KR20220017267A - System including cigarette package and aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment according to the present disclosure is attached to a cigarette pack configured to include a plurality of cigarettes, a sensor for recognizing an authentication code that may be physically deformed in response to opening the cigarette pack, and the authentication code through the sensor Disclosed is an aerosol generating device comprising a controller configured to set the number of possible heating operations of the aerosol generating device to a number corresponding to the plurality based on recognition, and a heater configured to perform a heating operation based on the number of possible heating operations. . In addition to this, various embodiments identified through the specification are possible.

Description

SYSTEM INCLUDING CIGARETTE PACKAGE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Various embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a system comprising a packet of cigarettes and an aerosol generating device.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods that overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as the aerosol generating material in the cigarette is heated rather than a method of generating the aerosol by burning the cigarette. Accordingly, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

However, when a cigarette that has already been used in an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating the cigarette is reused, the device may be overloaded.

Various embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a system including a cigarette pack to which a unique authentication code is assigned and an aerosol generating device. However, the technical problems to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a sensor for recognizing an authentication code that is attached to a cigarette packet configured to include a plurality of cigarettes and may be physically deformed in response to opening of the cigarette packet, the authentication code through the sensor. To provide an aerosol-generating device comprising a control unit that sets the number of possible heating operations of the aerosol-generating device to a number corresponding to the plurality based on recognition, and a heater that performs a heating operation based on the number of possible heating operations. can

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a packet of cigarettes configured to include a plurality of cigarettes, to which a unique authentication code is assigned, wherein the authentication code undergoes physical deformation in response to opening of the packet, and the packet is assigned a A sensor for recognizing an authentication code, a control unit that sets the number of possible heating operations to the number of times corresponding to the plurality based on recognition of the authentication code through the sensor, and performing a heating operation based on the number of possible heating operations A system comprising an aerosol generating device comprising a heater may be provided.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, as the reuse of the used cigarette is prevented, the atomization amount, flavor, or flavor of the aerosol generated from the cigarette may be uniformly maintained for every use.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, by limiting the usable period of the cigarette, it is possible to prevent the user from smoking a cigarette of reduced quality.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and may include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration to be described later.

1 to 3 show examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
4 shows a cigarette according to an embodiment.
5 shows a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
6 shows a system comprising an aerosol generating device and a packet of cigarettes according to an embodiment.
Fig. 7 shows the physical modification of the authentication code according to the opening of the packet of cigarettes in one embodiment.
Fig. 8a shows the physical deformation of the authentication code upon opening of a cigarette packet in another embodiment.
Fig. 8b shows the physical deformation of the authentication code upon opening of a cigarette packet in another embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Terms used in various embodiments according to the present disclosure have been selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering the functions in the present disclosure, but according to the intentions or precedents of those of ordinary skill in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. may vary. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the contents of the present disclosure, rather than the simple name of the term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement them. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Throughout the specification, "A and/or B" may mean at least one of A and B.

Throughout the specification, “disposed on” means that a member is disposed on one surface of another member, and may include cases in which a member is disposed in contact with or without contact with another member.

1 to 3 show examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 10000 includes a battery 11000 , a controller 12000 , and a heater 13000 . 2 and 3 , the aerosol generating device 10000 further includes a vaporizer 14000 . In addition, a cigarette 20000 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 10000 .

The aerosol generating device 10000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10000. .

In addition, although it is illustrated that the heater 13000 is included in the aerosol generating device 10000 in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the heater 13000 may be omitted if necessary.

In FIG. 1 , the battery 11000 , the control unit 12000 , and the heater 13000 are illustrated as being arranged in a line. Also, in FIG. 2 , the battery 11000 , the controller 12000 , the vaporizer 14000 , and the heater 13000 are illustrated as being arranged in a line. In addition, FIG. 3 shows that the vaporizer 14000 and the heater 13000 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . In other words, the arrangement of the battery 11000 , the controller 12000 , the heater 13000 , and the vaporizer 14000 may be changed according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10000 .

When the cigarette 20000 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10000, the aerosol-generating device 10000 operates the heater 13000 and/or vaporizer 14000, thereby causing the cigarette 20000 and/or vaporizer 14000 to operate. may generate aerosols from The aerosol generated by the heater 13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 passes through the cigarette 20000 and is delivered to the user.

If necessary, the aerosol generating device 10000 may heat the heater 13000 even when the cigarette 20000 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000 .

The battery 11000 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the battery 11000 may supply power to the heater 13000 or the vaporizer 14000 to be heated, and may supply power required for the controller 12000 to operate. In addition, the battery 11000 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 10000 .

The controller 12000 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 . Specifically, the controller 12000 controls the operation of the battery 11000 , the heater 13000 , and the vaporizer 14000 , as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 . In addition, the controller 12000 may determine whether the aerosol generating device 10000 is in an operable state by checking the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 10000 .

The controller 12000 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The heater 13000 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 11000 . For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000 , the heater 13000 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 13000 may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 13000 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 13000 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13000 may be heated as a current flows in the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13000 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 10000, or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 13000 may be an induction heating type heater. Specifically, the heater 13000 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heating heater.

For example, the heater 13000 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may be heated inside or outside the cigarette 20000 according to the shape of the heating element. can be heated

In addition, a plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed in the aerosol generating device 10000 . In this case, the plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 20000 or disposed outside the cigarette 20000 . Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 20000 , and the rest may be disposed outside the cigarette 20000 . In addition, the shape of the heater 13000 is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , and may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer 14000 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be passed through the cigarette 20000 and delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 may move along the airflow path of the aerosol generating device 10000, and the airflow path passes through the cigarette and the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 is delivered to the user It can be configured to be

For example, the vaporizer 14000 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid reservoir, liquid delivery means and heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 10000 as independent modules.

The liquid reservoir may store the liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage unit may be manufactured to be detachable/attached from the vaporizer 14000 , or may be manufactured integrally with the vaporizer 14000 .

For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a flavoring, flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients capable of providing a user with a variety of flavors or flavors. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery means may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery means may be, but is not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery means. For example, the heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like. In addition, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament, such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged to be wound around the liquid delivery means. The heating element may be heated by supplying an electrical current, and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 14000 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 10000 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11000 , the controller 12000 , the heater 13000 , and the vaporizer 14000 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor (a puff detection sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be manufactured to have a structure in which external air can be introduced or internal gas can flow out even in a state in which the cigarette 20000 is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the aerosol generating device 10000 may constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 . Alternatively, the heater 13000 may be heated in a state in which the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10000 are coupled.

The cigarette 20000 may be similar to a general combustion type cigarette. For example, the cigarette 20000 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter and the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 20000 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol-generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second part.

The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000 , and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000 , or the whole of the first part and a part of the second part may be inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while biting the second part with the mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated by passing the external air through the first part, the generated aerosol is delivered to the user's mouth through the second part.

As an example, external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the opening and closing of the air passage and/or the size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of atomization, the feeling of smoking, and the like can be adjusted by the user. As another example, external air may be introduced into the cigarette 20000 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the cigarette 20000 .

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette 20000 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 .

4 shows a cigarette according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a cigarette 20000 includes a tobacco rod 21000 and a filter rod 22000 . The first part 21000 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 includes the tobacco rod 21000 , and the second part 32000 includes the filter rod 22000 .

Although the filter rod 22000 is shown as a single segment in FIG. 4 , it is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22000 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22000 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. In addition, if necessary, the filter rod 22000 may further include at least one segment performing another function.

The cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24000 . At least one hole through which external air flows or internal gas flows may be formed in the wrapper 24000 . As an example, the cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by one wrapper 24000 . As another example, the cigarette 20000 may be overlapped by two or more wrappers 24000 . For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be packaged by the first wrapper, and the filter rod 22000 may be packaged by the second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 21000 and the filter rod 22000 wrapped by an individual wrapper may be combined, and the entire cigarette 20000 may be repackaged by the third wrapper. If each of the tobacco rod 21000 or the filter rod 22000 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by an individual wrapper. In addition, the entire cigarette 20000 in which segments wrapped by individual wrappers are combined may be repackaged by another wrapper.

Tobacco rod 21000 includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol. In addition, tobacco rod 21000 may contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizing agent may be added to the tobacco rod 21000 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 21000 .

Tobacco rod 21000 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be manufactured as a sheet or as a strand. In addition, the tobacco rod 21000 may be made of cut filler from which the tobacco sheet is chopped. In addition, the tobacco rod 21000 may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly distributing the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21000, thereby improving the tobacco taste. . Additionally, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may function as a susceptor that is heated by an induction heater. At this time, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21000 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat-conducting material surrounding the outside.

The filter rod 22000 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 22000 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22000 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod including a hollow therein. Also, the filter rod 22000 may be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 22000 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The filter rod 22000 may be manufactured to generate flavor. As an example, the flavoring solution may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22000 , and a separate fiber coated with the flavoring solution may be inserted into the filter rod 22000 .

Also, the filter rod 22000 may include at least one capsule 23000 . Here, the capsule 23000 may perform a function of generating flavor or may perform a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23000 may have a structure in which a liquid containing fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 23000 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

If the filter rod 22000 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may be made only of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter perforated with a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example, and as long as the aerosol can perform a function of cooling, it may be applied without limitation.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 4 , the cigarette 20000 according to an embodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filter is located on one side opposite to the filter rod 22000 in the tobacco rod 21000 . The shear filter can prevent the tobacco rod 21000 from escaping to the outside, and it is possible to prevent the aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 21000 from flowing into the aerosol generating device (10000 in FIGS. 1 to 3) during smoking. have.

5 shows a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the aerosol generating device 500 may include a sensor 510 , a controller 520 , a heater 530 , and a memory 540 . The controller 520 and the heater 530 of FIG. 5 correspond to the controller 12000 and the heater 13000 of FIGS. 1 to 3 , respectively, and thus overlapping descriptions may be omitted. On the other hand, in the aerosol generating device 500 shown in FIG. 5, the components related to this embodiment are shown. However, the components are not limited thereto, and it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 500 . For example, the aerosol generating device 500 may further include a battery 11000 like the aerosol generating device 10000 of FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The sensor 510 may recognize an authentication code given to a cigarette pack configured to contain a plurality of cigarettes. For example, when the authentication code corresponds to any one of a barcode and a quick response code (QR), the sensor 510 may correspond to an optical scanner. A detailed description of the process of recognizing the authentication code through the sensor 510 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 .

The memory 540 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 500 , and may store data processed by the controller 520 and data to be processed. The memory 540 may include a variety of random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. It can be implemented in types.

The memory 540 may store authentication codes recognized by the sensor 510 of the aerosol generating device 500 . However, in another embodiment, the memory 540 may store only authentication codes from the most recently recognized authentication code among the authentication codes recognized by the sensor 510 to a preset number, and recognized within a predetermined period. It is also possible to store only the authentication codes that have been used.

The controller 520 may compare the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 with the authentication codes stored in the memory 540 . At this time, when it is determined that the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 is different from the authentication codes stored in the memory 540 , the controller 520 determines that the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 is new. can do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 is the same as any one of the authentication codes stored in the memory 540 , the controller 520 determines that the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 is new. It can be concluded that it is not As such, the aerosol generating device 500 may determine whether the authentication code recognized by the sensor 510 is new using the memory 540 .

6 shows a system comprising an aerosol generating device and a packet of cigarettes according to an embodiment. 7 illustrates a physical deformation of an authentication code upon opening of a cigarette pack in one embodiment. Fig. 8a shows the physical deformation of the authentication code upon opening of a cigarette packet in another embodiment. Fig. 8b shows the physical deformation of the authentication code upon opening of a cigarette packet in another embodiment.

6, 7, 8A and 8B , a cigarette pack 505 may mean an article configured to include a plurality of cigarettes (eg, 20 cigarettes). The term cigarette pack 505 may be used instead of 'packaging pack'.

In general, the user does not purchase the cigarettes individually, but purchases the cigarette packet 505 in which the cigarettes are packaged. At least one surface of the cigarette pack 505 may be provided with an authentication code 515 as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8A and 8B .

The authentication code 515 is uniquely assigned to the packet 505 and may include data for the packet 505 . For example, the authentication code 515 may include data on the number of cigarettes included in the cigarette packet 505 , a manufacturing date, an expiration date, whether to sell or not to use, and the like. Accordingly, the authentication code 515 assigned to the cigarette packet 505 may be different from the authentication code assigned to other cigarette packs. In addition, the authentication code 515 may correspond to at least one of a barcode and a quick response code (QR). In addition, the authentication code 515 may be recognized through the sensor 510 before the packet 505 is opened.

The aerosol generating device 500 may include a sensor 510 suitable for recognizing an authentication code 515 assigned to a packet 505 . In an embodiment, the sensor 510 may correspond to an optical scanner capable of recognizing (or identifying) barcodes and QR codes. Meanwhile, the location of the sensor 510 in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the sensor 510 may be disposed at any suitable part of the aerosol generating device 500 .

The authentication code 515 may be disposed in an area of the front portion of the cigarette pack 505 . In particular, the authentication code 515 may be disposed on an area of the cigarette pack 505 to which the sticker 517 is adhered. For example, the front portion of the cigarette pack 505 includes an opening/closing area that is a boundary area between the cover 501 and the case 502, and the authentication code 515 is attached to the inside of the sticker 517 attached to the opening/closing area (that is, , on the side on which the adhesive is applied). In this case, the sticker 517 may be formed of a transparent material, and the sensor 510 may also recognize an area overlapping the sticker 517 among the authentication codes 515 . In another case, the sticker 517 may be formed of an opaque material, and the area overlapping at least a portion of the sticker 517 of the authentication code 515 is the outside of the sticker 517 (that is, the adhesive is applied). opposite side) can be placed.

When the user 700 separates the sticker 517 from the cigarette pack 505 in a predetermined direction (eg, to the left) to open the cigarette pack 505 , the authentication code 515 may be physically deformed.

For example, the physical deformation may correspond to a deformation in which at least one region of the authentication code 515 is torn. In an embodiment, the authentication code 515 may be disposed to overlap a part of the opening/closing area, as shown in FIG. 7 . That is, as the sticker 517 is removed from the cigarette packet 505 , the authentication code 515 may be deformed such that at least one area (eg, an area overlapping the sticker) is torn. At this time, as at least one region of the authentication code 515 is torn, the sensor 510 can no longer recognize the authentication code 515 .

For another example, the physical transformation may correspond to a transformation in which at least one area of the authentication code 515 is changed to another authentication code.

In an embodiment, the authentication code 515 may be disposed to overlap a part of the opening/closing area, as shown in FIG. 8A . In addition, at least one area of the authentication code 515 may be disposed to overlap a portion of the sticker 517 . That is, as the sticker 517 is removed from the cigarette packet 505, at least one area of the authentication code 515 (eg, an area overlapping the sticker) may be transformed into another authentication code 527a. have. In this case, the authentication code 525a changed to another authentication code 527a for at least one area may include data distinguished from the authentication code 515 . For example, the changed authentication code 525a may include data indicating that the cigarette pack 505 has already been used. In one embodiment, when the cigarette packet 505 from which the sticker 517 has been removed is in an open state, the sensor 510 cannot recognize the changed authentication code 525a. In an embodiment, when the cigarette packet 505 from which the sticker 517 is removed is in a closed state, the sensor 510 may recognize the changed authentication code 525a.

In an embodiment, the authentication code 515 may be disposed so as not to overlap the opening/closing area as shown in FIG. 8B . In addition, the entire area of the authentication code 515 may be arranged to overlap a portion of the sticker 517 . That is, as the sticker 517 is removed from the cigarette packet 505 , the entire area of the authentication code 515 may be transformed into another authentication code 527b. In this case, the authentication code 525b changed to another authentication code 527b for the entire area may include data distinguished from the authentication code 515 . For example, the changed authentication code 525b may include data indicating that the cigarette pack has been used.

6, 7, 8A and 8B show that the authentication code 515 is disposed on the front part of the cigarette pack 505, but this is for convenience of description and the location of the authentication code 515 is not limited thereto. No. For example, the authentication code 515 may be disposed on at least one of an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the cigarette packet 505 .

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the controller (eg, the controller 520 of FIG. 5 ) of the aerosol generating device (eg, the aerosol generating device 500 of FIG. 5 ) operates a sensor (eg, the sensor 510 of FIG. 5 ) in operation 901 . ) to determine whether the authentication code is recognized. Determining whether the authentication code is recognized in operation 901 may include determining whether the authentication code recognized through the sensor 510 is new. For example, when the authentication code recognized through the sensor 510 is different from the authentication codes stored in the memory (eg, the memory 540 of FIG. 5 ), the controller 520 may determine that the authentication code has been recognized. have.

The controller 520 may perform operation 905 when the authentication code is recognized through the sensor 510 , and may perform operation 903 when the authentication code is not recognized through the sensor 510 .

In operation 903 , the controller 520 may restrict the heating operation of the heater (eg, the heater 530 of FIG. 5 ). According to another embodiment, when the authentication code is not recognized through the sensor 510 , the controller 520 may continuously perform operation 901 or wait.

The controller 520 may set the number of possible heating operations to the number of times corresponding to the number of cigarettes in operation 905 . For example, the authentication code recognized through the sensor 510 may include data in which the number of cigarettes included in a cigarette pack (eg, cigarette pack 505 in FIG. 6 ) is 20. In this case, the controller 520 may set the number of possible heating operations to 20 based on the authentication code.

The controller 520 may determine whether an external input for a heating operation is received in operation 907 . The external input for the heating operation may include, for example, at least one of a button input by a user, a puff detection signal, and/or a cigarette insertion detection signal.

The controller 520 may perform operation 909 when an external input for a heating operation is received. For example, when a user's button input is received through a separate sensor (eg, a pressure sensor connected to the button), the controller 520 controls the heater 530 to perform a heating operation in operation 909 . can In an embodiment, when an external input for a heating operation is not received, the controller 520 may continuously perform operation 907 or wait.

In this way, in order for the user to smoke again using the aerosol generating device, a new authentication code assigned to a new cigarette pack must be recognized through the aerosol generating device. Therefore, the user will be careful not to unnecessarily deduct the limited number of heating operations when using the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure, and thus, cigarette reuse can be prevented.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the controller (eg, the controller 520 of FIG. 5 ) may set the heating operation possible period to a preset number of days after operation 905 of FIG. 9 , in operation 1001 . The authentication code recognized through the sensor (eg, the sensor 510 in FIG. 5 ) includes the number of cigarettes included in the packet (eg, the packet 505 in FIG. 6 ), as well as the manufacturing date and/or expiration date of the cigarette. data may be included. The control unit 520 may count the heating operation possible period from the time the authentication code is recognized through the sensor 510 .

The controller 520 may determine whether an external input for a heating operation is received in operation 1003 . The external input for the heating operation may include, for example, at least one of a button input by a user, a puff detection signal, and/or a cigarette insertion detection signal.

When an external input for the heating operation is received, the controller 520 may determine whether the heating operation possible period is 1 day or more in operation 1005 . The controller 520 may perform operation 1007 when the heating operation possible period is 1 day or more. For example, when the heating operation possible period is 5 days at the time when the user's button input for the heating operation is received, the controller 520 causes the heater (eg, the heater 530 of FIG. 5 ) to heat in operation 1007 You can control the action to be performed. The controller 520 may perform operation 1009 when the heating operation possible period is less than 1 day. For example, when the heating operation possible period is 0 days when a user's button input for the heating operation is received, the controller 520 may cause the heater 530 to limit the heating operation in operation 1009 . In an embodiment, when an external input for a heating operation is not received, the controller 520 may continuously perform operation 1003 or wait.

11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a communication interface 1150 in addition to the sensor 1110 , the controller 1120 , the heater 1130 , and the memory 1140 . The description of the sensor 1110 , the controller 1120 , the heater 1130 and the memory 1140 of FIG. 11 is for the sensor 510 , the controller 520 , the heater 530 and the memory 540 of FIG. 5 . Since it corresponds to the description, the overlapping description will be omitted.

The communication interface 1150 may form a network for transmitting and receiving data with the server 1160 . For example, the communication interface 1150 may include at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Near Field Communication (NFC). may contain one. However, the above-described examples correspond to examples in which the communication interface 1150 is a wireless communication interface, but this is only an example. The communication interface 1150 may be a wired communication interface.

The controller 1120 may transmit the authentication code recognized through the sensor 1110 to the server 1160 through the communication interface 1150 . In addition, a result of comparing the authentication code recognized through the sensor 1110 and the authentication codes stored in the server 1160 is received from the server 1160, and the authentication code recognized through the sensor 1110 based on the received result can determine whether or not is new.

For example, when the controller 1120 receives a result that the authentication code recognized through the sensor 1110 and the authentication codes stored in the server 1160 are different from the server 1160, the It may be determined that the authentication code is new. On the other hand, when the controller 1120 receives a result that the authentication code recognized through the sensor 1110 and the authentication codes stored in the server 1160 are the same from the server 1160, the sensor 1110 It may be determined that the recognized authentication code is not new.

The server 1160 may receive data included in the authentication code from the aerosol generating device 1100 . For example, the server 1160 may receive, from the aerosol generating device 1100 , at least one of data of whether a cigarette pack to which the authentication code is attached is sold, a time of sale, a manufacturing date, and an expiration date. The server 1160 may identify that the cigarette packet to which the authentication code is attached is an unsold product, and transmit the identified data to the aerosol-generating device 1100 . Alternatively, the server 1160 may identify that the cigarette pack to which the authentication code is attached is an expired product, and transmit the identified data to the aerosol generating device 1100 . When the control unit 1120 receives data from the server 1160 indicating that the cigarette pack with the authentication code is an unsold product and/or an expired product, the control unit 1120 causes the heater 1130 to heat actions can be restricted.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals, such as program modules, or other transport mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it may be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

500, 1100: aerosol generating device 501: cover
502: case 505: cigarette pack
510, 1110: sensor 515: authorization code
517: sticker 520, 1120: control unit
530, 1130: heater 540, 1140: memory
1150: communication interface

Claims (13)

An aerosol generating device comprising:
a sensor attached to a cigarette packet configured to include a plurality of cigarettes, the sensor for recognizing an authentication code that may be physically deformed in response to opening of the cigarette packet;
a control unit configured to set the number of possible heating operations of the aerosol generating device to a number corresponding to the plurality based on the recognition of the authentication code through the sensor; and
An aerosol generating device comprising a heater performing a heating operation based on the number of possible heating operations. According to claim 1,
The control unit is
Based on the recognition of the authentication code through the sensor, the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device to set the heating operation possible period for the cigarette packet to a preset number of days. 3. The method of claim 2,
The control unit is
Performing the counting of the heating operation possible period from the time when the authentication code is recognized through the sensor, and performing the heating operation when the currently counted heating operation possible period is determined to be 1 day or more, an aerosol generating device . 4. The method of claim 3,
The control unit is
When it is determined that the currently counted heating operation possible period is less than 1 day, the heating operation is limited until another new authentication code is recognized through the sensor. According to claim 1,
The physical deformation comprises at least one of a deformation in which at least one region of the authentication code is torn, and a transformation in which the at least one region is changed to another authentication code. 6. The method of claim 5,
When a physical transformation in which the at least one area of the authentication code is changed to another authentication code occurs, the control unit,
Based on the recognition through the sensor, the aerosol generating device that determines that the cigarette pack to which the authentication code is attached has been used. 7. The method of claim 6,
The control unit is
When it is determined that the cigarette packet has been used, the aerosol generating device limits the heating operation until another new authentication code is recognized through the sensor. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a memory for storing authentication codes previously recognized in the aerosol-generating device,
The control unit is
As a result of comparing the authentication code recognized by the sensor with the authentication codes stored in the memory, when it is determined that the authentication code recognized by the sensor is different from the authentication codes stored in the memory, the authentication code recognized by the sensor An aerosol-generating device that determines the authentication code as new. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a communication interface for communicating with the server,
The control unit is
Transmitting the authentication code recognized through the sensor to the server through the communication interface, receiving a result of comparing the authentication code recognized through the sensor with the authentication codes stored in the server from the server, and the received result Based on the determination of whether the authentication code recognized through the sensor is new, an aerosol generating device. 10. The method of claim 9,
The communication interface includes at least one of Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct), UWB (ultra wideband), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and NFC (Near Field Communication), aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
wherein the authentication code is uniquely assigned to the cigarette packet. According to claim 1,
The authentication code comprises at least one of a barcode and a QR code (quick response code), an aerosol generating device. a cigarette pack configured to contain a plurality of cigarettes and provided with a unique authentication code capable of physically deforming in response to opening of the cigarette packet; and
A sensor for recognizing the authentication code given to the cigarette pack, a control unit that sets the number of possible heating operations to the number of times corresponding to the plurality of times based on recognition of the authentication code through the sensor, and in the number of possible heating operations A system comprising an aerosol generating device comprising a heater for performing a heating operation based on the aerosol generating device.

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