AN AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM AND AN INTERFACE ELEMENT FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

An aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating element; a housing including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of regions; an interface element including a plurality of contact sensing elements, each contact sensing element being configured to generate an input signal responsive to that contact sensing element detecting contact with the upper surface at or near one of the plurality of regions; and a circuit configured to receive the input signals from the plurality of contact sensing elements and to enable a first function of the aerosol-generating system responsive to a first plurality of the input signals satisfying a first criterion, satisfaction of the first criterion being part of a multi-step authentication procedure, the first criterion including the circuit receiving a predefined number of the input signals simultaneously. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating element is also provided.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: an aerosol-generating element; a housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of regions; an interface element comprising a plurality of contact sensing elements, each contact sensing element being configured to generate an input signal responsive to that contact sensing element detecting contact with the upper surface at or near one of the plurality of regions; and a circuit configured to receive the input signals from the plurality of contact sensing elements and to enable a first function of the aerosol-generating system responsive to a first plurality of the input signals satisfying a first criterion, satisfaction of the first criterion being part of a multi-step authentication procedure, wherein the first criterion comprises the circuit receiving a predefined number of the input signals simultaneously.

22. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the predefined number corresponds to a number of input signals expected to be generated by contact with the upper surface by a specified user or an approved type of user.

23. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the predefined number corresponds to a number of input signals expected to be generated by contact with the upper surface by a hand of at least a predetermined size.

24. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the predefined number corresponds to a number of input signals generated by contact with a predetermined proportion of a surface of the housing.

25. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the predefined number corresponds to a number of input signals generated by contact with a predetermined proportion of the upper surface of the housing or of a portion of the upper surface of the housing.

26. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of contact sensing elements comprises a heat sensing element.

27. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of contact sensing elements comprises a capacitive sensor.

28. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of contact sensing elements comprises a pressure sensor.

29. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the first function is initiation of an authentication procedure.

30. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the circuit is further configured to enable the first function if an alternative authentication procedure to satisfying the first criterion is successfully completed.

31. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the first criterion further comprises receiving a second predefined number of input signals from the plurality of contact sensing elements indicative of contact with the upper surface for greater than a predetermined length of time.

32. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 31, wherein the first criterion further comprises receiving the second predefined number of input signals from the plurality of contact sensing elements indicative of contact with the upper surface for less than a second predetermined length of time.

33. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the first criterion further comprises simultaneously receiving a first predefined number of input signals responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface at or near a first region of the plurality of regions and a second predefined number of input signals responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface at or near a second region of the plurality of regions.

34. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 33, wherein the first criterion further comprises simultaneously receiving an nth predefined number of input signals responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface at or near an nth region of n regions of the plurality of regions, where n is an integer greater than 2.

35. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 33, wherein the first criterion further comprises simultaneously receiving at least one input signal responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface at or near at least a predetermined proportion of n regions of the plurality of regions.

36. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 34, wherein n is an integer greater than 10 and each of the n regions is separated from every other region of the n regions by at least 1 millimeter.

37. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the first criterion further comprises simultaneously receiving at least one input signal generated by a contact sensing element detecting contact with a first portion of the upper surface and at least one input signal generated by a contact sensing element detecting contact with a second portion of the upper surface, and wherein the first portion of the upper surface and the second portion of the upper surface are non-co-planar.

38. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 21, wherein the housing is button-free.

39. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating element, the method comprising: generating, by an interface element comprising a plurality of contact sensing elements, a plurality of input signals responsive to detecting contact with an upper surface of a housing at or near respective regions of the housing; receiving, by a circuit, the plurality of input signals; and enabling, by the circuit, a first function of the aerosol-generating system responsive to the plurality of input signals satisfying a first criterion, satisfaction of the first criterion being part of a multi-step authentication procedure, wherein the first criterion comprises the circuit receiving a predefined number of the input signals simultaneously.

Description

[0147] Configurations of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0148] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of an aerosol-generating system including an interface element in accordance with the invention;

[0149] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of another aerosol-generating system including an interface element in accordance with the invention;

[0150] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of an exemplary interface element, in accordance with the invention;

[0151] FIGS. 4A-4B respectively schematically illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of another exemplary interface element in accordance with the invention;

[0152] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of operations in an exemplary method, in accordance with the invention;

[0153] FIGS. 6A-6B respectively schematically illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of an intermediate structure formed during the flow of operations of FIG. 5 in accordance with the invention;

[0154] FIGS. 7A-7B respectively schematically illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of another intermediate structure formed during the flow of operations of FIG. 5 in accordance with the invention;

[0155] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow of operations in another exemplary method, in accordance with the invention;

[0156] FIGS. 9A-9C are schematic illustrations of exemplary uses of the present interface element in accordance with the invention; and

[0157] FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic illustrations of additional or alternative exemplary uses of the present interface element in accordance with the invention.

[0158] Configurations provided herein relate to an improved interface element for an aerosol-generating system. The present interface element preferably includes one or a plurality of contact sensing elements. The one or plurality of sensing elements are configured for detecting contact with a housing of the aerosol-generating system. Optionally, the interface element may further include one or a plurality of light emitting elements that transmit light through the housing of the aerosol-generating system. The interface element may be coupled to the aerosol-generating system in such a manner that the housing has a smooth and contiguous outer (upper) surface. Such a smooth or contiguous outer surface may provide a more ergonomic device or may be appealing to a user. In some embodiments, the interface element may be configured to authenticate users and to inhibit or prevent unauthorized users from using the aerosol-generating system. The light emitting element(s), if included, may emit one or more different wavelengths than one another, which the user may perceive as different colours than one another. In configurations that include light emitting element(s), such wavelengths optionally may be used to communicate information to a user or may be used as part of an authentication process. Optionally, the housing does not include any mechanical button(s). Other types of conventional input elements, such as biometric sensors or touch screens, may be omitted from the aerosol-generating system. For example, the interface element optionally may be provided as the system's sole means to provide information to and transmit information from the aerosol-generating system for use of the system. As such, potential modes of failure may be reduced or eliminated. Costs of producing the aerosol-generating system may be reduced. The user experience may be simplified. As such, user experience and system cost and management may be improved.

[0159] The present interface element may be used in any suitable aerosol-generating system or component thereof. For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating system 100 comprising an interface element 30 in accordance with the invention. The system 100 comprises an aerosol-generating article 20 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol-generating device 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating article is provided in the form of a cartridge 20 comprising one or both of a liquid and a gel aerosol-forming substrate. In other embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate, for example such as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0160] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a connection end of the cartridge 20 is removably connectable to a corresponding connection end of the aerosol-generating device 10. The aerosol-generating device 10 includes housing 11, which includes upper surface 16, lower surface 17, and at least one region 18. Optionally, the upper surface 16 of housing 11 is substantially flat over region 18. Optionally, housing 11 may be button-free, that is, may not include any buttons. Optionally, the upper surface 16 of housing 11 may be substantially smooth and contiguous. It should be understood that housing 11 may be, but need not necessarily be, considered to be part of the present interface element. Disposed within housing 11 is a battery 12, which in one example is a rechargeable lithium ion battery, control circuitry 13, and interface element 30 coupled to control circuitry 13 via an electrical interconnect. The aerosol-generating system 100 is portable and may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. For example, system 100 preferably is sized and shaped so as to be handheld, and preferably sized and shaped so as to be holdable in one hand, e.g., between a user's fingers.

[0161] The cartridge 20 comprises a housing 21 containing a heating assembly 25 and a reservoir 24. A liquid or gel aerosol-forming substrate is held in the reservoir 24. The upper portion of reservoir 24 is connected to the lower portion of the reservoir 24 illustrated in FIG. 1. The heating assembly 25 receives substrate from reservoir 24 and heats the substrate to generate a vapour, e.g., includes a resistive heating element coupled to controller 13 via electrical interconnects 26, 14 so as to receive power from battery 12. One side of heating assembly 25 is in fluidic communication with reservoir 24 (for example, via fluidic channels 27) so as to receive the aerosol-forming substrate from reservoir 24, e.g., by capillary action. The heating assembly 25 is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate a vapour.

[0162] In the illustrated configuration, an air flow path 23 extends through the cartridge 20 from air inlet 15 (optionally which may be between aerosol-generating device 10 and cartridge 20), past the heating assembly 25, and through a path 23 through reservoir 24 to a mouth end opening 22 in the cartridge housing 21. The system 100 is configured so that a user may puff on the mouth end opening 22 of the cartridge 20 to draw aerosol into their mouth. In operation, when a user puffs on the mouth end opening 22, air is drawn into and through the airflow path 23 from the air inlet 15 and past the heating assembly 25 as illustrated in dashed arrows in FIG. 1, and to the mouth end opening 22. The control circuitry 13 controls the supply of electrical power from the battery 12 to the cartridge 20 via electrical interconnects 14 (in aerosol-generating device 10) coupled to electrical interconnects 26 (in cartridge 20) when the system is activated. This in turn controls the amount and properties of the vapour produced by the heating assembly 25. The control circuitry 13 may include an airflow sensor (not specifically illustrated) and the control circuitry may 13 supply electrical power to the heating assembly 25 when the user puffs on the cartridge 20 as detected by the airflow sensor. This type of control arrangement is well established in aerosol-generating systems such as inhalers and e-cigarettes. When a user puffs on the mouth end opening 22 of the cartridge 20, the heating assembly 25 is activated and generates a vapour that is entrained in the air flow passing through the air flow path 23. Optionally, the vapour at least partially cools within the airflow path 23 to form an aerosol within the airflow path, which is then drawn into the user's mouth through the mouth end opening 22. In some configurations, the vapour at least partially cools within the user's mouth to form an aerosol within the user's mouth.

[0163] Interface element 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is coupled to housing 11 and configured so as to detect contact with the upper surface 16 of housing 11, e.g., contact between the skin of the user and upper surface 16. For example, interface element 30 may include one or more contact sensing elements, each disposed between the lower surface 17 of the housing. Interface element 30 optionally may include a printed circuit board (PCB), which may be flexible, and which may include the circuit, the contact sensing element(s), and any light emitting element(s). Exemplary configurations for interface element 30 are provided herein with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B, but it should be understood that the present interface element is not so limited, and may have any suitable configuration.

[0164] Each of the one or more contact sensing elements is configured to generate a respective input signal responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface 16. For example, the upper surface 16 of housing 11 may include one or more regions, such as within region 18 illustrated in FIG. 1. Contact with the upper surface 16 at or near region 18 may actuate the contact sensing element to generate an input signal. For example, the contact sensing element(s) may include a capacitive sensor, a pressure sensor, or a heat sensing element that generates the input signal responsive to contact that is sufficiently close to region 18 as to be detectable.

[0165] For example, a capacitive sensor may generate an input signal corresponding to a capacitance of the capacitive sensor. Prior to contact with any suitable body part of a user, e.g., a finger, palm, or lip of a user, the capacitive sensor may have a first capacitance, responsive to which the capacitive sensor may output a signal having a value corresponding to an absence of such contact. Responsive to contact with the suitable body part of the user, who is touching the upper surface 16 of housing 11 with that body part, e.g., at a region sufficiently close to the capacitive sensor, the capacitance of the capacitive sensor may increase or decrease to a second value, causing the value of the signal generated by the capacitive sensor to change correspondingly. Based on such changes in the value of the signal that the capacitive sensor generates, an appropriate circuit may determine that there is contact with the upper surface 16 of housing 11.

[0166] As another example, a pressure sensor may generate an input signal corresponding to a pressure of the pressure sensor. Prior to contact with a finger, palm, or lip of a user, the pressure sensor may have a first pressure, responsive to which the pressure sensor may output a signal having a value corresponding to an absence of such contact. Responsive to contact with the finger, palm, or lip of a user who is touching the upper surface 16 of housing 11, e.g., at a region sufficiently close to the pressure sensor, the pressure of the pressure sensor may increase to a second value, causing the value of the signal generated by the pressure sensor to change correspondingly. Based on such changes in the value of the signal that the pressure sensor generates, an appropriate circuit may determine that there is contact with the upper surface 16 of housing 11.

[0167] As still another example, a heat sensing element may generate an input signal corresponding to a temperature of the heat sensing element. Prior to contact with a finger, palm, or lip of a user, the heat sensing element may have a first temperature, e.g., ambient (room) temperature, or a temperature that is different than ambient because of heat transferred from the aerosol-generating element, responsive to which the heat sensing element may output a signal having a value corresponding to such temperature. Responsive to contact with the finger, palm, or lip of a user who is touching the upper surface 16 of housing 11, e.g., at a region sufficiently close to the heat sensing element as to be in thermal communication with the heat sensing element via housing 11, the temperature of the heat sensing element may increase or decrease to a second temperature, causing the value of the signal generated by the heat sensing element to change correspondingly. Based on such changes in the value of the signal that the heat sensing element generates, an appropriate circuit may determine that there is contact with the upper surface 16 of housing 11.

[0168] The system 100 may include any suitable circuit configured to receive the input signal from the contact sensing element. In some configurations, interface element 30 may include a separate, dedicated circuit that is so configured, while in other configurations control circuitry 13 is so configured. The circuit may be configured so as to generate one or more signals, such as described elsewhere herein, responsive to receiving the respective input signal from each of the one or more contact sensing elements. Illustratively, the circuit may be configured so as to transmit an output signal to an optional light emitting element, or may be configured so as to enable a function of the aerosol-generating system, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, enabling a function of the aerosol-generating system may include transmitting an output signal to a light emitting element. Exemplary functions of the circuit, which may but need not necessarily include transmitting signals to any light emitting elements, are described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9A-9C, and 10A-10C.

[0169] In some configurations, interface element 30 optionally may include one or more light emitting elements, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or active-matrix organic light emitting diodes (AMOLEDs) or plastic organic light emitting diodes (POLEDs) or quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) or microscopic light emitting diodes (micro-LEDs). Optionally, such light emitting element(s) may be configured to transmit one or more visible light signals through the housing 11, for example responsive to respective output signal(s) which may be generated by the same circuit that receives the input signal(s) from the contact sensing element(s). For example, region 18 of housing 11 may be at least partially transparent such that the light emitting element(s) may transmit a visible light signal therethrough. Illustratively, region 18 may include a recessed portion of housing 11 that is sufficiently thin that a visible light signal may be transmitted therethrough.

[0170] Optionally, a material may be disposed in the recessed portion that is configured to change an optical property of the visible light signal generated by one or more of the light emitting element(s). For example, the material may change a focal property of the visible light signal, such as focusing or defocusing the visible light signal. The material may be shaped so as to focus or defocus the visible light signal. For example, the material may have a convex shape, or a concave shape, and this shape of the material may act to focus or defocus the visible light signal. Advantageously, focusing or defocusing the visible light signal may allow detection of a visible light signal with less energy. This may allow the light emitting element to consume less power when transmitting the visible light signal. The material may be shaped prior to being disposed in the recessed portion.

[0171] The recessed portion may be filled with the material. The material may, thus, be shaped by the shape of the recessed portion. Optionally, the recessed portion may be shaped forming a shaped recessed portion. The shaped recessed portion may be filled with the material. The material may thus take on a shape corresponding to that of the shaped recessed portion. Thus, a recessed portion having a concave internal shape may be filled with a material, that material then having a convex shape corresponding to the concave shape of the recessed portion. The material may comprise a smart material which acts to focus, or defocus, the visible light signal.

[0172] The material may comprise a transparent or translucent polymeric material. For example, the material may comprise one or more of a transparent or translucent compound of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (often abbreviated to PDM or PDMAEMA), Styrene Acrylonitrile Resin (SAN), General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), and Styrene Methyl Methacrylate (SMMA).

[0173] The material may be moulded. The material may be over-moulded. The material may be 3D printed.

[0174] Alternatively, the entire housing 11 may include or may be formed of an at least partially transparent material. As still another alternative, housing 11 may include an opaque material surrounding into which is integrated an least partially transparent window which define regions 18. Regardless of the particular configuration, optionally the regions 18 are not immediately obvious to a user in the normal state of the device.

[0175] Each of the light emitting element(s) optionally may be configured so as to generate first and second visible light signals through the at least partially transparent region 18 of housing 11 that have different wavelengths than one another. For example, the circuit may be configured to generate first and second output signals (optionally at different times than one another) that respectively cause the light emitting element(s) to generate the first and second visible light signals that have different wavelengths than one another (optionally at different times than one another). The wavelengths may differ from one another by an amount sufficient as to be perceived by the human eye, e.g., may differ from each other by at least 1 nm, or by at least 5 nm, or by at least 10 nm, or by at least 20 nm, or by at least 50 nm, or by at least 100 nm, or by at least 200 nm, or by at least 300 nm.

[0176] It should be appreciated that interface element 30 may be located at any suitable portion of aerosol-generating system 100 and is not limited to detecting contact only with an outer portion of housing 11 or other portion of aerosol-generating device 10. For example, interface element 30 may be located at any suitable location of aerosol-generating device 10 or cartridge 20, e.g., may be coupled to any suitable portion of housing 11 or housing 21 so as to detect contact with any suitable outer portion of system 100, e.g., any suitable portion of system 100 that may be touched by the user's body part, such as lip, finger, or palm, during use.

[0177] In some configurations, aerosol-generating system 100 comprises an aerosol-generating device which may include interface element 30, or which may not include interface element 30, and a peripheral device in operable communication with the aerosol-generating device (peripheral device not specifically illustrated in FIG. 1). The peripheral device optionally includes interface element 30, in addition to or instead of the aerosol-generating device including interface element 30. In nonlimiting configurations, the peripheral device optionally comprises a device charger, charging case, consumable holder, or vending machine.

[0178] In some configurations, an aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device such as described herein and an aerosol-forming substrate, optionally wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine.

[0179] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an alternative aerosol-generating system 200 including interface element 30′ in accordance with the invention. Interface element 30′ may include a contact sensing element and an optional light emitting element, and may be configured similarly as interface element 30 described with reference to FIG. 1. The system 200 comprises an aerosol-generating device 10′ having a housing 39, and an aerosol-forming article 40, for example a tobacco stick. The aerosol-forming article 40 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 41 that is pushed inside the housing 39 to come into thermal proximity with a portion of a heater 36. Responsive to heating by heater 36, the aerosol-forming substrate 41 will release a range of volatile compounds at different temperatures.

[0180] Housing 39 includes upper surface 16′, lower surface 17′, and at least one region 18′. Optionally, the upper surface 16′ of housing 39 is substantially flat over region 18′. Housing 39 optionally may be button-free, that is, may not include any buttons. The upper surface 16′ of housing 39 optionally may be substantially smooth and contiguous. Within the housing 39 there is an electrical energy supply 32, for example a rechargeable lithium ion battery. A controller 33 is connected to the heater 36 via electrical interconnects 34, to the electrical energy supply 32, and to interface element 30′ via an electrical interconnect. The controller 33 controls the power supplied to the heater 36 in order to regulate its temperature, and actuates interface element 30′ in a manner such as described elsewhere herein. Typically the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to a temperature of between 250 and 450 degrees centigrade.

[0181] The housing 39 of aerosol-generating device 10′ defines a cavity 39′, open at the proximal end (or mouth end), for receiving an aerosol-generating article 40 for consumption. Optionally, system 200 includes element(s) 37 disposed within the cavity 39′ which, together with housing 39, form(s) air inlet channels 38. The distal end of the cavity 39′ is spanned by a heating assembly comprising heater 36 and a heater mount 35. The heater 36 is retained by the heater mount 35 such that an active heating area (heating portion) of the heater 36 is located within the cavity 39′. In one example, the heater 36 includes a through hole (not specifically illustrated) through which material of heater mount 35 extends so as to further secure heater 36 in place. The active heating area of the heater 36 is positioned within a distal end of the aerosol-generating article 40 when the aerosol-generating article 40 is fully received within the cavity. The heater mount 35 optionally may be formed from polyether ether ketone and may be moulded around a holding portion of the heater. The heater 36 optionally is shaped in the form of a blade terminating in a point. That is, the heater 36 optionally has a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension, which is greater than its thickness dimension. First and second faces of the heater 36 may be defined by the width and length of the heater.

[0182] An exemplary aerosol-forming article 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be described as follows. The aerosol-generating article 40 comprises three or more elements: an aerosol-forming substrate 41, an intermediate element 42, and a mouthpiece filter 43. These elements may be arranged sequentially and in coaxial alignment and assembled by a cigarette paper (not specifically illustrated) to form a rod. In one nonlimiting configuration, when assembled, the aerosol-forming article 40 may be 45 millimetres long and have a diameter of 7 millimetres, although it should be appreciated that any other suitable combination of dimensions may be used.

[0183] The aerosol-forming substrate 41 optionally comprises a bundle of crimped cast-leaf tobacco wrapped in a filter paper (not shown) to form a plug. The cast-leaf tobacco includes one or more aerosol formers, such as glycerine. The intermediate element 42 may be located immediately adjacent the aerosol-forming substrate 41. The intermediate element 42 may be configured so as to locate the aerosol-forming substrate 41 towards the distal end of the article 40 so that it may be contacted with the heater 36. Optionally, the intermediate element 42 may be configured so as to inhibit or prevent the aerosol-forming substrate 41 from being forced along the article 40 towards the mouthpiece when heater 36 is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 41. The intermediate element 42 optionally may be configured so as to allow volatile substances released from the aerosol-forming substrate 41 to pass along the article towards the mouthpiece filter 43. The volatile substances may cool within the transfer section to form an aerosol. In one nonlimiting configuration, intermediate element 42 may include or may be formed from a tube of cellulose acetate directly coupled to the aerosol-forming substrate. In one nonlimiting configuration, the tube defines an aperture having a diameter of 3 millimetres. Optionally, intermediate element 42 may include or be formed from a thin-walled tube of 18 millimetres in length directly coupled to the mouthpiece filter 43. In one exemplary configuration, intermediate element 42 includes both such tubes. The mouthpiece filter 43 may be a conventional mouthpiece filter, e.g., formed from cellulose acetate, and having a length of approximately 7.5 millimetres. Elements 41, 42, and 43 optionally are assembled by being tightly wrapped within a cigarette paper (not specifically illustrated), e.g., a standard (conventional) cigarette paper having standard properties or classification. The paper in this specific embodiment is a conventional cigarette paper. The interface between the paper and each of the elements 41, 42, 43 locates the elements and defines the aerosol-forming article 40.

[0184] As the aerosol-generating article 40 is pushed into the cavity 39′, the tapered point of the heater 36 engages with the aerosol-forming substrate 41. By applying a force to the aerosol-forming article 40, the heater 36 penetrates into the aerosol-forming substrate 41. When the aerosol-forming article 40 is properly engaged, the heater 36 is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 42. When the heater 36 is actuated, the aerosol-forming substrate 41 is warmed and volatile substances are generated or evolved. As a user draws on the mouthpiece filter 43, air is drawn into the aerosol-forming article 40 via air inlet channels 38 and the volatile substances condense to form an inhalable aerosol. This aerosol passes through the mouthpiece filter 43 of the aerosol-forming article 40 and into the user's mouth.

[0185] Similarly as described with reference to FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that interface element 30′ may be located at any suitable portion of aerosol-generating system 200 and is not limited to detecting contact only with an outer portion of housing 39 or other portion of aerosol-generating device 10′. For example, interface element 30′ may be located at any suitable location of aerosol-generating device 10′ or aerosol-forming article 40, e.g., may be coupled to any suitable portion of housing 39 so as to detect contact with any suitable outer portion of system 200, e.g., any suitable portion of system 200 that may be touched by the user's body part, such as lip, finger, or palm, during use.

[0186] In some configurations, aerosol-generating system 200 comprises an aerosol-generating device which may include interface element 30′, or which may not include interface element 30′, and a peripheral device in operable communication with the aerosol-generating device (peripheral device not specifically illustrated in FIG. 2). The peripheral device optionally includes interface element 30′, in addition to or instead of the aerosol-generating device including interface element 30′. In nonlimiting configurations, the peripheral device optionally comprises a device charger, charging case, consumable holder, or vending machine.

[0187] Further exemplary configurations of the present interface elements are described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B. Exemplary methods of making aerosol-generating systems including the present interface elements are described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6A-6B, and 7A-7B. Exemplary methods of using aerosol-generating systems including the present interface elements are described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9A-9C, and 10A-10C. It should be understood that any feature described with reference to a particular configuration optionally may be, but need not necessarily be, combined with any other features described with reference to that configuration or any other configuration described herein.

[0188] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of an exemplary interface element 300 that may be implemented as interface element 30 described with reference to FIG. 1 or interface element 30′ described with reference to FIG. 2, e.g., within an aerosol-generating device or within a peripheral device. Housing 301 illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided in any suitable component of the aerosol-generating system, and may be but need not necessarily be considered to be part of interface element 300. Housing 301 includes upper surface 302, lower surface 303, and a plurality of regions 350, 351, 352 which optionally are at least partially transparent. Interface element 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312, a plurality of optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322, circuit 330, and circuit board 340. Each of the contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 may be disposed below the lower surface 303 of housing 301 and configured to generate a respective input signal responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface 302 of housing 301. For example, each of contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 independently may be or include a capacitive sensor, a pressure sensor, or a heat sensing element. Each of the optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 optionally may be disposed below the lower surface 303 of housing 301 and may be configured to transmit a respective visible light signal through one of regions 350, 351, 352 responsive to a first output signal. Circuit 330 suitably may be coupled to contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 and configured so as to receive respective input signals therefrom. For example, each of optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 may be or include a light emitting diode. Circuit 330 suitably may be coupled to optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 and configured so as to transmit respective first output signals thereto. Optionally, circuit board 340 is a flexible printed circuit board that comprises circuit 330, contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312, and optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322, such that the circuit, contact sensing elements, and optional light emitting elements are integrated with one another into a unitary structure.

[0189] It should be understood that contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 may have any suitable position and configuration relative to regions 350, 351, 352 and to optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322. For example, contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 may be, but need not necessarily be, located completely below regions 350, 351, 352, so long as the contact sensing elements may detect (e.g., generate input signals responsive to) contact with respective regions 350, 351, 352. Similarly, optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 may be, but need not necessarily be, located completely below regions 350, 351, 352, so long as the light emitting elements may transmit visible light signals through respective regions 350, 351, 352. Furthermore, contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 optionally may detect contact with regions of the upper surface 302 of housing 301 that only partially overlap, or even do not overlap, with regions through which optional light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 transmit light. Optionally, contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 respectively may be, but need not necessarily be, stacked over light emitting elements 320, 321, 322. For example, light emitting elements 320, 321, 322, if present, may be stacked over contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312. As another example, contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 respectively may be integrated with light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 into a single structure configured both to sense contact with the upper surface 302 of housing 301 and to transmit light through respective regions of housing 301. As still another example, one or both of contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312 and light emitting elements 320, 321, 322 may be integrated into housing 301.

[0190] FIGS. 4A-4B respectively illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of another exemplary interface element 400. Interface element 400 suitably may be implemented as a non-limiting example of interface element 30, 30′, or 300. Housing 401 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B is provided in any suitable component of an aerosol-generating system, and may be but need not necessarily considered to be part of interface element 400. Housing 401 includes upper surface 402, lower surface 403, and a plurality of regions 450, 451, 452 which optionally are at least partially transparent. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, discrete regions 450, 451, 452 of housing 401 are thinner than other regions of housing 401, e.g., are sufficiently thin as to transmit a visible light signal therethrough, while other regions of housing 401 optionally are sufficiently thick as not to transmit a visible light signal therethrough. In a nonlimiting example, regions 450, 451, 452 comprise recessed portions 460, 461, 462 of housing 401.

[0191] Interface element 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B includes a plurality of input-output elements 470, 471, 472 that each includes a contact sensing element (not specifically illustrated) and a light emitting element (not specifically illustrated) that respectively may be configured such as described elsewhere herein. In one nonlimiting example, the contact sensing element of each input-output element 470, 471, 472 comprises a heat sensing element, and the light emitting element of each input-output element may be or include a light emitting diode. Each of the input-output elements 470, 471, 472 may be disposed below the lower surface 403 of housing 401 at a corresponding one of regions 450, 451, 452, configured to generate an input signal responsive to detecting contact at or near the corresponding one of regions 450, 451, 452, and configured to transmit a respective visible light signal through one of regions 450, 451, 452 responsive to a first output signal. Optionally, the interface element 400 further comprises a material disposed in recessed portions 460, 461, 462, and optionally disposed on the remaining lower surface 403 of housing 401, that is configured to change an optical property of the visible light signals respectively generated by input-output elements 470, 471, 472. For example, in the nonlimiting configuration illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, recessed portions 460, 461, 462 are curved such that an at least partially transparent material 490 disposed therein acts as a lens that changes a focal property of the visible light signal generated by input-output elements 470, 471, 472. Illustratively, the at least partially transparent material 490 causes focusing or defocusing of the visible light signal. Flexible circuit board 480 suitably may be coupled to, and optionally integrated with, input-output elements 470, 471, 472 and optional circuitry (not specifically illustrated) for receiving input signals from the contact sensing elements and transmitting output signals to the light emitting elements in a manner such as described elsewhere herein. Optionally, flexible circuit board 480 may be coupled to control circuitry (e.g., 13 or 33) of the aerosol-generating system, such as via one or more interconnects 491.

[0192] The interface elements provided herein may include any suitable number of contact sensing elements, and any suitable number of optional light emitting elements. For example, although the exemplary interface elements illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B each includes three contact sensing elements (in FIGS. 4A-4B in the form of three input-output elements), it should be understood that any interface element provided herein, including but not limited to interface element 30, 30′, 300, or 400, suitably may include one contact sensing element or more than one contact sensing elements. For example, any interface element provided herein may include two or more contact sensing elements, five or more contact sensing elements, or ten or more contact sensing elements. For example, any interface element provided herein may include between one and fifty contact sensing elements, or between one and twenty contact sensing elements, or between two and twenty contact sensing elements, or between five and twenty contact sensing elements, or between five and fifteen contact sensing elements. Optionally, although the exemplary interface elements illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B each is illustrated as including three light emitting elements (in FIGS. 4A-4B in the form of three input-output elements), it should be understood that any interface element provided herein, including but not limited to interface element 30, 30′, 300, or 400, suitably may include one or more contact sensing elements and zero or more light emitting elements. For example, any interface element provided herein may include two or more light emitting elements, five or more light emitting elements, or ten or more light emitting elements. For example, any interface element provided herein may include between one and fifty light emitting elements, or between one and twenty light emitting elements, or between two and twenty light emitting elements, or between five and twenty light emitting elements, or between five and fifteen light emitting elements. In some configurations, the interface element does not include any light emitting elements.

[0193] Any interface element provided herein may include the contact sensing element(s) and the optional light emitting element(s) in any suitable arrangement within the aerosol-generating system. For example, a plurality of contact sensing elements may be laterally arranged in a two-dimensional array along the housing so as to provide or suggest a regular shape, such as a polygon (e.g., a rectangle, square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or the like) or a curved shape (e.g., a circle or oval). For example, a two-dimensional array of contact sensing elements may be arranged so as to provide or suggest a rectangle such as illustrated in FIG. 9A-9B or 10A-10B. As another example, a plurality of light emitting elements may be laterally arranged in a two-dimensional array along the housing so as to provide or suggest a regular shape, such as a polygon (e.g., a rectangle, square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or the like) or a curved shape (e.g., a circle or oval). For example, a two-dimensional array of light emitting elements may be arranged so as to provide or suggest a rectangle such as illustrated in FIG. 9A-9B or 10A-10B. Optionally, the contact sensing elements and the light emitting elements (if any) are arranged in substantially the same way as one another. Illustratively, each contact sensing element and any corresponding light emitting element optionally may be fixedly coupled to one another so as to be partially or fully immovable relative to one another before or after installation in a device. Optionally, each of a plurality of contact sensing elements optionally may be fixedly coupled to one another so as to be partially or fully immovable relative to one another before or after installation in a component of an aerosol-generating system.

[0194] Regardless of the particular manner in which the contact sensing element(s) and any other elements of the interface element are coupled to one another, the interface element may be included in any suitable component of an aerosol-generating system, including but not limiting to an aerosol-generating device or peripheral device, and in any suitable element of such component. An aerosol-generating system may include an aerosol-generating device that includes an interface element, e.g., a device such as device 10 or 10′, and optionally may include one or more peripheral devices. Examples of peripheral devices that may be included in the present aerosol-generating systems include, but are not limited to, one or multiple of a charger for an aerosol-generating device, a charging case for an aerosol-generating device, a holder for one or more aerosol-generating articles, or a vending machine configured to sell the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating articles. Optionally, one or more of such peripheral devices may include the present interface element. In some configurations, the interface element has a consistent appearance or a consistent function, or a consistent appearance and a consistent function, in each aerosol-generating device or peripheral device (if any) in which the interface element is included.

[0195] Aerosol-generating systems including the present interface elements may be prepared in any suitable manner. FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of operations in an exemplary method 50. FIGS. 6A-6B respectively schematically illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of an intermediate structure formed during the flow of operations of FIG. 5. FIGS. 7A-7B respectively schematically illustrate a cross-section and a perspective view of another intermediate structure formed during the flow of operations of FIG. 5. Although the operations of method 50 are described with reference to elements of aerosol-generating systems 100 and 200, elements of interface elements 300 and 400, and elements of intermediate structures such as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B, it should be appreciated that the operations may be implemented so as to prepare any other suitably configured aerosol-generating systems, aerosol-generating devices, peripheral device, or interface elements.

[0196] Method 50 includes providing a housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and an at least partially transparent region extending between the upper surface and the lower surface (51). The housing may be part of any suitable component of an aerosol-generating system, for example part of an aerosol-generating or peripheral device such as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The aerosol-generating system may include an aerosol-generating element configured to generate an aerosol using any suitable aerosol-forming substrate, such as a liquid, gel, or solid. Optionally, the housing is any suitable combination of flat, smooth, button-free, and contiguous.

[0197] In some nonlimiting configurations, operation 51 illustrated in method 50 may include forming a recess in a portion of the housing to form the at least partially transparent region. In a nonlimiting example, FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an intermediate structure that may be formed during operation 51 that includes regions 650, 651, 652 comprise recessed portions 660, 661, 662 of housing 601 in a similar manner as regions 450, 451, 452 described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B. Operation 51 optionally may include forming such recessed portions 660, 661, 662 in lower surface 603 of housing 601. In one nonlimiting example, forming the recessed portion of the housing comprises laser eroding the portion of the housing, e.g., laser eroding lower surface 603. Illustratively, cavities of specific shape (such as curved or a polygon) may be eroded by a laser in the inner (lower) surface of the housing, for example in regions where contact sensing elements and optional light emitting elements are to be disposed. Such laser erosion optionally may be performed to an extent that the the material is partially transparent in regions 650, 651, 652, with level of transparence selected such that the material appears opaque except when a visible light signal is being transmitted therethrough. The curved sides of recessed portions 660, 661, 662 may provide a gradient of transparence around respective regions 650, 651, 652.

[0198] Referring again to FIG. 5, method 50 includes providing an interface element (52). The interface element may include a contact sensing element configured so as to generate an input signal responsive to the contact sensing element detecting contact with the upper surface. Non-limiting, exemplary configurations for contact sensing elements are described elsewhere herein, for example with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4A-4B.

[0199] Optionally, providing the interface element (operation 52) includes providing a light emitting element configured to transmit a visible light signal through the at least partially transparent region responsive to an output signal. Illustratively, the light emitting element may be disposed below the lower surface. Non-limiting, exemplary configurations for light emitting elements are described elsewhere herein, for example with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4A-4B.

[0200] In some configurations, for example, in which method 50 includes providing a light emitting element and in which the at least partially transparent region is formed by forming a recess, an operation also may be included that disposes a material in the recessed portion of the housing. The material may be configured to change an optical property of the visible light signal generated by the light emitting element. In a nonlimiting example, FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an intermediate structure that may be formed during such an operation in which material 690 is disposed within recessed portions 660, 661, 662 of housing 601 so as to be configured similarly as material 490 described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B. Optionally, the material also is disposed on other portions of lower surface 603. In one nonlimiting example, a thin layer of transparent material is vertically applied, such as transparent varnish, when the inner (lower) surface is substantially horizontal so that the material 690 fills the recessed portions, and so that any material covering lower surface 603 is substantially flat. The transparent material may be dried and optionally polymerized or reticulated to provide a stable shape or form. Illustratively, this may create a magnifying lens in each of the recessed portions, that may focus or defocus any visible light signals respectively transmitted therethrough.

[0201] Method 50 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes coupling a circuit to the interface element, e.g., to the contact sensing element and (if any) the light emitting element (53). The circuit may be configured to receive the input signal from the contact sensing element and to transmit an output signal to any light emitting element. For example, in some configurations such as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the contact sensing element and (if any) light emitting element optionally are coupled to a circuit provided as part of an interface element, and the circuit is configured to communicate with control circuitry of the aerosol-generating system or device. Alternatively, the contact sensing element and (if any) light emitting element may be coupled to the control circuitry of an aerosol-generating device without such a circuit. Any other suitable circuit may be coupled to one or both of the contact sensing element and light emitting element. For example, in a manner such as described ith reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, a flexible circuit board 480 suitably may be coupled to, and optionally integrated with, input-output elements 470, 471, 472 and may include optional circuitry (not specifically illustrated) for receiving input signals from the contact sensing element(s) and transmitting output signals to any light emitting element(s) in a manner such as described elsewhere herein.

[0202] In one configuration, input-output elements 470, 471, 472 may be provided on (integrated with) flexible circuit board 480 using any suitable operations, for example using any suitable combination of semiconductor processing, printed lithography, and microlithography. The flexible circuit board 480 may include one or more polymeric materials, which may be covered by at least one layer including polymeric or metallic materials or both to form a laminated structure. Optionally, thin film electroluminescent displays technology may be used that incorporates light sources and sensors. The flexible circuit board 480 may be applied in such a way that its position with reference to recessed portions 660, 661, 662 makes the light emitting elements geometrically substantially coincident with the centers of the respective recessed portions. The flexible circuit board may mechanically be coupled to the housing, or may be fastened by adhesive, such as using an adhesive coating deposited in locations outside of recessed portions 660, 661, 662.

[0203] Aerosol-generating systems, aerosol-generating devices, peripheral devices, and interface elements such as described herein may be configured, and may be used, in any suitable manner so as to receive information from a user, to convey information to a user, or to both receive information from a user and convey information to a user.

[0204] For example, any of the aerosol-generating systems provided herein (such as systems 100 or 200) may include a housing that comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of regions (such as housing 11, 21, 39, 401, or 601). The aerosol-generating system may include a plurality of contact sensing elements (such as contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312, or input-output elements 470, 471, 472). The contact sensing elements may be configured to generate a respective input signal responsive to detecting contact with the upper surface of the housing at or near a respective one of the regions (such as regions 350, 351, 352, or regions 450, 451, 452, or regions 650, 651, 652). The aerosol-generating system may include a circuit configured to receive the respective input signals from the contact sensing elements (such as control circuitry 13, control circuitry 33, or circuit 330). The circuit optionally further may be configured to enable a first function of the aerosol-generating system responsive to a first plurality of the respective input signals satisfying a first criterion.

[0205] Any suitable function of the aerosol-generating system may be enabled, by the circuit, responsive to any suitable criterion or criteria, for example responsive to any suitable number of respective input signals satisfying any suitable criterion or criteria. The satisfaction of such criterion or criteria can be considered to authenticate the user to the aerosol-generating system. In some configurations, the aerosol-generating system can be configured so as to authenticate the user using a one-step procedure. In other configurations, the aerosol-generating system can be configured so as to authenticate the user using a multiple-step procedure, such as a two-step authentication procedure or a three-step authentication procedure.

[0206] An exemplary multiple-step procedure that may be implemented by an aerosol-generating system may include detecting an interaction with a user and determining whether the interaction is with an approved user or type of user. Such determination may include, for example, any suitable combination of one or more of: comparing an area of thermal contact to a stored area of thermal contact; using an array of sensors (such as contact sensors) to detect contact; using a fingerprint sensor to receive a fingerprint and comparing that fingerprint to a stored fingerprint; or using voice recognition technology, e.g., having the system ask the user a question, receiving a voice sample from the user in response to that question, and comparing the voice sample to prestored voice information (such as determining that the voice is below a certain frequency, or belongs to a particular user, or other determination such as commonly done in telephone banking technology). As a consequence or in dependence on such determination, in some configurations the system either may take no further action (for example, if the user is not approved or is not of an approved type of user) or may be enabled to receive additional input from the user, for example a second user input of some expected information stored in a memory which could be or include any suitable combination of one or more of: a password or code (such as a touch pattern input by the user tapping different lights of the present interface element, or inputting a code or password into a touch screen or buttons); or a voice command (such as the user saying a specific word, or similar to technology used by telephone banking where a user's voice is detected as belonging to that user and not someone else). If the user input matches an expected user input, activation of the aerosol-generating system or a component thereof, in particular, activation of the aerosol-generating element, is enabled. If the user input is incorrect, then activation of the aerosol-generating element is blocked. The various user inputs respectively can be incorporated into any suitable component or components of the aerosol-generating system, including any suitable one or ones of an aerosol-generating device or a peripheral device.

[0207] FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C are schematic illustrations of exemplary uses of the present interface elements. The interface elements may be provided in any suitable component of an aerosol-generating system.

[0208] Exemplary functions that may be enabled, by the circuit, include, but are not limited to, actuating an aerosol-generating element of the system, or initiating an authentication procedure. Optionally, the first criterion optionally comprises the circuit receiving a predefined number of the respective input signals at the same time as one another. For example, FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a device 900, e.g., an aerosol-generating device or a peripheral device, of an aerosol-generating system that includes the present interface element, including a plurality of contact sensing elements (not specifically illustrated) and optionally a plurality of light emitting elements 920. The contact sensing elements may be distributed across any suitable portion of device 901. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, prior to detecting contact of a user's body part, such as finger, palm, or lip, with the upper (outer) surface of the housing 901 of device 900, one or more functionalities of the device may be disabled by a circuit (not specifically illustrated). For example, one or more unauthorized users may be inhibited from using one or more functionalities of the device. As shown in FIG. 9B, the user's finger(s) or palm 910 may contact the upper surface of the housing 901. A plurality of the contact sensing elements may detect such contact, and may generate respective input signals responsive thereto which are transmitted to the circuit. The circuit is configured to determine whether the received signals satisfy a predetermined criterion, for example, whether a predefined number of the received signals have been received by the circuit. The predefined number may, in one nonlimiting example, be the number of signals expected to be generated responsive to contact of the upper surface of the housing 901 with the hand of a specified user or of a user of an approved type of user. As one nonlimiting example, the predefined number can correspond to the contact spanning more than 30% of the surface area of the housing, preferably more than 40% of the surface area of the housing, preferably more than 50% of the surface area of the housing, or preferably more than 60% of the surface area of the housing, where for this purpose the surface area of the housing may be considered to be just this upper (outer) surface, rather than the entire outer surface area spanning all faces of the aerosol-generating system. These or any other suitable criterion or criteria may provide or be a part of an authentication procedure.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 9C, the circuit determines that the received signals satisfy the criterion, for example, that the number of signals received by the circuit corresponds to a number of signals expected to be generated by contact of the upper surface of housing 901 with a specified user or of an approved type of user. Responsive to determining that the received signals satisfy the criterion, the circuit enables a first function of the aerosol-generating system. For example, in FIG. 9C, the first function that the circuit enables optionally is generation of visible light signals by a plurality of the light emitting elements. Enabling such function may, for example, include the circuit transmitting the respective output signal to a first plurality (e.g., a predefined subset, or all) of the light emitting elements so as to cause the plurality of the light emitting elements to transmit respective visible light signals through respective ones of the regions, such as shown in FIG. 9C.

[0210] The circuit may use any other suitable criterion to enable a suitable function of the aerosol-generating system. In another example, the criterion comprises the circuit receiving predefined ones of the respective input signals in a predefined sequence. For example, in the device 1000 (e.g., an aerosol-generating device or a peripheral device of an aerosol-generating system) configured such as illustrated in FIG. 10A, a plurality (e.g., a predefined subset, or all) of the light emitting elements generate respective visible light signals, optionally responsive to operations such as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C. The user may touch regions of the upper surface of housing 1001 corresponding to predefined ones of the contact sensing elements in a predefined sequence, causing such contact sensing elements to generate the respective input signals in a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence of respective input signals may be considered to be an authentication code, and optionally may be predefined by the user and stored in computer-readable memory in operable communication with the circuit.

[0211] The circuit may be configured, responsive to receiving the predefined sequence of respective input signals, to enable a second function of the aerosol-generating system. For example, one or more additional or different light emitting elements may caused to generate (or not generate) visible light signals, or one or more wavelengths of such visible light signals may be changed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the circuit causes predetermined ones of the light emitting elements to generate visible light signals, responsive to receiving the predefined sequence of respective input signals. The circuit optionally may enable one or more further functions of the aerosol-generating system responsive to one or more further criteria. For example, another criterion may include the circuit receiving predefined ones of the respective input signals in a second predefined sequence. For example, the user again may touch regions of the upper surface of housing 1001 corresponding to predefined ones of the contact sensing elements in a predefined sequence, causing such contact sensing elements to generate the respective input signals in a predefined sequence. Optionally, the contact sensing elements of this predefined sequence correspond to the light emitting elements which are generating visible light signals in FIG. 10B. Responsive to receiving this predefined sequence, any further function may be enabled. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 100, the circuit causes predetermined ones of the light emitting elements to generate visible light signals, responsive to receiving the predefined sequence of respective input signals. In this nonlimiting example, the same light emitting elements are generating visible light signals as in FIG. 10B, but the visible light signals generated by one or more of such light emitting elements include a different colour than one another.

[0212] As another example of a function that may be enabled by the circuit responsive to any suitable criterion being satisfied, such as one or more criteria described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C (any of which criteria may be considered to provide an authentication procedure, and optionally may be predefined by the user and stored in computer-readable memory in operable communication with the circuit), includes actuating the aerosol-generating element of the aerosol-generating system.

[0213] Illustratively, FIG. 8 illustrates a flow of operations in an exemplary method of using an aerosol-generating system. Method 80 illustrated in FIG. 8 may include generating, by a plurality of contact sensing elements (such as contact sensing elements 310, 311, 312, or input-output elements 470, 471, 472), a plurality of input signals responsive to detecting contact with an upper surface of a housing at or near respective regions of the housing (81). Method 80 illustrated in FIG. 8 also may include receiving, by a circuit (such as control circuitry 13, control circuitry 33, or circuit 330), the plurality of input signals (82). Method 80 also may include enabling, by the circuit, a function of the aerosol-generating system responsive to the plurality of input signals satisfying a criterion (83). Exemplary functions and exemplary criteria are described elsewhere herein.

[0214] As such, the present aerosol-generating systems, interface elements, and methods may reduce or eliminate the use of buttons or other mechanical interface elements. Optionally, the present aerosol-generating systems, interface elements, and methods may enable the secure use of an aerosol-generating system after an authentication process. Optionally, the present aerosol-generating systems, interface elements, and methods may be customizable by the user, e.g., provide for user-defined sequences of contacting the upper surface of the housing which may be used to enable one or more functions of the aerosol-generating system.

[0215] Although some configurations of the present interface elements have been described in relation to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and a separate but connectable aerosol-generating article, it should be clear that the interface elements suitably may be provided in a one-piece aerosol-generating system.

[0216] It should also be clear that alternative configurations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the present interface elements suitably may be integrated into any type of device or system, and are not limited to use in aerosol-generating devices or aerosol-generating systems. Illustratively, the present interface elements may be included in medical devices, smartphones, or the like.