WO2024245659A1

WO2024245659A1 - An aerosol generating device and a method of configuring a user interface system of an aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024245659A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/061542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane Hedarchet; Hajime FUIJTA
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-05-31
Filing date: 2024-04-26
Publication date: 2024-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-30
Also published as: KR20250172958A

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (10) comprising a user interface system is described. The user interface system includes a plurality of predefined user inputs, and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10). The user interface system is selectively configurable by a user to disable and enable at least one of the user inputs, and assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND A METHOD OF CONFIGURING A USER INTERFACE SYSTEM OF AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and in particular to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device.

The present disclosure also relates generally to a method of configuring a user interface system of an aerosol generating device.

Technical Background

Devices which heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated material aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 300°C. This temperature range is quite low compared to an ordinary cigarette. Heating the aerosol generating material to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Such devices may include a user interface system that is response to particular user inputs and that allows the aerosol generating device to control or initiate particular operating functions. For example, the device may carry out a particular operation in response to a push button on the device being pressed by the user. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. The software components may be implemented using a controller of the aerosol generating device, for example. The user interface system may be responsive to one or more user inputs that are predefined (“predefined user inputs”) and stored as part of the user interface system. It may sometimes be possible for the user to disable some of the predefined user inputs of the user interface system, for example, if the user does not want to use these particular user inputs to control the aerosol generating device. But the relationship between user inputs and the operating functions of the aerosol generating device typically is fixed in the user interface system and cannot be changed by the user. For example, it is normally fixed that the device will carry out a particular operating function in response to a particular user input or action. Known user interface systems are not selectively configurable by the user according to their own preferences. The present disclosure aims to provide a user interface system that is selectively configurable by the user so that it is more user-friendly.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a user interface system comprising a plurality of predefined user inputs, and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, wherein the user interface system is selectively configurable by a user to: disable and enable at least one of the user inputs; and assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device may be a holder for receiving an aerosol generating article (or consumable) and is configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, optionally by heating aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating article may be inserted into an aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may comprise the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device is typically a hand-held, portable, device. The aerosol generating device may be configured to heat the aerosol generating material or substrate, without burning the aerosol generating material, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating material and thereby generate a heated vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device during a vaping session. The aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol in other ways, e.g., by using an ultrasonic transducer to atomise a liquid aerosol forming substrate.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour may be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a heating chamber for receiving at least part of an aerosol generating material, and a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may be a low power thin film heater, printed heater etc. An induction heater may be preferred. An induction heater may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor and may be configured to heat the aerosol generating material. For example, the induction coil may be positioned adjacent an aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the aerosol generating device that is designed to receive the aerosol generating material, where the aerosol generating material is optionally part of an aerosol generating article or consumable that is received in the aerosol generating device in use. When the induction heater is used to heat the aerosol generating material, an alternating electromagnetic field is generated by the induction coil. A susceptor may be associated with the aerosol generating material, e.g., positioned adjacent to or embedded in the aerosol generating material, and may be part of the aerosol generating article or the aerosol generating device. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat due to eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis, which heat is then transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol generating material. To generate the alternating electromagnetic field necessary for induction heating, the aerosol generating device may further comprise an inverter that is electrically connected to the induction coil.

The aerosol generating material may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate (CaCCh).

Consequently, the aerosol generating device may be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-burn tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol generating material, including a liquid material or substrate.

As mentioned briefly above, the aerosol generating material may form part of an aerosol generating article that is received in the aerosol generating device, for example by inserting the aerosol generating article into an aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may include a filter segment, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres, at a proximal end of the aerosol generating article. The filter segment may constitute a mouthpiece filter and may be in coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating material. One or more vapour collection regions, cooling regions, and other structures may also be included in some designs. For example, the aerosol generating article may include at least one tubular segment upstream of the filter segment. The tubular segment may act as a vapour cooling region. The vapour cooling region may advantageously allow the heated vapour generated by heating the aerosol generating material to cool and condense to form an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user, for example through the filter segment. The aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosolformers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.

Upon being heated, the aerosol generating material may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

The aerosol generating material may be a liquid material or substrate and the device may comprise an atomising arrangement to atomise the liquid material or substrate, including without heating. The liquid material or substrate may also be heated.

The term “user input” means any input that may be provided by the user of the aerosol generating device, e.g., for operating or controlling an operation of the aerosol generating device. Each user input may correspond to a particular action that is performed by the user. For example, if the user presses a button of the aerosol generating device for a certain period of time, this may correspond to a certain user input of the user interface system. A non-exhaustive list of possible user inputs may include:

- pressing a button of the aerosol generating device for a short period of time (or “short press”),

- pressing a button of the aerosol generating device for an intermediate period of time (or “intermediate press”),

- pressing a button of the aerosol generating device for a long period of time (or “long press”),

- interacting with some other type of input device (e.g., a touchscreen) of the aerosol generating device (or “interact input device”), - removing the aerosol generating article from the aerosol generating device (or “remove consumable”),

- inserting the aerosol generating article into the aerosol generating device (or “insert consumable”),

- tapping the aerosol generating device once (or “tap once”),

- tapping the aerosol generating device twice (or “tap twice”),

- tapping the aerosol generating device n times, where n is an integer greater than or equal to three (or “tap n times”), and

- moving or shaking the aerosol generating device in a particular way that corresponds to a particular user input (or “move device” or “shake device”), for example. Moving the aerosol generating device may include lifting or tilting the aerosol generating device, or a more complex sequence of movements or gestures, for example.

A plurality of user inputs is predefined as part of the user interface system and may be selectively enabled or disabled by the user. The predefined user inputs may be stored, e.g., in a memory.

The term “essential operating function” means any operating function that is essential to the operation of the aerosol generating device such as starting or stopping heating (or “start heating” or “stop heating”), for example. For some aerosol generating devices, essential operating functions may include starting or stopping operation of an aerosol generator such as an ultrasonic transducer or atomiser, for example.

One or more essential operating functions are predefined as part of the user interface system. The one or more predefined essential operating functions may be stored, e.g., in a memory.

If one or more of the enabled user inputs is assigned to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system is configured to control the aerosol generating device to carry out a particular operating function in response to any of the one or more assigned user inputs. The user interface system may notify the user if an essential operating function does not have at least one user input assigned to it. Operation of the aerosol generating device may be stopped until at least user input is assigned to each essential operating function, or such assignment may be made by the user interface system (e.g., a “default” assignment) to make sure that the aerosol generating device can be controlled properly. The user interface system may further comprise at least one predefined non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device. The user interface system may be further selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of the non-essential operating functions and to assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device. This allows the user more flexibility in controlling the aerosol generating device because the user may configure the user interface system to use their preferred user inputs to carry out the particular essential and non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device.

The term “non-essential operating function” means any operating function that is not essential to the operation of the aerosol generating device such as checking the remaining time of the vaping session (or “check remaining time”), boosting the heating of the aerosol generating material (or “boost heating”), and checking the charge level of the power source (or “check battery level”), for example, but which the user may want to enable for the aerosol generating device. Such non-essential operating functions may help the user to interact with, or control the operation of, the aerosol generating device in a preferred way that may improve user experience.

One or more non-essential operating functions are predefined as part of the user interface system. The one or more predefined non-essential operating functions may be stored, e.g., in a memory. The user interface system may comprise a user interface that is responsive to the enabled user inputs and which initiates the particular essential or non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, e.g., where the user interface outputs a control signal.

The user interface system may notify the user if any of the enabled user inputs are not assigned to one or more enabled operating functions. Any enabled user inputs that are not assigned may be disabled by the user interface system. The user interface system may notify the user if an enabled non-essential operating function does not have at least one user input assigned to it. Any enabled non-essential operating function that does not have at least one user input assigned to it may be disabled by the user interface system.

The user interface system may be further selectively configurable by the user to assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions. In this case, it will be readily understood that the term “enabled operating functions” includes any enabled non-essential operating functions (i.e., predetermined non- essential operating functions that have not already been disabled by the user) and the essential operating functions, which cannot be disabled. For example, it may be possible to assign one of the user inputs (e.g., “tap twice”) to control multiple enabled operating functions such as “check remaining time” and “boost heating”. This means that when the user taps the aerosol generating device twice, this tapping is detected and the aerosol generating device is controlled to notify the remaining time of the vaping session to the user, and also to boost heating of the aerosol generating material. However, the user interface system may be further configured to prevent any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned by the user to two or more non-compatible enabled operating functions. For example, the same user input should not be assigned to an operating function which stops heating of the aerosol generating material (“stop heating”) and an operating function which boosts heating of the aerosol generating material (“boost heating”) because these operating functions are clearly not compatible - heating cannot be stopped and boosted at the same time.

Combinations of non-compatible enabled operating functions may be stored, e.g., in a memory.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise:

- a power source (e.g., a battery or other energy storage device),

- at least one input or output device, and

- a controller. Each input or output device may correspond to one or more predefined user inputs and/or one or more predefined non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device. For example, an input device may be a push button of the aerosol generating device that the user may use to provide user inputs such as “short press”, “intermediate press”, “long press”, which depend on the length of time for which the push button is pressed by the user. An input device may be a device that determines when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device by the user, or is removed from the aerosol generating device by the user, and which allows the user to provide user inputs “insert consumable” and “remove consumable” - i.e., by deliberately inserting or removing the aerosol generating article. An input device may be an accelerometer or other motion sensor for detecting if the aerosol generating device is tapped (“tap once”, “tap twice” and “tap n times”), moved (“move device”) or shaken (“shake device”) by the user.

An output device may be an LED driver for driving one or more LEDs to provide visual feedback to the user. An output device may be a driver for driving a haptic actuator to provide haptic feedback to the user. As used herein, the term “haptic feedback” means any feedback that is capable of creating an experience or sensation of touch for the user, i.e., that generates a tactile response. A tactile response may be applied to the hand of the user that is holding the aerosol generating device, for example. The haptic actuator may be a vibration motor such as an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, a piezoelectric actuator, a linear resonant array, or an electrical actuator such as electrostimulation array or electro-tactile stimulator, for example. The feedback may be provided to the user as part of one or more of the operating functions - for example, haptic feedback may be provided when the aerosol device is controlled to notify the user of the remaining time (“check remaining time”) or when heating is boosted (“boost heating”).

Some of the input and output devices may be electrically connected to the power source by a respective switching device such as a semiconductor switch (e.g., a MOSFET). The controller may be configured to open the respective switching device if all of the one or more user inputs and/or one or more non-essential operating functions corresponding to the particular input or output devices are disabled by the user. This improves energy efficiency because the input or output device may be electrically isolated from the power source by opening the respective switching device if they are not needed to detect a user input or as part of an operating function. If an input or output device is needed for an essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, its respective switching device will normally remain closed so that it is electrically connected to the power source. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. The at least one input or output device may be part of the user interface system. The software components may be implemented using the controller of the aerosol generating device, for example.

The aerosol generating device may be further configured to be operated in a plurality of operating modes, e.g., a heating mode where the aerosol generating material is being heated to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale, and a non-heating mode. Alternatively, the operating modes might include a mode where the aerosol generator is operating to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale, and a mode when the aerosol generator is not operating, for example.

The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user differently for each operating mode. For each operating mode of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system may further comprise a plurality of predefined user inputs, and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device. For each operating mode of the aerosol generating device, the user interface system may be further selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of the user inputs for the respective operating mode, and assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device for the respective operating mode. For example, the different user inputs may be enabled or disabled for each operating mode, and the enabled user inputs may be assigned to different essential and non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device for each operating mode. This provides further flexibility for the user to control the aerosol generating device using preferred user inputs depending on the operating mode of the aerosol generating device, e.g., if an aerosol is being generated or not.

The user interface system may further comprise a plurality of predefined device outputs, for example:

- provide visual feedback to the user, e.g., by lighting one or more LEDs, and

- provide haptic feedback to the user, e.g., by vibrating the aerosol device.

The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable at least one of the predefined device outputs, and to assign one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device. The user interface system may therefore be configured to control the aerosol generating device to carry out one or more particular device outputs in response to any of the one or more assigned user inputs. This provides further flexibility for the user. For example, some user may prefer visual feedback rather than haptic feedback, and other uses may prefer haptic feedback rather than visual feedback. An enabled operating function does not necessarily need to have one or more device outputs assigned to it and it will be understood that device outputs are typically in addition to basic functions of the aerosol generating device such as starting and stopping heating of the aerosol generating material, or boosting heating of the aerosol generating material, for example.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a software application for selectively configuring the user interface system of the aerosol generating device described above. The software application may be a mobile application (or “mobile app”) developed specifically for use on small portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, where the user inputs, operating functions etc., and the relationship between them, are represented graphically (for example, as buttons with lines between the buttons to indicate an assigned relationship) and where the user inputs and operating functions of the user interface system may be disabled or enabled or related or assigned by touching the corresponding graphical representation, or by other direct manipulation of the graphical representations using the touchscreen of the electronic device, for example. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of configuring the user interface system of an aerosol generating device, the user interface system comprising a plurality of enabled user inputs, and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device, wherein the method comprises a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device.

The one or more enabled user inputs may be selectively assigned to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device by the user using a software application, e.g., a mobile application (or “mobile app”). The portable electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet running the software application may communicate with the aerosol generating device using any suitable communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) or over a wireless network. Data exchanged between the electronic device and the aerosol generating device may be used to update the user interface system so that changes corresponding to those made by the user using the software application are also made to the user interface system operating on the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may comprise any suitable communication device such as a transceiver and a digital controller for providing wireless communication with the electronic device. Alternatively, the communication device may be provided in a portable charging device (or “pocket charger”) which is configured to receive the aerosol generating device. The portable charging device is in data communication with the aerosol generating device when it is received in the portable charging device. Data exchanged between the electronic device and the portable charging device may be used to update the user interface system when the aerosol generating device is in data communication with the portable charging device so that changes corresponding to those made by the user using the software application are also made to the user interface system. The electronic device may also be connected to the aerosol generating device or the portable charging device, e.g., using a USB cable.

The user may use the software application running on the electronic device to selectively configure the user interface system of the aerosol generating device. This allows the selective configuration of the user interface system to be carried out more easily and intuitively using graphical representation of the different user input, operating functions etc.

The method may further comprise the user deriving the plurality of enabled user inputs by the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of a plurality of predefined user inputs of the user interface system.

The user interface system may further comprise at least one predefined non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device. The method may further comprise the user selectively disabling or enabling any of the non-essential operating functions, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non- essential operating function of the aerosol generating device.

The method may further comprise the user selectively assigning any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions, and preventing any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned to two or more non-compatible enabled operating functions.

The method may further comprise the user selectively configuring the user interface system differently for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device.

The user interface system may further comprise a plurality of predefined device outputs. The method may further comprise the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the plurality of device outputs, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an example of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article;

Figures 2A and 2B are diagrammatic views of examples of initial user interface systems for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device; Figures 3A and 3B are diagrammatic views of examples of configured user interface systems for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a configured user interface system showing an incompatible relationship; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a user interface system with device outputs.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 100 for use with the device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a main body 12 housing various components of the aerosol generating device 10. The main body 12 may have any shape that is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments set out herein and to be comfortably held by a user unaided, in a single hand.

A first end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown towards the bottom of Figure 1, is described for convenience as a distal, bottom, base or lower end of the aerosol generating device 10. A second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown towards the top of Figure 1, is described as a proximal, top or upper end of the aerosol generating device 10. During use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 10 with the first end 14 downward and/or in a distal position with respect to the user’s mouth and the second end 16 upward and/or in a proximate position with respect to the user’s mouth.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a heating chamber 18 positioned in the main body 12. The heating chamber 18 defines an interior volume in the form of a cavity 20 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for receiving an aerosol generating article 100. The heating chamber 18 has a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and is formed of a heat-resistant plastics material, such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK). The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a power source 22, for example one or more batteries which may be rechargeable, and a controller 24. The controller 24 may comprise one or more integrated circuit and other electrical components. For example, an integrated circuit may comprise at least one of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and microprocessor unit (MPU).

The heating chamber 18 is open towards the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. In other words, the heating chamber 18 has an open first end 26 towards the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. The heating chamber 18 is typically held spaced apart from the inner surface of the main body 12 to minimise heat transfer to the main body 12.

The aerosol generating device 10 may optionally include a sliding cover 28 movable transversely between a closed position (shown in Figure 1) in which it covers the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to prevent access to the heating chamber 18 and an open position (not shown) in which it exposes the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to provide access to the heating chamber 18. The sliding cover 28 may be biased to the closed position in some embodiments.

The heating chamber 18, and specifically the cavity 20, is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100. Typically, the aerosol generating article 100 comprises a pre-packaged aerosol generating material or substrate 102. The aerosol generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also known as a “consumable”) which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating material 102. The aerosol generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or mouth end) and a distal end 106. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises a mouthpiece segment 108 positioned downstream of the aerosol generating material 102. The aerosol generating material 102 and the mouthpiece segment 108 are arranged in coaxial alignment inside a wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in position to form the rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100. The mouthpiece segment 108 may comprise one or more of the following components (not shown in detail) arranged sequentially and in co-axial alignment in a downstream direction, in other words from the distal end 106 towards the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100: a cooling segment, a centre hole segment and a filter segment. The cooling segment typically comprises a hollow paper tube having a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the wrapper 110. The centre hole segment may comprise a cured mixture containing cellulose acetate fibres and a plasticizer, and functions to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 108. The filter segment typically comprises cellulose acetate fibres and acts as a mouthpiece filter. As heated vapour flows from the aerosol generating material 102 towards the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100, the vapour cools and condenses as it passes through the cooling segment and the centre hole segment to form an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user through the filter segment.

The heating chamber 18 has a side wall (or chamber wall) 30 extending between a base 32, located at a second end 34 of the heating chamber 18, and the open first end 26. The side wall 30 and the base 32 are connected to each other and may be integrally formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 30 is tubular and, more specifically, cylindrical. The side wall 30 may be formed so that the cross-section of the heating chamber 18 is a perfect circle or an ellipse. In other embodiments, the side wall 30 may have other suitable shapes, such as a tube with an elliptical or polygonal cross section. In yet further embodiments, the side wall 30 may be tapered.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 32 of the heating chamber 18 is closed, e.g., sealed or air-tight. That is, the heating chamber 18 is cup-shaped. This may ensure that air drawn from the open first end 26 is prevented by the base 32 from flowing out of the second end 34 and is instead guided through the aerosol generating material 102. It may also ensure that a user inserts the aerosol generating article 100 into the heating chamber 18 an intended distance and no further. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heating arrangement 36, which is configured to heat the aerosol generating material 102 when the aerosol generating article 100 is received in the heating chamber 18.

The aerosol generating device 10 includes a pair of input devices, namely a push button 38 and an accelerometer 40. Although not shown, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include an input device for determining when the aerosol generating article 100 is inserted into the heating chamber 18 by the user, and when it is removed from the heating chamber by the user. The push button 38 may be arranged so that at least a part of the push button is exposed from the main body 12.

The aerosol generating device 10 also includes a pair of output devices, namely one or more LEDs 42 that are electrically connected to the controller 24 by an LED driver 44 and a haptic actuator 46 (e.g., an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor) that is electrically connected to the controller 24 by a motor driver 48. The LED driver 44 and the motor driver 48 may be omitted if the controller 24 is configured to directly control the LEDs 42 and the haptic actuator 46.

The controller 24 may control the aerosol generating device 10 according to a user interface system that is selectively configurable by a user. The user interface system is responsive to particular user inputs and allows the aerosol generating device 10 to control or initiate particular operating functions, including both essential and non- essential operating functions. The user interface system may include hardware and software components. The software components of the user interface system may be implemented in the controller 24.

For the purposes of the following description, it is assumed that in this example the user interface system is response to the following user inputs that are predefined (“predefined user inputs”) and where each user input corresponds to a particular action that is performed by the user:

- pressing the push button 38 for a short period of time (or “short press”),

- pressing the push button 38 for a long period of time (or “long press”), - removing the aerosol generating article 100 from the aerosol generating device 10 (or “remove consumable”),

- inserting the aerosol generating article 100 into the aerosol generating device 10 (or “insert consumable”),

- tapping the aerosol generating device 10 twice (or “tap twice”),

- lifting up the aerosol generating device 10 (“move device”), and

- shaking the aerosol generating device 10 (“shake device”).

It is also assumed that in this example the user interface system may initiate or trigger the following predefined essential operating functions:

- start heating of the aerosol generating material (“start heating”) - i.e., start operation of the heating arrangement 36, and

- stop heating of the aerosol generating material (“stop heating”) - i.e., stop operating of the heating arrangement 36.

It is also assumed that in this example the user interface system may initiate or trigger the following predefined non-essential operating functions:

- check the remaining time of the vaping session (“check remaining time”),

- check the charge level of the power source 22 (“check battery level”), and

- boost heating of the aerosol generating device 10 (“boost heating”) - i.e., increase heating provided by the heating arrangement 36.

The push button 38 is used to detect the user inputs “short press” and “long press”, which user inputs are determined based on the period of time for which the push button 38 is pressed by the user. In particular, the controller 24 receives data when the push button 38 is pressed.

The accelerometer 40 is used to detect the user inputs “tap twice”, “move device” and “shake device”. In particular, the controller 24 receives data from the accelerometer 40 that may be used to determine if the user has tapped the aerosol generating device 10, or has lifted it or shaken it in a way that corresponds to a predefined user input. The accelerometer 40 is connected to the power source 22 by a semiconductor switch 52 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be opened to isolate the accelerometer 40 from the power source 22 if all of the corresponding user inputs “tap twice”, “move device” and “shake device” are disabled from the user interface system - see below. If all of these particular user inputs are disabled, the accelerometer 40 is not needed and may therefore be isolated from the power source 22 to save battery power.

Two initial (or “default”) user interface systems are shown in Figures 2A and 2B where the user inputs and the essential and non-essential operating functions are represented graphically. In particular, the user may selectively configure the user interface system using a software application such as a mobile application (or “mobile app”) running on a smartphone 200. The smartphone 200 communicates wirelessly with the aerosol generating device 10 so that any changes made using the software application are updated to the user interface system operating on the aerosol generating device 10. The smartphone 200 may communicate with the aerosol generating device 10 using any suitable communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) or over a wireless network, and the aerosol generating device 10 may include a suitable communication device 50. Alternatively, the smartphone 200 may communicate wirelessly with a portable charging device (not shown) for charging the power source 22 of the aerosol generating device 10. In this case, the communication device may be provided as part of the portable charging device (not shown) and the user interface system operating on the aerosol generating device 10 may be updated when the aerosol generating device is received in the portable charging device, for example to store, transport or charge the aerosol generating device, or when the aerosol generating device 10 is in data communication with the portable charging device.

The initial (or “default”) user interface systems shown in Figures 2A and 2B for the aerosol generating device 10 may be based on factory settings or on known user preferences - e.g., using a user profile that may be updated using the software application. Figure 2A shows an initial user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during a heating mode - i.e., when the heating arrangement 36 is being used to heat the aerosol generating material 102. Figure 2B shows an initial user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during a non-heating mode.

In Figure 2A the predefined user inputs are:

- pressing the push button 38 for a long period of time (or “Llong press”),

- removing the aerosol generating article 100 from the aerosol generating device 10 (or “Remove consumable”), and

- tapping the aerosol generating device 10 twice (or “Tap twice”).

Each user input is represented graphically by an input button IB1, 1B2 and IB3. The input buttons IB1, IB2 and IB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200.

The predefined essential operating function is stop heating of the aerosol generating material (“Stop heating”) and the predefined non-essential operating functions are:

- check the remaining time of the vaping session (“Check remaining time”), and

- boost heating of the aerosol generating device 10 (“Boost heating”).

Each operating function is represented graphically by a function button FBI, FB2 and FB3 and is appropriate for a heating mode. The function buttons FBI, FB2 and FB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200 and are positioned in a row underneath the row of input buttons IB1, IB2 and IB3.

In Figure 2B the predefined user inputs are:

- pressing the push button 38 for a long period of time (or “Long press”),

- lifting up the aerosol generating device 10 (“Move device”), and

- shaking the aerosol generating device 10 (“Shake device”). Each user input is represented graphically by an input button IB 1, IB2, and IB5. The input buttons IB1, IB2, and IB5 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200.

The predefined essential operating function is to start heating of the aerosol generating material (“Start heating”) and the predefined non-essential operating function is to check the remaining charge level of the power source 22 (“Check battery level”).

Each operating function is represented graphically by a function button FBI and FB2 and is appropriate for a non-heating mode. The function buttons FBI and FB2 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200 and are positioned in a row underneath the row of input buttons IB1, IB2, ..., and IB 5.

The user interface system may be selectively configured by the user using the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200. More particularly, the user interface system may be selectively configured by the user by touching or tapping any of the input and function buttons, or by other direct manipulation of the graphical representations such as touching, holding and dragging, or swiping, for example.

Using the smartphone 200, the user may disable one or more of the predefined user inputs by touching the appropriate input button for a long period of time. The user may also disable one or more of the predefined non-essential operating functions by touching the appropriate function button for a long period of time. The button for a disabled user input or operating function may be greyed out on the touchscreen 202 to indicate that this particular user input or operating function has been disabled. Essential operating functions (e.g., “Stop heating” and “Start heating”) may not be disabled even if the corresponding function button is touched for a long period of time. Touching a greyed out button for a long period of time will enable the corresponding user input or operating function again. In the initial user interface systems shown in Figure 2A and 2B, all of the user inputs and non-essential operating functions are enabled, but some might be initially disabled based on known user preferences. In the initial user interface systems shown in Figures 2A and 2B, there are no predefined relationships between any of the user inputs and the operating functions, but such initial (or “default”) relationships might be provided based on known user preferences. The user may assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each of the enabled operating functions. A relationship or assignment between a particular user input and a particular operating function may be created by touching the appropriate input button for a short period of time and then touching the appropriate function button for a short period of time or vice versa, or by touching the touchscreen somewhere generally between the appropriate input button and the appropriate function button, for example. If a user input or non-essential operating function is disabled, any existing relationships with that user input or operating function may be deleted or may be reassigned by the user interface system - e.g., to a default relationship. If an enabled user input is not assigned to a particular operating function, the user may be asked to either provide an assignment or to disable the user input. Similarly, if an enabled non-essential operating function does not have a user input assigned to it, the user may be asked to either provide an assignment or to disable the non-essential operating function. If an essential operating function does not have a user input assigned to it, the user may be asked to provide an assignment to ensure proper operation of the aerosol generating device, or the user interface system may provide a default relationship with one or more of the enabled user inputs.

Figures 3 A and 3B show the respective user interface systems of Figures 2A and 2B after they have been selectively configured by the user. Figure 3 A shows the configured user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during a heating mode - i.e., when the heating arrangement 36 is being used to heat the aerosol generating material 102. Figure 3B shows the configured user interface system for controlling the aerosol generating device 10 during a non-heating mode.

Referring to Figure 3 A, the user has disabled the user input “Remove consumable” and the input button IB2 is shown greyed out. The aerosol generating device 10 will not be controlled if the user removes the aerosol generating article 100. The user input “Long press” has been assigned to the essential operating function “Stop heating” so that if the user presses the push button 38 for a long period of time during a heating mode, the aerosol generating device 10 will be controlled to stop operation of the heating arrangement 36. The relationship or assignment between the user input “Long press” and the operating function “Stop heating” is represented graphically by a straight line linking the buttons IB 1 and FB 1.

The user input “Tap twice” has been assigned to the non-essential operating functions “Check remaining time” and “Boost heating” so that if the user taps the aerosol generating device 10 twice during a heating mode - which tapping is detected by the accelerometer 40 - the aerosol generating device will notify the user of the remaining time for the vaping session and increase the heating provided by the heating arrangement 36. It may therefore be seen that a particular user input, in this case “Tap twice”, may be assigned to two or more operating functions of the user interface system as long as they are compatible. If the operating functions are incompatible, this is not allowed - see below. The relationship or assignment between the user input “Tap twice” and the operating functions “Check remaining time” and “Boost heating” is represented graphically by straight lines linking the respective buttons. In particular, a first straight line linking the buttons IB3 and FB2 and a second straight line linking the buttons IB3 and FB3.

Referring to Figure 3B, the user has disabled the user input “Short press” and the input button IB3 is shown greyed out. The aerosol generating device 10 will not be controlled if the user presses the push button 38 for a short period of time during a non-heating mode. The non-essential operating function “Check battery level” has also been disabled and the function button FB2 is shown greyed out. The charge level of the power source 22 cannot be checked by a user input. The user has assigned all of the enabled user inputs (i.e., “Insert consumable”, “Long press”, “Move device” and “Shake device”) to the essential operating function “Start heating”. If the user inserts the aerosol generating article 100 into the heating chamber 18 of the aerosol generating device 10, or presses the push button 38 for a long period of time, or lifts up or shakes the device during a non-heating mode - which movement is detected by the accelerometer 40 - the aerosol generating device will be controlled to start operation of the heating arrangement 36. This also transitions the aerosol generating device 10 to a heating mode where the user interface system shown in Figure 3 A is used to control its operation. The relationship or assignment between the user inputs “Insert consumable”, “Long press”, “Move device” and “Shake device” and the operating function “Start heating” is represented graphically by straight lines linking the respective buttons. In particular, a first straight line linking the buttons IB1 and FBI, a second straight line linking the buttons IB2 and FBI, a third straight line linking the buttons IB4 and FBI, and a fourth straight line linking buttons IB 5 and FB 1.

An existing relationship might be deleted by touching the appropriate straight line for a long period of time. Alternatively, an existing relationship might be reassigned by the user by touching the appropriate straight line, holding it and dragging it, for example. For example, the relationship between the user input “Long press” and the operating function “Stop heating” might be removed by touching the straight line linking the buttons IB2 and FBI for a long period of time. The user may then, for example, enable the operating function “Check battery level” by touching function button FB2 for a long period of time, and then assign the user input “Long press” to the operating function “Check battery level” by touching the input button IB2 for a short period of time and the function button FB2 for a short period of time, or vice versa.

Figure 4 shows a user interface system for a heating mode where the user has tried to assign the user input “Tap twice” to the operating function “Stop heating” even though it is already assigned to the operating function “Boost heating”. These operating functions are incompatible and the user interface system will not allow such a relationship to be assigned to the user input. It would, however, be permitted if the user first deletes the relationship between the user input “Tap twice” and the operating function “Boost heating”.

Figure 5 shows an example of a user interface system for a heating mode that further includes the following predefined device outputs:

- providing visual feedback to the user by lighting the one or more LEDs 42 (“Light”), - providing first haptic feedback to the user by driving the haptic actuator 46 (“Vibrate 1”), and

- provide second haptic feedback to the user by driving the haptic actuator 46 (“Vibrate 2”).

Each device output is represented graphically by an output button OBI, OB2 and OB3 and is appropriate for a heating mode. The output buttons OBI, OB3 and OB3 are displayed to the user on the touchscreen 202 of the smartphone 200, and are positioned in a row underneath the rows of input buttons IB1, IB2 and IB3 and function buttons FBl, FB2 and FB3.

The user interface system may be selectively configurable by the user to disable and enable any of the device outputs. The user may also assign one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device as described above.

In Figure 5, the device outputs “Vibrate 1” and “Light” are assigned to the operating function “Stop heating”. When the aerosol generating device 10 is controlled to carry out the operating function “Stop heating” in response to the user input “Long press”, the heating arrangement 36 will be stopped and the user will receive visual feedback from the LEDs 42 and haptic feedback from the haptic actuator 46. The relationship or assignment between the device outputs “Vibrate 1” and “Light” and the operating function “Stop heating” is represented graphically by the straight lines linking the respective buttons. In particular, a first straight line linking the buttons OBI and FBI and a second straight line linking the buttons OB2 and FB 1. The device output “Vibrate 2” is assigned to the operating function “Boost heating”. When the aerosol generating device 10 is controlled to carry out the operating function “Boost heating” (and the operating function “Check remaining time”) in response to the user input “Tap twice” the heating provided by the heating arrangement 36 will be increased and the remaining time will be notified to the user. The user will also receive haptic feedback from the haptic actuator 46. The relationship or assignment between the device output “Vibrate 2” and the operating function “Boost heating” is represented graphically by the straight line linking buttons OB3 and FB3.

The LED driver 44 is connected to the power source 22 by a semiconductor switch 54 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be opened to isolate the LED driver 44 from the power source 22 if the corresponding device output “Light” is disabled from the user interface system. If this particular device output is disabled, the LED driver 44 is not needed and may therefore be isolated from the power source 22. Similarly, the motor driver 48 is connected to the power source 22 by a semiconductor switch 56 (e.g., a MOSFET) which may be opened to isolate the motor driver from the power source 22 if the corresponding device outputs “Vibrate 1” and “Vibrate 2” are disabled from the user interface system.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a user interface system responsive to a plurality of predefined user inputs that correspond to actions performed by a user, and that may initiate at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10) and at least one predefined non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10), wherein the user interface system is selectively configurable by a user to: disable and enable at least one of the user inputs; assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10); disable and enable at least one of the non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10); and assign one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non- essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10); a power source (22); at least one input or output device (40, 42, 46), each input or output device (40, 42, 46) corresponding to one or more predefined user inputs or one or more predefined non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10); and a controller (24); wherein each input or output device (40, 42, 46) is electrically connected to the power source (22) by a respective switching device (52, 54, 56) of the aerosol generating device (10); and wherein the controller (24) is configured to open the respective switching device (52, 54, 56) if the one or more user inputs or the one or more non-essential operating functions corresponding to the input or output device (40, 42, 46) are disabled by the user.

2. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface system is further selectively configurable by the user to assign any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions, and to prevent any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned by the user to two or more non-compatible enabled operating functions.

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, being further configured to be operated in a plurality of operating modes, and wherein the user interface system is further selectively configurable by the user differently for each operating mode.

4. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the user interface system further comprises a plurality of predefined device outputs, wherein the user interface system is selectively configurable by the user to: disable and enable at least one of the device outputs; and assign one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

5. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more of: a user operable input device (38); a motion sensor (40); one or more light emitting diodes (42, 44); and a haptic actuator (46, 48).

6. A software application for selectively configuring the user interface system of the aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim.

7. A method of configuring the user interface system of an aerosol generating device (10), the user interface system comprising a plurality of enabled user inputs, and at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10), wherein the method comprises a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more enabled user inputs are selectively assigned to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10) by the user using a software application.

9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising the user deriving the plurality of enabled user inputs by the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of a plurality of predefined user inputs of the user interface system.

10. A method according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the user interface system further comprises at least one predefined non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10), and wherein the method further comprises the user selectively disabling or enabling any of the non-essential operating functions, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

11. A method according to any of claims 7 to 10, further comprising the user selectively assigning any of the enabled user inputs to two or more compatible enabled operating functions, and preventing any of the enabled user inputs from being assigned to two or more non-compatible enabled operating functions.

12. A method according to any of claims 7 to 11, further comprising the user selectively configuring the user interface system differently for different operating modes of the aerosol generating device (10).

13. A method according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the user interface system further comprises a plurality of predefined device outputs, and wherein the method further comprises the user selectively disabling or enabling one or more of the plurality of device outputs, and selectively assigning one or more of the enabled device outputs to each enabled operating function of the aerosol generating device (10).

14. A method of controlling an aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a user interface system responsive to a plurality of predefined user inputs that correspond to actions performed by a user, and that may initiate at least one predefined essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10) and at least one predefined non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10); a power source (22); and at least one input or output device (40, 42, 46), each input or output device (40, 42, 46) corresponding to one or more predefined user inputs or one or more predefined non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10); wherein each input or output device (40, 42, 46) is electrically connected to the power source (22) by a respective switching device (52, 54, 56) of the aerosol generating device (10); wherein the method comprises: a user selectively disabling and enabling at least one of the user inputs; a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10); a user selectively disabling and enabling at least one of the non-essential operating functions of the aerosol generating device (10); a user selectively assigning one or more of the enabled user inputs to each enabled non-essential operating function of the aerosol generating device (10); and opening the respective switching device (52, 54, 56) if the one or more user inputs or the one or more non-essential operating functions corresponding to the input or output device (40, 42, 46) are disabled by the user.