Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating or atomizing an aerosol generating material in a cigarette or a cartridge, instead of combusting a cigarette. <CIT> relates to an aerosol-generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol- generating device comprising: a heating element arranged to heat an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol- forming substrate is received by the aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating element comprises a plurality of metallic nanoparticles arranged to receive light from a light source and generate heat by surface plasmon resonance.

Among various methods of generating aerosols, a method of generating an aerosol by using light from a light source has been recently suggested.

An aerosol-generating apparatus using light emitted from a light source may heat an aerosol-generating material by using, for example, a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technique, and thus, may generate an aerosol.

The SPR technique is a method of heating metals through vibrations of metal nanoparticles. In detail, free electrons in metal nanoparticles collectively vibrate because of an external stimulus (e.g., incident light), and as a result, the free electrons are polarized and metals are heated.

In general, an aerosol-generating apparatus using an existing SPR technique may heat an aerosol-generating material by using light emitted from an internal light source of the aerosol-generating apparatus or concentrating an external light source of the aerosol-generating apparatus.

However, when an aerosol-generating material is heated using an internal light source, a greater amount of power is consumed than using an external light source, and thus, the operation time of the aerosol-generating apparatus shortens.

Also, when an aerosol-generating material is heated using an external light source, the heating performance differs according to an incident location of external light, an angle of external light, or surrounding environments, and thus, the aerosol-generating performance is not consistent.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

To overcome the above limitations, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol-generating apparatus capable of improving the aerosol-generating efficiency with low power. The aerosol-generating apparatus may use both an external source and an internal light source, and compensate for the lack of light received by metal nanoparticles by driving the internal light source according to a change in the external light source.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating apparatus includes a housing comprising at least one light-transmitting window configured to transmit external light to an inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus; a heating element comprising a plurality of nanoparticles configured to generate heat in response to light through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR); a light source arranged inside the housing and configured to emit light toward the heating element; a sensor configured to detect a quantity of the external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus through the at least one light-transmitting window; and a processor configured to adjust a quantity of light received by the heating element by controlling the light source based on the detected quantity of the external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling an aerosol-generating apparatus includes detecting a quantity of external light transmitted to an inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus, wherein the heating element is configured to generate heat in response to light through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR); and supplementing a quantity of light received by the heating element, by controlling a light source arranged inside the aerosol-generating apparatus based on the detected quantity of the external light.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating apparatus may compensate for a lack of light received by metal nanoparticles by controlling the operation of an internal light source. Thus, an aerosol-generating apparatus may provide a user with a uniform amount of aerosols regardless of the quantity of external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus.

Also, the aerosol-generating apparatus may generate an aerosol by using both an external light source and the internal light source. Thus, an aerosol-generating apparatus may provide the user with a sufficient amount of atomization with lower power than an apparatus which only uses an internal light source to generate an aerosol.

However, effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and effects that are not mentioned could be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

The disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The terms "embodiment" or "embodiments" described in the specification are intended for explaining invention clearly. Therefore, embodiments should not be construed to be exclusive to each other. For example, elements explained in relating to an embodiment may be embodied and applied in many different forms within the scope of the specification.

In addition, terms used in the present specification are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. In the present specification, the singular form also includes the plurality form unless specifically stated in the phrase.

Throughout the specification, a "lengthwise direction" of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along a longitudinal axis of the component, and in this case, the longitudinal axis of the component may denote a direction in which the component extends further than in other axis direction crossing the longitudinal direction.

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cover member of the aerosol-generating apparatus of <FIG> moves from a first position to a second position.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> which transmits external light of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to the inside thereof, a light source <NUM> which is disposed inside the housing <NUM> and emits light, and a heating element <NUM> which generates heat by receiving the external light and/or the light emitted from the light source <NUM> and heats an aerosol-generating material by using the generated heat.

The housing <NUM> may form an exterior of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> and may include at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> (or "transmission window") for transmitting the external light of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to the inside of the housing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the at least one transmitting window <NUM> may be formed on at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> and may transmit, to an internal space of the housing <NUM>, sunlight and visible rays emitted to the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> or light emitted from an external light source. At least part of the external light, which is transmitted to the internal space of the housing <NUM> through at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, may reach the heating element <NUM> and may generate heat in the heating element <NUM>. Detailed descriptions thereof are provided below.

For example, one or more light-transmitting windows <NUM> may be arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> with predetermined intervals, but an arrangement of the light-transmitting window <NUM> is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may include a lens unit <NUM> so that the external light transmitted to the inside of the housing <NUM> may be concentrated. For example, the lens unit <NUM> may include a convex lens and may concentrate the external light on the heating unit <NUM> arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM>.

In the internal space of the housing <NUM>, components (e.g., the light source <NUM> and/ or the heating element <NUM>) for heating an aerosol-generating material as well as components (e.g., a processor, a memory, a battery, etc.) for operating the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may be arranged.

For example, the processor may control overall operation of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, the memory may store data required to operate the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, and the battery may supply power to the components of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. These components are described below in detail.

The light source <NUM> (or an "internal light source") may be arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> and may emit light when power is supplied. The light source <NUM> may emit light towards the heating element <NUM>, and the heating element <NUM> may be heated by receiving the light from the light source <NUM>.

The light from the light source <NUM> may be, for example, light having a wavelength ( λ) ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> may be, for example, at least one of an arc lamp, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a mercury lamp, a fluorescent lamp, laser, and a light-emitting diode (LED). However, the light source <NUM> is not limited thereto.

<FIG> and <FIG> only illustrate an embodiment in which two light sources <NUM> are arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM>. However, the number of light sources <NUM> arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, one light source <NUM> or at least three light sources <NUM> may be arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM>.

The heating element <NUM> may be arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> and may heat the aerosol-generating material by using the external light, which is transmitted to and/or is concentrated in the internal space of the housing <NUM> through at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, thereby generating an aerosol.

For example, the heating element <NUM> may generate the aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be arranged in the heating element <NUM> or may be arranged in such a way that at least some portions of the aerosol-generating material are surrounded by the heating element <NUM>. Detailed descriptions thereof are provided below.

The heating element <NUM> may include metal nanoparticles that generate heat through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) by receiving the light, and may heat the aerosol-generating material through the SPR. For example, the metal nanoparticles may be arranged on at least one surface of the heating element <NUM> and may generate heat by incident light, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

When metal particles are between <NUM> and <NUM> nanometers (nm) in diameter, the SPR may occur because of a behavior of free electrons of metal. The term "surface plasmon resonance" indicates a phenomenon in which, when light is incident on surfaces of metal nanoparticles that are conductors, free electrons on a metal surface collectively vibrate because of resonance with an electromagnetic field of certain energy of light.

When the external light from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> is transmitted to or concentrated on the heating element <NUM>, or when the light from the light source <NUM> is incident on the heating element <NUM>, free electrons of the metal nanoparticles on the surface of the heating element <NUM> may collectively vibrate through the SPR.

As a result, the free electrons of the metal nanoparticles of the heating element <NUM> may be polarized, and the metal nanoparticles of the heating element <NUM> may be heated. Because a surface temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase as the metal nanoparticles on the surface of the heating element <NUM> are heated, the heating element <NUM> may function as a heater or an atomizer that generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material.

In another embodiment, the heating element <NUM> may include various types of metal nanoparticles that vibrate and heats by light with different wavelengths. For example, the heating element <NUM> may include a first metal nanoparticle which may vibrate and heat by light with a first wavelength, and a second metal nanoparticle which may vibrate and heat by light with a second wavelength.

The aerosol generated inside the housing <NUM> by the heating element <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> through a discharge path 100e formed at an end in a lengthwise direction (e.g., +z direction in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. In the present specification, the expression "the lengthwise direction of the housing" may indicate a direction substantially parallel to the z axis of <FIG> and <FIG>.

A user may touch an end of the housing <NUM> with an oral portion of the user and may inhale the aerosol discharged through the discharge path 100e. In this case, the end of the housing <NUM> touching the oral portion of the user may function as a mouthpiece, and the end of the housing <NUM> may have a shape of which at least a portion is curved for easy contact with the oral portion of the user. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may include a cover member <NUM> which is movably coupled to the housing <NUM> and surrounds at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>. The aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may further include a movement detection sensor <NUM>, which may detect a movement of the cover member <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> may move in the lengthwise direction of the housing <NUM>. As the cover member <NUM> moves in the lengthwise direction of the housing <NUM>, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, which is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>, may be covered by the cover member <NUM> or exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the cover member <NUM> is at a first position P1 with respect to the housing <NUM>, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may be covered by the cover member <NUM> and not be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. As a result, the cover member <NUM> may prevent the transmission of the external light to the internal space of the housing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, on the contrary, as the cover member <NUM> moves from the first position P1 to a second position P2, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the external light of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may be transmitted to the internal space of the housing <NUM> and may be received by the heating element <NUM>.

In other words, in the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may be covered by the cover member <NUM> as the cover member <NUM> is at the first position P1, or the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> as the cover member <NUM> is at the second position P2.

The movement detection sensor <NUM> may detect a movement of the cover member <NUM> from the first position P1 to the second position P2 or from the second position P2 to the first position P1. For example, the movement detection sensor <NUM> may be a hall effect sensor, but types of the movement detection sensor <NUM> capable of detecting movements of the cover member <NUM> are not limited to the above example.

Information regarding the movement of the cover member <NUM> detected by the movement detection sensor <NUM> may be transmitted to the processor, and the processor may control the operation of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> based on the information from the movement detection sensor <NUM>. Detailed descriptions thereof are provided below.

In an embodiment, the movement detection sensor <NUM> may be positioned in a movement path of the cover member <NUM> on the outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>, but the position is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the movement detection sensor <NUM> may be arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> or in at least one portion of the cover member <NUM> that faces the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating apparatus according to another embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a cross-section obtained by cutting the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> along a longitudinal direction in a state in which the cover member <NUM> is at the second position (e.g., the second position P2 of <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may include the housing <NUM>, at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, the cover member <NUM>, the movement detection sensor <NUM>, the light source <NUM>, the heating element <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>.

Some components of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> have been described above with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, and the descriptions already provided are not repeated.

The heating element <NUM> may be arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> and may include the metal nanoparticles that generate heat through the SPR by receiving the light. As the heat is generated in the metal nanoparticles of the heating element through the SPR, the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may also increase, and the heating element <NUM> may generate the aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material accordingly. The process of generating an aerosol is described below in detail.

While the cover member <NUM> is at the second position P2, the heating element <NUM> may receive the external light, which is transmitted to the internal space of the housing <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>. As a result, the heating element <NUM> may generate heat by the received external light, and may heat the aerosol-generating material.

In an embodiment, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may include the lens unit <NUM>, and the lens unit <NUM> may concentrate the light incident the least one light-transmitting window <NUM> onto the heating element <NUM>. As a result, the quantity of external light received by the heating element <NUM> may increase, and thus the atomization performance of the heating element <NUM> may be improved.

The heating element <NUM> may light from the light source <NUM> arranged in the internal space of the housing <NUM> as well as the external light. The heating element <NUM> may heat the aerosol-generating material by generating heat by the light from the light source <NUM>.

In an embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the light source <NUM> may be spaced apart from the heating element <NUM> by a certain distance, and the light from the light source <NUM> may be reflected from a reflection mirror <NUM> adjacent to the light source <NUM>, and may be incident on the heating element <NUM>. For example, the reflection mirror <NUM> may be arranged to form a certain angle with respect to the lengthwise direction of the heating element <NUM> so that the light from the light source <NUM> is incident on a reflection surface of the reflection mirror <NUM> and then proceeds towards the heating element <NUM>. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the light source <NUM> may be arranged in a region adjacent to the heating element <NUM>, and accordingly, the light from the light source <NUM> may be directly incident on the heating element <NUM> without reflecting from a separate reflection mirror (e.g., the reflection mirror <NUM> of <FIG>).

The aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may generate the aerosol by using the heating element <NUM>, of which the temperature increases through the SPR by external light and/or internal light. The external light may be transmitted to the internal space of the housing <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, and the internal light may be received from the light source <NUM>. The generated aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> through the discharge path 100e which provide fluid communication between the internal space of the housing <NUM> and the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, so that the aerosol is provided to the user.

That is, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may heat the aerosol-generating material by using the light source <NUM> arranged inside the housing <NUM> and the external light received from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. Thereby, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may provide the aerosol to the user with less power than when the light from the light source <NUM> is only used to heat the aerosol-generating material.

The sensor <NUM> may measure the quantity of external light, which is transmitted from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> towards the heating element <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, and/or the temperature of the heating element <NUM>.

For example, the sensor <NUM> may include at least one of a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heating element <NUM> and a light-quantity measurement sensor for measuring the quantity of external light. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. According to embodiments, the light-quantity measurement sensor may measure the quantity of external light that is incident on the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, or the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be electrically or operatively connected to the processor <NUM> and may transmit or send, to the processor <NUM>, information regarding the detected quantity of external light, which is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, and/or information regarding the temperature of the heating element <NUM>.

In the present specification, the expression "operatively connected" may indicate a state in which the components are connected to each other to exchange signals through wired or wireless communication. For example, optical signals and/or magnetic signals may be exchanged between components which are operatively connected to each other.

In the internal space of the housing <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> may be arranged.

The processor <NUM> is hardware that controls overall operation of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be electrically or operatively connected to the light source <NUM> and may turn on or off the light source <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be electrically or operatively connected to the sensor <NUM> and/or the movement detection sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the operation of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> based on information from the sensor <NUM> and/or the movement detection sensor <NUM>.

For example, the processor <NUM> may control light emitted onto the heating element <NUM> from the light source <NUM> by controlling a power state of the light source <NUM> and the quantity of light from the light source <NUM>, based on the information from the sensor <NUM> and/or the movement detection sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include a plurality of processors <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be embodied with an array of logic gates. The processor <NUM> may be embodied with a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor <NUM> and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor <NUM> is stored. Also, the processor <NUM> may be embodied with another type of hardware.

The memory <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM>, and data used to operate the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM>. For example, in the memory <NUM>, data regarding a temperature profile of the heating element <NUM> for improving the atomization performance and/or a light profile associated with the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM> may be stored. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> based on the data stored in the memory <NUM>, and detailed descriptions thereof are provided below.

The battery <NUM> may supply power used to operate the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be electrically connected to the light source <NUM> and supply power thereto. Also, the battery <NUM> may supply power necessary for operations of other hardware components included in the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery <NUM> or a disposable battery <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram of a heating element of an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram of a heating element of an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to another embodiment.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the heating element <NUM> applicable to the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and/or 3B, and the repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the heating element <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus may generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material <NUM> included in the heating element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the heating element <NUM> may be hollow, and the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may be included in the internal space of the heating element <NUM>. For example, in the internal space of the heating element <NUM>, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> in a solid state or a liquid state may be arranged.

The aerosol-generating material <NUM> may include at least one of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerin or a blend thereof. Nicotine may be nicotine included in a tobacco material obtained by molding or reconstituting tobacco leaves. Also, nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine. For example, nicotine may include free base nicotine, nicotine salts, or any combination thereof.

The aerosol-generating material <NUM> may include nicotine or nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating material <NUM>.

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 apparatus, 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.

Propylene glycol and glycerin included in the aerosol-generating material <NUM> are aerosol forming substances. When propylene glycol and glycerin are atomized, an aerosol may be generated. For example, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine is added, and the weight ratio between glycerin and propylene glycol may vary according to embodiments.

Also, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may include any one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components.

Vitamin mixtures can be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto.

As the external light, which is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus, or the light emitted from the light source (e.g., the light source <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>) is received by the heating element <NUM>, the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase according to the SPR.

Accordingly, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> arranged in the internal space of the heating element <NUM> may be heated by the heating element <NUM> and vaporized. As a result, the aerosol may be generated in the internal space of the heating element <NUM>. The aerosol, which is generated in the internal space of the heating element <NUM>, may be discharged to the outside of the heating element <NUM> through a mesh portion <NUM> formed in at least one region of the heating element <NUM>, and the aerosol discharged to the outside may be provided to the user through a discharge path (e.g., the discharge path 100e of <FIG> or <FIG>).

The mesh portion <NUM> may be formed, for example, at an end portion of the heating element <NUM> which is adjacent to the discharge path, but a location of the mesh portion <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the mesh portion <NUM> may be formed on a side surface of the heating element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the heating element <NUM> including the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the housing <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus, so that the user may replace the heating element <NUM> when the aerosol-generating material <NUM> inside the heating element <NUM> is consumed.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may be a separate consumable, which may be inserted into the heating element <NUM> and heated to generate an aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may be provided in the form of a cigarette (i.e., a cigarette-type aerosol-generating material), but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the heating element <NUM> may include an insertion hole 300i for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material <NUM>, and at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material <NUM> inserted into the insertion hole 300i may be surrounded by the heating element <NUM>.

As the external light, which is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus, or the light emitted from the light source is received by the heating element <NUM>, the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase according to the SPR.

As a result, the aerosol-generating material <NUM> may be heated by the heating element <NUM>, thereby generating the aerosol. The generated aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus through the discharge path, and the user may inhale the discharged aerosol.

<FIG> is a block diagram of components of an aerosol-generating apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining an electronic circuit of a sensor included in an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include the movement detection sensor <NUM>, the light source <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>. Some components of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> have been described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and thus repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

The processor <NUM> may be electrically or operatively connected to the light source <NUM>, which emits light towards the heating element (e.g., the heating element <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>), and may control the operation of the light source <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may turn on and off the light source <NUM> or may control the quantity of light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the sensor <NUM> and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> based on the information from the sensor <NUM>. For example, the sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the heating element and/or the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus. The processor <NUM> may receive information regarding the temperature of the heating element and/or the information regarding the quantity of external light from the sensor <NUM>, and control the operation of the light source <NUM> based on the information.

According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heating element. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to at least a portion of the heating element and directly measures the temperature of the heating element. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be separated from the heating element and indirectly measures the temperature of the heating element. However, the temperature sensor is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may include a measurement unit <NUM> that contacts at least a portion of the heating element <NUM>, and an electronic circuit <NUM> that is electrically connected to the measurement unit <NUM> and the processor <NUM>. The electronic circuit <NUM> may include at least one fixed resistor RO.

The measurement unit <NUM> may contact at least a portion of the heating element <NUM> of which the temperature increases by the external light or the light emitted from the light source <NUM>. As the temperature of the heating element <NUM> changes, a resistance of the measurement unit <NUM> may also change.

As the measurement unit <NUM> contacts at least a portion of the heating element <NUM>, the measurement unit <NUM> may include a material having a thermal contact resistance (TCR) characteristic to prevent the measurement unit <NUM> from being damaged by the increase in the temperature of the heating element <NUM>. For example, the measurement unit <NUM> may include at least one of stainless steel (SUS), platinum, and titanium, but the material of the measurement unit <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The electronic circuit <NUM> may include at least one fixed resistor RO, and the at least one fixed resistor RO may be electrically connected to the measurement unit <NUM> through terminals (e.g., first terminal T0 and second terminal T1). For example, the first terminal T0 may be arranged between an end of the fixed resistor RO and an end of the measurement unit <NUM>, and the second terminal T1 may be arranged between the other end of the fixed resistor RO and the other end of the measurement unit <NUM>. Thus, the measurement unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the fixed resistor RO. According to an embodiment, the fixed resistor RO may not be directly connected to the terminals, and other electronic elements may be arranged between the fixed resistor RO and the terminals.

The processor <NUM> may detect a resistance variation of the measurement unit <NUM> according to the temperature change of the heating element <NUM> based on a voltage between both ends of the fixed resistor RO and may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> based on the detected resistance variation of the measurement unit <NUM>. The aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may accurately measure the temperature of the heating element <NUM> while minimizing power consumption of the battery <NUM> by using the measurement unit <NUM> and the electronic circuit <NUM> without a separate sensor.

In this case, a resistance value of the fixed resistor RO for detecting the resistance variation of the measurement unit <NUM> may be less than or equal to about <NUM>Ω. Preferably, the resistance value of the fixed resistor RO may range from about <NUM>Ω to about <NUM>Ω, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> based on the temperature of the heating element <NUM> that is detected by a temperature sensor and/or the measurement unit <NUM> and the electronic circuit <NUM>, and thus may adjust or supplement the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM>.

The quantity of light which is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may decrease because of a change in a surrounding environment (e.g., weather). In this case, the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may not increase to a desired temperature. As a result, the atomization performance of the heating element <NUM> may be degraded, or the aerosol may not be generated by the external light alone.

In this regard, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may compare the measured temperature of the heating element <NUM> with a designated temperature profile. If the temperature of the heating element <NUM> fails to reach a designated temperature of the temperature profile at a certain time, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may compensate for the lack of light received by the heating element by operating the light source <NUM> or increasing the quantity of light emitted from the light source <NUM>. As a result, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may maintain uniform atomization performance regardless of the change in the surrounding environment.

For example, the processor <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> by comparing designated temperature profile data stored in the memory <NUM> with the temperature of the heating element <NUM> that is measured by the sensor <NUM>, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. As another example, the processor <NUM> may compare the designated temperature profile data stored in a memory of the processor <NUM> with the measured temperature of the heating element <NUM> and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> according to a comparison result.

In the present specification, the expression "designated temperature profile" indicates data that is associated with the temperature of the heating element <NUM> per unit time to secure the sufficient atomization amount and increase the aerosol-generating efficiency.

According to another embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may include a light-quantity measurement sensor for measuring the quantity of light that is incident on the heating element <NUM>. For example, the light-quantity measurement sensor may include at least one of a light sensor and an illumination sensor, but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the light-quantity measurement sensor may measure the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> through at least one light-transmitting window (e.g., the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>).

The processor <NUM> may adjust or supplement the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM>, by controlling the operation of the light source <NUM> based on the quantity of external light that is measured by the light-quantity measurement sensor. Accordingly, the atomization performance of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may be uniformly maintained despite a change in the quantity of external light received by the heating element <NUM>.

For example, the processor <NUM> may compare designated light profile data, which is stored in the memory <NUM>, with the quantity of external light received by the heating element <NUM> as measured by the sensor <NUM>. Then, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> according to a comparison result. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. As another example, the processor <NUM> may compare designated light profile data, which is stored in the memory of the processor <NUM>, with the measured quantity of external light that is received by the heating element <NUM>. Then, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM>.

In the present specification, the expression "light profile" may indicate data regarding the quantity of light that has to be received by the heating element <NUM> per unit time to secure the sufficient atomization amount and increase the aerosol-generating efficiency.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may control the power of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> based on a movement of a cover member (e.g., the cover member <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>).

The processor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the movement detection sensor <NUM> that may detect the movement of the cover member so that the processor <NUM> may receive, from the movement detection sensor <NUM>, information regarding the movement of the cover member.

For example, when the cover member is at the first position (e.g., the first position P1 of <FIG>) with respect to the housing of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, at least one light-transmitting window may be covered by the cover member, and thus the external light may be prevented from being incident on the heating element <NUM> or reaching the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>.

As another example, when the cover member moves from the first position to the second position (e.g., the second position P2 of <FIG>), at least one light-transmitting window may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. As a result, the external light may be incident on the heating element <NUM>, and the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase.

Accordingly, when the movement of the cover member from the first position to the second position is detected by the movement detection sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may control the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to turn on. The expression "controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to turn on" indicates an operation that initiates a process of generating an aerosol by supplying electricity to each component, especially, a heating element or a light source.

On the contrary, when the movement of the cover member from the second position to the first position is detected by the movement detection sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that the provision of the external light to the heating element <NUM> is blocked and may control the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to turn off. The expression "controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to turn off" indicates an operation that terminates a process of generating an aerosol by stopping the supply of electricity to each component, especially, a heating element or a light source.

Accordingly, the user convenience of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may be improved because the power of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> is controlled based on a movement of the cover member without a separate power manipulation of the user.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining operations of controlling an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates an operation of controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The operations of controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus are described below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> by using the sensor <NUM>.

For example, the sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> in real time by using the measurement unit (e.g., the measurement unit <NUM> of <FIG>) which contacts at least a portion of the heating element <NUM>, and the electronic circuit (e.g., the electronic circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) including a fixed resistor. Alternatively, the sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by using a temperature sensor.

As another example, the sensor <NUM> may use the light-quantity measurement sensor to detect the quantity of external light that is transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. For example, the light-quantity measurement sensor may measure the quantity of light incident on the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> or the quantity of light incident on the heating element <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the operation of the light source <NUM>, based on the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light detected in operation <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may compare the temperature of the heating element <NUM>, which is detected in operation <NUM>, with a designated temperature profile. When a temperature of the heating element <NUM> is lower than a designated temperature of the designated temperature profile at a certain time, the processor <NUM> may adjust or supplement the quantity of light is received by the heating element <NUM> by controlling the light source <NUM> to turn on or increase the quantity of light emitted therefrom, such that the temperature of the heating element <NUM> increases to the designated temperature.

In operation <NUM>, for example, the processor <NUM> may calculate a difference between the designated temperature of the designated temperature profile and the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to increase the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by the calculated difference.

In another example, the processor <NUM> may compare a designated light profile with the quantity of external light detected in operation <NUM>. If a quantity of external light detected is less than the designated quantity of the designated light profile at a certain time, the processor <NUM> may adjust or supplement the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM> by controlling the light source <NUM> to turn on or increase the quantity of light emitted therefrom.

In operation <NUM>, for example, the processor <NUM> may calculate a difference between the designated quantity of the designated light profile and the detected quantity of external light and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to increase the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM> by the calculated difference.

That is, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may optimally maintain the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by performing operations <NUM> and <NUM> regardless of a change in surrounding environments (e.g., weather), and thus a uniform smoking sensation may be provided to the user.

Also, because the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may increase the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by using both the external light and the light from the light source <NUM> arranged inside the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may supply an aerosol to the user with less power than when using the light source <NUM> alone.

Hereinafter, an operation of adjusting or supplementing the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> is described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining operations of controlling an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a graph showing an operation of compensating for the lack of light received by a heating element of an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates an operation of controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and/or <NUM>, and hereinafter, operations of controlling the aerosol-generating apparatus by referring to the components of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and/or <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may detect whether the cover member <NUM> moves from the first position (e.g., the first position P1 of <FIG>) to the second position (e.g., the second position P2 of <FIG>). For example, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may detect the movement of the cover member <NUM> from the first position to the second position by using the movement detection sensor <NUM>.

When the cover member <NUM> is at the first position with respect to the housing <NUM>, at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> that transmits the external light to the inside of the housing <NUM> may be covered by the cover member <NUM>. As a result, the external light may not be provided to the heating element <NUM> because of the cover member <NUM>.

On the contrary, when the cover member <NUM> is at the second position with respect to the housing <NUM>, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>. As a result, the external light may be incident on the heating element <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, and the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase.

In operation <NUM>, if the movement of the cover member <NUM> from the first position to the second position is detected in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may control the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to turn on.

On the contrary, in operation <NUM>, when it is determined that the cover member <NUM> is at the first position because no movement of the cover member <NUM> from the first position to the second position is detected, the processor <NUM> may determine that the heating of the aerosol-generating material is not yet prepared and may perform operation <NUM> again.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may use the sensor <NUM> to detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light that is incident on the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>.

For example, the sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> in real time by using the measurement unit (e.g., the measurement unit <NUM> of <FIG>) which contacts at least some portions of the heating element <NUM>, and the electronic circuit (e.g., the electronic circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) including the fixed resistor. Alternatively, the sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by using the temperature sensor.

As another example, the sensor <NUM> may use the light-quantity measurement sensor to detect the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> inside the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may determine whether the temperature of the heating element <NUM>, which is detected in operation <NUM>, corresponds to the designated temperature profile. As another example, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may determine whether the quantity of external light, which is incident on the heating element <NUM> as detected in operation <NUM>, corresponds to the designated light profile.

For example, the processor <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may determine whether the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> corresponds to the designated temperature of the temperature profile which is stored in the memory <NUM>. As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the detected quantity of external light corresponds to the designated quantity of the light profile which is stored in the memory <NUM>.

The designated temperature profile and the light profile stored in the memory <NUM> may respectively include information about an optimal temperature and information about optimal light quantity which secure the sufficient atomization amount and increase the aerosol-generating efficiency. , In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the temperature of the heating element <NUM> at a certain time is appropriate to improve the aerosol-generating efficiency or increase the atomization amount.

In operation <NUM>, when it is determined that the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> does not correspond to the designated temperature and/or that the detected quantity of external light incident on the heating element <NUM> does not correspond to the light profile, the processor <NUM> may compensate for the lack of light received by the heating element <NUM> by controlling the operation of the light source <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may compensate for the lack of light received by the heating element <NUM> by, for example, turning on the light source <NUM> or increasing the quantity of light from the light source <NUM>. As a result, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may maintain the optimal temperature of the heating element <NUM> despite a decrease in the quantity of external light incident on the heating element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, when the temperature of the heating element <NUM> detected at a certain time is lower than the temperature of the designated temperature profile which is set for the corresponding time, the processor <NUM> may compensate for the lack of light received by the heating element <NUM> by increasing the quantity of light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, temperature profile data stored in the memory <NUM> indicates that the temperature of the heating element <NUM> increases to reach the first temperature T1 at a first time t1, the first temperature T1 is maintained until a second time t2, and then the temperature decreases to reach a second temperature T2 at a third time t3.

In this case, the first time t1 may be about <NUM> seconds, time interval between the first time t1 and the second time t2 may be about <NUM> seconds, and time interval between the second time t2 and the third time t3 may be about <NUM> seconds, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Also, the first temperature T1 may be about <NUM>, and the second temperature T2 may be about <NUM>, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, when the temperature of the heating element <NUM> detected during the first time t1 is lower than the temperature (e.g., the first temperature T1) of the temperature profile designated for the first time t1 by a first value βTd1, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to allow the temperature of the heating element <NUM> to increase by the first value βTd1 and reach the designated temperature of the temperature profile.

For example, the processor <NUM> may calculate a difference between the designated temperature and the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> at the first time t1, and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to raise the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by the first value βTd1 that is the calculated difference.

In another embodiment, when the temperature of the heating element <NUM> detected at the second time t2 is lower than the temperature (e.g., the first temperature T1) of the temperature profile designated for the second time t2 by a second value βTd2, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to raise the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by the second value βTd2 so that the temperature of the heating element <NUM> reaches the designated temperature.

For example, the processor <NUM> may calculate a difference between the designated temperature and the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> at the second time t2, and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to raise the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by the second value βTd2 that is the calculated difference. The processor <NUM> may control the light source <NUM> to increase the quantity of light as the difference between the designated temperature of the temperature profile and the detected temperature of the heating element <NUM> increases.

For example, when the difference βTd1 between the designated temperature of the temperature profile and the temperature of the heating element <NUM> at the first time t1 is greater than the difference βTd2 between the designated temperature of the temperature profile and the temperature of the heating element <NUM> at the second time t2, the processor <NUM> may control the operation of the light source <NUM> such that the quantity of light emitted from the light source <NUM> is greater at the first time t1 than at the second time t2.

In another embodiment, similarly, the processor <NUM> may calculate a difference between the designated light quantity of the light profile and the detected quantity of external light (e.g., external light incident on the heating element <NUM> or external light incident on at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>) and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to increase the quantity of light received by the heating element <NUM> by the calculated difference. Repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may detect whether the cover member <NUM> moves from the second position to the first position. For example, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may detect a sliding movement of the cover member <NUM> by using the movement detection sensor <NUM>.

When the movement of the cover member <NUM> from the second position to the first position is detected in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may control the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to be turned off in operation <NUM>.

For example, when the cover member <NUM> is at the first position, the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM> is covered by the cover member <NUM>, and the external light may not reach the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> or the heating element <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine that it is unnecessary to operate the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> and may control the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to be turned off.

On the contrary, if the movement of the cover member <NUM> to the first position is not detected in operation <NUM>, the external light may be continuously transmitted to the heating element <NUM> through the at least one light-transmitting window <NUM>, and thus the processor <NUM> may repeatedly perform operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

Because the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment controls the power of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> based on the movement of the cover member <NUM> by performing operations <NUM> and <NUM> or operations <NUM> and <NUM> described above, unnecessary power consumption may be prevented, and user convenience may be improved.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining operations of controlling an aerosol-generating apparatus, according to another embodiment.

Because the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment controls the operation of the light source <NUM> and/or the sensor <NUM> based on the temperature of the heating element <NUM> and/or the quantity of external light transmitted from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> to the inside thereof, unnecessary power consumption may be prevented, and an operation speed may increase.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may determine whether the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light transmitted to the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, which is detected by the sensor <NUM>, is equal to or greater than a first value designated in the temperature profile or the light profile.

In operation <NUM>, when the temperature of the heating element <NUM> is equal to or greater than the designated first value, or when the quantity of external light incident on the heating element <NUM> is equal to or greater than the designated first value, the processor <NUM> may control the light source <NUM> to stop operating.

When the temperature of the heating element <NUM> is equal to or greater than the designated temperature or when the quantity of external light incident to the heating element <NUM> is equal to or greater than the designated quantity of light, the temperature of the heating element <NUM> may increase to the desired temperature such that the aerosol-generating material may be heated by the external light alone without the operation of the light source <NUM>. Accordingly, when the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> is equal to or greater than the designated first value, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may stop operation of the light source <NUM> to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

Here, the term "designated first value" may indicate a value corresponding to the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light at which more than a designated quantity of aerosols may be generated by using the external light without the light source <NUM>. The first value may change according to the user's setting.

On the contrary, in operation <NUM>, when it is determined that the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> is smaller than a designated first value, the processor <NUM> may determine whether an initial temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the initial quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> is equal to or less than the designated second value in operation <NUM>.

In the present specification, the expression "initial temperature of the heating element" may indicate a temperature of the heating element <NUM> when a designated period of time (e.g., about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds) has passed after the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> starts operating.

Also, in the present specification, the expression "initial quantity of external light" may indicate a quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> from the outside of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> when the designated period of time (e.g., about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds) has passed after the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> starts operating.

In the drawings, the embodiment in which the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> performs operation <NUM> and then operation <NUM> is illustrated. However, according to an embodiment, operations <NUM> and <NUM> may be simultaneously performed, or operation <NUM> may be performed before operation <NUM>.

When it is determined in operation <NUM> that the initial temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the initial quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> is less than the designated second value, the processor <NUM> may stop operation of the sensor <NUM> and may control the operation of the light source <NUM> to make the temperature of the heating element <NUM> correspond to the designated temperature profile or make the quantity of light incident on the heating element <NUM> correspond to the designated light profile in operation <NUM>.

If the temperature of the heating element <NUM> fails to increase sufficiently by the external light or if the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM> is not sufficient, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may stop measuring the temperature of the heating element <NUM> or the quantity of external light that is incident on the heating element <NUM>. Also, the processor <NUM> may operate the light source <NUM> arranged inside the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>, so that the temperature of the heating element <NUM> corresponds to the designated temperature profile or so that the quantity of light incident on the heating element <NUM> corresponds to the designated light profile.

The aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may stop operating the sensor <NUM> and heat the aerosol-generating material by increasing the temperature of the heating element <NUM> by using the light source <NUM>. Thus, unnecessary power consumption may be reduced, and the operation speed of the processor <NUM> may be improved. As a result, the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM> may decrease a smoking waiting time of the user and may increase the battery life of the aerosol-generating apparatus <NUM>.

Described above embodiments 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 media, 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.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-generating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising at least one light-transmitting window (<NUM>) configured to transmit external light to an inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus (<NUM>);
a heating element (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of nanoparticles configured to generate heat in response to light through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR);
a light source (<NUM>) arranged inside the housing (<NUM>) and configured to emit light toward the heating element (<NUM>);
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect a quantity of the external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus (<NUM>) through the at least one light-transmitting window (<NUM>) ; and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to adjust a quantity of light received by the heating element (<NUM>) by controlling the light source (<NUM>) based on the detected quantity of the external light transmitted to the inside of the aerosol-generating apparatus (<NUM>).