Unlocking an aerosol-generating device using a multi-digit code

Abstract

The invention provides an aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol. The aerosol-generating device comprises a user interface component configured to receive inputs from a user and a controller. The controller is configured to detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component, to determine a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, and to cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code. Determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from the user is detected within a first time interval. For each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user for that digit.

Description

[0001] Unlocking an aerosol-generating device using a multi-digit code The present disclosure relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices and systems. Typically, aerosol-generating devices are designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated by an aerosol-generating article. Usually, aerosol-generating articles comprise an aerosol-forming substrate, such as at least one of a tobacco containing substrate and a cartridge comprising a liquid. For generating the aerosol during use or consumption, for example, heat can be applied or transferred from a heating element or heat source in the aerosol-generating device (or in the aerosol-generating article) to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0002] Exemplary aerosol-generating articles for use with aerosol-generating devices can comprise an aerosol-forming substrate that is assembled, often with other elements or components, in the form of a stick. Such a stick can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-generating device, which, for example, can comprise a heating element for heating at least one of the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-forming substrate. Other exemplary aerosol-generating articles can comprise a cartridge containing a liquid that can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user. Also, such a cartridge can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol-generating device and refilled by inserting liquid into the cartridge.

[0003] It is desirable to perform youth access prevention (YAP) to prevent underage users from accessing and using such aerosol-generating devices. This can be achieved through various strategies such as implementing age verification measures to regulate the sale and distribution of aerosol-generating devices. A drawback of regulating the sale and distribution is that underage users do not have to buy an aerosol-generating devices, but can just use the aerosol-generating device of an adult without the adult noticing it.

[0004] Another YAP strategy is to provide the aerosol-generating device with a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol. In order to enable aerosol generation, the user needs to interact with the aerosol-generating device to transition the device from the locked state to an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol.

[0005] For instance, a biometric sensor is used to transition the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to the unlocked state. This technique relies on unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, to authenticate user identity before transitioning the device to the unlocked state.

[0006] This approach, however, presents has some significant drawbacks such as an expensive implementation and privacy concerns. Additionally, using a biometric sensor makes it difficult to share the aerosol-generating device with another person.

[0007] In another approach, a code input into the aerosol-generating device is used to transition the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to the unlocked state. For aerosol-generating devices, code entry is an issue. Usually, aerosol-generating devices are provided with simple userinterfaces such as a single button. Complex user interfaces with many buttons are not desirable due to increased complexity and cost of the device. Additionally, an overly complicated system could frustrate legitimate users who simply want to use the aerosol-generating device.

[0008] US 2023 / 0292847 A1 relates to a control circuitry for an aerosol-generating device that has a locked state in which the aerosol-generating device is prohibited from delivering aerosol and an unlocked state in which the aerosol-generating is permitted to deliver aerosol. The control circuit is configured to receive user-input authentication information from one or more user interface components. The control circuitry is configured to receive the user-input authentication information during multiple time windows of predetermined duration, each time window corresponding to a respective digit of a sequence of digits forming the authentication information, and to attribute user input received via the user interface components during a said time window to the digit corresponding to the said time window. The control circuitry is further configured to perform offline authentication of the aerosol-generating device based on the user-input authentication information; and determine to transition the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to the unlocked state based on a successful result of the offline authentication.

[0009] In this prior art, the predetermined duration of a time window defines the time needed for entering a digit of a multi-digit sequence that is used to unlock the aerosol-generating device.

[0010] It would be desirable to find a time effective solution to enter digits of a multi-digit code that is used to transition an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0011] This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Optional features are defined by the dependent claims and the following description.

[0012] According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol. The aerosol-generating device comprises a user interface component configured to receive inputs from a user and a controller. The controller is configured to detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component, to determine a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, and to cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code. Determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from the user is detected within a first time interval. For each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user for that digit.

[0013] By starting the first time interval upon detecting the preceding input from the user for that digit, the time duration for entering a digit of a multi-digit code is reduced.

[0014] As used in the present disclosure, “multi-digit” refers to at least two digits. In an example, the controller may be configured to detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component, and to determine the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code when in the locked state.

[0015] As used in the present disclosure, “preceding” refers to directly preceding.The controller may be further configured to adapt the first time interval based on detected inputs from the user. For example, adapting the first time interval may comprise, for each of at least two inputs from the user detected within the first time interval, determining a point in time within the first time interval at which the respective user input has been detected and updating the first time interval to an updated first time interval based on the determined points in time. In an example, updating may comprise calculating, for each determined point in time, a detection time interval, the detection time interval starting with the first time interval and ending with the determined point in time, averaging the calculated detection time intervals to generate an averaged time interval, and updating the first time interval to the updated first time interval based on the averaged time interval. In an example, the first time interval is updated to the updated first time interval by adding a tolerance value to the averaged time interval. The tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the averaged time interval. Specifically, the tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the averaged time interval. For instance, the tolerance value may be 50% of the averaged time interval.

[0016] By adapting the first time interval in consideration of detected user inputs, the time duration for entering the multi-digit code may be further reduced.

[0017] The user interface component of the aerosol-generating device may be a button or a touch sensor. In an example, the input from the user may be a first type of user input and the user interface component may be further configured to receive a second type of user input different from the first type of user input. For instance, the first type of user input may be used for determining the digits of the multi-digit code. The second type of user input may be used to trigger a different functionality such as turning the aerosol-generating device off or turning the aerosolgenerating device on. In an example, the first type of user input may be pressing the button or the touch sensor shorter than a first time duration and the second type of user input may be pressing the button or the touch sensor longer than the first time duration.

[0018] In another example, the user interface component of the aerosol-generating device may be an acoustic sensor or an impact sensor. For instance, when the user interface component is an acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor may be one of a MEMS microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, and a dynamic microphone. In an example, the acoustic sensor may be a puff sensor configured to capture when a user draws air into the aerosol-generating device.

[0019] The user interface component of the aerosol-generating device may be an impact sensor. For example, the impact sensor may be one of a piezoelectric sensor configured to generate an electrical charge in response to mechanical stress, a Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) configured to change its electrical resistance based on pressure applied to the FSR, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration generated by a force applied to the aerosol-generating device, and a strain gauge.

[0020] In an example, the controller may be further configured to a) upon detecting a first input for the multi-digit code from the user, starting a timerand setting a counter value to an initial countervalue, and wherein determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether the input from the user is detected within the first time interval may comprise: b) upon detecting a next input from the user, determining a timer value of the timer; c) if the determined timer value of the timer is less than a first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval; and d) if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval.

[0021] The initial counter value may be 1. The timer may be started running form an initial timer value such as 0 ms. The first threshold value may be between 200 ms and 600 ms. The first time interval may be defined as the difference between the first threshold value and the initial timer value. Accordingly, the duration of the first time interval may be between 200 ms and 600 ms.

[0022] Determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code may further comprise: e) upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, incrementing the counter value by a predetermined value and restarting the timer; and f) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, setting the counter value to the initial counter value and restarting the timer.

[0023] Restarting the timer may refer to starting the timer running from the initial timer value such as 0 ms. The predetermined value may be 1.

[0024] Step e) may further comprise returning to step b), and step f) may further comprise returning to step b).

[0025] Step f) may further comprise: returning to step b) if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number; and comparing the multi-digit code to an access code stored in a memory of the aerosol-generating device if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number. The access code may have the predetermined first number of digits. The controller may be further configured to: cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the multi-digit code matches the access code. The aerosol-generating device may be further configured to reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, and to return to step a) if the multidigit code does not match the access code.

[0026] The controller of the aerosol-generating device may be further configured to: for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, store the determined timer value as a timer value for the first time interval; calculate an updated first threshold value based on the stored timer values for the first time interval; and update the first threshold value to the updated first threshold value. In an example, calculating the updated first threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the first time interval to generate a first averaged timer value and adding a first tolerance value to the first averaged timer value to generate the updated first threshold value. In an example, the first tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% ofthe first averaged timer value. The first tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the first averaged timer value. For instance, the first tolerance value may be 50% of the first averaged timer value.

[0027] The aerosol-generating device may be further configured to: receive the access code via the user interface component; and store the access code in the memory. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a communication interface and the aerosol-generating device may further be configured to: receive the access code via the communication interface from an external device; and store the access code in the memory.

[0028] In examples, determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code may further comprise: if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval. In these examples, the reading out the counter value, the appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter value to the initial counter value, and the restarting the timer of step f) may be performed upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the second time interval.

[0029] The second time interval may be the difference between the second threshold value and the initial timer value (e.g. 0 ms), and the second threshold value may be greater than the first threshold value. The second threshold value may be between 800 ms and 1500 ms. Accordingly, the duration of the second time interval may be between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0030] Accordingly, the first time interval may last between 200 ms and 600 ms, and the second time interval may last between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0031] The controller of the aerosol-generating device may be further configured to: for each timer value determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, store the determined timer value as a timer value for the second time interval; calculate an updated second threshold value based on the stored timer values for the second time interval; and update the second threshold value to the updated second threshold value. In an example, calculating the updated second threshold value may comprise averaging at least two successive timer values for the second time interval to generate a second averaged timer value and adding a second tolerance value to the second averaged timer value to generate the updated second threshold value. The second tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the second averaged timer value. Specifically, the second tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the second averaged timer value. For instance, the second tolerance value may be 50% of the second averaged timer value.

[0032] The controller of the aerosol-generating device may be further configured to: if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, determine that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval; and upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval, reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code.The controller may be further configured to: set the counter to the initial counter value, restart the timer, and return to step b) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval.

[0033] The controller may be further configured to: periodically read out the timer value; and reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, set the counter to an idle counter value, stop the timer, and set the timer to the initial timer value upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, the third threshold value being greater than the second threshold value. The idle counter value may be 0. The initial timer value may be 0 ms. In an example, the third threshold value may be 250 ms greater than the second threshold value. In another example, the third threshold value may be equal to the second threshold value.

[0034] The controller may be a software component and the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a processor configured to execute the controller. The processor may be configured to start executing the controller when the aerosol-generating device is in the locked state and upon receiving a first input from the user via the user interface component, and the processor may be configured to stop executing the controller upon transitioning to the unlocked state. The controller may be stored in a memory of the aerosol-generating device. The processor may be further configured to stop executing the controller upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. In an example, stopping executing the controller comprises the resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits added to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter to the idle counter value, the stopping the timer, and the setting the timer to the initial value.

[0035] By only executing the controller when in the locked state and upon receiving the first input and stopping executing the controller when in the unlocked state, energy consumption is reduced. Energy consumption is further reduced by stopping the execution of the controller upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value.

[0036] Each digit of the multi-digit code may be a digit between 1 and 9. The multi-digit code may comprise at least three digits.

[0037] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may be disabled in the locked state. Causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state may comprise enabling the heating element. When the aerosol-generating device is in the locked state, the heating element may be disabled, for instance, by disabling an energy supply for supplying electrical energy to the heating element, or by disabling an input element for actuating the heating element by the user. Enabling the heating element may comprise enabling the energy supply for supplying electrical energy to the heating element or enabling the input element for actuating the heating element by the user.According to a second aspect, there is provided a method performed by an aerosolgenerating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol. The method comprising: determining a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code; and causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code. Determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from a user received via a user interface component is detected within a first time interval. For each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user received via the user interface component for that digit.

[0038] By starting the first time interval upon detecting the preceding input from the user for that digit, the time duration for entering a digit of a multi-digit code is reduced.

[0039] As outlined above, “multi-digit” refers to at least two digits. In an example, the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code are determined when in the locked state.

[0040] The method may further comprise adapting the first time interval based on detected inputs from the user. For example, adapting the first time interval may comprise, for each of at least two inputs from the user detected within the first time interval, determining a point in time within the first time interval at which the respective user input has been detected and updating the first time interval to an updated first time interval based on the determined points in time. In an example, updating may comprise calculating, for each determined point in time, a detection time interval, the detection time interval starting with the first time interval and ending with the determined point in time, averaging the calculated detection time intervals to generate an averaged time interval, and updating the first time interval to the updated first time interval based on the averaged time interval. For instance, the first time interval may be updated to the updated first time interval by adding a tolerance value to the averaged time interval. The tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the averaged time interval. Specifically, the tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the averaged time interval. For instance, the tolerance value may be 50% of the averaged time interval.

[0041] By adapting the first time interval in consideration of detected user inputs, the time duration for entering the multi-digit code may be further reduced.

[0042] The method may further comprise a) upon detecting a first input from the user, starting a timer and setting a counter value to an initial counter value, and wherein determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether the input from the user is detected within the first time interval may comprise: b) upon detecting a next input from the user, determining a timer value of the timer; c) if the determined timer value of the timer is less than a first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval; and d) if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval.The initial counter value may be 1. The timer may be started running form an initial timer value such as 0 ms. The first threshold value may be between 200 ms and 600 ms. The first time interval may be defined as the difference between the first threshold value and the initial timer value. Accordingly, the duration of the first time interval may be between 200 ms and 600 ms.

[0043] Determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code may further comprise: e) upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, incrementing the counter value by a predetermined value and restarting the timer; and f) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, setting the counter value to the initial counter value and restarting the timer.

[0044] Restarting the timer may refer to starting the timer running from the initial timer value such as 0 ms. The predetermined value may be 1.

[0045] Step e) may further comprise returning to step b), and step f) may further comprise returning to step b).

[0046] Step f) may further comprise: returning to step b) if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number; and comparing the multi-digit code to an access code stored in a memory of the aerosol-generating device if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number. The access code may have the predetermined first number of digits. The method may further comprise: causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the multi-digit code matches the access code. The method may further comprise resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, and returning to step a) if the multi-digit code does not match the access code.

[0047] The method may further comprise: for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, storing the determined timer value as a timer value for the first time interval; calculating an updated first threshold value based on the stored timer values for the first time interval; and updating the first threshold value to the updated first threshold value. In an example, calculating the updated first threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the first time interval to generate a first averaged timer value and adding a first tolerance value to the first averaged timer value to generate the updated first threshold value. In an example, the first tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the first averaged timer value. Specifically, the first tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the first averaged timer value. For instance, the first tolerance value may be 50% of the first averaged timer value.

[0048] The method may further comprise: receiving the access code via the user interface component; and storing the access code in the memory. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosolgenerating device may further comprise a communication interface and the method may further comprise: receiving the access code via the communication interface from an external device; and storing the access code in the memory.Determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code may further comprise: if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval. In these examples, the reading out the counter value, the appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter value to the initial counter value, and the restarting the timer of step f) may be performed upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the second time interval.

[0049] The second time interval may be the difference between the second threshold value and the initial timer value (e.g. 0 ms), and the second threshold value may be greater than the first threshold value. The second threshold value may be between 800 ms and 1500 ms. Accordingly, the duration of the second time interval may be between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0050] Accordingly, the first time interval may last between 200 ms and 600 ms, and the second time interval may last between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0051] The method may further comprise: for each timer value determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, storing the determined timer value as a timer value for the second time interval; calculating an updated second threshold value based on the stored timer values for the second time interval; and updating the second threshold value to the updated second threshold value. In an example, calculating the updated second threshold value may comprise averaging at least two successive timer values for the second time interval to generate a second averaged timer value and adding a second tolerance value to the second averaged timer value to generate the updated second threshold value. The second tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the second averaged timer value. Specifically, the second tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the second averaged timer value. For instance, the second tolerance value may be 50% of the second averaged timer value.

[0052] Additionally, the method may further comprise: if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval; and upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval, resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code.

[0053] The method may further comprise: setting the counter to the initial counter value, restarting the timer, and returning to step b) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval.

[0054] The method may further comprise: periodically reading out the timer value; and resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, setting the counter to an idle counter value, stopping the timer, and setting the timer to the initial timer value upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, the third threshold value being greater than the second threshold value. The idle countervalue may be 0. The initial timer value may be 0 ms. In an example, the third threshold value may be 250 ms greater than the second threshold value. In another example, the third threshold value may be equal to the second threshold value.

[0055] Each digit of the multi-digit code may be a digit between 1 and 9. The multi-digit code may comprise at least three digits.

[0056] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may be disabled in the locked state. Causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state may comprise enabling the heating element. When the aerosol-generating device is in the locked state, the heating element may be disabled, for instance, by disabling an energy supply for supplying electrical energy to the heating element, or by disabling an input element for actuating the heating element by the user. Enabling the heating element may comprise enabling the energy supply for supplying electrical energy to the heating element or enabling the input element for actuating the heating element by the user.

[0057] According to a third aspect, a timer is used to transition an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state. When in the locked state, the aerosol-generating device is disabled to generate aerosol and, when in the unlocked state, the aerosol-generating device is enabled to generate aerosol. To determine a plurality of digits forming an unlock code for transitioning the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to the unlocked state, for each digit of the code, the timer is used to determine one or more times whether a next user input is received within a first time interval from the respectively preceding user input.

[0058] The unlock code may be the multi-digit code described with regard to the first aspect. The aerosol-generating device may be the aerosol-generating device according to the first aspect.

[0059] It is emphasized that any feature, step, function, element, technical effect and advantage described herein with reference to one aspect equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure.

[0060] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0061] Example Ex1: An aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

[0062] a user interface component configured to receive inputs from a user; and

[0063] a controller configured to:

[0064] detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component;

[0065] determine a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, wherein determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from the user is detected within a first time interval; andcause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code,

[0066] wherein, for each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user for that digit.

[0067] Example Ex2: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex1, wherein the controller is further configured to adapt the first time interval based on detected inputs from the user.

[0068] Example Ex3: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex2, wherein adapting the first time interval comprises, for each of at least two inputs from the user detected within the first time interval, determining a point in time within the first time interval at which the respective user input has been detected and updating the first time interval to an updated first time interval based on the determined points in time.

[0069] Example Ex4: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex3, wherein updating comprises calculating, for each determined point in time, a detection time interval, the detection time interval starting with the first time interval and ending with the determined point in time, averaging the calculated detection time intervals to generate an averaged time interval, and updating the first time interval to the updated first time interval based on the averaged time interval.

[0070] Example Ex5: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to EX4, wherein the user interface component is a button or a touch sensor.

[0071] Example Ex6: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to EX5, wherein the input from the user is a first type of user input and wherein the user interface component is further configured to receive a second type of user input different from the first type of user input.

[0072] Example Ex7: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex6, wherein the first type of user input is pressing the button or the touch sensor shorter than a first time duration and wherein the second type of user input is pressing the button or the touch sensor longer than the first time duration.

[0073] Example Ex8: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex4, wherein the user interface component is an acoustic sensor or an impact sensor.

[0074] Example Ex9: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex8, wherein the user interface component is an acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor being one of a MEMS microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, and a dynamic microphone.

[0075] Example Ex10: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex8 to Ex9, wherein the acoustic sensor is a puff sensor configured to capture when a user draws air into the aerosol-generating device.

[0076] Example Ex11: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex4, wherein the user interface component is an impact sensor, the impact sensor being one ofa piezoelectric sensor configured to generate an electrical charge in response to mechanical stress, a Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) configured to change its electrical resistance based on pressure applied to the FSR, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration generated by a force applied to the aerosol-generating device, and a strain gauge.

[0077] Example Ex12: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex11, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0078] a) upon detecting a first input for the multi-digit code from the user, starting a timer and setting a counter value to an initial counter value; and

[0079] wherein determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether the input from the user is detected within the first time interval comprises:

[0080] b) upon detecting a next input from the user, determining a timer value of the timer; c) if the determined timer value of the timer is less than a first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval; and

[0081] d) if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval.

[0082] Example Ex13: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex12, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:

[0083] e) upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, incrementing the counter value by a predetermined value and restarting the timer; and

[0084] f) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, setting the counter value to the initial counter value and restarting the timer.

[0085] Example Ex14: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex13, wherein step e) further comprises returning to step b), and wherein step f) further comprises returning to step b).

[0086] Example Ex15: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex14, wherein step f) further comprises:

[0087] returning to step b) if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number; and

[0088] comparing the multi-digit code to an access code stored in a memory of the aerosolgenerating device if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number.

[0089] Example Ex16: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex15, wherein the access code has the predetermined first number of digits, and wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0090] cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the multi-digit code matches the access code.Example Ex17: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex16, wherein the aerosol-generating device is further configured to reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, and to return to step a) if the multi-digit code does not match the access code.

[0091] Example Ex18: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex12 to Ex17, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0092] for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, store the determined timer value as a timer value for the first time interval;

[0093] calculate an updated first threshold value based on the stored timer values for the first time interval; and

[0094] update the first threshold value to the updated first threshold value.

[0095] Example Ex19: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex18, wherein calculating the updated first threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the first time interval to generate a first averaged timer value and adding a first tolerance value to the first averaged timer value to generate the updated first threshold value.

[0096] Example Ex20: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex15 to Ex19, wherein the aerosol-generating device is further configured to:

[0097] receive the access code via the user interface component; and

[0098] store the access code in the memory.

[0099] Example Ex21: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex15 to Ex19, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a communication interface, and wherein the aerosol-generating device is further configured to:

[0100] receive the access code via the communication interface from an external device; and store the access code in the memory.

[0101] Example Ex22: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex13 to Ex21, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:

[0102] if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval,

[0103] wherein the reading out the counter value, the appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter value to the initial counter value, and the restarting the timer of step f) are performed upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the second time interval.

[0104] Example Ex23: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex22, wherein the first time interval is the difference between the first threshold value and an initial timer value, wherein the second time interval is the difference between the second threshold value and the initial timer value, and wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.Example Ex24: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex23, wherein the first time interval lasts between 200 ms and 600 ms, and wherein the second time interval lasts between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0105] Example Ex25: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex24, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0106] for each timer value determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, store the determined timer value as a timer value for the second time interval;

[0107] calculate an updated second threshold value based on the stored timer values for the second time interval; and

[0108] update the second threshold value to the updated second threshold value.

[0109] Example Ex26: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex25, wherein calculating the updated second threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the second time interval to generate a second averaged timer value and adding a second tolerance value to the second averaged timer value to generate the updated second threshold value.

[0110] Example Ex27: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex26, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0111] if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, determine that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval; and

[0112] upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval, reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code.

[0113] Example Ex28: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0114] set the counter to the initial counter value, restart the timer, and return to step b) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval.

[0115] Example Ex29: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex28, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0116] periodically read out the timer value; and

[0117] reset the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, set the counter to an idle counter value, stop the timer, and set the timer to an initial timer value upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, the third threshold value being greater than the second threshold value.

[0118] Example Ex30: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, wherein the controller is a software component, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a processor configured to execute the controller, wherein the processor is configured to start executing the controller when the aerosol-generating device is in the lockedstate and upon receiving a first input from the user via the user interface component, and wherein the processor is configured to stop executing the controller upon transitioning to the unlocked state.

[0119] Example Ex31: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex30, wherein the processor is configured to stop executing the controller upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value.

[0120] Example Ex32: The aerosol-generating device according to example Ex31, wherein stopping executing the controller comprises the resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits added to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter to the idle counter value, the stopping the timer, and the setting the timer to the initial value.

[0121] Example Ex33: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex32, wherein each digit of the multi-digit code is a digit between 1 and 9, and wherein the multidigit code comprises at least three digits.

[0122] Example Ex34: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex33, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the heating element being disabled in the locked state, and wherein causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises enabling the heating element.

[0123] Example Ex35: A method performed by an aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol, the method comprising:

[0124] determining a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, wherein determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from a user received via a user interface component is detected within a first time interval; and

[0125] causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code,

[0126] wherein, for each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user received via the user interface component for that digit.

[0127] Example Ex36: The method according to example Ex35, wherein the method further comprises adapting the first time interval based on detected inputs from the user.

[0128] Example Ex37: The method according to example Ex36, wherein adapting the first time interval comprises, for each of at least two inputs from the user detected within the first time interval, determining a point in time within the first time interval at which the respective user input has been detected and updating the first time interval to an updated first time interval based on the determined points in time.

[0129] Example Ex38: The method according to example Ex37, wherein updating comprises calculating, for each determined point in time, a detection time interval, the detection time interval starting with the first time interval and ending with the determined point in time, averaging thecalculated detection time intervals to generate an averaged time interval, and updating the first time interval to the updated first time interval based on the averaged time interval.

[0130] Example Ex39: The method according to any one of examples Ex35 to Ex38, further comprising:

[0131] a) upon detecting a first input for the multi-digit code from the user, starting a timer and setting a counter value to an initial counter value, and

[0132] wherein determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether the input from the user is detected within the first time interval comprises:

[0133] b) upon detecting a next input from the user, determining a timer value of the timer; c) if the determined timer value of the timer is less than a first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval; and

[0134] d) if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval.

[0135] Example Ex40: The method according to example Ex39, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:

[0136] e) upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, incrementing the counter value by a predetermined value and restarting the timer; and

[0137] f) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, setting the counter value to the initial counter value and restarting the timer.

[0138] Example Ex41 : The method according to example Ex40, wherein step e) further comprises returning to step b), and wherein step f) further comprises returning to step b).

[0139] Example Ex42: The method according to example Ex41 , wherein step f) further comprises: returning to step b) if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number; and

[0140] comparing the multi-digit code to an access code stored in a memory of the aerosolgenerating device if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number.

[0141] Example Ex43: The method according to example Ex42, wherein the access code has the predetermined first number of digits, and wherein the method further comprises:

[0142] causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the multi-digit code matches the access code.

[0143] Example Ex44: The method according to example Ex43, wherein the method further comprises resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, and returning to step a) if the multi-digit code does not match the access code.

[0144] Example Ex45: The method according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex44, wherein the method further comprises:for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, storing the determined timer value as a timer value for the first time interval;

[0145] calculating an updated first threshold value based on the stored timer values for the first time interval; and

[0146] updating the first threshold value to the updated first threshold value.

[0147] Example Ex46: The method according to example Ex45, wherein calculating the updated first threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the first time interval to generate a first averaged timer value and adding a first tolerance value to the first averaged timer value to generate the updated first threshold value.

[0148] Example Ex47: The method according to any one of examples Ex42 to Ex46, wherein the method further comprises:

[0149] receiving the access code via the user interface component; and

[0150] storing the access code in the memory.

[0151] Example Ex48: The method according to any one of examples Ex42 to Ex46, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a communication interface, and wherein the method further comprises:

[0152] receiving the access code via the communication interface from an external device; and storing the access code in the memory.

[0153] Example Ex49: The method according to any one of examples Ex40 to Ex48, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:

[0154] if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval,

[0155] wherein the reading out the counter value, the appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter value to the initial counter value, and the restarting the timer of step f) are performed upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the second time interval.

[0156] Example Ex50: The method according to example Ex49, wherein the first time interval is the difference between the first threshold value and an initial timer value, wherein the second time interval is the difference between the second threshold value and the initial timer value, and wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0157] Example Ex51: The method according to any one of examples Ex49 to Ex50, wherein the first time interval lasts between 200 ms and 600 ms, and wherein the second time interval lasts between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0158] Example Ex52: The method according to any one of examples Ex49 to Ex51, wherein the method further comprises:for each timer value determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, storing the determined timer value as a timer value for the second time interval;

[0159] calculating an updated second threshold value based on the stored timer values for the second time interval; and

[0160] updating the second threshold value to the updated second threshold value.

[0161] Example Ex53: The method according to example Ex52, wherein calculating the updated second threshold value comprises averaging at least two successive timer values for the second time interval to generate a second averaged timer value and adding a second tolerance value to the second averaged timer value to generate the updated second threshold value.

[0162] Example Ex54: The method according to any one of examples Ex49 to Ex53, wherein the method further comprises:

[0163] if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval; and

[0164] upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval, resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code.

[0165] Example Ex55: The method according to example Ex54, wherein the method further comprises:

[0166] setting the counter to the initial counter value, restarting the timer, and returning to step b) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval.

[0167] Example Ex56: The method according to any one of examples Ex49 to Ex55, wherein the method further comprises:

[0168] periodically reading out the timer value; and

[0169] resetting the multi-digit code by deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code, setting the counter to an idle counter value, stopping the timer, and setting the timer to an initial timer value upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, the third threshold value being greater than the second threshold value.

[0170] Example Ex57: The method according to any one of examples Ex35 to Ex56, wherein each digit of the multi-digit code is a digit between 1 and 9, and wherein the multi-digit code comprises at least three digits.

[0171] Example Ex58: The method according to any one of examples Ex35 to Ex57, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a heating element configured to heat an aerosolforming substrate, the heating element being disabled in the locked state, and wherein causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises enabling the heating element.

[0172] Example Ex59: Use of a timer to transition an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state, wherein, when in the locked state, the aerosol-generating device isdisabled to generate aerosol and, when in the unlocked state, the aerosol-generating device is enabled to generate aerosol, wherein, to determine a plurality of digits forming an unlock code for transitioning the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to the unlocked state, for each digit of the code, the timer is used to determine one or more times whether a next user input is received within a first time interval from the respectively preceding user input.

[0173] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0174] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device for generating aerosol and an external device according to an embodiment;

[0175] Figures 2a and 2b show an aerosol-generating device having a user interface component implemented as an acoustic sensor according to an embodiment;

[0176] Figure 3 illustrates a method for transitioning an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state based on a multi-digit code according to an embodiment;

[0177] Figure 4 illustrates a method for transitioning an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state based on a multi-digit code according to an embodiment;

[0178] Figure 5 exemplary shows how inputting the multi-digit code into an aerosol-generating device works according to an embodiment;

[0179] Figure 6 illustrates a method for periodically reading out a timer value according to an embodiment;

[0180] Figure 7a illustrates a method for adapting a first threshold value according to an embodiment;

[0181] Figure 7b illustrates a method for adapting a second threshold value according to an embodiment;

[0182] Figure 8 illustrates a method for storing an access code into an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment; and

[0183] Figure 9 illustrates a method for saving energy consumption of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0184] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 100 for generating aerosol and an external device 170. The aerosol-generating device 100 may comprise an insertion opening (not shown) for at least partially inserting an aerosol-generating article (not shown). The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate, such as at least one of a tobacco containing substrate, and a cartridge comprising a liquid.

[0185] The aerosol-generating device 100 has a locked state in which the device 100 is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol.

[0186] The aerosol-generating device 100 further includes a controller 110 and a user interface component 140. The user interface component 140 is configured to receive inputs from a user. The controller 110 is configured to detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component 140. For instance, the user interface component 140 may output, in response toreceiving an input from the user, a signal, such as an analog or digital (e.g., binary) signal, that can be detected by the controller 110.

[0187] The user interface component 140 is actuatable by the user to input a multi-digit code, as described further below. The controller 110 is configured to determine a plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code and cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code. Determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from the user is detected within a first time interval and for each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user for that digit.

[0188] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further comprise a processor 120. In an example, the processor is part of the controller 110. In an alternative example, the controller 110 may be a software component stored in a memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device. In this example, the processor 120 is configured to execute the controller 110.

[0189] The user interface component 140 of the aerosol-generating device may be a button (such as a push button ora switch) or a touch sensor. The touch sensor may use a capacitive or resistive technology, for instance on a digital display. The touch sensor may also be a LED (such as a touch LED). Advantageously, implementing the user interface component 140 as a button or a touch sensor is a very cheap, resistant and known technology to provide signals that can be detected by the controller 110. When the user interface component 140 is implemented as a button, the controller 110 may be configured to detect a push of the button. When the user interface component 140 is implemented as a touch sensor, the controller 110 may be configured to detect a touch of the touch sensor.

[0190] When the user interface component 140 is implemented as a button or a touch sensor, the user interface component 140 may be also associated with other function(s) of the aerosolgenerating device 100. For instance, there may be a first type of input from the user and a second type of input from the user. The user interface component 140 may be configured to receive the first type of user input and the second type of user input that is different from the first type of user input. For example, the first type of user input may be used for determining the digits of the multidigit code. The second type of user input may be used to trigger a different functionality such as turning the aerosol-generating device off or turning the aerosol-generating device on. In an example, the first type of user input may be pressing the button or the touch sensor shorter than a first time duration and the second type of user input may be pressing the button or the touch sensor longer than the first time duration. For instance, the first time duration may be at least 1 s. The first user type of user input may be pressing the button or the touch sensor shorter than 0.3 s. If the user interface component 140 is implemented as a touch sensor, the localization of the contact on the touch sensor may also be used to discriminate between the first type of user input and the second type of user input.In another example, the user interface component 140 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may be an acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor may be used to capture a tapping sound generated on the shell of the device 100. The tapping sound may be a sound louder than a threshold sound level. Alternatively, the tapping sound may be a sound having a predefined sound profile. The acoustic sensor may be a transducer that is configured to convert sound waves into electrical signals, enabling detection of sound-related events such as a tapping sound by the controller 110. For instance, when the user interface component is an acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor may be one of a MEMS microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, and a dynamic microphone. In an example, the acoustic sensor may be a puff sensor configured to capture when a user draws air into the aerosol-generating device 100. If the user interface component 140 is the puff sensor, the user interface component is an already embedded microphone.

[0191] Figures 2a and 2b show the aerosol-generating device 100 having a user interface component 140 implemented as an acoustic sensor. Fig. 2a illustrates that a tapping sound generated by the device 100 hitting on a hard surface 210 may be the user input used for determining the digits of the multi-digit code. FIG. 2b illustrates that a tapping sound generated by the user’s finger 220 on the housing of the device 100 may be the user input used for determining the digits of the multi-digit code.

[0192] Turning back to Figure 1, in another example, the user interface component 140 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may be an impact sensor. The impact sensor may be configured to provide a signal in response to detecting an impact and the controller 110 may be configured to detect the signal provided by the impact sensor. For instance, the impact sensor may be configured to detect a finger of the user tapping on the aerosol-generating device 100 or the device hitting another object. For example, the impact sensor may be one of a piezoelectric sensor configured to generate an electrical charge in response to mechanical stress, a Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) configured to change its electrical resistance based on pressure applied to the FSR, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration generated by a force applied to the aerosol-generating device 100, and a strain gauge. For example, when an accelerometer, the impact sensor may measure the acceleration generated by forces applied to the device 100. In this example tapping on the device 100 may cause a movement of the device 100 that is detected by the impact sensor.

[0193] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further include a heating element 150. The heating element may be disabled in the locked state. Causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state may comprise enabling the heating element. When the aerosol-generating device is in the locked state, the heating element may be disabled, for instance, by disabling an energy supply 165 for supplying electrical energy to the heating element, or by disabling an input element (not shown) for actuating the heating element by the user. Enabling the heating element may comprise enabling the energy supply 165 for supplyingelectrical energy to the heating element 150 or enabling the input element for actuating the heating element 150 by the user.

[0194] For generating the aerosol during use or consumption of the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises the heating element 150 for applying heat to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. For powering the heating element 150 with electrical power, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises the energy supply 165.

[0195] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further comprise a communication interface 160 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device 100 with the external device 170, for example, via at least one of an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a mobile phone network, a 3G / 4G / 5G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a near field connection, and an loT connection. The external device 170 may be a computing device such as a mobile phone, tablet device, or personal computer.

[0196] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further comprise a memory 130. As explained above, the memory 130 may store the controller 110 in case the controller 110 is implemented as a software component. The memory 130 may also store an access code. The access code has a predetermined number of digits. For instance, the access code may be a sequence of digits.

[0197] A YAP process will now be described.

[0198] Referring to Figure 3, Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 performed by the aerosol-generating device 100. For instance, the method 300 may be performed by the controller 110 of the aerosolgenerating device 100. As outlined above, the aerosol-generating device 100 has a locked state in which the device 100 is disabled to generate aerosol and an unlocked state in which the device 100 is enabled to generate aerosol. The method 300 may be performed when the aerosolgenerating device 100 is in the locked state. The method 300 is a method for transitioning the aerosol-generating device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state based on a multi-digit code.

[0199] At step 310, a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code are determined. Step 310 comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from a user received via the user interface component 140 is detected within a first time interval. For instance, as outlined above, the controller 110 is configured to detect inputs from the user received via the user interface component 140 and the user interface component 140 is configured to receive the inputs from the user. The first time interval is started, for each digit of the multi-digit code, upon detecting a preceding input from the user received via the user interface component 140 for that digit. As outlined above, multi-digit refers to at least two digits and preceding refers to directly preceding.

[0200] At step 320, the aerosol-generating device is caused to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code. For instance, the controller 110 is configured to cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked statebased on the multi-digit code. Causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state may comprise enabling the heating element 150.

[0201] The method 300 may optionally further comprise step 330. At step 330, the first time interval is adapted based on detected inputs from the user received via the user interface component 140. For example, adapting the first time interval may comprise, for each of at least two inputs from the user detected within the first time interval, determining a point in time within the first time interval at which the respective user input has been detected and updating the first time interval to an updated first time interval based on the determined points in time. For instance, updating may comprise calculating, for each determined point in time, a detection time interval. The detection time interval starts with the first time interval and ends with the determined point in time. Updating may further comprise averaging the calculated detection time intervals to generate an averaged time interval, and updating the first time interval to the updated first time interval based on the averaged time interval. In an example, the first time interval may be updated to the updated first time interval by adding a tolerance value to the averaged time interval. The tolerance value may be between 10% and 100% of the duration of the averaged time interval. The tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the averaged time interval. For instance, the tolerance value may be 50% of the averaged time interval.

[0202] By adapting the first time interval in consideration of detected user inputs, the time duration for entering the multi-digit code may be further reduced.

[0203] Turning now to Figure 4, Figure 4 illustrates a method 400 performed by the aerosol generating device 100. For instance, the method 400 may be performed by the controller 110 of the aerosol-generating device 100. The method 400 may be performed when the aerosolgenerating device 100 is in the locked state. The method 400 is a method for transitioning the aerosol generating device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state based on a multi-digit code. The method 400 may be part of the method 300 described with regard to Figure 3. For instance, step 310 of method 300 may comprise one or more of steps 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 470, 475 and 480. Similarly, step 320 of method 300 may comprise one or more of steps 450, 455, 460 and 465. Step 485 may be a further step performed within method 300 of Figure 3.

[0204] At step 405, a timer is started and a counter value is set to an initial counter value upon detecting a first input for the multi-digit code from the user. Accordingly, step 405 comprises detecting the first input from the user received via the user interface component 140 and, in response to detecting the first input from the user, starting the timer and setting the counter value to the initial counter value. The first input from the user detected at step 405 may be the first input from the user detected when entering the multi-digit code via the user interface component 140. Starting the timer may comprise starting the timer running from an initial timer value. The initial timer value may be 0 ms. The initial counter value may be 1.At step 410, upon detecting an input (i.e. , a next input) from the user, a timer value of the timer is determined. Accordingly, step 410 may comprise detecting the next input from the user and, in response to detecting the next input from the user, determining the timer value of the timer. When performing step 410 for the first time, the input from the user detected at step 405 is the user input directly preceding the input from the user detected at step 410.

[0205] At step 415, it is determined whether the timer value determined at step 410 is less than a first threshold value. In examples, the first threshold value may be a value between 200 ms and 600 ms. The first time interval mentioned in step 310 may be defined as the difference between the first threshold value and the initial timer value. Accordingly, the first time interval may last between 200 ms and 600 ms.

[0206] At step 420, it is determined that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval if the timer value of the timer determined at step 410 is less than the first threshold value.

[0207] In contrast if the timer value determined at step 410 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, it is determined, at step 430, that the next input from the user detected at step 410 is not detected within the first time interval.

[0208] It is noted that the determination of the timer value at step 410 is triggered by the detection of the input from the user. Accordingly, the timer value of the timer determined at step 410 is the timer value at the point in time when the next input from the user is detected.

[0209] Turning now to step 425, upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, the counter value is incremented by a predetermined value and the timer is restarted. For instance, the predetermined value by which the counter value is incremented may be 1. Moreover, restarting the timer refers to starting the timer running from the initial timer value. As outlined above the initial timer value may be 0 ms.

[0210] From step 425 the method returns to step 410 where, upon detecting a next (i.e., a followup) input from the user, a next timer value of the timer is determined.

[0211] Returning now to step 430, upon determining that the next input from the user detected at step 410 is not detected within the first time interval, the method proceeds to step 435. At step 435, it is determined whether the timer value determined at step 410 is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value and may be, for instance, a value between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

[0212] If the timer value determined at step 410 is less than the second threshold value, the method proceeds to step 440. At step 440, it is determined that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval. The second time interval may be defined as the difference between the second threshold value and the initial timer value. Accordingly, the second time interval lasts between 800 ms and 1600 ms. Steps 435, 440, 470, 475, and 480 may be optional in method 400. For instance, the method may directly proceed from step 430 to step 445.

[0213] The method proceeds from step 440 to step 445. At step 445, the counter value is read out. The read out counter value is appended as a digit to the multi-digit code. The counter value is setto the initial counter value (e.g. 1) and the timer is restarted. Restarting the timer may comprise starting the timer running from the initial timer value (e.g., 0 ms). The digit may directly be appended to the multi-digit code. Alternatively, step 445 may comprise appending a delimiter to the multi-digit code followed by the digit. The delimiter may be, for instance, the digit 0.

[0214] From step 445, the method proceeds to step 450. At step 450, it is determined whether the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number or whether the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number. As outlined above, the access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may have the predetermined first number of digits. Accordingly, step 450 may comprise determining how many numbers the multi-digit code has and comparing the number of digits of the multi-digit code to the number of digits of the access code stored in memory 130. To put it in other words, step 450 determines whether the number of digits of the multi-digit code equals the number of digits of the access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0215] If it is determined at step 450 that the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number, the method proceeds to step 455. At step 455, the multi-digit code is compared to the access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0216] In contrast, if it is determined at step 450 that the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than the predetermined first number, the method returns to step 410. In this case, code entry of the multi-digit code via the user interface component 140 is not finished, as the number of digits in the multi-digit code does not correspond to the number of digits in the access code stored within the memory 130.

[0217] At step 455, the multi-digit code is compared to the access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0218] From step 455, the method proceeds to step 460. At step 460, it is determined whether the multi-digit code matches the access code stored in memory 130.

[0219] If the multi-digit code matches the access code stored in memory 130, the method proceeds to step 465. At step 465, the aerosol-generating device 100 is caused to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. Step 465 may comprise enabling the heating element 150. Step 465 may further comprise stopping the timer. Step 465 may also comprise setting the counter value to the initial counter value or setting the counter value to an idle counter value such as 0. The idle counter value may be different from the initial counter value.

[0220] If it is determined, at step 460, that the multi-digit code does not match the access code stored in the memory 130, the method proceeds to step 485. At step 485, the multi-digit code is reset. Resetting may comprise deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code. The aerosolgenerating device 100 remains in the locked state.

[0221] From step 485, the method returns to step 405. Accordingly, the method 400 is restarted and the user can retry to enter the multi-digit code.Returning to step 435 if it is determined at step 435 that the timer value determined at step 410 is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the method proceeds to step 470. At step 470, it is determined that the next input from the user is not detected within the second time interval.

[0222] The method proceeds from step 470 to step 475. At step 475, the multi-digit code is reset. Resetting the multi-digit code may comprise deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code.

[0223] From step 475, the method proceeds to step 480. At step 480, the counter is set to the initial counter value, the timer is restarted and the method returns to step 410.

[0224] Accordingly, if the user believes that a digit of the multi-digit code is wrong, the user has to wait longer than the second time interval before performing a user input. In this case, the multidigit code is reset at step 475, the timer is restarted and the counter value is set to the initial counter value at step 480, and the user can restart entering the multi-digit code from the scratch.

[0225] In some examples, the idle counter value may be an indication that no inputs from the user have been detected for the multi-digit code yet. For instance, upon receiving an input from the user via the user interface component 140, the aerosol-generating device 100 may additionally determine the counter value. If the counter value is the idle counter value such as 0, the aerosolgenerating device 100 may determine that no inputs from the user have been detected for the multi-digit code yet and that the user starts inputting the multi-digit code.

[0226] In case more than nine user inputs are detected for a digit of the multi-digit code, the corresponding digit may be set to 9. Alternatively, if more than nine user inputs are detected for a digit, the counter may be reset to the initial counter value such as 1, allowing the user to correct a bad entry.

[0227] In some embodiments, the device 100 may further comprise an interface component such as at least one of LEDs, a display, and a vibration motor that can be activated to indicate to the user at which of the steps of method 300 or 400 the user currently is. For instance, the interface component may be configured to indicate that the controller currently determines the multi-digit code (step 310), the controller has determined that the entered multi-digit code matches the stored access code and the aerosol-generating device is caused to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state (step 465), or the controller has determined that the entered multi-digit code does not match the stored access code and the multi-digit code is reset (step 485).

[0228] In some embodiments, there is more than one access code stored in the memory, wherein one access code is for transitioning the device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state and other access codes are for other functions.

[0229] It is noted that the first threshold value may be between 200 ms and 600 ms. Accordingly, the first threshold value defines, when considering the initial timer value to be 0 ms, the first time interval to be between 200 ms and 600 ms. The second threshold value may be between 800 ms and 1500 ms. Accordingly, the second threshold value defines, when considering the initial timer value to be 0 ms, the second time interval to be between 800 ms and 1500 ms. The durations ofthe first and the second time intervals are the natural instinctive way of humans to distinguish in a sequence of signals what represents a unit of information and separations between these units.

[0230] These timings are coherent with studies in psycholinguistics and cognitive sciences, which examine how humans instinctively segment and group auditory or visual information over time, and use silences / pauses between signals to identify, determine and create rhythms and patterns and use them to structure information in a way that maximizes perception clarity and memorization.

[0231] Research on rhythmic perception across cultures suggests that people universally interpret and execute time intervals in communication based on relative, rather than absolute, timing so that short intervals represent one unit of information, and longer intervals represent separations between these units.

[0232] This time division mirrors for instance Morse code and is observed in tapping codes used in military or emergency settings.

[0233] It is noted that the durations of the first time interval and the second time interval are coherent with, for instance, results of sciences regarding instinctive rhythms of humans and even mammals.

[0234] Accordingly, the distinction between a small time interval to increment a digit and a longer interval to distinguish between digits is naturally understood and employed by humans, making the way to input the multi-digit code quite natural and comfortable for all users.

[0235] Each digit of the multi-digit code may be a digit between 1 and 9. Preferably, the access code stored in memory 130 may have at least three digits. In an embodiment, the access code has three digits. In this embodiment, the number of combinations is still too high to guess the access code (for a 3 digits access code, there are 93= 729 combinations).

[0236] Turning now to Figure 5, Figure 5 exemplary shows how inputting the multi-digit code into the aerosol-generating device 100 works. Figure 5 will be described with continued reference to Figure 4.

[0237] Figure 5a illustrates a timeline 505 of the timer. The timer is started at the initial timer value. In the example of Figure 5a, the initial timer value is 0 ms. Accordingly, at 0 ms, an input from the user has been detected. If the user starts inputting the multi-digit code into the aerosol-generating device 100, the input detected at 0 ms may be the input detected at step 405 of method 400. Otherwise, the input detected at 0 ms may be an input detected at step 410 and the timer is started at one of steps 425, 445 and 480. T1 refers to the first threshold value and T2 refers to the second threshold value.

[0238] At TD, a further (i.e., next) input from the user is detected such as at step 410 of method 400. The time interval 510 indicates the time that has lapsed after starting the timer from the initial timer value such as 0 ms. As can be seen from Figure 5a, the determined timer value TD is less than the first threshold value T1. Accordingly, method 400 determines at step 420 that the inputfrom the user is detected within the first time interval. The method 400 proceeds to step 425. At step 425, the counter value is incremented by the predetermined value and the timer is restarted.

[0239] Turning now to Figure 5b, Figure 5b shows a timeline 515 of the timer. The timer is started at the initial timer value. In the example of Figure 5b, the initial timer value is 0 ms. Accordingly, at 0 ms, an input from the user has been detected. If the user starts inputting the multi-digit code into the aerosol-generating device 100, the input detected at 0 ms may be the input detected at step 405 of method 400. Otherwise, the input detected at 0 ms may be an input detected at step 410 and the timer is started at one of steps 425, 445 and 480. T 1 again refers to the first threshold value and T2 again refers to the second threshold value.

[0240] At TD, a further (i.e., next) input from the user is detected such as at step 410 of method 400. The time interval 520 indicates the time that has lapsed after starting the timer from the initial timer value such as 0 ms. As can be seen from Figure 5b, the determined timer value TD is not detected within the first time interval, but within the second time interval.

[0241] Accordingly, method 400 determines at step 440 that the timer value TD is detected within the second time interval. The method 400 proceeds to step 445. At step 445, the counter value is read out and appended as a digit to the multi-digit code. Thereafter, the counter value is set to the initial counter value and the timer is restarted.

[0242] Figure 5c shows a timeline 525 of the timer. The timer is started at the initial timer value. In the example of Figure 5c, the initial timer value is 0 ms. Accordingly, at 0 ms, an input from the user has been detected. If the user starts inputting the multi-digit code into the aerosol-generating device 100, the input detected at 0 ms may be the input detected at step 405 of method 400. Otherwise, the input detected at 0 ms may be an input detected at step 410 and the timer is started at one of steps 425, 445 and 480. T 1 again refers to the first threshold value and T2 again refers to the second threshold value.

[0243] At TD, a further (i.e., next) input from the user is detected such as at step 410 of method 400. The time interval 530 indicates the time that has lapsed after starting the timer from the initial timer value such as 0 ms. As can be seen from Figure 5c, the determined timer value TD is not detected within the second time interval.

[0244] Accordingly, method 400 determines at step 470 that the input from the user is not detected within the second time interval. Hence, at step 475 the multi-digit code is reset. Resetting may comprise deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code. Moreover, at step 480, the counter is set to the initial counter value and the timer is restarted.

[0245] Figure 5d shows a timeline 535 along which the multi-digit code is input into the aerosolgenerating device 100 via the user interface component 140. Element 540 indicates the length of the first time interval and element 545 indicates the length of the second time interval. The access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may be “324”. The arrows indicate points in time at which inputs from the user are detected.At 550, a first input from the user is detected such as at step 405 of Figure 4. In response to detecting the user input at 550, the timer is started running from the initial timer value (e.g., 0 ms) and the counter value is set to the initial counter value. In the example of Figure 5d, the initial counter value is 1. At 555, a further (i.e., next) input from the user is detected, for instance, at step 410, and the timer value of the timer is determined as described for step 415. As can be seen, the time interval that has lapsed from the detection of the preceding user input 550 is less than the first time interval 540. Accordingly, the method 400 branches to step 420 and increments, at step 425, the counter value by a predetermined value and restarts the timer. In the example of Figure 5d, the predetermined value is 1.

[0246] At 560, the next user input is detected at step 410 and the timer value of the timer is determined at step 415. As can be seen, the time interval that has lapsed from the detection of input 555 is less than the first time interval 540. Therefore, the method 400 again branches to step 420, increments the counter value by 1 and restarts the timer at step 425.

[0247] At 565, the next user input is detected at step 410 and the timer value is determined at step 415. As can be seen, the time interval lapsed from user input 560 is greater than the first time interval 540, but less than the second time interval 545. Therefore, the method 400 branches to step 445. At 445, the counter value is read out. In the present case, the read out counter value is 3. Additionally, the read out counter value is appended as a digit to the multi-digit code, the counter value is set to 1 and the timer is restarted. The method proceeds to step 450. At step 450, it is determined whether the number of digits in the multi-digital code is less than the predetermined first number or equal to the predetermined first number. In the example of Figure 5d, the predetermined first number is 3, as the access code stored in the memory 130 has three digits. As the number of digits in the multi-digit code is 1 at 565, the method branches from step 450 to step 410 where the next user input is detected at 570. It is determined that the timer value determined at 570 is within the first time interval 540 since the time that has lapsed from 565 is less than the first time interval 540. Accordingly, the method 400 branches to steps 420 and 425 where the counter value is incremented by 1 and the timer is restarted.

[0248] At step 410, the user input 575 is detected. It is determined that the time interval that has lapsed from the detection of the user input 570 is greater than the first time interval 540, but less than the second time interval 545. Therefore, the method branches to step 445 where the counter value is read out and appended as a digit to the multi-digit code. The read out counter value in this case is 2. The counter value is set to 1 and the timer is restarted. At step 450, it is determined that the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than the predetermined first number, i.e. the number of digits in the access code. In particular, at 575 the number of digits in the multi-digit code is 2 whereas the number of digits in the access code is 3. Therefore, the method 400 branches from 450 to 410 where at 580 the next user input is detected.

[0249] The time interval between user input 580 and 575 is less than the first time interval 540. Therefore, the method branches to step 420 of method 400 and performs step 425. Similarly, thetime interval between the user input detected at 585 and the user input detected at 580 as well as the timer interval between the user input detected at 590 and the user input detected at 585 are less than the first time interval 540. Therefore, the method branches each time to step 420 and performs step 425.

[0250] The next user input is detected at 595. It is determined at step 440 that user input 595 is not detected within the first time interval 540, but within the second time interval 545. Therefore, method 400 branches to step 445. At 445, the counter value is read out and appended to the multi-digit code. In this case, the read out counter value is 4. It is determined at step 450 that the digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the number of digits in the access code since the multidigit code has three digits and the access code has three digits, too. Accordingly, the method proceeds to step 455 where the multi-digit code is compared to the access code stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100. The multi-digit code being “324” matches the access code “324” stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100. Hence, the method proceeds to step 465. At step 465, the aerosol-generating device 100 is caused to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0251] Figure 6 illustrates a method 600 that may be performed in parallel to at least one of method 400 and method 300. Method 600 may be performed by the controller 110 of the aerosolgenerating device 100. Method 600 is a method for periodically reading out the timer value.

[0252] At step 610, the timer value of the timer is periodically read out. For instance, the timer value may be read out at a time period that is much shorter than the first time interval. The time period at which the timer value is periodically read out may be shorter than 1 / 5 of the first time interval. For example, the timer value may be read out every 5 ms.

[0253] At step 620, a determination is made whether the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than a third threshold value. The third threshold value may be greater than the second threshold value. For example, the third threshold value may be at least 250 ms greater than the second threshold value. In another example, the third threshold value may be equal to the second threshold value. The difference between the third threshold value and the initial timer value may define a third time interval.

[0254] Step 620 may further comprise upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, resetting the multi-digit code. Resetting the multi-digit code may comprise deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code. Step 620 may further comprise setting the counter to an idle counter value, stopping the timer and setting the timer to the initial timer value. The idle counter value may be a value different from the initial counter value. For instance, the idle counter value may be 0. The initial timer value may be 0 ms.

[0255] Accordingly, in case no input is detected for a time interval longer than the third time interval, the multi-digit code is automatically reset so that upon reception of a next input from the user, the method restarts from step 405.Additionally, step 620 may further include, prior to resetting the multi-digit code and prior to setting the counter to the idle counter value, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, and determining whether the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number. In case the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number, step 620 may further include, prior to resetting the multi-digit code and prior to setting the counter to the idle counter value, comparing the multi-digit code to the access code stored in the memory 130. If the multi-digit code matches the access code, step 620 may further comprise causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when no user input is detected within the third time interval, the multi-digit code is automatically compared to the access code stored in the memory 130 if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined number.

[0256] Accordingly, the present invention uses the timer to transition the aerosol-generating device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state. When in the locked state, the aerosol-generating device 100 is disabled to generate aerosol and, when in the unlocked state, the aerosolgenerating device 100 is enabled to generate aerosol. To determine a plurality of digits forming an unlock code (i.e. , the multi-digit code described with regard to Figures 3 to 6) for transitioning the aerosol-generating device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state, for each digit of the unlock code (i.e., the multi-digit code), the timer is used to determine one or more times whether a next user input is received within the first time interval from the respectively preceding user input.

[0257] T urning now to Figure 7a, Figure 7a illustrates a method 700a for adapting the first threshold value. By adapting the first threshold value, the first time interval is adapted. Method 700a may be performed by the controller 110. Accordingly, Figure 7a shows more details of step 330 of Figure 3. Method 700a may be performed as part of method 400.

[0258] At step 710, for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, the determined timer value is stored as a timer value for the first time interval. For instance, the determined timer values are stored within the memory 130.

[0259] At step 720, an updated first threshold value is calculated based on the stored timer values for the first time interval. For instance, step 720 may comprise averaging at least two successive timer values stored for the first time interval to generate a first averaged timer value and adding a first tolerance value to the first averaged timer value to generate the updated first threshold value. The first tolerance value may be in a range between 10% and 100% of the first averaged timer value. Specifically, the first tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the first averaged timer value. For example, the first tolerance value may be 50% of the first averaged timer value.

[0260] At step 730, the first threshold value is updated to the updated first threshold value.Figure 7b illustrates a method 700b for adapting the second threshold value. By adapting the second threshold value, the second time interval is adapted. Method 700b may be performed by the controller 110. Method 700b may be performed as part of method 400.

[0261] At step 750, for each timer value determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the determined timer value is stored as a timer value for the second time interval. For instance, the determined timer values are stored within the memory 130.

[0262] At step 760, an updated second threshold value is calculated based on the stored timer values for the second time interval. For instance, step 760 may comprise averaging at least two successive timer values stored for the second time interval to generate a second averaged timer value and adding a second tolerance value to the second averaged timer value to generate the updated second threshold value. The second tolerance value may be in a range between 10% and 100% of the second averaged timer value. Specifically, the second tolerance value may be between 45% and 55% of the second averaged timer value. For example, the second tolerance value may be 50% of the second averaged timer value.

[0263] At step 770, the second threshold value is updated to the updated second threshold value. Accordingly, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be adapted according to historical time intervals used by the user to input the multi-digit code into the aerosol-generating device 100 so that the first threshold value and the second threshold value become progressively personalized. The initial values of the first threshold value and the second threshold value, from which the adapted threshold values are progressively calculated, may be either set at manufacturing time or set by the user via the communication interface 160 using the external device 170. Alternatively, the initial values for the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set using the user interface component 140 itself.

[0264] The first threshold value and the second threshold value may also be adapted by the user, for instance, via the communication interface 160 and the external device 170. The adapting of the first threshold value and the second threshold value may also be done by an artificial intelligence component (not shown) run on the aerosol-generating device 100. In some embodiments, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be adapted after input of the multi-digit code is completed.

[0265] Figure 8 illustrates a method 800 for storing the access code into the aerosol-generating device 100. At step 810, the access code is received. For instance, the access code may be received via the communication interface 160 from the external device 170. Alternatively, the access code may be received via the user interface component 140.

[0266] At step 820, the access code may be stored in the memory 130.

[0267] For instance, when the access code at step 810 is received via the user interface component 140, the access code may be input in a way similar to inputting the multi-digit code.For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may be put into a state where the user can input the access code. This may be done, when the user interface component 140 is a button or a touch sensor, by pressing the user interface component 140 longer than a predetermined period of time. After having entered the state at which the user can input the access code via the user interface component 140, the access code may be entered by using the method 400 described above in Figures 4 and 5d when inputting the multi-digit code. The user may press again the user interface component 140 for the predetermined period of time to complete inputting of the access code. When inputting the access code is completed, the access code may be stored at step 820 in memory 130.

[0268] Figure 9 illustrates a method 900 for saving energy consumption of the aerosol-generating device 100. In particular, the method 900 may be performed by the aerosol-generating device 100. In this embodiment, the controller 110 is a software component stored in the memory 130 of the aerosol-generating device.

[0269] At step 910, a first input is received from the user via the interface component 140. The first input from the user received at step 910 may be the first input received from the user for inputting the multi-digit code.

[0270] At step 920, the aerosol-generating device starts executing the controller 110. When executed, the controller 110 may perform at least one of method 300, 400, 600, 700a, 700b, and 800. Specifically, the processor 120 of the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to execute the controller 110. In an embodiment, step 920 is only performed when the aerosol-generating device 100 is in the locked state. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to start executing the controller in response to receiving the first input from the user via the user interface component 140 at step 910 when in the locked state.

[0271] Step 920 may further comprise, after starting execution of the controller 110, providing an indication to the controller 110 that the first input from the user has been received at step 910. The controller 110 will then detect at step 405 of method 400 the first user input as described with regard to method 400 of Figure 4.

[0272] At step 930, it is determined whether the device is in the locked state. This determination may be done periodically. If the device is in the unlocked state, i.e. , step 320 of method 300 or step 465 of method 400 have been performed, the aerosol-generating device 100 stops executing the controller 110 at step 940. Step 940 may comprise resetting the multi-digit code. Resetting the multi-digit code may comprise deleting all digits appended to the multi-digit code. Moreover, step 940 may comprise setting the counter to the idle counter value, stopping the timer and setting the timer to the initial timer value.

[0273] If it is determined at step 930 that the device 100 is still in the locked state, the method proceeds to step 950. At step 950, the periodically read out timer value as described for step 610 of method 600 is compared to the third threshold value. In case the periodically read out timer value is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the method proceeds to step 940 wherethe execution of the controller is stopped. If the periodically read out timer value is not equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the method proceeds to step 920 where the controller is further executed.

[0274] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of step 320 and step 465 may further comprise indicating to the aerosol-generating device that the aerosol-generating device transitions to the unlocked state. In response to this indication, the aerosol-generating device 100 performs step 940 and stops execution of the controller 100.

[0275] By executing the controller only when in the locked state and upon receiving the first input at step 910 as well as stopping executing the controller at step 940 when the aerosol generating device transitions to the unlocked state, energy consumption is reduced. Energy consumption is further reduced by stopping execution of the controller upon determining that the periodically read out timer value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value.

[0276] The technical advantages of the present invention are manifold. For instance, the method described with regards to Figures 3, 4 and 5 allows to input the multi-digit code that is used for transitioning the aerosol-generating device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state easily and quickly into the device 100. For instance, the maximum duration for a user to input the digits of a N numbers multi-digit code is about T1 x (N-1), with T 1 being the first threshold value (T 1 is well under a second), plus the time needed to enter each digit of the multi-digit code which can be very short as there is no minimum duration between detecting two successive user inputs.

[0277] Additionally, the input of the multi-digit code is very discreet. The interaction with the user interface component 140 (e.g., pressing a button or tapping on the shell of the device 100) can be done while the device 100 is out of sight of other people, including hidden in a hand as the user does not have to see the device when inputting the multi-digit code.

[0278] The disclosed invention prevents a majority of underage users to use the device 100, due to the necessity to know the stored access code to unlock the device 100.

[0279] The user interface component 140 can be a simple sensor and has a very low requirement for the electronics.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol, the aerosol-generating device comprising:a user interface component configured to receive inputs from a user; anda controller configured to:detect the inputs from the user received via the user interface component; determine a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, wherein determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from the user is detected within a first time interval; andcause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code,wherein, for each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user for that digit.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to adapt the first time interval based on detected inputs from the user.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the user interface component is a button or a touch sensor.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the user interface component is an acoustic sensor or an impact sensor.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:a) upon detecting a first input for the multi-digit code from the user, starting a timer and setting a counter value to an initial counter value, andwherein determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether the input from the user is detected within the first time interval comprises:b) upon detecting a next input from the user, determining a timer value of the timer; c) if the determined timer value of the timer is less than a first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval; andd) if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:e) upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the first time interval, incrementing the counter value by a predetermined value and restarting the timer; andf) upon determining that the next input from the user is not detected within the first time interval, reading out the counter value, appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, setting the counter value to the initial counter value and restarting the timer.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein step e) further comprises returning to step b), and wherein step f) further comprises returning to step b).

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein step f) further comprises:returning to step b) if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is less than a predetermined first number; andcomparing the multi-digit code to an access code stored in a memory of the aerosolgenerating device if the number of digits in the multi-digit code is equal to the predetermined first number.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the access code has the predetermined first number of digits, and wherein the controller is further configured to: cause the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the multi-digit code matches the access code.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:for each timer value determined to be less than the first threshold value, store the determined timer value as a timer value for the first time interval;calculate an updated first threshold value based on the stored timer values for the first time interval; andupdate the first threshold value to the updated first threshold value.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein determining the plurality of digits forming the multi-digit code further comprises:if the determined timer value of the timer is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, determining that the next input from the user is detected within a second time interval,wherein the reading out the counter value, the appending the read out counter value as a digit to the multi-digit code, the setting the counter value to the initial counter value, and the restarting the timer of step f) are performed upon determining that the next input from the user is detected within the second time interval.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the first time interval lasts between 200 ms and 600 ms, and wherein the second time interval lasts between 800 ms and 1500 ms.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller is a software component, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a processor configured to execute the controller, wherein the processor is configured to start executing the controller when the aerosol-generating device is in the locked state and upon receiving a first input from the user via the user interface component, and wherein the processor is configured to stop executing the controller upon transitioning to the unlocked state.

14. A method performed by an aerosol-generating device having a locked state in which the device is disabled to generate aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the device is enabled to generate aerosol, the method comprising:determining a plurality of digits forming a multi-digit code, wherein determining the plurality of digits comprises determining, for each digit of the multi-digit code, whether an input from a user received via a user interface component is detected within a first time interval; and causing the aerosol-generating device to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the multi-digit code,wherein, for each digit of the multi-digit code, the first time interval is started upon detecting a preceding input from the user received via the user interface component for that digit.

15. Use of a timer to transition an aerosol-generating device from a locked state to an unlocked state, wherein, when in the locked state, the aerosol-generating device is disabled to generate aerosol and, when in the unlocked state, the aerosol-generating device is enabled to generate aerosol, wherein, to determine a plurality of digits forming an unlock code for transitioning the aerosol-generating device from the locked state to theunlocked state, for each digit of the code, the timer is used to determine one or more times whether a next user input is received within a first time interval from the respectively preceding user input.

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