Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for an alternative to a traditional combustive cigarette has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device which generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material included in a cigarette or a liquid storage without combustion. Known aerosol generating devices are known for example from documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

Generally, an aerosol generating device switches to a standby mode to save power unless it is performing operations such as heating the heater or displaying the remaining battery charge. While a standby mode is maintained, the voltage of a battery of the aerosol generating device may continuously decrease. If the battery voltage drops below a certain level, there is a risk of damage to the battery, which may result in reducing the life expectancy of the battery.

The present invention provides for an aerosol generating device capable of preventing damage of a battery.

Technical problems to be solved are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be derived from the below embodiments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device may include a battery; a power supply unit configured to control power supply of the battery; and a controller configured to, when a first mode switching condition is satisfied, control the power supply unit such that the aerosol generating device switches from a first power mode in which power is supplied to the controller to a second power mode in which no power is supplied to the controller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an aerosol generating device, the method may include supplying power corresponding to a first power mode to a controller from a battery; determining, by the controller, whether a first mode switching condition is satisfied; and, when the first mode switching condition is satisfied, blocking the power supplied to the controller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing the method of operating an aerosol generating device.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, damage to a battery of the aerosol generating device may be prevented.

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms may be changed according to intention, a judicial precedent, appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of one or more embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in one or more embodiments should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the general contents of one or more embodiments, rather than simply the names of the terms.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of one or more embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

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

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a vaporizer <NUM>. Also, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, as necessary, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

When the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

As necessary, even when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

For example, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Thus, the heated heater <NUM> may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device <NUM> or may be set by a user.

In detail, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater <NUM> may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, according to the shape of the heating element.

Here, the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article <NUM> or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Also, some of the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article <NUM> and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the aerosol generating article <NUM> to be delivered to the user.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/ or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol generating article <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the examples of the aerosol generating article <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate examples of the aerosol generating article.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a tobacco rod <NUM> and a filter rod <NUM>. The first portion described above with reference to <FIG> may include the tobacco rod <NUM>, and the second portion may include the filter rod <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the filter rod <NUM> includes a single segment. However, the filter rod <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod <NUM> may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod <NUM> may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may be packaged using at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be packaged by one wrapper <NUM>. As another example, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be double-packaged by two or more wrappers <NUM>. For example, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged by a first wrapper <NUM>, and the filter rod <NUM> may be packaged by wrappers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Also, the entire aerosol generating article <NUM> may be re-packaged by another single wrapper <NUM>. When the filter rod <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be individually packaged by wrappers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may further include a front-end plug <NUM>. The front-end plug <NUM> may be located on one side of the tobacco rod <NUM> which is not facing the filter rod <NUM>. The front-end plug <NUM> may prevent the tobacco rod <NUM> from being detached from the filter rod <NUM> and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod <NUM> into the aerosol generating device (<NUM> of <FIG>), during smoking.

The filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment <NUM> and a second segment <NUM>. Here, the first segment <NUM> may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod <NUM> of <FIG>, and the second segment <NUM> may correspond to the second segment of the filter rod <NUM> of <FIG>.

A diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may correspond to a diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the length of The front-end plug <NUM> is about <NUM>, the length of the tobacco rod <NUM> is about <NUM>, the length of the first segment <NUM> is about <NUM>, and the length of the second segment <NUM> is about <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may be packaged using at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front end plug <NUM> may be packaged by a first wrapper <NUM>, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged by a second wrapper <NUM>, the first segment <NUM> may be packaged by a third wrapper <NUM>, and the second segment <NUM> may be packaged by a fourth wrapper <NUM>. Further, the entire aerosol generating article <NUM> may be repackaged by a fifth wrapper <NUM>.

In addition, at least one perforation <NUM> may be formed in the fifth wrapper <NUM>. For example, the perforation <NUM> may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The perforation <NUM> may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> to the inside of the tobacco rod <NUM>.

In addition, at least one capsule <NUM> may be included in the second segment <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a controller <NUM>, a power supply unit <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, an interface unit <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, the battery <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the battery <NUM> of <FIG>, and the controller <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the controller <NUM> of <FIG>.

The input unit <NUM> may receive a user input. For example, the input unit <NUM> may be provided in the form of a button, but is not limited thereto.

When a user input is received, the input unit <NUM> may transmit a control signal corresponding to the user input to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the internal components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> based on a control signal. For example, the controller <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM> or control the output unit <NUM> to display a remaining battery, based on a control signal.

The output unit <NUM> may output visual information and/or tactile information related to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the output unit <NUM> may include a display (not shown), a vibrating motor (not shown), etc..

The sensing unit <NUM> may collect information related to the operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the sensing unit <NUM> may measure a temperature of the heater <NUM>. In another embodiment, the sensing unit <NUM> may sense a puff of a user. In another embodiment, the sensing unit <NUM> may sense insertion of an aerosol-generating article. To this end, the sensing unit <NUM> may include a temperature sensor (not shown), a puff sensor (not shown), a cigarette insertion sensor (not shown), etc..

The interface unit <NUM> may serve as a path for communicating with various external devices connected to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the interface unit <NUM> may include a port that may be connected to an external device, and the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be connected to the external device through the port. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may exchange data with an external device while being connected to the external device.

The interface unit <NUM> may also serve as a path for receiving external power. For example, the interface unit <NUM> may include a port that may be connected to an external power supply, and the aerosol generating device <NUM> may receive power supply from the external power supply while being connected to the external power supply.

The heater <NUM> may be an electrically resistive heater or an induction heater. In an embodiment, when the heater <NUM> is an electrically resistive heater, the heater <NUM> may include an electro-conductive track. The heater <NUM> may be heated by a current applied to the electro-conductive track. In an embodiment, when the heater <NUM> is an induction heater, the heater <NUM> may include an electro-conductive coil and a susceptor. When a current is applied to the electro-conductive coil, the susceptor may be heated by a variable magnetic field formed by the electro-conductive coil.

The battery <NUM> may supply power to the internal components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, a lithium-ion battery.

The power supply unit <NUM> may transmit power generated by the battery <NUM> to the controller <NUM>, based on a power mode. In other words, the power supply unit <NUM> may supply power to the controller <NUM> based on a power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the power supply unit <NUM> may be a component included in the controller <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may store information for the operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may store information regarding various switching conditions set between a plurality of power modes.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include the controller <NUM>, the power supply unit <NUM>, and the battery <NUM>.

The power supply unit <NUM> may supply power to the controller <NUM> based on a power mode. The power mode may include a first power mode and a second power mode in which less power is consumed than in the first power mode.

According to the invention, the first power mode is a standby mode. The standby mode refers to a mode in which power required for operations of internal components other than the controller <NUM> is blocked, and the standby mode of the present disclosure is not limited by its name. For example, the standby mode may be referred to as a power saving mode, a sleep mode, etc..

According to the invention, the second power mode is a ship mode. The ship mode refers to a mode in which power supplied to the controller <NUM> is blocked. The ship mode of the present disclosure is not limited by its name. For example, the ship mode maybe referred to as a factory shipping mode, a shutdown mode, etc..

The controller <NUM> may set the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the first power mode when a switching condition to the first power mode is satisfied. In an embodiment, the switching condition to the first power mode may include a task completion condition. For example, the controller <NUM> may set the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the first power mode when heating of a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>) is completed according to a temperature profile. In another example, when remaining battery charge is displayed according to a user input, the controller <NUM> may set the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the first power mode, thereby significantly reducing power consumption of the battery <NUM>.

Even while the aerosol generating device <NUM> is operating in the first power mode (e.g., the standby mode), power may be supplied to certain components for waking up the aerosol generating device <NUM>, such as the controller <NUM>. Therefore, the remaining charge in the battery <NUM> may be drained over time, resulting in decreasing the voltage of the battery. When the voltage of the battery <NUM> decreases below a predetermined level, the battery cells may be damaged. Also, solidification of a battery electrolyte may progress, and the full-charge capacity may be significantly reduced.

To resolve the problems, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be switched to a second power mode in which less power is supplied from the battery <NUM> than in the first power mode (e.g., standby mode) or power is not supplied at all from the battery <NUM>.

In detail, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode based on whether a first mode switching condition is met. In an embodiment, the first mode switching condition may be related to at least one of heating of the heater <NUM>, insertion of an aerosol-generating article, reception of a user input, and supply of external power.

For example, when heating of the heater <NUM> is not performed during a first time period, the controller <NUM> may determine that the first mode switching condition is satisfied and change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode.

In another example, when insertion of an aerosol-generating article is not sensed during a second time period, the controller <NUM> may determine that the first mode switching condition is satisfied and change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode.

In another example, when no user input is received during a third time period, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode. The third time period may be longer than the first time period and the second time period.

In another example, if the remaining charge of the battery <NUM> is below a pre-set level and no external power is supplied during a fourth time period, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode. The fourth time period may be longer than the third time period.

In an embodiment, as the controller <NUM> switches the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode based on a first mode switching condition, power supply from the power supply unit <NUM> may be limited. As a result, damage to the battery <NUM> may be significantly reduced.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S810, a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) may enter the first power mode. For example, when a task completion condition is satisfied, the controller <NUM> may enter the first power mode (e.g., standby mode). In the first power mode, the controller <NUM> may receive power from a battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>) and block power supplied to other internal components of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG>).

In operation S820, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a first mode switching condition is satisfied. The first mode switching condition may refer to a condition that is required to be met for the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to switch from the first power mode (e.g., standby mode) to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode). In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine whether at least one of heating of a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>), insertion of an aerosol-generating article, reception of a user input, and supply of external power is satisfied.

When the first mode switching condition is not satisfied, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In operation S830, when the first mode switching condition is satisfied, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode. In an embodiment, as the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is switched to the second power mode, power supplied from a power supply unit (e.g., the power supply unit <NUM> of <FIG>) to the controller <NUM> may be blocked.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. <FIG> is a circuit diagram for describing a method of controlling a power supply unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S910, the controller <NUM> may enter the first power mode. For example, when a task completion condition is satisfied, the controller <NUM> may enter the first power mode (e.g., standby mode).

In operation S920, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a first mode switching condition is satisfied. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine whether at least one of heating of the heater <NUM>, insertion of an aerosol-generating article, reception of a user input, and supply of external power is satisfied.

If the first mode switching condition is not satisfied, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode of the aerosol generating device.

When the first mode switching condition is satisfied, in operation S930, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

Referring to <FIG>, for example, when a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>) is not heated during the first time period, the controller <NUM> may transmit a switching control signal Sc to the power supply unit <NUM>. For example, the first time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> day). The power supply unit <NUM> may turn off a switching element SW based on the switching control signal Sc. Therefore, power supplied to the controller <NUM> may be blocked.

As another example, when insertion of an aerosol-generating article is not sensed during the second time period, the controller <NUM> may transmit the switching control signal Sc to the power supply unit <NUM>. For example, the second time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> day). The power supply unit <NUM> may turn off a switching element SW based on the switching control signal Sc. Therefore, power supplied to the controller <NUM> may be blocked.

As another example, when no user input is received during the third time period, the controller <NUM> may transmit the switching control signal Sc to the power supply unit <NUM>. For example, the third time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> days). The power supply unit <NUM> may turn off a switching element SW based on the switching control signal Sc. Therefore, power supplied to the controller <NUM> may be blocked.

As another example, when the remaining charge Fg of the battery <NUM> is below a pre-set level and no external power is supplied during the fourth time period, the controller <NUM> may transmit the switching control signal Sc to the power supply unit <NUM>. For example, the fourth time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> days). The power supply unit <NUM> may turn off a switching element SW based on the switching control signal Sc such that no power is supplied to the controller <NUM>.

In an embodiment, information about the remaining charge Fg of the battery <NUM> may be provided by the power supply unit <NUM>. For example, in response to a request of the controller <NUM>, the power supply unit <NUM> may transmit information about the remaining charge Fg of the battery <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, in operation S940, the power supply unit <NUM> may determine whether a second mode switching condition is satisfied. The second mode switching condition may refer to a condition that is required to be satisfied for the aerosol generating device <NUM> to switch from the second power mode (e.g., ship mode) to the first power mode (e.g., standby mode). In an embodiment, the power supply unit <NUM> may determine whether at least one of reception of a user input and supply of external power is satisfied.

If the second mode switching condition is not satisfied, the power supply unit <NUM> may maintain the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> in the second power mode, which is the ship mode.

When the second mode switching condition is satisfied, in operation S950, the power supply unit <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the second power mode to the first power mode.

In <FIG>, a user input signal S1 and/or an external power signal S2 may be input to a reset terminal of the power supply unit <NUM>. These signals may be referred to as a reset signal. When the power supply unit <NUM> receives a reset signal, the power supply unit <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and start to supply power to the controller <NUM>. Therefore, the aerosol generating device <NUM> is released from the second power mode (e.g., ship mode), and may re-enter the first power mode (e.g., standby mode).

<FIG> is a flowchart for describing a first mode switching condition and a second mode switching condition according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1110, a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) may enter the first power mode when a task completion condition is satisfied. For example, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the first power mode (e.g., standby mode), when heating of a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>) is completed according to a temperature profile. In another example, when remaining battery charge is displayed according to a user input, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the first power mode.

In operation S1120, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a condition of heating of the heater <NUM> is satisfied. For example, if the heater <NUM> is ever heated during the first time period, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode. The first time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> day).

When the heater <NUM> is not heated during the first time period, in operation S1130, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

In operation S1140, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a user input is received in the second power mode. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a user input is received via a physical button (e.g., a power button) of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when a user input is received in the second power mode, in operation S1160, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the second power mode to the first power mode.

According to an embodiment, when no user input is received in the second power mode, in operation S1150, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is connected to an external power supply. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine whether external power has been supplied through an interface unit (e.g., the interface unit <NUM> of <FIG>) of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> is connected to an external power supply in the second power mode, in operation S1160, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the second power mode to the first power mode.

According to an embodiment, if the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not connected to an external power supply in the second power mode, in operation S1130, the controller <NUM> may maintain the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

Although <FIG> shows that operation S1140 and operation S1150 are sequentially performed, it is merely for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, operation S1140 and operation S1150 may be performed in parallel or may be formed in the order of operation S1150 and operation S1140.

<FIG> is a flowchart for describing a first mode switching condition and a second mode switching condition according to another embodiment. Operations S1230 to S1260 of <FIG> correspond to operations S1130 to S1160 of <FIG>, respectively. Therefore, descriptions corresponding or identical to descriptions given above with reference to <FIG> will be omitted below.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1210, a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) may enter the first power mode when a task completion condition is satisfied.

In operation S1220, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a condition of insertion of an aerosol-generating article is satisfied. When insertion of an aerosol-generating article is sensed by a sensing unit (e.g., the sensing unit <NUM> of <FIG>) during the second time period, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode. The second time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> day).

When insertion of an aerosol-generating article has not detected through the sensing unit <NUM> during the second time period, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode (e.g., standby mode) to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

<FIG> is a flowchart for describing a first mode switching condition and a second mode switching condition according to another embodiment. Operations S1330 to S1360 of <FIG> correspond to operations S1130 to S1160 of <FIG>, respectively. Therefore, descriptions corresponding or identical to descriptions given above with reference to <FIG> will be omitted below.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1310, a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) may enter the first power mode when a task completion condition is satisfied.

In operation S1320, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a condition of reception of a user input through an input unit (e.g., the input unit <NUM> of <FIG>) is satisfied. When a user input is received through the input unit <NUM> during the third time period, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode. The third time period may be <NUM> hours (i.e., <NUM> days). Here, the user input may refer to an input other than an input that triggers a normal power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, such as a heating command for heating a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the user input may refer to a command for displaying the remaining battery charge.

When no user input has been received through the input unit <NUM> during the third time period, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode (e.g., standby mode) to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

<FIG> is a flowchart for describing a first mode switching condition and a second mode switching condition according to another embodiment. Operations S1440 to S1470 of <FIG> correspond to operations S1130 to S1160 of <FIG>, respectively. Therefore, descriptions corresponding or identical to descriptions given above with reference to <FIG> will be omitted below.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1410, a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) may enter the first power mode when a task completion condition is satisfied.

In operation S1420, after entering the first power mode, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the remaining charge of a battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>) is equal to or higher than a pre-set level. In an embodiment, the pre-set level may be <NUM>% of the full capacity of the battery <NUM>. In another embodiment, the pre-set level may correspond to a reference output voltage of the battery <NUM>. For example, the reference output voltage may be set between <NUM> V and <NUM> V.

When the remaining charge of the battery <NUM> is equal to or higher than the pre-set level, the controller <NUM> may maintain the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> in the first power mode.

When the remaining charge of the battery <NUM> is below the pre-set level, in operation S1430, the controller <NUM> may determine whether an external power supply has been connected during the fourth time period. The fourth time period may be <NUM> hours (<NUM> days).

When the remaining charge of the battery <NUM> is below the pre-set level and an external power supply has been connected during the fourth time period, the controller <NUM> may maintain the first power mode.

When the remaining charge of the battery <NUM> is below the pre-set level and an external power supply has not been connected during the fourth time period, the controller <NUM> may change the power mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the first power mode (e.g., standby mode) to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode).

<FIG> is a diagram referred to for description of <FIG>.

In detail, <FIG> is a diagram for describing the effect of the present disclosure due to switching to the second power mode.

Referring to <FIG>, if an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG>) operates only in the first power mode (e.g., standby mode), the output voltage (i.e., remaining charge) of a battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>) may decrease to a first voltage V1 as indicated by a first graph <NUM>. Since the first voltage V1 is lower than a first reference voltage Vsd at which battery cells are damaged, when the capacity of the battery <NUM> decreases to the first voltage V1, the battery <NUM> may be seriously damaged. Also, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> operates only in the first power mode, the output voltage of the battery <NUM> decreases to the first voltage V1, and thus the time for charging the battery to a second reference voltage Vr, which is the minimum threshold voltage for heating a heater (e.g., the heater <NUM> of <FIG>), may increase.

On the other hand, according to an embodiment, when a pre-set condition is satisfied in the first power mode (e.g., standby mode), the aerosol generating device <NUM> may switch to the second power mode (e.g., ship mode). Therefore, the output voltage of the battery <NUM> may not decrease below a second voltage V2 as indicated by a second graph <NUM>. The second voltage V2 is higher than the first reference voltage Vsd at which battery cells are damaged, and thus the battery <NUM> may be prevented from being damaged. Also, the time for charging the battery to the second reference voltage Vr may be reduced.

At least one of the components, elements or units represented by a block as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, such as the controller <NUM>, 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, elements or units may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, processing, logic, a look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least one of these components, elements or units may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing specified logic functions. Also, at least one of these components, elements or units may further include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the like. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication between the components, elements or units may be performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the components, elements or units represented by a block or processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
a battery (<NUM>);
a power supply unit (<NUM>) configured to control power supply of the battery (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to, when a first mode switching condition is satisfied, control the power supply unit (<NUM>) such that the aerosol generating device (<NUM>) switches from a first power mode in which power is supplied to the controller (<NUM>) to a second power mode in which no power is supplied to the controller (<NUM>), characterised in that
the first power mode is a standby mode being a power saving mode, and the second power mode is a ship mode being a mode in which power supplied to the controller (<NUM>) is blocked.