioned above.

[0163] In some implementations, in an embodiment, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the steps corresponding to the method described in Embodiment II may also be implemented. Please refer to the detailed description in Embodiment II, which will not be repeated here.

[0164] It should be understood that each part of the present application may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or combinations thereof. In the above implementations, multiple steps or methods may be implemented with software or firmware stored in memory and executed by an appropriate instruction execution system. For example, if it is implemented by hardware, as in another implementation, it can be implemented by any one of the following technologies known in the art or combinations thereof: discrete logic circuits with logic gate circuits for implementing logic functions for data signal, special integrated circuits with appropriate combined logic gate circuits, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0165] In the description of this specification, the referential terminology "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are comprised in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the indicative expression of the above-mentioned terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable way in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0166] Moreover, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used merely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the characteristics defined as "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly comprise at least one such characteristic. In the description of the present application, the term "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0167] In the present application, unless explicitly defined and limited, terms such as "mounting," "connecting," "connection," "fixing," etc., should be understood broadly. For instance, the connection can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary medium, it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless explicitly defined otherwise. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of these terms in the context of the application based on the circumstances.

[0168] Although the embodiments of the application have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the application. Those skilled in the art within the scope of the application can make variations, modifications, replacements, and variations to the above- described embodiments.

Claims

Claims1. A method of detecting when a user takes a puff on an aerosol provision system, the method comprising: periodically detecting an actual temperature of a heater of the system, a time interval between detections being a set interval time; if the actual temperature differs from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference, adjusting the power of the heater to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature; and determining that a user has taken a puff if it is determined that the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or an adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in a first deviation mode the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature, and in a second deviation mode the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature; the method comprising: in one detecting cycle, if a current deviation mode is the same as the previous deviation mode, accumulating the number of times within the detecting cycle that the detected actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference, and taking the accumulative number of times as the latest number of times in the detecting cycle; and if the current deviation mode is not the same as the previous deviation mode, starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting the number of times that the detected actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising: in one detecting cycle, calculating a cumulative time that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference based on the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and the set interval time.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference and / or thecumulative time that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meeting a first preset condition comprises: in one detecting cycle, the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition; or, in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the cumulative deviation time that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition, wherein the deviation mode of the multiple detecting cycles is the same; or, there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the cumulative deviation time that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition, wherein the deviation mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same.

5. The method according to claim 4, comprising: filtering all detecting cycles within a preset time window, and deleting detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles; the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles comprises the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles within the filtered set of detecting cycles.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the deviation mode is the second deviation mode.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 - 6, wherein adjusting the power comprises two power adjustment modes, namely power increase and power decrease; the method comprising: in one detecting cycle, if the current power adjustment mode is the same as the previous power adjustment mode, accumulating the number of power adjustments within the detecting cycle, and taking the accumulative number of power adjustments as the latest number of power adjustments in the detecting cycle; andif the current power adjustment mode is not the same as the previous power adjustment mode, starting a new detecting cycle and restarting counting the number of power adjustments.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in one detecting cycle, the adjustment coefficient of power increases with the number of power adjustments.

9. The method according to any of claims 1 - 8, wherein adjusting the power of the heater comprises: adjusting the power of the heater according to the adjustment coefficient of power and the previous power.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment coefficient of power is calculated as follows: calculating Kn+1 according to the formula Kn+1=m*Kn, determining the adjustment coefficient of power, f(Kn+1), for the (n+1)-th adjustment of power according to Kn+1 , wherein f(Kn+1) increases with Kn+1 , and wherein n is the number of continuous times the actual temperature is lower than the target temperature, and Kn, 1; m > 1 ; and adjusting the power of the heater according to the adjustment coefficient of power and the previous power comprises: adjusting the power of the heater for the (n+1)-th time according to the formula Pn+1=Pn*f(Kn+1); wherein, Pn and Pn+1 are respectively the power of the heater after the n- th adjustment and the (n+1 )-th adjustment.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein m=n+1.

12. The method according to any of claims 7 - 11 , wherein the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meeting a first preset condition comprises: in one detecting cycle, the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition; or, in multiple detecting cycles, there are more than a first preset number of detecting cycles in which the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, wherein the power adjustment mode of the multiple detecting cycles is the same;or, there are a second preset number of continuous detecting cycles in which the number of power adjustments and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition, wherein the power adjustment mode of the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles is the same.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising: filtering all detecting cycles within a preset time window, and deleting detecting cycles that do not meet a second preset condition, to obtain the filtered set of detecting cycles; the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles comprises the second preset number of continuous detecting cycles within the filtered set of detecting cycles.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the power adjustment mode is power increase.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 14, wherein the aerosol provision system has a constant-temperature stage with the same target temperature during the heating process; and in the constant-temperature stage, determining that a user has taken a puff when it is determined that the number of times the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of the power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or the adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 15, wherein the target temperature is 250 °C - 400 °C.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 16, wherein the set interval time is 15 - 25 ms.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 17, wherein the method comprises: recording the number of puffing actions taken by a user.

19. The method according to claim 18, comprising: determining the start of a puffing session;during the puffing session, determining that the puffing session ends if the recorded number of puffing actions reaches or exceeds a preset number threshold of puffing actions.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 19, comprising: when it is determined that a user has taken a puff, controlling the power of the heater to increase, or controlling the target temperature of the heater to increase.

21. An aerosol provision system, comprising: a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating material configured to be received in the aerosol provision system during use; and a controller configured to: periodically detect an actual temperature of the heater, a time interval between detections being a set interval time; adjust the power of the heater to bring the actual temperature of the heater closer to the target temperature if the actual temperature differs from a target temperature of the heater by a predetermined difference; and determine that a user of the system has taken a puff if it is determined that the number of times that the actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets a first preset condition and / or the cumulative time that actual temperature differs from the target temperature by the predetermined difference meets the first preset condition and / or the number of power adjustments meets the first preset condition and / or an adjustment coefficient of power meets the first preset condition.

22. The aerosol provisioning system of claim 21 , comprising an aerosol provision device and a consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

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