Patent Publication Number: US-11382360-B2

Title: Aerosol generating device and method of estimating battery life thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/003610 filed on Mar. 16, 2020, which claims priority under U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0031470 filed on Mar. 19, 2019. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device and a method of estimating battery life thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, there is a growing demand for alternative methods for resolving problems of a regular combustion-type cigarette. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by burning cigarettes. In this regard, researches on heating-type cigarettes and heating type aerosol generating apparatuses are being actively carried out. 
     A heating-type aerosol generating device includes a heater for heating an aerosol generating material and a battery for supplying power to the heater. Since the heater plays a key role in the aerosol generating device, the performance of the battery may directly affect smoking quality. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the life of the battery to ensure a good smoking quality. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     One or more exemplary embodiments provide a method of effectively estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device having a function of estimating battery life according to the method. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; and a controller configured to estimate a remaining life of the battery based on at least two from among a first output voltage of the battery measured at a first time point, a second output voltage of the battery measured at a second time point that is later than the first time point, and a number of usage times of the aerosol generating device between the first time point and the second time point. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device includes measuring an initial output voltage of a battery; determining a number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device based on the initial output voltage of the battery; counting a number of usage times of the aerosol generating device; and estimating the remaining life of the battery based on an estimated current consumption of the aerosol generating device according to the number of usage times and an estimated initial current capacity of the aerosol generating device according to the number of available usage times. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device includes measuring a first output voltage of a battery at a first time point; counting a number of usage times of the aerosol generating device; measuring a second output voltage of the battery at a second time point after the number of usage times; and estimating the remaining life of the battery based on the first output voltage and the second output voltage. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively estimate the remaining battery life of the aerosol generating device. And, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of smoking quality due to the battery performance to a certain level or more, and to maintain the smoking quality uniformly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 to 3  are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are diagrams showing examples of cigarettes; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a graph of the output voltage of a battery and the voltage of the battery dropped as an aerosol generating device is used for a predetermined number of times, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a graph of the output voltage of a battery and estimated voltage drops for respective performance states of the battery; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an output voltage graph of a battery that is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate or a higher rate while an aerosol generating device is being used once; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; and a controller configured to estimate a remaining life of the battery based on at least two from among a first output voltage of the battery measured at a first time point, a second output voltage of the battery measured at a second time point that is later than the first time point, and a number of usage times of the aerosol generating device between the first time point and the second time point. 
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     With respect to the terms used to describe the various exemplary embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of one or more exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in one or more exemplary embodiments should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the general contents of one or more exemplary embodiments, rather than simply the names of the terms. 
     In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “over,” “above,” “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly over, above, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device  1  may include a battery  11 , a controller  12 , and a heater  13 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the aerosol generating device  1  may further include a vaporizer  14 . Also, the cigarette  2  may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device  1 . 
       FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate components of the aerosol generating device  1 , which are related to the present exemplary embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present exemplary embodiment that other components may be further included in the aerosol generating device  1 , in addition to the components illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     Also,  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate that the aerosol generating device  1  includes the heater  13 . However, as necessary, the heater  13  may be omitted. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates that the battery  11 , the controller  12 , and the heater  13  are arranged in series. Also,  FIG. 2  illustrates that the battery  11 , the controller  12 , the vaporizer  14 , and the heater  13  are arranged in series. Also,  FIG. 3  illustrates that the vaporizer  14  and the heater  13  are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device  1  is not limited to the structures illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device  1 , the battery  11 , the controller  12 , the heater  13 , and the vaporizer  14  may be differently arranged. 
     When the cigarette  2  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 , the aerosol generating device  1  may operate the heater  13  and/or the vaporizer  14  to generate aerosol from the cigarette  2  and/or the vaporizer  14 . The aerosol generated by the heater  13  and/or the vaporizer  14  is delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette  2 . 
     According to necessity, even when the cigarette  2  is not inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 , the aerosol generating device  1  may heat the heater  13 . 
     The battery  11  may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device  1  to operate. For example, the battery  11  may supply power to heat the heater  13  or the vaporizer  14 , and may supply power for operating the controller  12 . Also, the battery  11  may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device  1 . 
     The controller  12  may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device  1 . In detail, the controller  12  may control not only operations of the battery  11 , the heater  13 , and the vaporizer  14 , but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device  1 . Also, the controller  12  may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device  1  to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device  1  is able to operate. 
     The controller  12  may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware. 
     The heater  13  may be heated by the power supplied from the battery  11 . For example, when the cigarette  2  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 , the heater  13  may be located outside the cigarette  2 . Thus, the heated heater  13  may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette  2 . 
     The heater  13  may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater  13  may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater  13  may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater  13  is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device  1  or may be set as a temperature desired by a user. 
     As another example, the heater  13  may include an induction heater. In, detail, the heater  13  may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater. 
     For example, the heater  13  may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may beat the inside or the outside of the cigarette  2 , according to the shape of the heating element. 
     Also, the aerosol generating device  1  may include a plurality of heaters  13 . Here, the plurality of heaters  13  may be inserted into the cigarette  2  or may be arranged outside the cigarette  2 . Also, some of the plurality of heaters  13  may be inserted into the cigarette  2  and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette  2 . In addition, the shape of the heater  13  is not limited to the shapes illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and may include various shapes. 
     The vaporizer  14  may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette  2  to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer  14  may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device  1  and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer  14  passes through the cigarette  2  to be delivered to the user. 
     For example, the vaporizer  14  may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device  1  as independent modules. 
     The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer  14  or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer  14 . 
     For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto. 
     The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated. 
     For example, the vaporizer  14  may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The aerosol generating device  1  may include other components in addition to the battery  11 , the controller  12 , the heater  13 , and the vaporizer  14 . For example, the aerosol generating device  1  may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device  1  may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device  1  may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette  2  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 , external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the aerosol generating device  1  and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery  11  of the aerosol generating device  1 . Alternatively, the heater  13  may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device  1  are coupled to each other. 
     The cigarette  2  may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette  2  may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette  2  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 portion. 
     The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 , and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 . Otherwise, the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  1 . The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user&#39;s mouth. 
     For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device  1 . For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and smoothness of smoke may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette  2  through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette  2 . 
     Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette  2  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are diagrams showing examples of cigarettes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the cigarette  2  may include a tobacco rod  21  and a filter rod  22 . The first portion  21000  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3  may include the tobacco rod, and the second portion may include the filter rod  22 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that the filter rod  22  includes a single segment. However, the filter rod  22  is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod  22  may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod  22  may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod  22  may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions. 
     The cigarette  2000  may be packaged using at least one wrapper  24 . The wrapper  24  may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette  2  may be packaged using one wrapper  24 . As another example, the cigarette  2  may be double-packaged using at least two wrappers  24 . For example, the tobacco rod  21  may be packaged using a first wrapper  241 , and the filter rod  22  may be packaged using wrappers  242 ,  243 ,  244 . In addition, the cigarette  2  may be repackaged by a single wrapper  245 . When each of the tobacco rod  21  and the filter rod  22  includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged using wrappers  242 ,  243 ,  244 . 
     The tobacco rod  21  may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod  21  may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod  21  may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod  21 . 
     The tobacco rod  21  may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod  21  may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod  21  may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which includes tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. 
     The tobacco rod  21  may be surrounded by a heat conductive 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 conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21  may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod  21 , and thus, the heat conductivity of the tobacco rod may be increased. As a result, the taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21  may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod  21  may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21 . 
     The filter rod  22  may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod  22  are not limited. For example, the filter rod  22  may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod  22  may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod  22  includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape. 
     Also, the filter rod  22  may include at least one capsule  23 . Here, the capsule  23  may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule  23  may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule  23  may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the cigarette  3  may include a front-end plug  33 . The front-end plug  33  may be located on a side of the tobacco rod  31 , the side not facing the filter rod  32 . The front-end plug  33  may prevent the tobacco rod  31  from being detached and may prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod  31  into an aerosol generating device during smoking. 
     The filter rod  32  may include a first segment  321  and a second segment  322 . Here, the first segment  321  may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod  22  of  FIG. 4 , and the second segment  322  may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod  22  of  FIG. 4 . 
     The diameter and the total length of the cigarette  3  may correspond to the diameter and the total length of the cigarette  2  of  FIG. 4 . 
     The cigarette  3  may be wrapped by at least one wrapper  35 . At least one hole through which outside air flows in or inside gas flows out may be formed in the wrapper  35 . For example, the front-end plug  33  may be wrapped by a first wrapper  351 , the tobacco rod  31  may be wrapped by a second wrapper  352 , the first segment  321  may be wrapped by a third wrapper  353 , and the second segment  322  may be wrapped by a fourth wrapper  354 . Also, the entire cigarette  3  may be re-wrapped by a fifth wrapper  355 . 
     Also, at least one perforation  36  may be formed in the fifth wrapper  355 . For example, the perforation  36  may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod  31 , but is not limited thereto. The perforation  36  may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater  13  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  into the tobacco rod  31 . 
     Also, the second segment  322  may include at least one capsule  34 . Here, the capsule  34  may serve to generate a flavor or serve to generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule  34  may have a structure that a liquid containing perfume is wrapped in a film. The capsule  34  may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an aerosol generating device  600  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     The aerosol generating device  600  may include a controller  610 , an interface  620 , a heater  630 , a battery  640 , a sensor  650 , a counter  660 , and a memory  670 . However, the aerosol generating device  600  may be implemented by more or fewer components than those shown in  FIG. 6 . The controller  610 , the heater  630 , and the battery  640  may be the same as the controller  12 , the heater  13 , and the battery  11  of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , and the descriptions given above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3  may be applied thereto. 
     The controller  610  controls overall operations of the aerosol generating device  600 . For example, the controller  610  may analyze and process data obtained by the sensor  650  and the counter  660 . The controller  610  may start or stop supplying power from the battery  640  to the heater  630  according to the sensed data. Also, the controller  610  may control an amount of power supplied to the heater  630  and a time for supplying the power, such that the heater  630  may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a proper temperature. Also, the controller  610  may process various input information and output information of the interface  620 . 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  by using data output by the sensor  650  and the counter  660 , and/or data stored in the memory  670 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller  610  may estimate the remaining life, of the battery  640  based on at least two from among an initial output voltage of the battery  640  at a first time point, a current output voltage of the battery  640  at a second time point that is later than the first time point, and the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  between the first time point and the second time point, which is counted by the counter  660 . 
     The controller  610  may output an estimation result for the remaining life of the battery  640  through the interface  620 . For example, the controller  610  may output an estimation result for the remaining life of the battery  640  in various forms. For example, the controller  610  may output a number indicating the remaining life of the battery  640  or a warning message that the remaining life of the battery  640  is out of a normal operation range using visual, auditory, and/or tactile information through the interface. 
     The interface  620  may include various interfacing units including input/output (I/O) interfacing units (e.g., buttons or a touch screen) for receiving inputs from a user or outputting information to the user, such as a display or a lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting auditory information, terminals for performing data communication with or receiving power, and communication interfacing modules for performing a wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices. However, the aerosol generating device  600  may be implemented by selecting only some of the various interfacing units stated above. 
     The heater  630  may be electrically heated by power supplied from the battery  640  under the control of the controller  610 . The heater  630  generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance. 
     The battery  640  supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device  600 . In particular, the battery  640  may supply power for heating the heater  630 . Also, the battery  640  may supply power for operations of the other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  600 , such as the controller  610 , the interface  620 , the sensor  650 , and the counter  660 . 
     The sensor  650  may include various types of sensors, such as a puff detect sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, a position sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.), a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a voltage sensor for measuring an output voltage of the battery  640 , a current sensor for measuring a discharge current of the battery  640 , and a temperature sensor of the heater  630 . Data sensed by the sensor  650  is transmitted to the controller  610 , and the controller  610  may control the aerosol generating device  600  to perform various functions, such as estimating a remaining life of a battery, controlling a temperature of a heater, restricting, smoking, determining whether a cigarette is inserted, and displaying a notification. 
     The counter  660  counts the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . The counter  660  according to an exemplary embodiment may detect that the aerosol generating device  600  is used based on data sensed by the sensor  650 , and count the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the counter  660  may count the number of usage times of aerosol generating device  600  based on the number of puffs of a user which may be detected by a puff detecting sensor. For example, the counter  660  may determine that the aerosol generating device  600  is used once (i.e., one usage time is counted) when the number of puffs detected within a predetermined time period exceeds a predetermined number. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the counter  660  may count the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  based on a temperature change of the heater  630  which is sensed by a temperature sensor. For example, the counter  660  may count the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  based on a temperature change of the heater  630  and a temperature profile stored in the memory  670 . 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the counter  660  may add one usage time of the aerosol generating device  600  when a predetermined time elapsed since the heater  630  began to be pre-heated or reached a predetermined temperature by pre-heating. However, the method by which the counter  660  counts the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  is not limited to the above examples. 
     Although the counter  660  is shown as a separate component from the controller  610  in  FIG. 6 , the counter  660  may be physically or logically embedded in the controller  610  or other element. 
     The memory  670  is a hardware component for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device  600 . The memory  670  may store data processed by the controller  610  and data to be processed by the controller  610 . The memory  670  may include various types of memories, e.g., a random access memory (RAM), such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM), and a read-only memory (ROM), such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory  670  may store data used to estimate an output voltage of the battery  640 , the number of usage times the aerosol generating device  600  is used counted by the counter  660 , and the remaining life of the battery  640 . 
     The controller  610  and the counter  660  of  FIG. 6  may be implemented by one or more processors. Therefore, the controller  610  and the counter  660  may be included in other hardware devices, such as a microprocessor or a computer system. 
     Hereinafter, a method by which the controller  610  estimates the remaining life of the battery  640  according to an exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     The controller  610  estimates the remaining life of the battery  640  based on at least two from among the initial output voltage of the battery  640  at a first time point, a current output voltage of the battery  640  at a second time point that is later than the first time point, and the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  between the first time point and the second time point. Hereinafter, the initial output voltage of the battery  640  refers to an output voltage of the battery  640  immediately after charging is completed. Here, a charging state of the battery  640  corresponding to the initial output voltage is not necessarily a fully-charged state, and it is sufficient for the battery  640  to be charged to have an output voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (e.g., 4.0 V). 
     According to some exemplary embodiments, the controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the controller  610  may determine the number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  based on the initial output voltage of the battery  640 . For example, when the initial output voltage of the battery  640  is measured when the battery  640  is fully charged, the number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  may be a guaranteed number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . In another example, when the initial output voltage of the battery  640  is measured when the battery  640  is not fully charged, the number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  may be determined based on a mathematical model that is pre-set according to the characteristics of the battery  640  and the aerosol generating device  600 . 
     The numbers of available usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  according to different output voltages of the battery  640  may be stored in the memory  670  in advance or calculated by the controller  610  based on the mathematical model. 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on an estimated current consumption corresponding to a counted number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600  and an estimated initial current capacity corresponding to a determined number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . In an exemplary embodiment, the controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  by comparing a sum of the estimated current consumption based on a counted number of usage times and the standby current consumption indicating a current consumed during a standby time of the aerosol generating device  600 , with the estimated initial current capacity. For example, math  FIG. 1  below may be used to estimate the remaining life of the battery  640 .
 
 R   b   =N   d   ×I   b −( T   w   ×I   a   +N   c   ×I   b )  [Math. 1]
 
     In math  FIG. 1 , Rb denotes a remaining current capacity of the battery. Tw denotes a waiting time, Nc denotes the number of usage times counted by a counter, and Nd denotes the number of available usage times determined based on the initial output voltage of the battery  640 . 
     An estimated current consumption based on a counted number of usage times may be obtained by multiplying an estimated current consumption Ib per use of the aerosol generating device  600  by the counted number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . 
     An estimated initial current capacity corresponding to the number of available usage times may be obtained by multiplying the estimated current consumption Ib per use of the aerosol generating device  600  by the number of available usage times. A current consumed during the standby time of the aerosol generating device  600  may be obtained by multiplying a waiting time (i.e., total idle time after charging of the battery  640  is completed) by a quiescent current Ia per hour. 
     The remaining life of the battery  640  may be estimated based on the remaining current capacity Rb of the battery  640 . When the sum of “Nc*Ib” and “Tw*In” is equal to “Nd*Ib”, the controller  610  may determine that the battery  640  is exhausted. 
     Meanwhile, the controller  610  according to some exemplary embodiments may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on an output voltage of the battery  640  that increases with usage of the aerosol generating device  600 . 
       FIG. 7  is a graph showing that the output voltage of the battery  640  decreases with usage of the aerosol generating device  600 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a graph of the output voltage of the battery  640  and estimated voltage drops for respective performance states of the battery  640 . 
     As the aerosol generating device  600  is repeatedly used, the output voltage of the battery  640  drops. As the DC resistance of the battery  640  increases due to cycle degradation caused by repeated charging/discharging cycles of the battery  640 , the output voltage drop of the battery  640  also becomes more significant as the number of the charging/discharging cycles increases. Accordingly, even when the initial output voltage of the battery  640  is the same, the shorter the remaining life of the battery  640  is (that is, the greater the degree of degradation is), the greater the output voltage drop of the battery  640  becomes for the same time period. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the initial output voltage of the battery  640  is Va 1 , the output voltage drop for the same time period becomes more significant as the number of charging/discharging cycles increases. 
     The controller  610  may obtain the initial output voltage Va 1  and a dropped output voltage Vbn of the battery  640  sensed by the sensor  650 . The dropped output voltage Vbn is an output voltage of the battery  640  dropped after a counted number of usage times (e.g., n times) and indicates an output voltage at a time point tn corresponding to a recent use (e.g., n-th use) of the aerosol generating device  600 . The controller  610  may calculate a first voltage drop VDn of the battery  640  by subtracting the dropped output voltage Vbn from the initial output voltage Va 1 . 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on a first estimated voltage drop and the first voltage drop VDn of the battery  640 . 
     The first estimated voltage drop may be determined in advance based on the initial output voltage Va 1  and a counted number of usage times of the aerosol generating device  600 . The first estimated voltage drop may include a first maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax, which is an estimated voltage drop when the battery  640  is at its peak performance, and a first minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin, which is an estimated voltage drop when the battery  640  is at its lowest performance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the first maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax may be determined based on an output voltage graph when the cycle of the battery  640  is 1, and the first lowest efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin may be determined based on an output voltage graph when the cycle of the battery  640  is 300. However, it is merely an example, and one or more exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on the first minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin, the first maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax, and the first voltage drop VDn as shown in math  FIG. 2 . 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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     Math  FIG. 2  shows an equation for a first ratio R 1  used by the controller  610 . 
     The controller  610  may calculate the first ratio R 1 , which is a ratio between a value VDmin-VDn obtained by subtracting the first voltage drop VDn from the first minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin and a value VDmin-VDmax obtained by subtracting the first maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax from the first minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin. The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on the first ratio R 1 . For example, the controller  610  may determine that the remaining life is longer as the value of the first ratio R 1  is closer to 1, and determine that the remaining life, is shorter as the value is closer to 0. 
       FIG. 9  is a graph showing an output voltage of the battery  640  during a single use of the aerosol generating device  600 . 
     The battery  640  according to an exemplary embodiment may have a period during which the battery is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate (e.g., 1C) or higher. This may occur when a large current is consumed within a short period of time. In such a discharging period, the output voltage of the battery  640  drops significantly. In this case, it the remaining life of the battery  640  is not sufficiently long, the output voltage of the battery  640  may drop to a final discharge voltage, and thus the aerosol generating device  600  may not operate normally. 
     The controller  610  according to an exemplary embodiment may prevent such a problem by estimating the remaining life of the battery  640  by further using a minimum output voltage Vcn′ of the battery  640  during as period in which the battery  640  is discharged at a predetermined discharge rate or a higher rate while the aerosol generating device  600  is being used. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the controller  610  may obtain from the sensor  650  the minimum output voltage Vcn′ of the battery  640  during a period in which the battery  640  is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate or higher. For example, the period in which the battery  640  is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate or higher may be a period in which the heater  630  performs a pre-heating to heat an aerosol generating substance, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor  650  may sense the minimum output voltage Vcn′ of the battery  640  during a predetermined time period alter a pre-heating of the heater  630  begins and transmit the minimum output voltage Vcn′ to the controller  610 . 
     The controller  610  may calculate a second voltage drop VDn′ of the battery  640  in a period in which the battery  640  is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate or a higher rate by subtracting the minimum output voltage Vcn′ of the battery  640  from the initial output voltage Va 1 . 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  by using a second estimated voltage drop and the second voltage drop VDn′ of the battery  640  in the period in which the battery  640  is discharged at a predetermined discharging rate or a higher rate. 
     The second estimated voltage drop may be determined in advance based on the initial output voltage Va 1  and a predetermined discharging rate. The second estimated voltage drop may include a second maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax′, which is an estimated voltage drop when the battery  640  is at its peak performance, and a second minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin′, which is an estimated voltage drop when the battery  640  is at its lowest performance. For example, the second maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax′ may be determined based on an output voltage graph when the cycle of the battery  640  is 1, and the second lowest efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin′ may be determined based on an output voltage graph when the cycle of the battery  640  is 300. However, one or more exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  by using the second minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin′, the second maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax′, and the second voltage drop VDn′ as shown in math  FIG. 3 . 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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     Math  FIG. 3  shows an equation for a second ratio R 4  used by the controller  610 . 
     The controller  610  may calculate the second ratio R 2 , which is a ratio between a value VDmin′−VDn′ obtained by subtracting the second voltage drop VDn′ from the second minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin′ and a value VDmin′−VDmax′ obtained by subtracting the second maximum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmax′ from the second minimum efficiency estimated voltage drop VDmin′. The controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on the second ratio R 2 . For example, the controller  610  may determine that the remaining life is longer as the value of second ratio R 2  is closer to 1 and determine that the remaining life is shorter as the value is closer to 0. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller  610  may estimate the remaining life of the battery  640  based on the first ratio R 1  calculated according to math  FIG. 2  or the second ratio R 2  according to math  FIG. 3 , whichever is smaller. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     In operation S 1010 , the aerosol generating device may measure an initial output voltage of a battery after charging is completed. 
     In operation S 1020 , the aerosol generating device may determine the number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device based on the initial output voltage of the battery. 
     In operation S 1030 , the aerosol generating device may count the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device. 
     In operation S 1040 , the aerosol generating device may estimate the remaining life of the battery based on an estimated current consumption of the aerosol generating device according to the number of usage times counted in operation S 1030  and an estimated initial current capacity of the aerosol generating device according to the number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device determined in operation S 1020 . In operation S 1040 , the remaining life of the battery may be estimated by comparing a sum of the estimated current consumption of the aerosol generating device according to the counted number of usage times and a current consumed during a standby time of the aerosol generating device, with the estimated initial current capacity of the aerosol generating device according to the determined number of available usage times of the aerosol generating device. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method of estimating battery life of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     In operation S 1110 , the aerosol generating device may measure an initial output voltage of a battery after charging is completed. 
     In operation S 1120 , the aerosol generating device, may count the number of usage times of the aerosol generating device. 
     In operation S 1130 , the aerosol generating device may measure an output voltage of the battery which has dropped from the initial output voltage after the counted number of usage times. 
     In operation S 1140  the aerosol generating device may estimate the remaining life of the battery based on the initial output voltage of the battery and the dropped output voltage of the battery. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show that operations S 1010  to S 1040  and operations S 1110  to S 1140  are executed sequentially, respectively, but it is merely illustrative of the inventive concept of the present exemplary embodiment. One of ordinary skill in the art to which one or more exemplary embodiments pertain may modify the sequences shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  or make various modifications by executing one or more operations in parallel without departing from the inventive concept of one or more exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the sequences shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  are not limited to chronological sequences. 
     Also, descriptions given above with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9  may be identically applied to related operations of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     At least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively “components” in this paragraph) represented by a block in the drawings such as the controller  12  and  610 , the interface  620 , and the counter  660  in  FIGS. 1-3 and 6 , may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and/or firmware structures that execute respective functions described above, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least one of these components may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing specified logic functions, and executed by one or mare microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Further, at least one of these components may include or may be implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components may be combined into one single component which performs all operations or functions of the combined two or more components. Also, at least part of functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication between the components may be performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the components represented by a block or processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a remaining battery life of an aerosol generating device may be effectively estimated, thereby preventing degradation of smoking quality due to degradation of performance of a battery beyond a certain level and maintaining constant smoking quality. 
     It should be understood that exemplary embodiments described, herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each exemplary embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments. While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure a defined by the following claims.