Patent Publication Number: US-2023148663-A1

Title: Aerosol generation device having cigarette insertion detection function and method

Description:
This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/616,755, filed on Nov. 25, 2019, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/005693 filed on May 18, 2018, claiming priority based on Korean Application No. 10-2017-0065550 filed May 26, 2017, Korean Application No. 10-2017-0142578 filed Oct. 30, 2017, and Korean Application No. 10-2018-0051469 filed on May 3, 2018, all filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for generating aerosol and detecting insertion of a cigarette. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, demand has increased for alternative methods to overcome defects of a general cigarette. For example, there has been an increased demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette, instead of burning a cigarette. 
     When an electronic cigarette device, which includes a heater for heating a cigarette based on electricity, is used, the heater may sometimes operate in a state in which the cigarette is not inserted into the electronic cigarette device, which may cause unnecessary power consumption. 
     Also, the heater may not operate until receiving an additional input from the user even after the cigarette is inserted into the electronic cigarette device, and thus, a time taken for the cigarette to be heated to a targeted temperature may be increased. 
     Therefore, research on heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Technical Problem 
     Provided are a method and a device for generating aerosol and detecting insertion of a cigarette. An aerosol generating device may determine whether or not a cigarette is inserted, by using at least one of a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, and a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door, without receiving an additional input from a user. An aerosol generating device may control an operation of a heater based on whether or not a cigarette is inserted. 
     Technical objectives of exemplary embodiments are not limited to the described technical objectives and other technical objectives may be derived from the exemplary embodiments to be described hereinafter. 
     Solution to Problem 
     An aerosol generating device for generating aerosol by heating a cigarette and a method of generating aerosol by heating a cigarette are provided. 
     The aerosol generating device may determine whether or not a cigarette is inserted, by using at least one of a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, and a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door, without receiving an additional input from a user. Also, the aerosol generating device may control an operation of the heater based on whether or not the cigarette is inserted. 
     Advantageous Effects of Disclosure 
     In contrast to conventional aerosol generating devices, a user is provided with an aerosol generating device configured to determine whether or not a cigarette is inserted, without receiving an additional input from the user, and to control an operation of the heater based on whether or not the cigarette is inserted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1  through  3    are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device. 
         FIG.  4    shows an example of a cigarette. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a lateral cross-sectional view of some components of the aerosol generating device according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart for describing a method of detecting insertion of a cigarette, the method being performed by a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a lateral cross-sectional view of a cigarette insertion detecting sensor located inside an accommodation passage, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether or not a cigarette is accommodated, based on a temperature change of a heater, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether or not a cigarette is inserted, based on a position change of a door, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram of hardware components of an aerosol generating device. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: an accommodation passage configured to accommodate a cigarette; a heater configured to heat the cigarette accommodated in the accommodation passage; a cigarette insertion detecting sensor located inside the accommodation passage; and a controller configured to detect whether the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage by using the cigarette insertion detecting sensor. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, performed by an aerosol generating device, of generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette, includes: receiving, from a cigarette insertion detecting sensor located inside an accommodation passage, a signal of detecting the cigarette being inserted into the accommodation passage; determining, based on the received signal, whether the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage; and controlling, based on whether the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage, an operation of a heater. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: an accommodation passage configured to accommodate a cigarette; a heater configured to heat the cigarette accommodated in the accommodation passage; a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of the heater; and a controller configured to receive, from the temperature detecting sensor, a signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater and determine, based on the received signal, whether the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, performed by an aerosol generating device, of generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette, includes: receiving, from a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, a signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater; determining whether a value of the temperature change of the heater, the value being derived from the received signal, corresponds to a value of a reference temperature change occurring when the cigarette is accommodated in an accommodation passage, by comparing the value of the temperature change of the heater with the value of the reference temperature change; and determining, based on a result of the determination, whether or not the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, performed by an aerosol generating device, of generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette, includes: receiving, from a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door provided on an upper surface of a cover and expose an accommodation passage configured to accommodate the cigarette to the outside, a signal of detecting the position change of the door; and determining, based on the received signal, whether the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: a cover; an accommodation passage configured to accommodate a cigarette inserted via the cover; a heater configured to heat the cigarette accommodated in the accommodation passage; a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of the heater; and a controller, wherein the cover includes: a door provided on an upper surface of the cover and configured to expose the accommodation passage to the outside; and a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of the door, and the controller is configured to receive, from the temperature detecting sensor, a signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater, and from the position detecting sensor, a signal of detecting the position change of the door, and determine, based on the signal received from the temperature detecting sensor and the signal received from the position detecting sensor, whether the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, performed by an aerosol generating device, of generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette, includes: receiving, from a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, a signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater; receiving, from a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door provided on an upper surface of a cover and configured to expose an accommodation passage configured to accommodate the cigarette to the outside, a signal of detecting the position change of the door; and determining, based on the signal received from the temperature detecting sensor and the signal received from the position detecting sensor, whether the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     MODE OF DISCLOSURE 
     With respect to the terms in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the 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 may be changed according to intention, a judicial precedent, appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used may be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding part in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein. 
     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. Also, the terms, such as “unit” or “module,” described in the specification, denote a unit that processes at least one function or operation and that may be embodied in a hardware manner, a software manner, or a combination of the hardware manner and the software manner. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS.  1  through  3    are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette  20000  is inserted into an aerosol generating device  10000 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the aerosol generating device  10000  may include a battery  11000 , a controller  12000 , and a heater  13000 . Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the aerosol generating device  10000  may further include a vaporizer  14000 . Also, the cigarette  20000  may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device  10000 . 
       FIGS.  1  through  3    illustrate only components of the aerosol generating device  10000 , which are related to the present exemplary embodiment. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art may understand that the aerosol generating device  10000  may further include other general-purpose components, in addition to the components illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  3   . 
     Also,  FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate that the aerosol generating device  10000  includes the heater  13000 . However, according to necessity, the heater  13000  may be omitted. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates that the battery  11000 , the controller  12000 , and the heater  130000  are arranged in series. Also,  FIG.  2    illustrates that the battery  11000 , the controller  12000 , the vaporizer  14000 , and the heater  13000  are arranged in series. Also,  FIG.  3    illustrates that the vaporizer  14000  and the heater  13000  are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device  10000  is not limited to the structures illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  3   . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device  10000 , the battery  11000 , the controller  12000 , the heater  13000 , and the vaporizer  14000  may be differently arranged. 
     When the cigarette  20000  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 , the aerosol generating device  10000  may operate the heater  13000  and/or the vaporizer  14000  to generate aerosol from the cigarette  20000  and/or the vaporizer  14000 . The aerosol generated via the heater  13000  and/or the vaporizer  14000  may be delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette  20000 . 
     As necessary, even when the cigarette  20000  is not inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 , the aerosol generating device  10000  may heat the heater  13000 . 
     The battery  11000  may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device  10000  to operate. For example, the battery  11000  may supply power to heat the heater  13000  or the vaporizer  14000 , and may supply power for an operation of the controller  12000 . Also, the battery  11000  may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device  10000 . 
     The controller  12000  may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device  10000 . In detail, the controller  12000  may control not only operations of the battery  11000 , the heater  13000 , and the vaporizer  14000 , but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device  10000 . Also, the controller  12000  may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device  10000  to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device  10000  is able to operate. 
     The controller  12000  may include at least one processor. The processor may be realized as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be realized as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable in the microprocessor. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be realized as other forms of hardware. 
     The heater  13000  may be heated by the power supplied from the battery  11000 . For example, when the cigarette  20000  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 , the heater  13000  may be located inside the cigarette  20000 . Thus, the heated heater  13000  may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette  20000 . 
     The heater  13000  may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater  13000  may include an electrically conductive track and the heater  13000  may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater  13000  is not limited to the example described above and may include any other type of heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device  10000  or may be set by a user. 
     As another example, the heater  13000  may include an induction heating heater. In detail, the heater  13000  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 heating heater. 
     For example, the heater  13000  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 heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette  20000 , according to the shape of the heating element. 
     Also, the aerosol generating device  10000  may include a plurality of heaters  13000 . Here, the plurality of heaters  13000  may be inserted in the cigarette  20000  or may be arranged outside the cigarette  20000 . Also, one or more of the plurality of heaters  13000  may be inserted in the cigarette  20000  and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette  20000 . In addition, the shape of the heater  13000  is not limited to the shapes illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  3    and may include various shapes. 
     The vaporizer  14000  may generate aerosol by heating liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette  20000  to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer  14000  may move along an air current passage of the aerosol generating device  10000  and the air current passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer  14000  passes through the cigarette  20000  to be delivered to the user. 
     For example, the vaporizer  14000  may include a liquid storage, a liquid transmitting device, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid transmitting device, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device  10000  as independent modules. 
     The liquid storage may store liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be attached/detached to/from the vaporizer  14000  or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer  14000 . 
     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. The vitamin mixture may include at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     The liquid transmitting device may transmit the liquid composition in the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid transmitting device may include wicks, such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramics, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The heating element may be an element for heating the liquid composition transmitted by the liquid transmitting device. Examples of the heating element may include a metal heat wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but are not limited thereto. Also, the heating element may include a conductive filament, such as a nichrome wire, and may be coiled around the liquid transmitting device. The heating element may be heated via supply of power and may provide heat to liquid composition contacting the heating element so that the liquid composition is heated. As a result, aerosol may be generated. 
     For example, the vaporizer  14000  may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The aerosol generating device  10000  may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery  11000 , the controller  12000 , the heater  13000 , and the vaporizer  14000 . For example, the aerosol generating device  10000  may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device  10000  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  10000  may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette  20000  is inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 , external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  3   , the aerosol generating device  10000  may be included in a system, together with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery  11000  of the aerosol generating device  10000 . Alternatively, the heater  13000  may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device  10000  are attached to each other. 
     The cigarette  20000  may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette  20000  may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette  20000  may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, a granular or capsular aerosol generating material may be inserted into the second portion. 
     The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000  and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 . Alternatively, the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device  10000 . The user may inhale the aerosol while biting the second portion with a mouth. Here, the aerosol may be generated as the external air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol may pass through the second portion to be delivered to the mouth of the user. 
     For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device  10000 . For example, the opening and closing and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device  10000  may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, an amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette  20000  through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette  20000 . 
     Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette  20000  will be described with reference to  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  4    is shows an example of the cigarette  20000 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the cigarette  20000  may include a tobacco rod  21000  and a filter rod  22000 . The first portion described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  3    may include the tobacco rod  21000 , and the second portion  32000  may include the filter rod  22000 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates that the filter rod  22000  includes a single segment. However, the filter rod  22000  is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod  22000  may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod  22000  may include a first segment configured to cool the aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, according to necessity, the filter rod  22000  may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions. 
     The cigarette  2000  may be packaged by at least one wrapper  24000 . The wrapper  24000  may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cigarette  20000  may be packaged by the at least one wrapper  24000 . Alternatively, the cigarette  20000  may be doubly packaged by at least two wrappers  24000 . For example, the tobacco rod  21000  may be packaged by a first wrapper, and the filter rod  22000  may be packaged by a second wrapper. Also, the tobacco rod  21000  and the filter rod  22000  may be packaged by separate wrappers and coupled to each other, and the entire cigarette  20000  may be re-packaged by a third wrapper. When each of the tobacco rod  21000  and the filter rod  22000  includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged via a separate wrapper. Also, the entire cigarette  20000  including the plurality of segments packaged by the separate wrappers and coupled to each other may be re-packaged by another wrapper. 
     The tobacco rod  21000  may include an aerosol generating material. Examples of 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 are not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod  21000  may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod  21000  may include flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod  21000 . 
     The tobacco rod  21000  may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod  21000  may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod  21000  may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod  21000  may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may include a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21000  may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod  21000 , and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21000  may function as a susceptor that is capable of being heated by the induction heating heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod  21000  may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod  21000 . 
     The filter rod  22000  may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod  22000  are not limited. For example, the filter rod  22000  may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod  22000  may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod  22000  includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape. 
     The filter rod  22000  may be formed to generate flavors. For example, flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod  22000 , or an additional fiber coated with flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod  22000 . 
     Also, the filter rod  22000  may include at least one capsule  23000 . Here, the capsule  23000  may generate a flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule  23000  may include a film wrapping a content liquid including a spice. The capsule  23000  may have a spherical or a cylindrical shape, but it is not limited thereto. 
     When the filter rod  22000  includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include only a pure polylactic acid, but it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the examples described above and may include any other cooling segments capable of cooling an aerosol. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the cigarette  20000  according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filter may be located on a side of the tobacco rod  21000 , the side facing the filter rod  22000 . The front-end filter may prevent the tobacco rod  21000  from being detached from the cigarette and prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device  10000  ( FIGS.  1  through  3   ) from the tobacco rod  21000 , during smoking. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     An aerosol generating source support assembly and the aerosol generating device  1000  including the same may include a case  1001  and a cover  1002 , according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  5   . The cover  1002  may be coupled to an end of the case  1001  so that the case  1001  and the cover  1002  may form an exterior of the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
     The case  1001  may form a portion of the exterior of the aerosol generating device  1000 , and may accommodate various components to protect the components. 
     The cover  1002  and the case  1001  may be formed of a plastic material having a low thermal conductivity, or a metal material having a surface coated with a heat blocking material. The cover  1002  and the case  1001  may be formed by using, for example, an injection molding method, a three-dimensional (3D) printing method, or a method in which small components manufactured by using an injection molding method are assembled. 
     A retaining device may be formed between the cover  1002  and the case  1001  to retain the coupling between the cover  1002  and the case  1001 . The retaining device may include, for example, a projection and a groove. The cover  1002  and the case  1001  may be kept being coupled to each other by the projection being inserted into the groove, and the projection may be separated from the groove via a movement of the projection caused by a user pressing a manipulation button. 
     Also, the retaining device may include, for example, a magnet and a metal member attached to the magnet. When the retaining device includes a magnet, the magnet may be formed at one of the cover  1002  and the case  1001 , and a metal member attached to the magnet may be formed at the other. Alternatively, the magnet may be formed at both of the cover  1002  and the case  1001 . 
     The cover  1002  is not an essential component of the aerosol generating device  1000  according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  5   , and thus, when necessary, the cover  1002  may not be formed. 
     An external hole  1002   p  through which a cigarette  3  may be inserted may be formed in an upper surface of the cover  1002  coupled to the case  1001 . Also, a rail  1003   r  may be formed on the upper surface of the cover  1002  near the external hole  1002   p . A door  1003  may slide along the upper surface of the cover  1002  and may be formed at the rail  1003   r . The door  1003  may slide linearly along the rail  1003   r.    
     When the door  1003  moves along the rail  1003  in the arrow direction of  FIG.  5   , the external hole  1002   p  and an insertion hole  1004   p  may be exposed, through which the cigarette  3  passes through the cover  1002  and is inserted into the case  1001 . The external hole  1002   p  of the cover  1002  may expose the insertion hole  1004   p  of an accommodation passage  1004   h  in which the cigarette  3  is accommodated. 
     When the external hole  1002   p  is exposed through the door  1003 , a user may insert an end  3   b  of the cigarette  3  into the external hole  1002   p  and the insertion hole  1004   p  and mount the cigarette  3  in the accommodation passage  1004   h  formed inside the cover  1002 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the door  1003  may be formed to move linearly with respect to the cover  1002 . However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to the structure in which the door  1003  is coupled to the cover  1002 . For example, the door  1003  may be rotatably formed at the cover  1002  via a hinge assembly. When the hinge assembly is used, the door  1003  may rotate to the side of the external hole  1002   p  along a virtual surface extended from the upper surface of the cover  1002 , or may rotate in a direction so the door  1003  moves away from the upper surface of the cover  1002 . 
     The rail  1003   r  may have a shape of a concave groove. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to this shape of the rail  1003   r . For example, the rail  1003   r  may have a convex shape and may extend in a curved form rather than a linear form. 
       FIG.  6    is a lateral cross-sectional view of some components of the aerosol generating device  1000  according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the cigarette  3  may be inserted into the insertion hole  1004   p  from the outside and accommodated in the accommodation passage  1004   h . An end of the heater  1030  may pass through a heater insertion hole  10   b  to be located in the accommodation passage  1004   h . Thus, when the cigarette  3  is accommodated in the accommodation passage  1004   h , the end of the heater  1030  may be inserted into the cigarette  3 . 
     An accommodation portion configured to accommodate the cigarette  3  may include: a side wall  1004   w  forming the accommodation passage  1004   h  configured to accommodate the cigarette  3 ; the insertion hole  1004   p  formed at an end of the accommodation passage  1004   h  and open to the outside so that the cigarette  3  may be inserted; and a bottom wall  1004   b  closing the other end of the accommodation passage  1004   h  and having a heater hole  10   b  through which the end of the heater  1030  passes. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the heater may be inserted into the cigarette. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to this structure of the heater. For example, the heater may be formed as a cylinder-shaped film-type heater configured to surround at least a portion of an external surface of the cigarette. When the cylindrical film-type heater is used, the cylindrical film-type heater may be formed at the side wall  1004   w  forming the accommodation passage  1004   h.    
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart for describing a method of detecting insertion of a cigarette, which is performed by a cigarette insertion detecting sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , in operation  710 , an aerosol generating device may receive a signal of detecting whether or not a cigarette is inserted into an accommodation passage, from a cigarette insertion detecting sensor located inside the accommodation passage. 
     The cigarette insertion detecting sensor may detect that the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage, when the cigarette, after being inserted into an insertion hole of a cover, moves along the accommodation passage in a direction toward a bottom wall of the accommodation passage, that is, moves downwardly. After the cigarette insertion detecting sensor detects the insertion of the cigarette, the cigarette insertion detecting sensor may transmit an insertion detecting signal to a controller of the aerosol generating device. 
     The cigarette insertion detecting sensor may be located inside the accommodation passage. The cigarette insertion detecting sensor may be mounted at a side wall or the bottom wall of the accommodation passage. However, locations at which the cigarette insertion detecting sensor is mounted are not limited thereto. 
     In operation  720 , the aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage, based on the received signal. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the cigarette insertion detecting sensor may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and an infrared sensor. 
     The film sensor may detect an aerosol generating material included in the cigarette. The pressure sensor may detect pressure that is applied to the side wall or the bottom wall of the accommodation passage, when the cigarette, after being inserted into the insertion hole of the cover, moves downwardly along the accommodation passage. The optical sensor and the infrared sensor may detect the blocking of light and infrared rays while the cigarette moves in the downward direction along the accommodation passage after being inserted into the insertion hole of the cover. 
     The aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage, by receiving, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the signal with respect to whether or not the cigarette is inserted. 
     In operation  730 , the aerosol generating device may control an operation of a heater, based on whether or not the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the aerosol generating device may initiate the operation of the heater, after receiving, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the signal that the cigarette is inserted. Here, the aerosol generating device may initiate the operation of the heater by initiating an operation of a power supply device. For example, after the aerosol generating device receives the signal indicating that the cigarette is inserted from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may supply power to the heater to allow the heater to enter into a heating mode or a pre-heating mode. 
     In the heating mode, a temperature of the heater may increase to a target temperature so that the aerosol generating material of the cigarette may be heated to generate an aerosol, and in the pre-heating mode, the temperature of the heater may be kept to be lower than the target temperature. However, operations of the heating mode and the pre-heating mode are not limited thereto. 
     Because the aerosol generating device may initiate the operation of the heater based on the signal received from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may, without receiving an additional input from a user, set the heater in the heating mode or the pre-heating mode. Accordingly, time taken for the heater to reach the target temperature may be reduced. When the heater is set in the pre-heating mode, the heater may operate in the heating mode when an additional input is received from the user. 
     Also, the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater after receiving, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a signal indicating that the cigarette is removed from the cigarette. Here, the aerosol generating device may block the power supplied from the power supply device to the heater. For example, the aerosol generating device may block the power supplied to the heater, after receiving, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the signal indicating that the cigarette is removed. 
     Because the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater based on the signal received from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater by removing the cigarette inserted into the accommodation passage, without receiving an additional input from the user. 
       FIG.  8    is a lateral cross-sectional view of a cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  located inside the accommodation passage  1004   h , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the cigarette  3  may pass through the cover  1002  via the insertion hole  1004   p  and then may be accommodated in the accommodation passage  1004   h.    
     The cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  may be located inside the accommodation passage  1004   h . The cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  may be mounted at the side wall  1004   w , the bottom wall  1004   b , etc. forming the accommodation passage  1004   h . However, locations of the cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  are not limited thereto. 
     The cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  according to an exemplary embodiment may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and an infrared sensor. 
     The film sensor may detect particular materials and detect an aerosol generating material included in the cigarette  3 . While the cigarette  3  is inserted into the insertion hole  1004  and moves downwardly along the accommodation passage  1004   h , the film sensor may detect an aerosol generating material contained in the cigarette  3  or a material which the surface of the cigarette  3  is coated with, and transmit, to a controller, a signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h.    
     When the cigarette  3  which does not include materials that may be detected by the film sensor is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h , the film sensor may not transmit the signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted to the controller, even when the cigarette  3  is inserted. That is, an operation of the heater  1030  may be initiated, only when the cigarette  3  including materials that can be detected by the film sensor is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h.    
     In a process in which the cigarette  3  is inserted into the insertion hole  1004   p  and downwardly moves along the accommodation passage  1004   h , the pressure sensor may detect the pressure applied by the cigarette  3  to the side wall  1004   w  or the bottom wall  1004   b  of the accommodation passage  1004   h . After the pressure sensor detects the pressure as the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h , the pressure sensor may transmit a signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h  to the controller. 
     In a process in which the cigarette  3  is inserted into the insertion hole  1004   p  and downwardly moves along the accommodation passage  1004   h , the optical sensor may detect the blocking of light by the cigarette  3 . The optical sensor may include a light-emission portion and a light-reception portion, and the light-emission portion and the light-reception portion may be mounted in the accommodation passage  1004   h  to face each other. 
     When the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h , light emitted through the light-emission portion may not be received by the light-reception portion. In this case, the optical sensor may transmit a signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004  to the controller. 
     In a process in which the cigarette  3  is inserted into the insertion hole  1004   p  and downwardly moves along the accommodation passage  1004   h , the infrared sensor may detect the blocking of infrared rays by the cigarette  3 . An operation of the infrared sensor is the same as the operation of the optical sensor, and thus, its description will be omitted for convenience. 
     The aerosol generating device  1000  may receive a signal of detecting that the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h  from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800 , and may control an operation of a heater  1030  based on the received signal. 
     When a user inserts the cigarette  3  into the aerosol generating device  1000 , the cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800  may detect the insertion of the cigarette  3  and transmit the cigarette insertion detecting signal. When the controller receives, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800 , the cigarette insertion detecting signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted, the controller may set the heater  1030  in a pre-heating mode to heat an aerosol generating material of the cigarette  3 . When the controller does not receive, from the cigarette insertion detecting sensor  800 , the cigarette insertion detecting signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted, the controller may not set the heater  1030  in the pre-heating mode. 
     Also, when the controller does not receive the cigarette insertion detecting signal indicating that the cigarette  3  is inserted, from the cigarette insertion sensing sensor  800 , because the user has withdrawn the cigarette  3  from the aerosol generating device or the user is inhaling an end portion of the cigarette  3  which is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the controller may block a power supply to the heater  1003  to stop the operation of the heater  1030 , thereby preventing the aerosol generating device  1000  from unnecessarily operating. 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether or not a cigarette is accommodated, based on a temperature change of a heater, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in operation  910 , an aerosol generating device may receive, from a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of the heater, a signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater. 
     An additional temperature detecting sensor may be provided in an accommodation passage of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the temperature detecting sensor may not be included in the aerosol generating device and the heater may function as the temperature detecting sensor. Alternatively, the heater of the aerosol generating device may function as the temperature detecting sensor, and at the same time, an additional temperature detecting sensor may further be included in the accommodation passage of the aerosol generating device. 
     In order that the heater functions as the temperature detecting sensor, the heater may include at least one electrically conductive track for emitting heat and detecting temperature. Alternatively, the heater may include a first electrically conductive track for emitting heat and a second electrically conductive track for detecting temperature. 
     The temperature detecting sensor may transmit the signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater to a controller of the aerosol generating device. 
     In operation  920 , the aerosol generating device may compare a value of the temperature change of the heater, the value being derived from the received signal, with a value of a reference temperature change corresponding to a case in which a cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage, to determine whether or not the value of the temperature change of the heater corresponds to the value of the reference temperature change. 
     The controller of the aerosol generating device may derive the value of the temperature change of the heater from the signal received from the temperature detecting sensor. The value of the temperature change of the heater may be a value of a temperature increase/decrease of the heater during a certain time period. A memory of the aerosol generating device may store data indicating the value of the reference temperature change of the case in which the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. The value of the reference temperature change may be data indicating a temperature change of or around the heater when power is supplied to the heater after the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. The value of the reference temperature change may be a value of a temperature increase/decrease of or around the heater during a certain time period. 
     The controller may compare the value of the temperature change of the heater, the value being derived from the signal received from the temperature detecting sensor, with the value of the reference temperature change stored in the memory. 
     When the value of the temperature change of the heater corresponds to the value of the reference temperature change, the controller may determine that the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. When the value of the temperature change of the heater does not correspond to the value of the reference temperature change, the controller may not determine that the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     Here, the value of the temperature change of the heater may be determined to not corresponding to the value of the reference temperature change if the value of the temperature change of the heater is greater than the value of the reference temperature change (e.g., a case in which the value of the temperature change of the heater indicates a higher per-hour temperature change rate than the value of the reference temperature change). This aspect may be based on the fact that a temperature around the heater may be more quickly increased when the cigarette is not accommodated in the accommodation passage than when the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     In operation  930 , the aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage based on a result of the determination of operation  920 . 
     Also, the aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage, and based thereon, may control an operation of the heater. 
     When the value of the temperature change of the heater corresponds to the value of the reference temperature change, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage and may initiate the operation of the heater. Here, the aerosol generating device may initiate the operation of the heater by initiating an operation of a power supply device. 
     The aerosol generating device may also compare the value of the temperature change of the heater with the value of the reference temperature change, even while the heater operates. Here, when the value of the temperature change of the heater corresponds to the value of the reference temperature change, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage and continue the operation of the heater. 
     Also, when the value of the temperature change of the heater does not correspond to the value of the reference temperature change, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette is not accommodated in the accommodation passage and may stop the operation of the heater. Here, the aerosol generating device may block the power supplied from the power supply device to the heater. 
     When the cigarette is not accommodated in the accommodation passage, that is, when the cigarette is removed from the accommodation passage, the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption and malfunction of the heater. 
       FIG.  10    is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether or not a cigarette is inserted, based on a position change of a door, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in operation  1010 , an aerosol generating device may receive a signal of detecting the position change of the door, from a position detecting sensor configured to detect the position change of the door provided on an upper surface of a cover and capable of exposing an accommodation passage in which a cigarette is accommodated. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the rail  1003   r  may be formed on the upper surface of the cover  1002  coupled to the case  1001 , the location being adjacent to the external hole  1002   p . The door  1003  may slide on the upper surface of the cover  1002  and may be formed at the rail  1003   r . The door  1003  may slide linearly along the rail  1003   r . When the door  1003  moves along the rail  1003   r  in the arrow direction of  FIG.  5   , the accommodation passage  1004   h  in which the cigarette  3  is accommodated may be exposed to the outside. When the accommodation passage  1004   h  is exposed to the outside via the door  1003 , a user may insert an end  3   b  of the cigarette  3  into the insertion hole  1004   p  so that the cigarette  3  may be accommodated in the accommodation passage  1004   h.    
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the door  1003  may be formed to move linearly with respect to the cover  1002 . However, structures in which the door  1003  is coupled to the cover  1002  are not limited thereto. For example, the door  1003  may be rotatably formed at the cover  1002  via a hinge assembly. 
     Hereinafter, a position of the door  1003  closing the accommodation passage  1004   h  is referred to as a closing position and a position of the door  1003  moving along the rail  1003   r  in the arrow direction of  FIG.  5    to open the accommodation passage  1004   h  is referred to as an opening position. 
     Although not shown in  FIG.  5   , the cover  1002  may include a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of the door  1003 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the position detecting sensor may detect whether the position of the door  1003  changes from the opening position to the closing position or from the closing position to the opening position. The position detecting sensor may transmit, after detecting the position change of the door  1003 , a position change detecting signal to a controller of the aerosol generating device. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, examples of the position detecting sensor configured to detect the position change of the door  1003  may include a pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, an orientation sensor, and a magnetic sensor, but are not limited thereto. 
     In operation  1020 , the aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is inserted into the accommodation passage, based on the received signal. 
     When the aerosol generating device receives, from the position detecting sensor, the signal indicating that the position of the door  1003  changes from the closing position to the opening position, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette  3  is inserted into the accommodation passage  1004   h  and may initiate an operation of a heater. Here, the aerosol generating device may initiate the operation of the heater by initiating an operation of a power supply device. 
     The aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is inserted based on the signal received from the position detecting sensor and may initiate the operation of the heater based on the determination, and thus, the aerosol generating device may set the heater in a heating mode or a pre-heating mode based on the position change of the door  1003  from the closing position to the opening position, without receiving an additional input from the user. Accordingly, time taken for the heater to reach the target temperature may be reduced. When the heater is set in the pre-heating mode, the heater may operate in the heating mode when an additional input is received from the user. 
     Also, when the aerosol generating device receives, from the position detecting sensor, the signal indicating that the position of the door  1003  changes from the opening position to the closing position, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette  3  is removed from the accommodation passage  1004   h  and may stop the operation of the heater. Here, the aerosol generating device may block the power supplied from the power supply device to the heater. 
     Because the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater based on the signal received from the position detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater based on the position change of the door  1003  from the opening position to the closing position without receiving an additional input from the user. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, an aerosol generating device may determine whether or not a cigarette is accommodated (or inserted) by combining the methods of  FIGS.  9  and  10   . 
     The aerosol generating device may receive the signal of detecting the temperature change of the heater from the temperature detecting sensor configured to detect the temperature change of the heater. The aerosol generating device may receive the signal of detecting the position change of the door from the position detecting sensor configured to detect the position change of the door. Also, the aerosol generating device may determine whether or not the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage based on the signal received from the temperature detecting sensor and the signal received from the position detecting sensor. 
     That is, the aerosol generating device may improve the reliability and accuracy of the determination with respect to the insertion of the cigarette, by determining whether or not the cigarette is accommodated (or inserted) into the accommodation passage based on both of the temperature change of the heater and the position change of the door. 
     The aerosol generating device may control an operation of the heater, based on whether or not the cigarette is accommodated in (or inserted into) the accommodation passage. 
     For example, when a value of the temperature change of the heater, which is obtained from the temperature detecting sensor, corresponds to a value of a reference temperature change, and the signal indicating that the position of the door changes from the closing position to the opening position is received from the position detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette is accommodated in (or inserted into) the accommodation passage. 
     Also, when the value of the temperature change of the heater, which is obtained from the temperature detecting sensor, does not correspond to the value of the reference temperature change, and the signal indicating that the position of the door changes from the opening position to the closing position is received from the position detecting sensor, the aerosol generating device may determine that the cigarette is not accommodated in (or inserted into) the accommodation passage or determine that the cigarette is removed from the accommodation passage. 
     When the aerosol generating device determines that the cigarette is accommodated in (or inserted into) the accommodation passage, the aerosol generating device may initiate (or continue) the operation of the heater. When the aerosol generating device determines that the cigarette is not accommodated in (or inserted into) the accommodation passage, the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the heater. 
     The aerosol generating device may determine the accommodation (or the insertion) of the cigarette based on the signals received from the temperature detecting sensor and the position detecting sensor, without receiving an additional input from the user. Based on this determination, the aerosol generating device may control the operation of the heater. As such, the aerosol generating device may reduce time taken for the heater to reach a target temperature by initiating the operation of the heater based on the determination that the cigarette is accommodated (or inserted). Also, the aerosol generating device may prevent unnecessary power consumption and mal-function of the heater by stopping the operation of the heater based on the determination that the cigarette is removed from the aerosol generating device. 
       FIG.  11    is a block diagram of hardware components of an aerosol generating device  1100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the aerosol generating device  1100  may include a heater  1120 , a controller  1110 , a memory  1140 , a battery  1130 , a sensor  1150 , and an interface  1160 . 
     The heater  1120  may be electrically heated by power which is supplied from the battery  1130  under control of the controller  1110 . When the cigarette  3  moves along the accommodation passage  1004   h  and an end of the cigarette  3  reaches the bottom wall  1004   b  of the accommodation portion  1004 , the heater  1120  may be located inside the cigarette  3 . Thus, the heater  1120  that is heated may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material inside the cigarette  3 . The heater  1120  may have any shape which may be inserted into a cigarette. Also, only a portion of the heater  1120  may be heated. 
     The heater  1120  may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater  1120  may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater  1120  may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. 
     For safe use, power according to the specifications of 3.2 V, 2.4 A, and 8 W may be supplied to the heater  1120 . However, it is not limited thereto. For example, when power is supplied to the heater  1120 , a surface temperature of the heater  1120  may increase to a temperature equal to or greater than 400° C. The surface temperature of the heater  1120  may increase to about 350° C. within 15 seconds after power supply to the heater  1120  is started. 
     An additional temperature detecting sensor may be included in the case  1001 . Alternatively, the temperature detecting sensor may not be included in the case  1001  and the heater  1120  may function as the temperature detecting sensor. Alternatively, while the heater  1120  of the case  1001  may function as the temperature detecting sensor, an additional temperature detecting sensor may further be included in the case  1001 . In order for the heater  1120  to function as the temperature detecting sensor, the heater  1120  may include at least one electrically conductive track for emitting heat and detecting temperature. Alternatively, the heater  1120  may include a first electrically conductive track for emitting heat and a second electrically conductive track for detecting a temperature. 
     For example, when a voltage supplied to the second electrically conductive track and a current flowing through the second electrically conductive track are measured, a resistance (R) may be determined. Here, a temperature (T) of the second electrically conductive track may be determined based on Equation 1 below. 
         R=R   0 (1+α( T−T   0 ))  Equation 1
 
     In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the second electrically conductive track, R0 denotes a resistance value at a temperature TO (for example, 0° C.), and α may denote a resistance temperature coefficient of the second electrically conductive track. The conductive material (for example, metal) has a unique resistance temperature coefficient, and thus, α may be pre-determined according to the conductive material included in the second electrically conductive track. Thus, when the resistance R of the second electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may be calculated based on the Equation 1. 
     The heater  1120  may include one or more electrically conductive tracks (the first electrically conductive track and the second electrically conductive track). For example, the heater  1120  may include two first electrically conductive tracks together with one or two second electrically conductive tracks. However, it is not limited thereto. 
     The electrically conductive track may include an electro-resistive material. For example, the electrically conductive track may include metal. As another example, the electrically conductive track may include an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and metal. 
     Also, the case  1001  may include both the temperature detecting sensor and an electrically conductive track functioning as the temperature detecting sensor. 
     The controller  1110  is a hardware component configured to control general operations of the aerosol generating device  1100 . The controller  1110  may include an integrated circuit realized as a processing unit, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc. 
     The controller  1110  may analyze a sensing result of the sensor  1150  and control subsequent processes. The controller  1110  may initiate or stop the power supply from the battery  1130  to the heater  1120  according to the sensing result. Also, the controller  1110  may control the amount of power supplied to the heater  1120  and the time of the power supply in order to heat the heater  1120  to a certain temperature or keep the heater  1120  at an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, the controller  1110  may process various input information and output information of the interface  1160 . 
     The controller  1110  may count the number of times of smoking of the user using the aerosol generating device  1100  and control, based on a result of the counting, related functions of the aerosol generating device  1100  to limit the smoking of the user. 
     The memory  1140  may be a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device  1100 , and the memory  1140  may store data processed or to be processed by the controller  1110 . The memory  1140  may include various types of memories, such as random access memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc., read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. 
     The memory  1140  may store data about smoking patterns of the user, such as smoking time, the number of times of smoking, etc. Also, the memory  1140  may store data related to the value of the reference temperature change occurring when the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation passage. 
     The battery  1130  may supply power used for the aerosol generating device  1100  to operate. That is, the battery  1130  may supply power to heat the heater  1120 . Also, the battery  1130  may supply power required for operations of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  1100 , such as the controller  1110 , the sensor  1150 , and the interface  1160 . The battery  1130  may include a LiFePO4 battery. However, the battery  1130  is not limited thereto and may include a LiCoO2 battery, a lithium titantate battery, etc. The battery  1130  may include a re-chargeable battery or a disposable battery. 
     The sensor  1150  may include various types of sensors, such as a puff detecting sensor (a temperature detecting sensor, a flow detecting sensor, a position detecting sensor, etc.), a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a position detecting sensor of the door  1003 , a temperature detecting sensor of the heater  1030 , etc. A value obtained as a result of a sensing operation of the sensor  1150  may be provided to the controller  1110 , and the controller  1110  may, based on the provided value, control the aerosol generating device  1100  to perform various functions, such as controlling a temperature of the heater, limiting of smoking, determining a position change of the door  1003 , determining whether or not the cigarette  3  is inserted, displaying notification, etc. 
     The interface  1160  may include various interfacing devices, such as a display or a lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting haptic information, a speaker for outputting sound information, input/output (I/O) interfacing devices (for example, a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to the user, terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power, communication interfacing modules for performing wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices. However, the aerosol generating device  1100  may be realized by selectively including only one or more of the various examples of the interfacing devices described above. 
     While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. Thus, the exemplary embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description of the disclosure but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the disclosure.