Method of Operating an Aerosol-Generating Device

Abstract

A method of operating an aerosol-generating device includes determining a positional orientation of the device when in use; monitoring usage of the device; activating a first mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a first orientation, wherein in the first mode providing a first indication to a user when the usage of the device reaches a first threshold; and activating a second mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a second orientation, wherein in the second mode providing no indication to the user.

1 . A method of operating an aerosol-generating device comprising:
 determining a positional orientation of the device when in use;   monitoring usage of the device;   activating a first mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a first orientation, wherein in the first mode providing a first indication to a user when the usage of the device reaches a first threshold; and   activating a second mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a second orientation, wherein in the second mode providing no indication to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first indication is provided only when the usage of the device in the first orientation reaches the first threshold. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining the first mode when the device is determined to be in the second orientation for less than a preset period of time and is returned to the first orientation within the preset period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining the first mode when the usage of the device, when in the second orientation, is less than a preset number of puffs before the device is returned to the first orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that the device is in the first orientation at least once during a predetermined period of use and providing a second indication to the user at an end of the predetermined period of use. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second indication is provided to the user when the usage of the device during the predetermined period of use reaches a second threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising identifying an aerosol source to automatically set the second threshold based on the aerosol source. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving an input from the user to set the second threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing the second indication to the user when the usage of the device reaches the second threshold after the predetermined period of use irrespective of an active mode of operation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising counting a number of puffs to determine the usage of the device, wherein each puff is associated with a time stamp to analyse the usage over time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving an input from the user setting a number of puffs in a session as the first threshold for the first mode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first orientation and the second orientation is 180 degrees along a longitudinal axis of the device. 
     
     
         13 . A control circuitry for use in an aerosol-generating device, the control circuitry configured to actuate the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body having an inlet and an outlet with an air channel defined between the inlet and the outlet;   an orientation sensor configured to detect a positional orientation of the device when in use;   a controller configured to:
 monitor usage of the device; 
 activate a first mode of operation when the device is detected to be in a first orientation, wherein in the first mode an indication is provided to a user when the usage of the device reaches a first threshold; and 
 activate a second mode of operation when the device is detected to be in a second orientation, wherein in the second mode no indication is provided to the user. 
   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising resetting the number of puffs to zero when during the session the first threshold is changed by the user.