EP4337046A1

EP4337046A1 - Customizable aerosol generation device by calibration

Info

Publication number: EP4337046A1
Application number: EP22727877.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaakko MCEVOY; Christoph Lungenschmied
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-05
Publication date: 2024-03-20
Also published as: WO2022238240A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation device (2) comprises a receiving interface (4) to receive an aerosol generation unit allowing a user to inhale, a sensor (5) to detect a user's inhalations, and a controller (6) configured to determine information from N user's inhalations detected during a calibration procedure without aerosol generation, with N ≥ 1, this information being used for determining an inhalation profile for the user.

Description

CUSTOMIZABLE AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE BY CALIBRATION

Field of the invention

[01] The present invention relates to aerosol generation devices, and more precisely to the calibration of such devices.

Background

[02] Some aerosol generation devices comprise:

- a receiving interface to receive an aerosol generation unit comprising an aerosol-forming substance and a heater arranged for heating this aerosol forming substance to generate an aerosol when it is supplied with electrical energy during a vaping session,

- a sensor to detect a user’s inhalations (or “puffs”) during this vaping session, and

- a controller (or control device) for controlling, notably, the electrical energy supplied to the heater from the detected user’s inhalations.

[03] When this type of aerosol generation device is portable, i.e. usable when held by a user, it further comprises a battery (or power source) possibly rechargeable and storing electrical energy that is used by the heater to induce the aerosol generation. In this case the aerosol generation device may be a vaporizer or an electronic cigarette.

[04] In the following description the term “aerosol-forming substance” is used to designate any material that is aerosolizable in air to form an aerosol. It may, for instance, be in liquid form, in solid form, or in a semi liquid form. So, it may be a liquid, gel, paste or wax or the like, or any combination of these.

[05] The aerosol-forming substance may comprise one or more of nicotine, polyol, caffeine or other active components. An active component may be carried by a carrier which may include propylene glycol or glycerin, for instance. A flavoring may also be present in the aerosol-forming material and may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar, for instance.

[06] Moreover, in the following description the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of substance as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas. Such a suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to, or include, a vapor, and may include one or more components of the aerosol-forming material.

[07] The aerosol-forming substance (contained in the aerosol generation unit) is arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated (without burning) and mixed with air. The air passes through the aerosol-forming substance each time the user sucks through an outlet (may be a part of a mouthpiece) of his aerosol generation device. So, the aerosol generated during puffs of a vaping session can be inhaled by the user, through this outlet.

[08] Generally, the heater is only supplied with an electrical power adapted to the aerosol generation during a pre-heating phase and once the beginning of an inhalation phase (or puff) has been detected (i.e. each time the user starts to inhale). Also generally, during each inhalation phase (or puff) the electrical power supplying the heater remains approximately constant, while the quantity of available aerosol-forming substance decreases after each inhalation phase. So, puff inconsistencies may occur, which may cause a discomfort to the user. The term “puff inconsistencies” designates here variations of the aerosol temperature and/or variations of the aerosol flavour and/or variations of the percentages of aerosol constituents and/or variations of the level of undesirable aerosol constituents and/or variations of the quantity of aerosol.

[09] Therefore, it has been proposed to control the electrical energy supplied to the heater according to a heating profile that defines the powers supplied to the heater during the successive puffs of a vaping session. The actual heating profiles do not depend on the user and more precisely on the general puff characteristics of the user (and notably the average duration and the volume of aerosol inhaled). So, the actual heating profiles are not adapted to use disparities of the aerosol generation devices by the users, and therefore puff inconsistencies remain.

[10] So, the present invention aims at improving the situation.

Summary

[11] The proposed invention provides an embodiment of an aerosol generation device comprising a receiving interface to receive an aerosol generation unit allowing a user to inhale, a sensor to detect a user’s inhalations, and a controller (or control device) for controlling the operation of this aerosol generation unit from the detected user’s inhalations.

[12] This aerosol generation device is characterized in that the controller is configured to determine information from N user’s inhalations detected during a calibration procedure, without aerosol generation, with N > 1 , this information being used for determining an inhalation profile for the user, and further in that, during a vaping session following said calibration procedure, said controller is configured to control the operation of aerosol generation unit using a heating profile based on said determined inhalation profile.

[13] So, during a calibration procedure the user may mimic the way he sucks during the puffs of a vaping session, which allows to get a user inhalation profile (at least). The operation of the aerosol unit during a vaping session may then be tailored to the user based on the inhalation profile, by using said determined heating profile.

[14] The embodiment of aerosol generation device may comprise other features, considered separately or combined, and notably:

• the controller may be configured to determine the inhalation profile for the user from the determined information. The controller may be also configured to determine the heating profile based on the determined inhalation profile, for the user, and for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from this determined heating profile;

• in a variant of embodiment, the aerosol generation device may comprise a communication interface arranged, on the one hand, for transferring the determined information to a communication equipment configured to determine the inhalation profile for the user from the determined information and then the heating profile based on this determined inhalation profile, and, on the other hand, for receiving at least the determined heating profile from this communication equipment. In this case, the controller may be configured for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from this received heating profile;

• the aerosol generation device may also comprise a heater arranged for heating the aerosol-forming substance to generate an aerosol when it is supplied with electrical energy, and the controller may be configured to control the electrical energy supplied to the heater according to the heating profile.

[15] The proposed invention provides also an embodiment of an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device such as the one described above and a capsule for user inhalations.

[16] The embodiment of aerosol generation system may comprise other features, considered separately or combined, and notably:

• the capsule may comprise a coupling interface, intended to be received by the receiving interface instead of the aerosol generation unit during a calibration procedure, and an air flow channel, allowing a user to inhale during this calibration procedure. In this case, the received capsule is a calibration capsule that does not comprise any aerosol-forming substance and is incapable of generating aerosol;

• the aerosol generation device may be configured to initiate the calibration procedure after the calibration capsule has been received by the receiving interface and after having received a trigger signal; • in a first example of embodiment, the calibration capsule may comprise a radio-frequency identification element storing a calibration information. In this case, the aerosol generation device may comprise a radio frequency identification reader arranged for reading this calibration information and for generating the trigger signal;

• in a second example of embodiment, the calibration capsule may comprise a micro-controller arranged for providing the trigger signal to the aerosol generation device after the calibration capsule has been received by the receiving interface; · in a third example of embodiment, the calibration capsule may comprise an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of the trigger signal. In this case, the aerosol generation device may comprise a wave receiver arranged for receiving the emitted waves and for generating the trigger signal from these received waves; · in a fourth example of embodiment, the aerosol generation system may also comprise an electronic sleeve comprising a radio-frequency identification element storing a calibration information. In this case, the aerosol generation device may comprise a radio-frequency identification reader arranged for reading this calibration information and for generating the trigger signal;

• in a fifth example of embodiment, the aerosol generation system may also comprise an electronic sleeve comprising an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of the trigger signal. In this case, the aerosol generation device may comprise a wave receiver arranged for receiving the emitted waves and for generating the trigger signal from these received waves;

• in a sixth example of embodiment, the aerosol generation device may comprise a user interface arranged for allowing the user to trigger generation of the trigger signal; • in a seventh example of embodiment, the aerosol generation device may comprise a wireless communication interface arranged for having wireless communications with a communication equipment configured to transmit the trigger signal;

• in a variant of embodiment, the aerosol generation unit may comprise the capsule, which contains an aerosol-forming substance. In this case, the controller may be arranged for preventing aerosol generation from the aerosol-forming substance by the aerosol generation unit when the user inhales during the calibration procedure;

• the controller may be configured to update the inhalation profile and/or the heating profile during subsequent calibration procedures;

• the aerosol generation device may also comprise a battery (possibly rechargeable) storing electrical energy that is used by the heater for generating the aerosol during a vaping session;

• the aerosol generation device may constitute an electronic cigarette.

[16a] The proposed invention also provides a method of operating an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: determining, during a calibration procedure without aerosol generation, information from N user’s inhalations detected during said calibration procedure, with N > 1 , said determined information being used for determining an inhalation profile for said user, obtaining a heating profile for said user based on said determined inhalation profile, and controlling, during a vaping session following said calibration procedure, operation of aerosol generation unit using said heating profile. The method may further comprise, during the calibration procedure, transferring said determined information to a communication equipment, and receiving at least one of said inhalation profile and said heating profile from said communication equipment. The method may further comprise initiating the calibration procedure in response to a trigger signal. The method may be used in an aerosol generation device or aerosol generation system of the type described above, and the trigger signal may be received from a capsule, from a user interface and/or from a communications equipment as set out in paragraph

[16] above.

[16b] The proposed invention also provides a capsule for use with an aerosol generation device or in an aerosol generating system of the type described above, wherein said capsule comprises a coupling interface, intended to be received by said receiving interface instead of said aerosol generation unit during the calibration procedure, and an air flow channel, allowing a user to inhale during said calibration procedure, and is a calibration capsule that does not comprise any aerosol-forming substance and is incapable of generating aerosol. The capsule may further comprise any of the features set out in the first, second and third examples in paragraph [16] above.

Brief description of the figures

[17] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- the figure 1 (FIG.1 ) schematically and functionally illustrates a first example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention,

- the figure 2 (FIG.2) schematically and functionally illustrates a second example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention,

- the figure 3 (FIG.3) schematically and functionally illustrates a third example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention,

- the figure 4 (FIG.4) schematically and functionally illustrates a fourth example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention, - the figure 5 (FIG.5) schematically and functionally illustrates a fifth example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention,

- the figure 6 (FIG.6) schematically and functionally illustrates a sixth example of embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention, and

- the figure 7 (FIG.7) schematically and functionally illustrates an example of embodiment of a controller belonging to an aerosol generation device of an aerosol generation system according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

[18] The invention aims notably at offering an aerosol generation device 2 intended for belonging to an aerosol generation system 1 and that may be customized for its user during a calibration procedure.

[19] In the following description it will be considered that the aerosol generation device 2 is (or constitutes) an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette or else personal vaporizer). But an aerosol generation device 2 according to the invention could be of another type, as soon as it allows to transform an aerosol-forming substance into an aerosol (possibly close to room temperature). More generally, the invention concerns any type of aerosol generation device, and notably the so-called Έ-vapor devices” comprising a resistive or inductive heater for heating a liquid and “T-vapor (or heat-not- burn (or “HnB”)) devices” comprising a heater for heating a “solid” substance (for instance a tobacco stick) and similar to a traditional cigarette.

[20] It is recalled that an “aerosol-forming substance” is used to designate any material that is aerosolizable in air to form an aerosol. It may, for instance, be in liquid form, in solid form, or in a semi liquid form. So, it may be a liquid, gel, paste or wax or the like, or any combination of these, and may comprise one or more of nicotine, polyol, caffeine or other active components, or else flavoring. [21] In the following description, the aerosol generation device 2 is considered to be an electronic cigarette, and it will be considered that the aerosol-forming substance is in a liquid form (or state). But, as mentioned above the invention concerns any type of aerosol generation device.

[22] It is also recalled that the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of substance as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas, and that such a suspension may be in a gas including air.

[23] As illustrated in figures 1 to 6 an aerosol generation system 1 , according to the invention, comprises an aerosol generation device 2 and a capsule.

[24] The aerosol generation device 2, according to the invention, is partly illustrated in figures 1 to 6 because it is temporarily coupled to a calibration capsule 3 for a calibration procedure. The aerosol generation device 2 comprises at least an aerosol generation unit (not illustrated because it is used during vaping sessions), a receiving interface 4, a sensor 5 and a controller (or control device) 6.

[25] At least when the aerosol generation device 2 is portable, it comprises also, preferably, a battery (or power source) 7.

[26] For instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting examples of figures 1 to 6, the controller 6, the receiving interface 4, the sensor 5, and the possible battery 7 may belong to a body 8 to which the aerosol generation unit is coupled (for instance by magnets, clipping, or screwing by means of two corresponding threaded portions, as non-limiting examples) during a vaping session. Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting examples of figures 1 to 6, the controller 6 may be fixed onto a printed circuit board 9 (here housed in the body 8).

[27] The possible battery 7 is arranged for storing electrical energy that is necessary for the operation of the aerosol generation unit and controller 6. For instance, the battery 7 may be rechargeable, and in this case the body 8 may comprise an electrical connector to which a charger cable may be connected during a charging session of the battery 7. Such a charger cable may be coupled to an (AC) adapter or to a wall socket. The charger cable and/or the (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol generation device 2.

[28] The receiving interface 4 of the aerosol generation device 2 defines an open housing 12 arranged for receiving the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session.

[29] This aerosol generation unit comprises an aerosol-forming substance (possibly contained in a consumable (or capsule)), and a heater arranged for heating this aerosol-forming substance to generate an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user in the presence of air and when it is supplied with electrical energy. This air comes from outside via at least one air inlet defined in the body 8 and feeding an air conduit 15 having an air outlet communicating with the open housing 12 of the receiving interface 4. For instance and as illustrated in the non-limiting examples of figures 1 to 6, the sensor 5 is located just downstream of the air outlet of the air conduit(s) 15. So, during each puff (or inhalation phase) of a vaping session the air is sucked by the user, passes through the air conduit 15 and then reaches the aerosol generation unit where it is mixed with the aerosol-forming substance.

[30] The aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit reaches an outlet (possibly part of a mouthpiece) through which the user of the aerosol generation device 2 inhales it.

[31] The sensor 5 is arranged for detecting user’s inhalations during a vaping session, but also during a calibration procedure described below.

[32] During a vaping session, the controller (or control device) 6 is arranged for controlling, notably, the electrical energy supplied to the heater from the user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5. To this effect, and as illustrated in figure 7, the controller (or control device) 6 comprises at least a processor 10 and a memory 11 arranged for performing operations for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit, notably from the user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5. [33] For instance, the processor 10 may be a digital signal processor (or DSP), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or else a field programmable gate array (FPGA). More generally, the processor 10 may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected therebetween through wired or wireless connections. The term “integrated (or printed) circuits” refers here to any type of device capable of carrying out at least one electric or electronic operation.

[34] Also for instance, the memory 11 may be a random access memory (or RAM). But it may be any type of device arranged for storing program instructions for the processor 10.

[35] The controller 6 is configured to determine information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 during a calibration procedure without aerosol generation, with N > 1. Then, this determined information is used for determining an inhalation profile for the user.

[36] For instance, for each of the N detected user’s inhalations the information determined by the controller 6 may be the duration and/or the inhaled volume. For instance, the controller 6 measures the flow rate as a function of time to generate a puff/inhalation waveform.

[37] So, during a calibration procedure the user may mimic the way he sucks during the puffs of a vaping session, which allows to get a user inhalation profile intended to be used for customizing the aerosol generation device 2.

[38] Preferably, N may be comprised between two and ten. For instance, N may be equal to five.

[39] Two different ways can be imagined to determine the inhalation profile during a calibration procedure.

[40] In a first “internal” way, illustrated in the non-limiting examples of figures 1 to 5, the controller 6 of the aerosol generation device 2 may be configured to determine internally the inhalation profile for the user from the determined information. [41] In this first internal way the controller 6 may be also configured to determine internally a heating profile based on the determined inhalation profile, for the user. It is recalled that the heating profile defines the powers supplied to the heater during the successive puffs of a vaping session. So, now the heating profile is effectively customized for the user because it is based on the user inhalation profile.

[42] The heating profile can be determined from the inhalation profile by means of at least one predefined function and/or a lookup table, for instance.

[43] In this case, the controller 6 is arranged for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from the determined heating profile. More precisely, the controller 6 controls the electrical energy (or power) supplied to the heater according to the heating profile, which allows to reduce notably puff inconsistencies during a vaping session. It is important to notice that the controller 6 may control the electrical energy (or power) supplied to the heater by taking also into account at least one additional parameter provided by the possible consumable containing the aerosol-forming substance or by the user through a user interface of the aerosol generation device 2 (not illustrated in figures 1 to 4 and 6). For instance, an additional parameter may be the type of the aerosol-forming substance. If the aerosol generation device 2 has an RFID (“Radio Frequency Identification”) or NFC (“Near Field Communication”) capability to communicate with the calibration capsule 3 then it can also communicate with a fluid filled capsule that has RFID tag containing e-liquid information.

[44] In a second “external” way, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 6 (but compatible with anyone of the embodiments of figures 1 to 5), the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a communication interface 18 arranged for transferring the information determined by the controller 6 to a communication equipment 19 that is configured to determine the inhalation profile for the user from this determined information and then a heating profile based on this determined inhalation profile. In this case, the communication interface 18 is also arranged for receiving at least the determined heating profile from the communication equipment 19, and possibly also the determined inhalation profile, and the controller 6 is configured for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from this received heating profile.

[45] So, in the second external way all the computations concerning the inhalation profile and heating profile are performed by a controller 20 belonging to a communication equipment 19 that has been previously paired to the aerosol generation device 2 and comprising at least a processor and a memory. This communication equipment 19 may be a smartphone or an electronic tablet or a laptop or else a personal computer of the user. In a variant, the aerosol generation device 2 may have connectivity capacity, i.e. the capacity to be connected to at least one communication network, possibly for accessing to the Internet. In such a variant all the computations concerning the inhalation profile and heating profile are performed by a controller or computer belonging to a distant server.

[46] For instance, the communication interface 18 may be arranged for having wireless communications with the communication equipment 19. Also for instance, this communication interface 18 may be arranged for having Bluetooth communications when its aerosol generation device 2 has been paired to the communication equipment 19. But this is a non limiting example, and other types of short-range wireless communications are possible, and notably NFC, RFID, ZigBee, and WiFi Direct.

[47] In the second external way, the controller 6 is arranged (as in the first internal way) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from the determined heating profile. More precisely, the controller 6 controls the electrical energy supplied to the heater according to the heating profile. [48] In the first internal way as in the second external way the determined information may be filtered to ensure a clean inhalation profile. This filtering can be an averaging of the N user’s inhalations, a sliding smoothing window, or any other signal filtering method known in the art. Preferably, high sampling rates are performed.

[49] As illustrated in the non-limiting examples of figures 1 to 6, the capsule of the aerosol generation system 1 may be a calibration capsule 3 that does not comprise any aerosol-forming substance and is incapable of generating aerosol. So, it is empty (or blank) and does not need to comprise a heater.

[50] In this case, the calibration capsule 3 comprises a coupling interface 13 intended to be received by the receiving interface 4 (in its open housing 12) instead of the aerosol generation unit during a calibration procedure, and an air flow channel 14 allowing a user to inhale during this calibration procedure (and also puff sensor measurements). To this effect the air flow channel 14 comprises an air inlet 16 communicating with the open housing 12 and an air outlet 17 through which the user of the aerosol generation device 2 inhales the air. So, during each puff (or inhalation phase) of a calibration procedure the air is sucked by the user, passes through the air conduit 15, then reaches the airflow channel 14 through its air inlet 16, and then reaches the mouth of the user through the air outlet 17 to be inhaled.

[51] Preferably, the aerosol generation device 2 may be configured to initiate the calibration procedure after the calibration capsule 3 has been received by the receiving interface 4 and after having received a trigger signal.

[52] Several embodiments may be envisaged to produce the trigger signal of the calibration procedure.

[53] In a first embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1, the calibration capsule 3 may comprise a radio-frequency identification (or RFID) element 21 storing a calibration information. In this case, the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a radio-frequency identification reader 22 arranged for reading this calibration information and for generating the trigger signal. The radio-frequency identification reader 22 is located in the body 8 in the vicinity of the location where the radio frequency identification (or RFID) element 21 is fixed to the calibration capsule 3, and coupled to the controller 6 to provide the latter (6) with the trigger signal in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information.

[54] In a variant of the first embodiment, the calibration capsule 3 may comprise an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of the trigger signal. In this case, the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a wave receiver arranged for receiving the emitted waves and for generating the trigger signal from these received waves. The wave receiver is located in the body 8 near the location where the emitter is fixed to the calibration capsule 3, and coupled to the controller 6 to provide the latter (6) with the trigger signal in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information.

[55] For instance, the emitter and the wave receiver may have Bluetooth wireless communications. But other types of short-range wireless communications are possible, and notably NFC, ZigBee, and WiFi Direct.

[56] In a second embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the calibration capsule 3 may comprise a micro-controller 23 arranged for providing the trigger signal to the aerosol generation device 2 after the calibration capsule 3 has been received by the receiving interface 4. In this case, and as illustrated, the calibration capsule 3 may comprise an electrical circuit 24 that is connected to the micro-controller 23 and coupled to electrical pins protruding in the open housing 12 of the receiving interface 4 and normally used (during a vaping session) for providing the heater with electrical energy and possibly control commands. This allows to supply the micro-controller 23 with the electrical energy it needs for transmitting the trigger signal to the controller 6 through the electrical circuit 24 in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information.

[57] In a third embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 3, the calibration capsule 3 may comprise a first element 25, and the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a second element 26 arranged, when it is in contact with the first element 25 (during the calibration procedure), for generating the trigger signal. The second element 26 is located at least partly on a face of the body 8 that is oriented towards the calibration capsule 3 during the calibration procedure, and coupled to the controller 6 to provide the latter (6) with the trigger signal in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information.

[58] In a fourth embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 4, the aerosol generation system 1 may also comprise an electronic sleeve 27 comprising a radio-frequency identification element 28 storing a calibration information. In this case, the aerosol generation device 2 comprises a radio-frequency identification reader 29 arranged for reading this calibration information and for generating the trigger signal. This electronic sleeve 27 comprises an open housing through which the body 8 is introduced until the radio-frequency identification reader 29 it comprises reaches a calibration position where it is in the vicinity of the radio frequency identification element 28. The radio-frequency identification reader 29 is coupled to the controller 6 to provide the latter (6) with the trigger signal in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information. The electronic sleeve 27 can store a copy of the determined information (or calibration data) so that it can be shared with new devices by using the electronic sleeve 27 with them.

[59] In a variant of the fourth embodiment (not illustrated), the electronic sleeve 27 may comprise an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of the trigger signal, and the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a wave receiver arranged for receiving these emitted waves and for generating the trigger signal from these received waves. The wave receiver is located in the body 8 near the location where the emitter is located when the electronic sleeve 27 is in the calibration position. Moreover the wave receiver is coupled to the controller 6 to provide the latter (6) with the trigger signal in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information. For instance, the emitter and the wave receiver may have Bluetooth wireless communications. But other types of short- range wireless communications are possible, and notably NFC, ZigBee, and WiFi Direct.

[60] In a fifth embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure

5, the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a user interface 30 arranged for allowing the user to trigger generation of the trigger signal. The user interface 30 may be fixed, at least partly, onto the printed circuit board 9, as illustrated.

[61] For instance, the user interface 30 may comprise a digital screen (or touchscreen) displaying a menu comprising options in which the user can select the calibration procedure. This digital screen (or touchscreen) may comprise a matrix of LCD (“Liquid Crystal System”) elements or OLEDs (“Organic Light Emitting Diodes”), for instance. In a variant, the user interface 30 could comprise a dedicated button or touch arranged for producing or inducing the trigger signal when it is touched by the user.

[62] In a sixth embodiment, illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure

6, the aerosol generation device 2 may comprise a wireless communication interface 18 (described above) arranged for having wireless communications with a communication equipment 19 configured to transmit the trigger signal when the user wants to start a calibration procedure (after having coupled the calibration capsule 3 to the receiving interface 4). So, when the wireless communication interface 18 receives the trigger signal, it transmits the latter to the controller 6 in order that it starts to determine the information from N user’s inhalations detected by the sensor 5 and then registers this information.

[63] As mentioned before, the communication equipment 19 may be a smartphone or an electronic tablet or a laptop or else a personal computer of the user, and the wireless communication interface 18 may be arranged for having Bluetooth communications with the communication equipment 19 (but other types of short-range wireless communications are possible, and notably NFC, RFID, ZigBee, and WiFi Direct).

[64] It is important to notice that in a variant of embodiment the calibration capsule 3 may be replaced by an aerosol generation unit with a “standard” capsule, i.e. a capsule containing an aerosol-forming substance. In this case, the controller 6 is arranged for preventing aerosol generation from the aerosol-forming substance by the aerosol generation unit (and more precisely its heater) when the user inhales during the calibration procedure. This calibration procedure may be triggered by the user by means of the user interface 30 described above or by means of the communication equipment 19 also described above or else by means of the electronic sleeve 27 also described above, for instance.

[65] In another variant of embodiment the calibration capsule 3 may be an aerosol generation unit with a “standard” capsule that does not contain any aerosol-forming substance. So, in this case the aerosol generation unit with its empty standard capsule is received by the receiving interface 4 and used as a calibration capsule 3. Preferably, the controller 6 is arranged for preventing the supply of energy to the heater of the aerosol generation unit during the calibration procedure. So, the puff sensor 5 and the controller 6 can still work to respectively measure user’s inhalations (or puffs) and perform calculations. But this is not mandatory since the standard capsule is empty (or not filled) and therefore cannot participate in the aerosol generation. So, a calibration capsule 3 may be identical to, or have a structure similar to, an empty (or not filled) standard capsule or an aerosol generation unit.

[66] For instance, the controller 6 may be also configured to update the inhalation profile (and therefore the possible heating profile) during subsequent calibration procedures. In other words, the user may decide to trigger later on one or more other calibration procedures in order to update the preceding one, if he considers that the inhalation profile (and possible heating profile) do(es) not correspond sufficiently to his way of using the aerosol generation device 2.

[67] As illustrated in figure 7, the controller (or control device) 6 may also comprise, in addition to its processor 10 and memory 11 , an input interface 31 , notably for receiving the signals delivered by the sensor 5 and the trigger signal, for using them in calculus and processing, possibly after having processed and/or demodulated and/or amplified them, in a manner known by those skilled in the art, by means of an additional digital signal processor 32. The controller (or control device) 6 may also comprise a mass memory 33, notably for storing the determined information and the inhalation profile and/or the possible heating profile, and also intermediate data produced during its calculus and processing. The controller (or control device) 6 may also comprise an output interface 34 for delivering messages and instructions at least for controlling the heater and the possible wireless communication interface 18.

[68] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some block diagrams of figures 1 to 7 herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention.

[69] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Aerosol generation device (2) comprising: a receiving interface (4) to receive an aerosol generation unit allowing a user to inhale, a sensor (5) to detect a user’s inhalations, and a controller (6) for controlling the operation of said aerosol generation unit, characterized in that, during a calibration procedure, said controller (6) is configured to determine information from N user’s inhalations detected during said calibration procedure, without aerosol generation, with N > 1, said information being used for determining an inhalation profile for said user, and further characterized in that, during a vaping session following said calibration procedure, said controller (6) is configured to control the operation of aerosol generation unit using a heating profile based on said determined inhalation profile.

2. Aerosol generation device according to claim 1 , wherein said controller (6) is configured to determine said inhalation profile for said user from said determined information, and is further configured to determine, for said user, the heating profile based on said determined inhalation profile.

3. Aerosol generation device according to claim 1 , wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a communication interface (18) arranged i) for transferring said determined information to a communication equipment (19) configured to determine said inhalation profile for said user from said determined information and then a heating profile based on said determined inhalation profile, and ii) for receiving at least said determined heating profile from said communication equipment (19), and wherein said controller (6) is configured for controlling the operation of said aerosol generation unit during a vaping session from said received heating profile.

4. Aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein said calibration procedure is initiated in response to receipt of a trigger signal by the controller.

5. Aerosol generation system (1), wherein the aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol generation device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a capsule for user inhalations.

6. Aerosol generation system according to claim 5, wherein said capsule comprises a coupling interface (13), intended to be received by said receiving interface (4) instead of said aerosol generation unit during the calibration procedure, and an air flow channel (14), allowing a user to inhale during said calibration procedure, and is a calibration capsule (3) that does not comprise any aerosol-forming substance and is incapable of generating aerosol.

7. Aerosol generation system according to claim 6, wherein said aerosol generation device (2) is configured to initiate said calibration procedure after said calibration capsule (3) has been received by said receiving interface (4) and after having received a trigger signal.

8. Aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein said calibration capsule (3) comprises:

(i) a radio-frequency identification element (21) storing a calibration information, and wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a radio-frequency identification reader (22) arranged for reading said calibration information and for generating said trigger signal; or

(ii) a micro-controller (23) arranged for providing said trigger signal to said aerosol generation device (2) after said calibration capsule (3) has been received by said receiving interface (4); or

(iii) an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of said trigger signal, and wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a wave receiver arranged for receiving said emitted waves and for generating said trigger signal from said received waves.

9. Aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating system further comprises:

(i) an electronic sleeve (27) comprising a radio-frequency identification element (28) storing a calibration information, and wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a radio-frequency identification reader (29) arranged for reading said calibration information and for generating said trigger signal; or

(ii) an electronic sleeve (27) comprising an emitter arranged for emitting waves representative of said trigger signal, and wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a wave receiver arranged for receiving said emitted waves and for generating said trigger signal from said received waves.

10. Aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a user interface (30) arranged for allowing said user to trigger generation of said trigger signal.

11 . Aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein said aerosol generation device (2) comprises a wireless communication interface (18) arranged for having wireless communications with a communication equipment (19) configured to transmit said trigger signal.

12. Aerosol generation system according to claim 5, wherein said capsule is an aerosol generating unit which contains an aerosol-forming substance and a heater, and wherein said controller (6) is arranged for preventing the heater from generating aerosol from said aerosol-forming substance when said user inhales during said calibration procedure.

13. A method of operating an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: determining, during a calibration procedure without aerosol generation, information from N user’s inhalations detected during said calibration procedure, with N > 1 , said determined information being used for determining an inhalation profile for said user, obtaining a heating profile for said user based on said determined inhalation profile, and controlling, during a vaping session following said calibration procedure, operation of aerosol generation unit using said heating profile.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, during the calibration procedure, transferring said determined information to a communication equipment (19), and receiving at least one of said inhalation profile and said heating profile from said communication equipment.

15. A capsule for use with an aerosol generation device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said capsule comprises a coupling interface (13), intended to be received by said receiving interface (4) instead of said aerosol generation unit during the calibration procedure, and an airflow channel (14), allowing a user to inhale during said calibration procedure, and is a calibration capsule (3) that does not comprise any aerosol-forming substance and is incapable of generating aerosol.