Patent Publication Number: US-2023148675-A1

Title: Aerosol generating device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device for controlling a heater on the basis of a distance between a user and the aerosol generating device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, the need for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device which generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by combusting cigarettes. Accordingly, researches on a heating-type cigarette or a heating-type cartridge have been actively conducted. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     After loading an aerosol generating material (e.g., after loading a cartridge) in the main body of an aerosol generating device, a user may contact the aerosol generating device with the mouth to inhale an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device. 
     Here, operation of a heater of the aerosol generating device may start when a first puff by the user is detected. However, a temperature of the heater at the first puff may not be sufficiently high due to the short heating time of the heater. In this case, flavors and an amount of atomization of an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device may be reduced. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide an aerosol generating device capable of heating a heater to a sufficiently high temperature during a first puff. 
     The technical problems to be solved by the present embodiments are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material; a proximity sensor configured to measure a distance between a user and the aerosol generating device; and a controller electrically connected to the heater and the proximity sensor, and configured to control the heater based on the distance measured by the proximity sensor. 
     The proximity sensor may recognize a mouth of the user and measures a distance between the mouth and the aerosol generating device, and the controller may be configured to control the heater on the basis of the distance between the mouth and the aerosol generating device. 
     The proximity sensor may include: a distance sensor configured to measure a distance to an object; and an image sensor configured to recognize a shape of the object. 
     The image sensor may include a camera, and the distance sensor and the image sensor may be integrally formed. 
     The image sensor may recognize the mouth of the user on the basis of an image acquired by the camera, and the distance sensor may measure the distance to the mouth of the user through an infrared photoelectric method. 
     The controller may be configured to heat the heater when the distance measured by the proximity sensor is less than or equal to a reference value. 
     The certain value may be in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm. 
     The controller may be configured to heat the heater to a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     The aerosol generating device may further include a puff sensor configured to detect an inhalation of the user, wherein the controller is configured to heat the heater to a first temperature when the distance is less than or equal to the reference value and heat the heater to a second temperature when the inhalation of the user is detected by the puff sensor after the heater is heated to the first temperature. 
     The first temperature may be lower than the second temperature. 
     The controller may be configured to turn off the heater when the distance measured by the proximity sensor exceeds a reference value and is maintained for a reference time. 
     The reference value may be in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm. 
     The reference time may correspond to a range of about 20 seconds to about 50 seconds. 
     The aerosol generating device may further include: a main body in which the proximity sensor is arranged; and a mouthpiece configured to contact a mouth of a user, wherein the proximity sensor is arranged adjacent to the mouthpiece such that the proximity sensor faces a mouth of a user when the user puffs on the aerosol generating device. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of an aerosol generating device includes: recognizing a mouth of a user in a vicinity of the aerosol generating device; measuring a distance between the recognized mouth of the user and the aerosol generating device; and controlling the heater based on the measured distance. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device for controlling a heater on the basis of a distance between a user and the aerosol generating device. When the aerosol generating device measures the distance to the user, the aerosol generating device may detect a particular part (i.e., a mouth) of the user and measure a distance to the part of the user. 
     When the particular part of the user is a mouth, the aerosol generating device may control the heater on the basis of a distance between the mouth and the aerosol generating device. For example, when the distance between the mouth and the aerosol generating device is less than or equal to a certain value, the heater may be heated. 
     As the heater is heated before a first puff of the user, the heater may be preheated. Therefore, a temperature of the heater may increase to a high temperature appropriate for generating a high-quality aerosol with a sufficient amount of atomization and rich flavors during a first puff, thereby improving the user satisfaction. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a view for explaining an aerosol generating device having a cartridge, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view illustrating an example state of use of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart of a method of controlling a heater in an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart of a method of controlling a heater in an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     With respect to the terms used to describe in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various 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. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and/or operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof. 
     The terms used herein are for describing one or more embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular form also includes the plural form unless otherwise stated in the text. 
     As used herein, 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. For example, the expression, “at least one of a, b, and c,” should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c. 
     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, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
       FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment. 
     An aerosol generating device  5  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1    includes the cartridge  20  containing the aerosol generating material and a main body  10  supporting the cartridge  20 . 
     The cartridge  20  may be coupled to the main body  10  in a state in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. A portion of the cartridge  20  is inserted into an accommodation space  19  of the main body  10  so that the cartridge  20  may be mounted on the main body  10 . In other words, the cartridge  20  is detachable from the main body  10 . 
     The cartridge  20  may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include 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. 
     For example, the liquid composition may include one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components. 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. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be a naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition. 
     Acid for the formation of the nicotine salts may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device  5 , the flavor or savor, the solubility, or the like. For example, the acid for the formation of nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto. 
     The cartridge  20  is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body  10  to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge  20  to a gaseous phase. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air. 
     For example, the cartridge  20  may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by receiving the electrical signal from the main body  10  and heating the aerosol generating material, or by using an ultrasonic vibration method, or by using an induction heating method. As another example, when the cartridge  20  includes its own power source, the cartridge  20  may generate aerosol by being operated by an electric control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body  10  to the cartridge  20 . 
     The cartridge  20  may include a liquid storage  21  accommodating the aerosol generating material therein, and an atomizer performing a function of converting the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage  21  to the aerosol. 
     When the liquid storage  21  “accommodates the aerosol generating material” therein, it means that the liquid storage  21  functions as a container simply holding an aerosol generating material and that the liquid storage  21  includes therein an element impregnated with (or containing) an aerosol generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure. 
     The atomizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery element (e.g., wick) for absorbing the aerosol generating material and maintaining the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol, and a heater heating the liquid delivery element to generate the aerosol. 
     The liquid delivery element may include at least one of, for example, a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, and porous ceramic. 
     The heater may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, tungsten, or the like to heat the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery element by generating heat using electrical resistance. The heater may be implemented by, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating element, or the like, and may be implemented by a conductive filament, wound on the liquid delivery element, or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element, by using a material such as a nichrome wire. 
     In addition, the atomizer may be implemented by a heating element in the form of a mesh or plate, which performs both the functions of absorbing the aerosol generating material and maintaining the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery element and the function of generating aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material. 
     At least a portion of the liquid storage  21  of the cartridge  20  may include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge  20  may be visually identified from the outside. The liquid storage  21  includes a protruding window  21   a  protruding from the liquid storage  21 , so that the liquid storage  21  may be inserted into a groove  11  of the main body  10  when coupled to the main body  10 . A mouthpiece  22  and the liquid storage  21  may be entirely formed of transparent plastic or glass, and only the protruding window  21   a  corresponding to a portion of the liquid storage  21  may be formed of a transparent material. 
     The main body  10  includes a connection terminal  10   t  arranged inside the accommodation space  19 . When the liquid storage  21  of the cartridge  20  is inserted into the accommodation space  19  of the main body  10 , the main body  10  may provide power to the cartridge  20  through the connection terminal  10   t  or supply a signal related to an operation of the cartridge  20  to the cartridge  20 . 
     The mouthpiece  22  is coupled to one end of the liquid storage  21  of the cartridge  20 . The mouthpiece  22  is a portion of the aerosol generating device  5 , which is to be inserted into a user&#39;s mouth. The mouthpiece  22  includes a discharge hole  22   a  for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage  21  to the outside. 
     The slider  7  is coupled to the main body  10  to move with respect to the main body  10 . The slider  7  covers at least a portion of the mouthpiece  22  of the cartridge  20  coupled to the main body  10  or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece  22  to the outside by moving with respect to the main body  10 . The slider  7  includes an elongated hole  7   a  exposing at least a portion of the protruding window  21   a  of the cartridge  20  to the outside. 
     The slider  7  has a container shape with a hollow space therein and both ends opened. The structure of the slider  7  is not limited to the container shape as shown in the drawing, and the slider  7  may have a bent plate structure having a clip-shaped cross-section, which is movable with respect to the main body  10  while being coupled to an edge of the main body  10 , or a structure having a curved semi-cylindrical shape and a curved arc-shaped cross section. 
     The slider  7  includes a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider  7  with respect to the main body  10  and the cartridge  20 . The magnetic body may include a permanent magnet or a material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof. 
     The magnetic body includes two first magnetic bodies  8   a  facing each other with an inner space of the slider  7  in between, and two second magnetic bodies  8   b  facing each other with the inner space of the slider  7  in between. The first magnetic bodies  8   a  and the second magnetic bodies  8   b  are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the main body  10 , which is a moving direction of the slider  7 , that is, the direction in which the main body  10  extends. 
     The main body  10  includes a fixed magnetic body  9  arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies  8   a  and the second magnetic bodies  8   b  of the slider  7  move while the slider  7  moves with respect to the main body  10 . Two fixed magnetic bodies  9  of the main body  10  may be mounted to face each other with the accommodation space  19  in between. 
     Depending on the position of the slider  7 , the slider  7  may be stably maintained in a position where an end of the mouthpiece  22  is covered or exposed by a magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body  9  and the first magnetic body  8   a  or between the fixed magnetic body  9  and the second magnetic body  8   b.    
     The main body  10  includes a position change detecting sensor  3  arranged on the path along which the first magnetic body  8   a  and the second magnetic body  8   b  of the slider  7  move while the slider  7  moves with respect to the main body  10 . The position change detecting sensor  3  may include, for example, a Hall IC using the Hall effect that detects a change in a magnetic field and generates a signal. 
     In the aerosol generating device  5  according to the above-described embodiments, the main body  10 , the cartridge  20 , and the slider  7  have approximately rectangular cross-sectional shapes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, but in the embodiments, the shape of the aerosol generating device  5  is not limited. The aerosol generating device  5  may have, for example, a cross-sectional shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or various polygonal shapes. In addition, the aerosol generating device  5  is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly when extending in the longitudinal direction, and may extend a long way while being curved in a streamlined shape or bent at a preset angle in a specific area to be easily held by the user. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  2   , the operating state is shown in which the slider  7  is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece  22  of the cartridge coupled to the main body  10  is covered. In a state where the slider  7  is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece  22  is covered, the mouthpiece  22  may be safely protected from external impurities and kept clean. 
     The user may check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge by visually checking the protruding window  21   a  of the cartridge through the elongated hole  7   a  of the slider  7 . The user may move the slider  7  in the longitudinal direction of the main body  10  to use the aerosol generating device  5 . 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  3   , the operating state is shown in which the slider  7  is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece  22  of the cartridge coupled to the main body  10  is exposed to the outside. In a state where the slider  7  is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece  22  is exposed to the outside, the user may insert the mouthpiece  22  into his or her mouth and absorb aerosol discharged through the discharge hole  22   a  of the mouthpiece  22 . 
     Even when the slider  7  is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece  22  is exposed to the outside, the protruding window  21   a  of the cartridge is exposed to the outside through the elongated hole  7   a  of the slider  7 , and thus, the user may visually check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge. 
       FIG.  4    is a view for explaining an aerosol generating device having a cartridge, according to another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , an aerosol generating device  6  does not include a slider  7 , unlike the aerosol generating device  5  described with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  3   . Accordingly, the aerosol generating device  6  may be implemented by only coupling a cartridge  20  to a main body  10  as described above. The coupling between the cartridge  20  and the main body  10  may be completed by inserting a protruding window  21   a  of the cartridge  20  into the main body  10 . 
     Because the aerosol generating device  6  does not include the slider  7 , the aerosol generating device  6  may not include components associated with the Hall IC, such as the fixed magnetic body  9  and the position detecting sensor  3  described with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  3   . However, the aerosol generating device  6  may include components of the aerosol generating device  5  described with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  3   , other than the components associated with the Hall IC. 
     The aerosol generating device  6  may control power on/power off of the aerosol generating device  6  by using an element such as a puff sensor. The puff sensor may detect an air flow inside the aerosol generating device  6 . When the puff sensor detects an air flow (e.g., air pressure) exceeding a threshold value, it may be considered a start of user&#39;s puff, and thus the aerosol generating device  6  may be turned on. The puff sensor may be preset to detect only an air flow in a particular direction, but it is not limited thereto. 
     In other words, instead of controlling power on/power off of the aerosol generating device  5  by using the slide  7  described in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1  through  3   , the aerosol generating device  6  may start operation the puff sensor detects the user&#39;s inhalation. Accordingly, operation of the aerosol generating device  6  may start without user&#39;s operating action (e.g., pressing a power button). Starting the operation of the aerosol generating device  6  may indicate that power is supplied from a battery to a heater. However, the embodiment shown in  FIG.  4    is not limited by those described above, and the operation of the aerosol generating device  6  may start via a power button. 
     An aerosol generating device to be described below may also correspond to any of the aerosol generating devices  5  and  6  according to the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  4   . 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device, according to one embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the aerosol generating device  400  may include a battery  410 , a heater  420 , a sensor  430 , a user interface  440 , a memory  450 , and a controller  460 . However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device  400  is not limited to the structures illustrated in  FIG.  5   . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device  400 , it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in  FIG.  5    may be omitted or new components may be added. 
     The aerosol generating device  400  of  FIG.  5    may correspond to the aerosol generating device  5  described in  FIGS.  1  through  3   , or may correspond to the aerosol generating device  6  described in  FIG.  4   , but is not limited thereto. It may be a device having a different structure. 
     In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device  400  may consist of only a main body, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  400  are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device  400  may consist of a main body and a cartridge, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  400  are located separately in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  400  may be located respectively in the main body and the cartridge. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of each of the components will be described without being limited to the location in a particular space in the aerosol generating device  400 . 
     The battery  410  supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device  400  to operate. In other words, the battery  410  may supply power such that the heater  420  may be heated. In addition, the battery  410  may supply power required for operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device  400 , that is, the sensor  430 , the user interface  440 , the memory  450 , and the controller  460 . The battery  410  may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery  410  may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto. 
     The heater  420  receives power from the battery  410  under the control of the controller  460 . The heater  420  may receive power from the battery  410  and heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device  400 , or heat the cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device  400 . 
     The heater  420  may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating device  400 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device  400  consists of the main body and the cartridge, the heater  420  may be located in the cartridge. When the heater  420  is located in the cartridge, the heater  420  may receive power from the battery  410  located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. 
     The heater  420  may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater  420  may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto. 
     In an embodiment, the heater  420  may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater  420 , the liquid delivery element, and the liquid storage. The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage may be moved to the liquid delivery element, and the heater  420  may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater  420  may include a material such as nickel chromium and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element. 
     In addition, the heater  420  may be a component included in the aerosol generating device  400 . After the cartridge is mounted on the aerosol generating device  400 , the aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage of the cartridge may be moved to the liquid delivery element. In this case, the heater  420  included in the aerosol generating device  400  may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element. 
     In another embodiment, the heater  420  may heat the cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device  400 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device  400 , the heater  420  may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater  420  may generate the aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette. 
     Meanwhile, the heater  420  may include an induction heater. The heater  420  may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article or the cartridge may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater. 
     The aerosol generating device  400  may include at least one sensor  430 . A result sensed by the at least one sensor  430  is transmitted to the controller  460 , and the controller  460  may control the aerosol generating device  400  to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater (e.g., duty ratio of pulse width modulation (PWM) or the operation of duty cycle), restricting smoking, determining whether a cigarette (or a cartridge) is inserted, and displaying a notification. For example, the controller  460  may control generation of aerosol based on a sensing result by the puff sensor. 
     For example, the at least one sensor  430  may include a puff sensor. The puff sensor may detect a user&#39;s puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change. 
     The puff sensor may detect the start timing and the end timing of the user&#39;s puff, and the controller  460  may determine puff period and non-puff period based on detected the start timing and the end timing of the puff. 
     In addition, the at least one sensor  430  may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which the heater  420  (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device  400  may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the heater  420 , or the heater  420  itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device  400  while the heater  420  serves as a temperature sensor. 
     In addition, the at least one sensor  430  may include a position change detecting sensor. The position change detecting sensor may detect a change in a position of the slider coupled to the main body to move with respect to the main body. 
     In addition, the at least one sensor  430  may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a motion sensor. Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may combine and utilize information sensed by at least two or more of the above-described sensors. 
     The user interface  440  may provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device  400 . The user interface  440  may include various interfacing devices, such as a display or a light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting haptic information, a speaker for outputting sound information, input/output (I/O) interfacing devices (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and communication interfacing modules for performing wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices. 
     However, the aerosol generating device  400  may be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described examples of various user interface  440 . 
     The memory  450 , as a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device  400 , may store data processed or to be processed by the controller  460 . The memory  450  may include various types of memories; random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), etc.; read-only memory (ROM); electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. 
     The memory  450  may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device  400 , the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user&#39;s smoking pattern, etc. 
     The controller  460  may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device  400 . The controller  460  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 general-purpose 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 controller  460  analyzes a result of the sensing by at least one sensor  430 , and controls the processes that are to be performed subsequently. 
     The controller  460  may control power supplied to the heater  420  so that the operation of the heater  420  is started or terminated, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 . In addition, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 , the controller  460  may control the amount of power supplied to the heater  420  and the time at which the power is supplied, so that the heater  420  is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature. 
     In an embodiment, the controller  460  may set a mode of the heater  420  to a pre-heating mode to start the operation of the heater  420  after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device  400 . In addition, the controller  460  may switch the mode of the heater  420  from the pre-heating mode to an operation mode after detecting a user&#39;s puff by using the puff detecting sensor. In addition, the controller  460  may stop supplying power to the heater  420  when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. 
     The controller  460  may control the user interface  440  based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches the preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor, the controller  460  may notify the user by using at least one of a light emitter, a motor, or a speaker that the aerosol generating device  400  will soon be terminated. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the aerosol generating device  400  may form an aerosol generating system together with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery  410  of the aerosol generating device  400 . For example, while the aerosol generating device  400  is accommodated in an accommodation space of the cradle, the aerosol generating device  400  may receive power from a battery of the cradle such that the battery  410  of the aerosol generating device  400  may be charged. 
     One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media. 
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device  1000  according to another embodiment. 
     The aerosol generating device  1000  may include a proximity sensor  1100 . The components of the aerosol generating device  5 ,  6 , or  400  described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  5    may be included in the aerosol generating device  1000  to be described below, and the same components of the aerosol generating device  1000  as the above-described components may be described with the same reference numerals. 
     The proximity sensor  1100  refers to a sensor for detecting presence of and/or a distance to an object in the vicinity by using an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the like without a mechanical contact. For example, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the proximity sensor  1100  may measure a distance between a user and the aerosol generating device  1000  when a user is holding the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
     The proximity sensor  1100  may measure a distance to a certain part (e.g., mouth, nose, finger, etc.) of the user. For example, the proximity sensor  1100  may recognizing the mouth of the user and measure a distance between the mouth of the user and the aerosol generating device  1000 . The proximity sensor  1100  may be set to measure a distance to a certain part such as the mouth of the user only when the certain part is recognized. 
     Information about the distance measured by the proximity sensor  1100  may be transmitted to the controller  460  of  FIG.  5   . When the proximity sensor  1100  fails to recognize the mouth of the user, the proximity sensor  1100  may not measure a distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the detected object. 
     The proximity sensor  1100  may include a distance sensor  1101  for measuring a distance to an object and an image sensor  1102  for recognizing the shape of the object. 
     The distance sensor  1101  may measure the distance to the object by using an infrared photoelectric method. For example, the distance sensor  1101  may include a light source for emitting near-infrared rays having wavelengths of 850 nm, 880 nm, 940 nm, and the like and a light receiving unit for receiving the near-infrared rays reflected by an object after being emitted from the light source. The distance sensor  1101  may measure, via a change in the intensity of the near-infrared rays received by the light receiving unit, a distance between an object and the aerosol generating device  1000  including the distance sensor  1101 . 
     The image sensor  1102  may include a camera for acquiring an image of the object. The image sensor  1102  may recognize the object on the basis of the image acquired by the camera. The image sensor  1102  may recognize the object by comparing the acquired image with a previously stored image. 
     The image acquired from the camera may be stored in the controller  460 . A CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor may be arranged inside the camera. Operation of comparing the acquired image with the previously stored image may be performed by the image sensor  1102  or the controller  460 . Here, the previously stored image may be the mouth of the user. 
     The controller  460  of the aerosol generating device  1000  may be electrically connected to the heater  420  of  FIG.  5    and the proximity sensor  1100 . The controller  460  may control the heater  420  on the basis of the distance measured by the proximity sensor  110 . The controller  460  may heat the heater  420  when the distance measured by the proximity sensor  1100  is less than or equal to a certain value. 
     For example, when the distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the user, which is measured by the proximity sensor  1100 , is less than or equal to a reference value in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm, the controller  460  may start to heat the heater  420 . Here, the controller  460  may heat the heater  420  to a temperature of about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     In more detail, when a certain part of the user&#39;s body is recognized by the proximity sensor  1100 , the distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the user may be measured. For example, when the mouth of the user is recognized by the proximity sensor  1100 , the proximity sensor  1100  may measure the distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the mouth. When the distance is less than or equal to a reference value in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm, the controller  460  may heat the heater  420 . 
     As the heater  420  is heated on the basis of the distance, the heater  420  may be heated before the user performs a first puff by using the aerosol generating device  1000 . Accordingly, a sufficient amount of atomization and abundant flavors may be generated at a first puff on the aerosol generating device  1000 . Therefore, the user may feel satisfaction from the first puff on the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
     The aerosol generating device  1000  may further include a puff sensor  1200  for detecting inhalations of the user. The puff sensor  1200  may measure a change in an air flow inside the aerosol generating device  1000 . For example, when the user inhales an aerosol generated in the aerosol generating device  1000 , the puff sensor  1200  may detect puffs of the user according to a change in an air flow inside the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
     When the distance measured by the proximity sensor  1100  is less than or equal to a certain reference value, the controller  460  may heat the heater  420  to a first temperature. Then, when the inhalation of the user is detected by the puff sensor  1200 , the controller  460  may heat the heater  420  to a second temperature. Here, the first temperature may be lower than the second temperature. 
     For example, the user may bring the aerosol generating device  1000  close to the mouth of the user to use the aerosol generating device  1000 . The proximity sensor  1100  may measure a distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the mouth of the user. When the distance is less than or equal to a reference value in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm, the controller  460  may heat the heater  420  to a first temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     After the heater  420  is heated to the first temperature, the puff sensor  1200  may measure a change in an air flow inside the aerosol generating device  1000  according to the inhalation of the user. When the puff sensor  1200  detects the inhalation of the user, the controller  460  may heat the heater  420  to a second temperature in the range of about 100° C. to about 200° C. The second temperature may be a temperature higher than the first temperature. 
     The heater  420  that is preheated to the first temperature on the basis of the distance measured by the proximity sensor  1100  may be more quickly heated to the second temperature, and thus a sufficient amount of atomization and abundant flavors may be generated at a first puff. 
     When the distance measured by the proximity sensor  1100  exceeds the reference value and the distance exceeding the reference value is maintained for a certain time, the controller  460  may turn off the heater  420 . In other words, the controller  460  may control the heating operation and power of the heater  420  on the basis of the distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the mouth of the user. 
     For example, after the user uses the aerosol generating device  1000 , the user may separate the aerosol generating device  1000  from the mouth of the user. The proximity sensor  1100  may measure the distance between the aerosol generating device  1000  and the mouth of the user. When the distance is measured to exceed a reference value in the range of about 7 cm to about 13 cm and the distance exceeding the reference value is maintained for a reference time in the range of about 20 seconds to about 50 seconds, the controller  460  may shut off the heater  420 . 
     As the power of the heater  420  is automatically switched to the off state according to the distance, unnecessary operation of the aerosol generating device  1000  may be prevented, and user convenience may be improved. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device  1000  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     The aerosol generating device  1000  may include the proximity sensor  1100  arranged in the main body  1010  and a mouthpiece  1020  for contacting the mouth of the user. The mouthpiece  1020  may be formed integrally with the main body  1010 . Here, the mouthpiece  1020  may be arranged in a line with the main body  1010  along a longitudinal direction of the main body  1010 . 
     The proximity sensor  1100  may be arranged adjacent to the mouthpiece  1020  to be positioned close to the mouth of the user when the aerosol generating device  1000  is used. The proximity sensor  1100  may be arranged at a location that does not come in contact with the user when the user puffs on the mouthpiece  1020 . 
     The proximity sensor  1100  may be formed on a surface of the main body  1010 . The proximity sensor  1100  may protrude a certain distance from the surface of the main body  1010 . As the proximity sensor  1100  protrudes the certain distance from the surface of the main body  1010  and is arranged adjacent to the mouthpiece  1020 , the proximity sensor  1100  may face the mouth of the user when the user brings the mouthpiece  1020  of the aerosol generating device  1000  close to the mouth to use the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
     A puff sensor  1200  may be arranged in the mouthpiece  1020 . The puff sensor  1299  may detect puffs of the user by detecting a flow of an aerosol discharged through the mouthpiece  1020 . 
     The proximity sensor  1100  and the puff sensor  1200  may be electrically connected to the controller  460  to transmit, to the controller  460 , information about a distance and information about puffs. The controller  460  may control internal components of the aerosol generating device  1000 , on the basis of at least one of the information about the distance and the information about the puffs. 
       FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device  1000  according to another embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 B , the mouthpiece  1020  may extend from a top surface of the main body  1010  of the aerosol generating device  1000 . The user may inhale the generated aerosol by contacting the mouth with the mouthpiece  1020 . 
     The proximity sensor  1100  may be arranged adjacent to the mouthpiece  1020  on the top surface of the aerosol generating device  1000 . The mouthpiece  1020  and the proximity sensor  1100  may be arranged on the top surface of the main body  1010 . As the proximity sensor  1100  is arranged together with the mouthpiece  1020  on the top surface of the main body  1010 , the proximity sensor  1100  may be facing the mouth of the user when the user brings the mouthpiece  1020  of the aerosol generating device  1000  close to the mouth to use the aerosol generating device  1000 . 
       FIG.  8    is an example flowchart of a method of controlling a heater of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the method of controlling a heater of an aerosol generating device includes operations that are processed in time series in an aerosol generating device as described above. Accordingly, even though the descriptions of the aerosol generating device that have been given above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 7    are omitted herein, the descriptions may also be applied to the method of  FIG.  8   . 
     In operation  2001 , a proximity sensor of an aerosol generating device determines whether or not the mouth of a user is recognized. Here, the recognition of the mouth may be performed by an image sensor inside the proximity sensor. When the mouth of the user is recognized by the proximity sensor, operation S 2002  may be performed following operation S 2001 . When the mouth of the user is not recognized by the proximity sensor, operation S 2001  may be repeatedly performed. 
     In operation S 2002 , the proximity sensor measures a distance between the mouth of the user and the aerosol generating device, and the controller determines whether or not the distance measured by the proximity sensor is less than or equal to a certain value (i.e., a reference value). 
     For example, the certain value may be set to 10 cm, but it is not limited thereto. In this case, when the distance measured by the proximity sensor is within 10 cm, the controller may enter operation S 2003 . When the controller determines that the distance exceeds 10 cm, the controller may repeatedly perform S 2001  and S 2002  until the distance is determined to be within 10 cm. Alternatively, when the distance is determined to exceed 10 cm in S 2002 , the method may repeat the operation  2002  for a certain time before returning to the operation S 2001 . Also, if the distance exceeding 10 cm is maintained for a predetermined reference time, the controller may turn off the heater. 
     In operation S 2003 , the controller may control a heater on the basis of the distance measured by the proximity sensor. For example, when the distance measured by the proximity sensor is less than or equal to the certain value, the controller may heat the heater. 
     The embodiment described above with reference to  FIG.  8    is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the order of operations S 2001  and S 2002  may be changed. 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart of a method of controlling a heater in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. 
     In operation S 2001 , a proximity sensor of an aerosol generating device determines whether or not the mouth of a user is recognized. When the mouth of the user is recognized, operation S 2002  may be performed. 
     In operation S 2002 , the proximity sensor measures a distance between the mouth of the user and the aerosol generating device, and a controller determines whether or not the distance measured by the proximity sensor is less than or equal to a certain value (i.e., a reference value). When the measured distance is determined to be less than or equal to the certain value in operation S 2002 , operation S 2004  may be performed. 
     In operation S 2004 , a heater may be heated to a first temperature. In operation S 2005 , it may be determined whether a puff of the user is detected (i.e., whether the aerosol generating device is being used by the user). Here, the puff of the user may be detected by a puff sensor. When a puff is detected, operation S 2006  may be performed. 
     In operation S 2006 , the heater may be heated to a second temperature. The second temperature may be higher than the first temperature. Since the heater may is already preheated to the first temperature in operation S 2005 , the heater may be heated to may be more quickly heated to the second temperature. 
     An aerosol generating device according to the present embodiments may control a heater to be preheated to a certain temperature before the first puff. Accordingly, from the first puff, the heater may be heated to a high temperature for generating a high-quality aerosol with a sufficient amount of atomization and rich flavors, thereby improving user satisfaction. 
     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  460 , 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. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.