Substrate strip output information processing method and aerosol generating device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a substrate strip output information processing method for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device. The method comprises: obtaining puff information; in response to the puff information, obtaining position change information of a plurality of markers provided on a substrate strip of an aerosol generating device, wherein the substrate strip is used for carrying an aerosol generating substrate capable of generating aerosol, and the substrate strip is output to a target area as an electric motor of the aerosol generating device rotates; and on the basis of the position change information of the markers, determining the output state of the substrate strip. By means of the embodiments of the present application, the output state of a substrate strip of an aerosol generating device can be obtained in a timely manner, so as to take effective countermeasures in a timely manner in the case of a substrate output failure, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device during use, and thus improving the usage experience of users.

Description

Method for processing information output by a substrate tape and aerosol generating device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411342045.7, filed on September 24, 2024 in the China Patent Office and entitled "Method for processing information output by a substrate tape and aerosol generating device", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application belongs to the technical field of aerosol generation, and more particularly, relates to a method for processing information output by a substrate tape of an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device. BACKGROUND

[0003] A magnetic tape type aerosol generating device generally includes a main housing, a substrate cassette, a motor, a battery assembly, a heating assembly and a control circuit arranged in the main housing. The substrate cassette includes a housing and a substrate tape and two spaced apart spools arranged in the housing. The substrate tape is wound on the two spools and at least partially movable between the two spools. The battery assembly provides power for the motor. The control circuit controls the operation of the motor and the heating assembly. The motor drives the rotation of the spools. The substrate tape rotates with the spools and moves between the two spools. The substrate tape between the two spools successively passes through the heating assembly. The heating assembly heats the substrate tape and generates aerosol.

[0004] During the use of the magnetic tape type aerosol generating device, due to factors such as loose, slippage, deviation or residue dropping of the substrate tape, it may cause tape jamming or breakage, which will cause software and hardware failure or failure of the substrate tape transmission. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a method for processing information output by a substrate tape of an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device, which can obtain the output state of the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device in time, so as to take effective measures in time in case of failure of the substrate tape output, improve the safety of the aerosol generating device during use, and thus improve the user experience.

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for processing information output by a substrate tape of an aerosol generating device, including: obtaining puffing information; in response to the puffing information, obtaining position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device; the substrate tape is used to carry aerosol generating substrate capable of generating aerosol, and the substrate tape is output to a target area with the rotation of a motor of the aerosol generating device; and determining an output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the markers.

[0007] In an embodiment, the marker is a marker color block; obtaining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device comprises: emitting a detection light to the substrate strip, the detection light being used for detecting the marker color block; receiving reflected light of the detection light by the substrate strip; the reflected light of the non-marker color block area of the substrate strip is different from the reflected light of the marker color block; and determining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip according to the change of the reflected light.

[0008] In an embodiment, determining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip according to the change of the reflected light comprises: changing a level signal of a detection circuit when the reflected light changes; and the level signal is used for determining the position change information of the marker color block.

[0009] In an embodiment, the marker is a metal foil, the detection light is infrared light, the color value of the marker color block is within a preset color value range, and determining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip according to the change of the reflected light comprises: determining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip according to the change of the intensity of the reflected light.

[0010] In an embodiment, determining the output state of the substrate strip according to the position change information of the marker comprises: determining a switching time of adjacent marker color blocks according to the position change information of the marker; and determining the output state of the substrate strip according to the switching time.

[0011] In an embodiment, the marker is a punch pattern; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device comprises: obtaining a signal of a photoelectric sensor; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device according to the signal of the photoelectric sensor.

[0012] In an embodiment, the marker is a marker pattern; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device comprises: capturing an image of the marker pattern; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device according to the image of the marker pattern.

[0013] In an embodiment, determining the output state of the substrate strip according to the position change information of the marker comprises: determining that the output state of the substrate strip is to stop outputting when the position change information indicates that the position of the marker has not changed.

[0014] In an embodiment, the distance between two adjacent markers is a preset distance, the substrate tape is wound on a first reel, and a motor is used to control the first reel to rotate at a preset rotation speed to release the substrate tape, and the method further comprises: determining position change information of the markers in each preset period, wherein the preset period is greater than the time required for the first reel to release a first substrate tape of the preset distance, and the thickness of the first substrate tape is greater than the thickness of other substrate tapes matched with the first reel; and determining whether the positions of the markers change according to the position change information.

[0015] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a substrate tape output information processing device of an aerosol generating device, which can implement the method provided by any of the embodiments of the present application.

[0016] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide an aerosol generating device, which comprises: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a program for the aerosol generating device to execute the method provided by any of the embodiments of the present application, and store data involved in the method provided by any of the embodiments of the present application; and the processor is configured to execute the program stored in the memory.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions are used to make a computer execute the substrate tape output information processing method of the aerosol generating device provided by any of the embodiments of the present application.

[0018] The method and the device provided by the embodiments of the present application can first obtain the puffing information of the aerosol generating device, then obtain the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device in response to the puffing information, and finally quickly and accurately determine the output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information, so that effective measures can be taken in time in response to the failure of the substrate tape output, thereby significantly improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments or prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a substrate tape output information processing method of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a partial view of an aerosol generating device according to an example of the present application;

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of a substrate strip, a color block and a substrate at different viewing angles according to an example of the present application;

[0023] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a red-black probe according to an example of the present application;

[0024] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the components of a detection circuit of a red-black probe according to an example of the present application;

[0025] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for processing the output information of a substrate strip of an aerosol generating device according to an example of the present application;

[0026] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a device for processing the output information of a substrate strip of an aerosol generating device according to an example of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an example of the present application. Embodiments of the present application

[0028] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are merely intended to explain the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0029] In an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating substrate (hereinafter referred to as a substrate) needs to be heated to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled. Therefore, a heating area is provided inside the aerosol generating device, and the substrate is carried on a substrate strip.

[0030] For example, the substrate strip includes a substrate and a substrate provided on the substrate, and the substrate is a material that can be heated by electromagnetic induction, or the substrate is provided with a material that can be heated by electromagnetic induction, such as aluminum foil or other metals. The substrate strip is continuously transported to the heating area, so that the substrate on the substrate strip is atomized.

[0031] In use of the aerosol generating device, the substrate tape transmission device can also be referred to as a substrate tape switching device for changing the relative position of the substrate tape and the heating area. If the substrate tape transmission device fails, the output of the substrate tape can fail. The output failure of the substrate tape can cause the heating area to fail to effectively heat the substrate or repeatedly heat the already heated substrate. Therefore, the substrate tape output information processing method of the aerosol generating device provided in the embodiments of the present application detects the case of substrate tape output failure or normal output, so as to take effective measures in time in response to the case of substrate tape output failure. As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present application, the substrate tape output information processing method of the aerosol generating device comprises the following steps S11 to S13.

[0032] In step S11, the suction information is obtained.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present application, the suction information can be information generated when a user sucks the aerosol generating device.

[0034] In step S11, the aerosol generating device enters a working state.

[0035] The aerosol generating device can heat the substrate tape by resistance, microwave, light wave or electromagnetic method. The electromagnetic heating method is described in detail as follows: when the user sucks, the pneumatic inductive switch (such as a microphone) sends a signal to the controller under the action of the suction airflow, and the controller controls the heating assembly to heat, and the heating assembly heats the substrate, so that the substrate carried by the substrate tape is heated to a temperature at which the aerosol is generated, for the user to suck.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present application, the substrate is in a solid state, and the substrate is carried on an aluminum foil. Exemplarily, the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device can be any suitable heat-not-burn substrate, such as tobacco sheet, herbal mixture, etc.

[0037] With continuous heating of the substrate, the substrate tape needs to move to position so that the unheated substrate is input into the heating area, and the heated substrate tape is output from the heating area. The relative position between the substrate tape and the heating area is automatically adjusted by the aerosol generating device, for example, when the user sucks, the motor of the aerosol generating device rotates to drive the movement of the belt-shaped substrate tape, so that the belt-shaped substrate tape with new substrate is fed into the heating area, and after the suction is completed, the belt-shaped substrate tape that has been heated completely moves out of the heating area.

[0038] In step S12, in response to the suction information, the position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device is obtained; the substrate tape is used to carry the aerosol generating substrate capable of generating aerosol, and the substrate tape is output to a target area with rotation of the motor of the aerosol generating device.

[0039] The substrate tape can be output to the target area (which can also be referred to as a heating area) as the motor of the aerosol generating device rotates. Exemplarily, the heat-not-burn substrate can be a reel-wound sheet substrate. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing of the aerosol generating device includes a first storage space 21a and a second storage space 21b. The first storage space 21a is used to store a new substrate tape (i.e., a substrate tape carrying unheated substrate), and the second storage space 21b is used to store a residual substrate tape 23. The residual substrate tape 23 can not carry substrate or carry the residue of heated substrate.

[0040] A first reel 22a is arranged at the center of the first storage space 21a, and a second reel 22b is arranged at the center of the second storage space 21b. The first reel 22a is used to wind the substrate tape carrying substrate, and the second reel 22b is used to wind the residual substrate tape 23. In a good use state of the aerosol generating device, the substrate tapes on the two reels are connected together to form a transmission substrate tape. The motor of the aerosol generating device can be used to directly or indirectly drive the two reels to rotate in a running state. For example, at least in the case of obtaining puffing information, the motor of the aerosol generating device is running, driving the reels to rotate, and the new substrate can move to the heating area 24 under the carrying of the substrate tape. The heating device located in the heating area 24 heats the substrate. If the user continues to puff, the motor drives the reels to continue to rotate, and the residual substrate tape 23 that has been heated leaves the heating area 24 and is wound onto the second reel 22b. The new substrate tape released from the first reel 22a continues to move to the heating area 24. In this way, as the user continues to puff, the substrate tape continuously moves to the heating area 24, and the substrate in the heating area 24 is continuously replaced, so that there is always substrate on the substrate tape in the heating area 24 under the heating of the heating device.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present application, a plurality of markers are arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the markers can be regularly or irregularly arranged on the substrate tape. The markers can have any suitable form as long as the recognition device inside the aerosol generating device can recognize them.

[0042] Exemplarily, the markers can be patterns drawn or engraved on the surface of the substrate tape (in which case the markers can be integrated with the substrate tape), protrusions attached to or additionally fixed on the surface of the substrate tape, holes of various shapes punched on the substrate tape, and the like. These markers or identifiers can be regularly distributed in different regions of the substrate tape. For example, one or a section of the markers is arranged at a predetermined distance. In this way, in the case that the motor of the aerosol generating device runs at a fixed frequency, the shaft of the motor drives the reel to rotate at a uniform speed, and the reel can also output the substrate tape at a uniform speed.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present application, the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device can be obtained by using a plurality of suitable methods. For example, a sensor capable of effectively identifying the markers is arranged in the aerosol generating device. The sensor can be arranged near the heating area. For example, the sensor can be arranged between the first reel 22a and the heating area 24 shown in FIG. 2, i.e., at a position where the new substrate tape is about to reach the heating area 24.

[0044] In an example, the sensor can be various suitable optical sensors. The sensor includes but is not limited to an infrared sensor, a visual sensor, a photoelectric sensor, etc. The collection area of the sensor can be at a preset angle with the plane on which the substrate tape is arranged, so as to better collect the information of the markers. For example, the information of the markers is collected by using a visual sensor, and the visual axis of the visual sensor can be perpendicular to the plane on which a part of the substrate tape is arranged.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, the signal output by the sensor when the information of the markers is collected is different from the signal output when no markers are collected, so that whether the markers are included on the substrate tape in the collection area can be determined according to the signal output by the sensor at any time. Thus, the position change information of the plurality of markers on the substrate tape can be determined according to the signals output by the sensor in a period of time.

[0046] For example, the position change information can include first information that the positions change in a preset regularity and second information that the positions almost do not change.

[0047] In step S13, the output state of the substrate tape is determined according to the position change information.

[0048] The output state of the substrate tape can be the transmission state of the substrate during the transmission. The classification of the output state of the substrate tape can be arbitrarily set according to actual needs. In a possible implementation, the output state of the substrate tape can include normal and abnormal. The output state of the substrate tape can at least include a normal output state indicating that the substrate is transmitted normally and an abnormal output state indicating that the substrate is transmitted abnormally.

[0049] In the case where the motor of the aerosol generating device operates at a fixed frequency, the motor drives the reel to rotate at a constant speed, and the substrate tape can be output or said to be transmitted at a uniform speed. In the case where the markers are regularly arranged on the substrate tape, if the aerosol generating device is in a good state, the output state of the substrate tape is normal, and the markers on the substrate tape periodically appear in the collection area of the sensor, so that the signal output by the sensor can change periodically. If the aerosol generating device is in an abnormal state, the output state of the substrate can be abnormal.

[0050] In another example, the abnormal output state can be further subdivided according to the type of abnormality. For example, the abnormal output state can further include any one or more of the following.

[0051] Case 1. The output of the substrate tape is abnormal because the motor stops rotating due to a motor failure.

[0052] Case 2. The output of the substrate tape is abnormal because the substrate is stuck due to resistance to the transmission of the substrate.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, the sticking can also be referred to as tape sticking. In the case of sticking, the motor cannot drive the reel to rotate due to an increase in load, in which case the signal output by the sensor can not change.

[0054] Case 3. The output of the substrate tape is abnormal because the stepping motor has no load due to the substrate being disconnected (or can be referred to as broken).

[0055] The substrate being disconnected can also be caused by the substrate tape being disconnected. In this case, the continuous substrate tape is disconnected, the reel is idling, and the signal output by the sensor generally does not change periodically.

[0056] Case 4. The output of the substrate tape is abnormal because the motor cannot continue to drive the reel to release the substrate tape and output the substrate because the substrate is exhausted.

[0057] Case 5. The output of the substrate tape is abnormal because of a speed abnormality. That is, although the sensor output signal changes regularly, the regular change does not conform to the preset regularity.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, different position change information can have a preset corresponding relationship with different output states of the substrate tape. The corresponding relationship can be obtained in advance, and in this step, the output state of the substrate tape can be determined according to the determined position change information and the preset corresponding relationship. The following is described by taking the position change information including the first information and the second information and the output state of the substrate tape including the normal output state and the abnormal output state as examples. The first information can correspond to the normal output state, and the second information can correspond to the abnormal output state. In the case of the first information, the output state of the substrate tape can be determined as the normal output state; in the case of the second information, the output state of the substrate tape can be determined as the abnormal output state.

[0059] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can first obtain the suction information of the aerosol generating device, then obtain the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device in response to the suction information, and finally determine the output state of the substrate tape quickly and accurately according to the position change information. By determining the output state of the substrate tape in time and accurately, the output abnormality can be found in time. Effective measures can be taken in time, so that the user experience can be significantly improved. In addition, the use risk can be significantly reduced, the safety of the device use can be improved, the damage of the device caused by the substrate can be reduced, and the service life of the product can be prolonged. The maintenance and replacement caused by the substrate tape transmission problem can be reduced, and the long-term maintenance cost can be reduced.

[0060] In an embodiment, the marker is a marker color block; the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device is obtained by: emitting a detection light to the substrate tape, the detection light being used to detect the marker color block; receiving the reflected light of the detection light by the substrate tape; the reflected light of the area of the substrate tape other than the marker color block being different from the reflected light of the marker color block; and determining the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the reflected light.

[0061] In the embodiments of the present application, the marker color block can have any suitable color with obvious distinguishability. That is, the color of the marker color block and the color of the area of the substrate tape other than the marker color block.

[0062] As an example, as shown in FIG. 3a, the marker color block 31a is square and is arranged on the belt-shaped aluminum foil 32a at intervals. As shown in FIG. 3b, the marker color block 31b is arranged on one side of the belt-shaped aluminum foil 32b, and the belt-shaped aluminum foil 32b serves as the substrate tape and carries the substrate 33b on the other side.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the marker color block can be detected by a probe. For example, the probe monitors the black color block signal returned on the aluminum foil, so as to determine whether the belt is broken or stuck.

[0064] In an example, the probe for detecting the marker color block can be an infrared probe. The emission tube in the infrared probe emits infrared light. When the infrared light irradiates the surface of an object, the surfaces with different colors and materials will reflect the infrared light to different extents. The emission tube can be an infrared LED (light-emitting diode).

[0065] For example, in the case that the color block is black and the rest of the substrate belt is reflective, the black object absorbs more infrared light and reflects less; the reflective surface reflects more infrared light. As the motor drives the substrate belt to move, the infrared probe continuously emits infrared light, and the receiving tube (usually a photodiode or a phototransistor) in the infrared probe receives the reflected infrared light from the substrate belt. The signal conversion device in the aerosol generating device converts the received infrared light intensity into an electrical signal. If the reflected infrared light intensity is high, the electrical signal generated by the receiving tube is also strong; on the contrary, if the reflected infrared light intensity is low, the electrical signal generated by the receiving tube is weak. The electrical signal obtained by converting the above infrared light intensity is then sent to the MCU (micro processing unit) for processing.

[0066] In the embodiments of the present application, an optical detection method is used, without the need for physical contact with the substrate belt, reducing wear and interference with the substrate. By detecting changes in reflected light, the position of the color block can be accurately determined, so that the output state of the substrate belt can be accurately judged, and intelligent control can be conveniently performed according to the actual output state of the substrate belt. Thus, by monitoring the color block on the substrate belt, problems such as tape jamming or breaking can be detected in a timely manner to prevent faults from occurring. Therefore, this scheme realizes real-time intelligent monitoring of the output state of the substrate of the aerosol generating device through optical detection technology, improving the safety, reliability and user experience of the product.

[0067] In one embodiment, according to the change in reflected light, the position change information of the color block provided on the substrate belt is determined, including: changing the level signal of the detection circuit when the reflected light changes; the level signal is used to determine the position change information of the color block.

[0068] In the case that the detection light is infrared light, the level signal of the detection circuit is changed according to the intensity of the infrared light.

[0069] As an example, the return level signal can be set to 0 when the infrared light intensity is lower than a first threshold value, and the return level signal can be set to 1 when the infrared light intensity is higher than a second threshold value. Alternatively, the return level signal can be set to 1 when the infrared light intensity is lower than a first threshold value, and the return level signal can be set to 0 when the infrared light intensity is higher than a second threshold value. The MCU can determine whether the car is on the black block or the aluminum foil according to the received signal intensity.

[0070] In one embodiment, the substrate belt is a metal foil, the detection light is infrared light, and the color value of the color block is within a preset color value range. According to the change in reflected light, the position change information of the color block provided on the substrate belt is determined, including: according to the change in intensity of the reflected light, the position change information of the color block provided on the substrate belt is determined.

[0071] In the embodiments of the present application, the electronic atomizer can be provided with the above-mentioned infrared detection device, which can emit infrared light to the surface of the substrate belt and can receive reflected light returned from the surface of the substrate belt, and can convert the reflected light signal into an electric signal and output.

[0072] The preset color value range can be set according to actual needs. Since the RGB value of the metal foil is approximately (255, 255, 255), the preset color value range can be an interval of color values that greatly differ from RGB (255, 255, 255). For example, the color value can include a red color value (R value), a green color value (G value), and a blue color value (B value). At least one of the red color value, the green color value, and the blue color value can be less than or equal to 50. That is, the marker color block can be a darker color, such as dark blue, black, dark purple, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate belt can be a silver-white aluminum foil, one side of the aluminum foil is used to carry the substrate, and the other side is provided with a black marker color block. Of course, the color of the marker color block can also be purple or blue, etc.

[0073] It can be understood that objects of different colors have different light absorption capabilities. For example, the metal foil of the aluminum foil has weak light absorption capability and strong reflection capability, so the intensity of the reflected light is large. The color value of the marker color block is greater than the preset threshold value (the preset threshold value can be set arbitrarily according to actual needs). The deeper the color of the object, the stronger the light absorption capability, and thus the smaller the intensity of the emitted light. Therefore, in the case that the color of the marker color block on the substrate belt is greatly different from the color of the non-marker color block area, the intensity of the reflected light on the surface of the marker color block is different from the intensity of the reflected light on the surface of the non-marker color block area. Therefore, when the infrared detection device is directed towards the marker color block area, the intensity of the received reflected light is much smaller than when the infrared detection device is directed towards the non-marker color block area. Therefore, the difference between the electric signals output by the infrared detection device is also large. Thus, the position change information of the marker color block provided on the substrate belt can be effectively and accurately identified according to the difference between the electric signals output by the infrared detection device.

[0074] In one embodiment, according to the position change information of the marker, the output state of the substrate belt is determined, including: determining the switching time of adjacent marker color blocks according to the position change information of the marker; and determining the output state of the substrate belt according to the switching time.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the substrate belt is an aluminum foil. When the substrate is carried on the substrate belt, the aluminum foil is made into a conveying belt in a reel, a tape cassette, etc., and a black marker color block is regularly coated on the back of the aluminum foil for carrying the substrate. The marker color block can also be other colors, such as dark blue, dark purple, or dark brown, etc.

[0076] In one example, referring to FIG. 4, when the infrared probe for detecting infrared light detects a black color block, the returned infrared signal strength is weak, and the signal sent by the infrared probe to the MCU is at 0 level (or 1 level). When the infrared probe detects an aluminum foil area outside the color block, the returned infrared signal strength is strong, and the signal sent by the infrared probe to the MCU is at 1 level (or 0 level). The transmission of the level signal can be realized through the circuit structure shown in FIG. 5. When a high level (1 level) is transmitted, the switch of diode AC can be turned on, and the high level signal can be amplified through triode CE. When a low level (0 level) is transmitted, the switch of diode AC can be turned off, and the signal can be amplified through triode CE.

[0077] The MCU determines whether the 0 level or 1 level is received within a normal time interval. The 0 level and 1 level reflect the change of the color block on the substrate belt and also reflect the position information of the substrate belt. The MCU can determine the output state of the substrate belt according to the received 0 level or 1 level.

[0078] In one embodiment, the markers are punch patterns; obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate belt of the aerosol generating device comprises: obtaining a signal of a photosensor; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate belt of the aerosol generating device according to the signal of the photosensor.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, the photosensor can be used to detect the punch patterns on the surface of the roll material. The photosensor can be arranged above or below the substrate belt transmission position. When the substrate is running normally, the punch patterns or other colors will pass through the sensor at a certain frequency. If the substrate is jammed or broken, the frequency of the punch patterns will change, so that the output state of the substrate belt can be determined to be abnormal.

[0080] In one embodiment, the markers are mark patterns; obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate belt of the aerosol generating device comprises: acquiring an image of the mark patterns; and obtaining the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate belt of the aerosol generating device according to the image of the mark patterns.

[0081] By using a camera and image processing technology, the mark patterns on the surface of the material can be monitored in real time. By analyzing the image data, it can be determined whether the material is jammed or broken.

[0082] In an example, the mark pattern can be a regularly changing pattern. For example, the mark pattern can be a pattern of numbers. Along the direction of the cut-off transmission, the numbers 0 to N can be printed in sequence on the substrate tape, where N is an integer greater than 1. By reading the numbers in the mark pattern, not only can the position change information of the marker be obtained, and thus the transmission status of the substrate tape be obtained, but also the consumption degree of the substrate can be obtained. When the number N is identified, it can be considered that the substrate is exhausted or is about to be exhausted.

[0083] In another implementation, the marker can change as the substrate tape is consumed. In this way, by identifying the marker, the consumption degree of the substrate can be determined.

[0084] In another possible implementation, the marker can include a first marker and a second marker. A plurality of first markers are arranged in the initial carrying area of the substrate tape, and a plurality of second markers are arranged in the terminal carrying area of the substrate tape. In this way, in a case where the first marker cannot be identified or the second marker is identified, it can be indirectly determined that the residual amount of the substrate is less than the residual amount corresponding to the terminal carrying area.

[0085] In an embodiment, determining the output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the marker includes: determining that the output state of the substrate tape is stopped outputting when the position change information indicates that the position of the marker does not change. In this way, the abnormal output state of the substrate tape being exhausted can be distinguished from other abnormal output states.

[0086] It can be understood that when the position change information indicates that the position of the marker does not change, it means that the substrate has not been effectively transmitted for a certain period of time. This situation is likely to be caused by the reel not rotating, such as a "tape jam" situation. In this case, it can be determined that the output state of the substrate tape is stopped outputting. In this way, according to the stopped output state of the substrate, a corresponding coping mechanism can be determined. For example, the motor of the aerosol generating device is immediately controlled to stop running, so as to reduce the idle running time of the motor and reduce the unnecessary consumption of energy. In this way, the reliability, safety and efficiency of the output process of the substrate tape are improved.

[0087] In an embodiment, the distance between two adjacent markers is a preset distance, the substrate tape is wound on a first reel, and a motor is used to control the first reel to rotate at a preset speed to release the substrate tape. The method further includes: determining the position change information of the marker in each preset period, where the preset period is greater than the time required for the first reel to release a first substrate tape of the preset distance, and the thickness of the first substrate tape is greater than the thickness of other substrate tapes matched with the first reel; and determining whether the position of the marker changes according to the position change information.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 2, the substrate tape is wound on the first reel 22a, and the substrate tape is released from the first reel during rotation of the first reel 22a. It can be understood that, in the case that the rotation speed of the first reel is fixed and the thickness of the substrate tape is fixed, the time taken by the first reel to release a fixed length of the substrate tape is also a fixed value. In the case that the markers are regularly arranged on the substrate tape, for example, the distance between two adjacent markers is a preset distance, the time taken by the first reel to release the substrate tape of the preset distance is also a fixed value. However, in the actual processing process, the thickness of the substrate tape can be different. Some substrate tapes are thicker, and some substrate tapes can be thinner. The length of one turn of the substrate tape wound on the first reel can be different. Therefore, under the same rotation speed, the length (or distance) of the substrate tape released by the first reel rotating for the same time is different. Correspondingly, under the same rotation speed, the time taken by the first reel to release the same length of the substrate tape is also different. The thicker the substrate tape is, the more turns the first reel needs to take to release the same length of the substrate tape, and the longer the time taken is.

[0089] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to prevent the period difference of the return detection marker block signal caused by the difference in the substrate linear velocity, a certain margin is left for the MCU judgment period. That is, the maximum theoretical judgment period can be calculated according to the normal transmission speed of the substrate tape and the maximum thickness of the substrate tape. The judgment period set by the MCU is determined according to the maximum theoretical judgment period. For example, a certain margin can be added to the maximum theoretical judgment period to obtain the judgment period set by the MCU. For example, the distance between two adjacent marker color blocks on the substrate tape is 1 cm. When the thickness of the substrate tape is R1, the time taken by the first reel to release 1 cm of the substrate tape is 0.5 s; when the thickness of the substrate tape is Rmax (i.e., the first substrate tape with the maximum thickness), the time taken by the first reel to release 1 cm of the substrate tape is 0.6 s. The judgment period set by the MCU can be set to be greater than 0.6 s, for example, 1 s. That is, if the signal return caused by the reflection of the marker has not occurred after more than 1 s, it can be judged that the product is faulty, and the user can be reminded by lighting or vibration.

[0090] The first reel is controlled by the motor to rotate at a preset rotation speed to release the substrate tape, and the markers are regularly arranged on the substrate tape to facilitate tracking and control, and considering the influence of the substrate tapes with different thicknesses, a reasonable judgment period of the position change information of the markers is set, so that the output state of the substrate tape can be determined more accurately.

[0091] In one embodiment, the method further comprises: generating an alarm signal in the case that the output state of the substrate tape indicates that the transmission of the substrate is abnormal; and outputting the alarm signal.

[0092] Exemplarily, the aerosol generating device is further provided with various suitable output devices, including but not limited to a display screen, a speaker, an indicator light, a buzzer, or a vibration motor, etc. In the case that the output state of the substrate strip indicates that the substrate is abnormally transported, the control output device outputs an alarm signal.

[0093] Exemplarily, the output alarm signal can include at least one of the following modes.

[0094] Mode one, outputting display information of abnormal prompt. The display information can be a word, a number, a letter, or any character. Exemplarily, in the case that the display information is a word, the word content can include: abnormality.

[0095] Mode two, outputting an abnormal prompt sound or voice prompt.

[0096] Mode three, outputting indicator light information.

[0097] The indicator light information can include, for example, information of a specific color indicator light being on, information of the indicator light flashing, etc.

[0098] Mode four, outputting a vibration signal of a vibration motor.

[0099] In the above scheme, when the substrate is abnormally transported, such as the reel being stuck or the strip being broken, an alarm signal can be generated to timely remind the user and facilitate the user to obtain abnormal information. Through timely alarm, damage or performance degradation of the device caused by the substrate problem can be prevented. Moreover, the timely alarm mechanism can reduce the use risk and improve the safety of the device use.

[0100] In another example of the present application, the remaining amount of the substrate can also be recorded by other means, and the remaining amount can be used to distinguish between the transmission abnormality caused by the substrate running out and other transmission abnormality.

[0101] In one example of the present application, the substrate strip output information processing of the aerosol generating device can include the steps shown in FIG. 6.

[0102] Step S61: obtaining puffing information in the case that the aerosol generating device is heated.

[0103] Step S62: emitting a detection light to the substrate strip.

[0104] At the same time of performing step S62, the aerosol generating device can also start a motor to drive the substrate strip to output the substrate. The detection light is sent to the side of the substrate strip where the marker color block is arranged.

[0105] Step S63: receiving the reflected light of the substrate strip.

[0106] The reflected light includes light formed by the substrate tape reflecting the detection light.

[0107] Step S64: According to the change of the reflected light, the position change information of the plurality of marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape is determined.

[0108] Step S65: According to the position change information, the output speed of the substrate tape is determined.

[0109] In addition, the rotation speed of the motor can also be indirectly determined according to the position change information. Alternatively, whether the substrate tape moves or not can be determined according to the position change information.

[0110] Step S66: According to the output speed of the substrate tape, the output state of the substrate tape is determined.

[0111] Meanwhile, an alarm signal can also be sent in the case that the output state of the substrate tape is abnormal.

[0112] The embodiment of the present application also provides a substrate tape output information processing device of an aerosol generating device, as shown in FIG. 7, the substrate tape output information processing device of the aerosol generating device includes a suction information obtaining module 71, a position change information obtaining module 72, and an output state determining module 73.

[0113] The suction information obtaining module 71 is configured to obtain suction information.

[0114] The position change information obtaining module 72 is configured to, in response to the suction information, obtain position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on a substrate tape of the aerosol generating device; the substrate tape is configured to carry an aerosol generating substrate capable of generating aerosol, and the substrate tape is output to a target area along with rotation of a motor of the aerosol generating device.

[0115] The output state determining module 73 is configured to determine an output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the markers.

[0116] In an embodiment, the markers are marker color blocks; and the position change information obtaining module 72 includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a first determining unit.

[0117] The transmitting unit is configured to transmit detection light to the substrate tape, and the detection light is configured to detect the marker color blocks.

[0118] The receiving unit is configured to receive reflected light of the detection light by the substrate tape; and the reflected light of a non-marker color block region of the substrate tape is different from the reflected light of the marker color blocks.

[0119] The first determining unit is configured to determine the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the reflected light.

[0120] In an embodiment, the first determining unit is further configured to change the level signal of the detection circuit when the reflected light changes; and the level signal is used to determine the position change information of the marker color block.

[0121] In an embodiment, the substrate strip is a metal foil, the detection light is infrared light, and the color value of the marker color block is within a preset color value range; and the first determining unit is further configured to determine the position change information of the marker color block arranged on the substrate strip according to the change in the intensity of the reflected light.

[0122] In an embodiment, the output state determining module 73 comprises a second determining unit and a third determining unit.

[0123] The second determining unit is configured to determine the switching time of the adjacent marker color block according to the position change information.

[0124] The third determining unit is configured to determine the output state of the substrate strip according to the switching time.

[0125] In an embodiment, the marker is a punch pattern; and the position change information obtaining module 72 comprises a first signal obtaining unit and a first position change information obtaining unit.

[0126] The first signal obtaining unit is configured to obtain a signal of the photosensor; and the first position change information obtaining unit is configured to obtain the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device according to the signal of the photosensor.

[0127] In an embodiment, the marker is a marker pattern; and the position change information obtaining module 72 comprises a capturing unit and a second position change information obtaining unit.

[0128] The capturing unit is configured to capture an image of the marker pattern.

[0129] The second position change information obtaining unit is configured to obtain the position change information of the plurality of markers arranged on the substrate strip of the aerosol generating device according to the image of the marker pattern.

[0130] In an embodiment, the output state determining module 73 is further configured to determine that the output state of the substrate strip is to stop outputting when the position change information indicates that the position of the marker does not change.

[0131] In an embodiment, the distance between the two adjacent markers is a preset distance, the substrate strip is wound on a first spool, and a motor is used to control the first spool to rotate at a preset rotation speed to release the substrate strip; and the substrate strip output information processing device of the aerosol generating device further comprises a period determining module and a position determining module.

[0132] The period determination module is configured to determine position change information of the marker in each preset period, wherein the preset period is greater than a time required for the first substrate tape to release the preset distance, and a thickness of the first substrate tape is greater than a thickness of other substrate tapes matched with the first substrate tape.

[0133] The position determination module is configured to determine whether the position of the marker changes according to the position change information.

[0134] In an embodiment, the substrate tape output information processing device of the aerosol generating device further includes an alarm signal generation unit and an alarm signal output unit.

[0135] The alarm signal generation unit is configured to generate an alarm signal in a case where the output state of the substrate tape indicates that the substrate output occurs abnormally.

[0136] The alarm signal output unit is configured to output the alarm signal.

[0137] Embodiments of the present application also provide an aerosol generating device. As shown in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device includes a processor 81 and a memory 82; the memory 82 is configured to store a computer program for the aerosol generating device to execute the method provided by any one of the embodiments of the present application, and store data involved in the method provided by any one of the embodiments of the present application; and the processor 81 is configured to execute the program stored in the memory 82.

[0138] The above-described embodiments of the present application are combinations of elements and features of the present application. Unless otherwise mentioned, elements or features can be considered selective. Each element or feature can be practiced without being combined with other elements or features. Also, embodiments of the present application can be constructed by combining some of the elements and / or features. The order of operations described in embodiments of the present application can be re-arranged. Some constructions of any one embodiment can be included in another embodiment and can be substituted for a corresponding construction of another embodiment. It is apparent that claims that are not explicitly dependent on each other can be combined in other embodiments of the present application, or can be included in new claims after amendment of the present application.

[0139] In a firmware or software configuration, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of a module, a procedure, a function, etc. Software code can be stored in a memory unit and executed by a processor. The memory unit is located at the interior or exterior of the processor and can deliver data to and receive data from the processor via various known means.

[0140] Various aspects of the systems and methods described herein can be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety of circuitry, including programmable logic devices (PLDs), such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable array logic (PAL) devices, electronically programmable logic and memory devices, standard cell-based devices, and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Some other possibilities for implementing these aspects of the system include microcontrollers with memory, such as electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), embedded microprocessors, firmware, software, and the like. Moreover, these aspects of the system can be embodied in microprocessors with software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices shaped and sized by custom construction, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices, and combinations of any of the above which would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Of course, the underlying device technologies can be provided in a number of component types, e.g., among others; complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and other metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technologies, bipolar technologies, such as emitter coupled logic (ECL), polymer technologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymer and metal- conjugated polymer metal structures), mixed analog and digital, and so on.

[0141] The various functions or processes disclosed herein can be described as data and / or instructions embodied in various computer-readable media, in terms of their behavioral, register transfer, logic component, transistor, geometrical configuration, and / or other characteristics. Computer-readable media storing such formatted data and / or instructions can include non-volatile memory media (e.g., optical, magnetic, or semiconductor memory media) and carrier wave signals, which can be used to transfer such formatted data and / or instructions through wireless, optical, wired, or any combination thereof, media or any other media suitable for transferring such formatted data and / or instructions. Such data and / or instructions can be processed by processing entities (e.g., one or more processors) when received into the various circuits (e.g., computers) comprising one or more processors.

[0142] The above description of the illustrated embodiments of the system and method is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system and method to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the system components and method are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system, components, and method, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the system and method provided herein can be applied to other processing systems and methods, not only for the systems and methods described above.

[0143] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the application described herein is susceptible to variations and / or modifications as can be best deduced from the general description and detailed description described herein. A variety of implementations of the application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, and it is intended to embrace all such possible variations and modifications. Further, the term "comprising" includes the instances of "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of", and the inclusion by "comprising" of a listing of elements by, for example, "comprising A and B" is not intended to foreclose the introduction of additional elements nor is it intended to preclude the presence of additional elements in other implementations. Accordingly, the application is to be considered as limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims, including equivalents thereof.

[0144] In general, the terminology used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the system and method to the particular embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be construed to include all processing systems that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the system and method are not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but instead have a scope defined by the appended claims.

[0145] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below," and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions thereof. When the word "or" is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0146] Also, the terms "first", "second", and the like, do not denote any order, quantity, combination or implicit meaning, but are used to identify one feature from another, unless otherwise specifically indicated by context. Thus, a feature identified as "first", "second", etc., can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the application, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0147] The above description is merely illustrative of the application, and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made by those skilled in the art, within the spirit and principle of the application, are intended to fall within the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A method of processing output information of a substrate tape of an aerosol generating device, wherein, The method comprises: obtaining puffing information; obtaining position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on a substrate tape of the aerosol generating device in response to the puffing information; the substrate tape is used to carry aerosol generating substrate capable of generating aerosol, and the substrate tape is output to a target area as a motor of the aerosol generating device rotates; determining an output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the markers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The markers are marker color blocks; the method of obtaining the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device comprises: emitting a detection light to the substrate tape, the detection light being used to detect the marker color blocks; receiving reflected light of the substrate tape to the detection light; the reflected light of a non-marker color block area of the substrate tape is different from the reflected light of the marker color blocks; determining the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the reflected light.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method of determining the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the reflected light comprises: changing a level signal of a detection circuit when the reflected light changes; the level signal is used to determine the position change information of the marker color blocks.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The markers are metal foils, the detection light is infrared light, the color value of the marker color blocks is within a preset color value range, and the method of determining the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the reflected light comprises: determining the position change information of the marker color blocks arranged on the substrate tape according to the change of the intensity of the reflected light.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The method of determining the output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the markers comprises: determining a switching time of adjacent marker color blocks according to the position change information of the markers; determining the output state of the substrate tape according to the switching time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The markers are perforated patterns; The method of obtaining the position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device comprises: obtaining a signal of a photoelectric sensor; obtaining the position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device according to the signal of the photoelectric sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, The markers are marker patterns; The method of obtaining the position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device comprises: capturing an image of the marker patterns; obtaining the position change information of a plurality of markers arranged on the substrate tape of the aerosol generating device according to the image of the marker patterns.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The method of determining the output state of the substrate tape according to the position change information of the markers comprises: when the position change information indicates that the position of the markers has not changed, determining that the output state of the substrate tape is to stop outputting.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The distance between two adjacent markers is a preset distance, the substrate tape is wound on a first spool, and the motor is used to control the first spool to rotate at a preset rotating speed to release the substrate tape, and the method further comprises: determining position change information of the marker in each preset period, wherein the preset period is greater than a time required for the first spool to release the first substrate band of the preset distance, and a thickness of the first substrate band is greater than a thickness of other substrate bands matched with the first spool; determining whether the position of the marker changes according to the position change information.

10. An aerosol-generating device comprising, The aerosol generating device comprises a processor and a memory; The memory is configured to store a program for the aerosol generating device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9, and store data related to the method according to any one of claims 1-9; The processor is configured to execute the program stored in the memory.

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