Aerosol provision device

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device configured to generate an aerosol comprising: a control component configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision device; a display component configured to display a visual scheme; and a communication interface configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision device and a remote virtual service hosting a data record for a virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision device, a system and a method.

[0004] Background

[0005] The concept of a virtual user environment (sometime termed a virtual world) in which multiple users can interact with either or both of the virtual user environment and each other has been known for some years. Such virtual worlds may be individually or collectively referred to as a or the “metaverse”. Since the term “metaverse” was used in the 1992 novel “Snow Crash” by Neil Stephenson (first edition ISBN 0-553-08853-X) a number of authors and companies have created content and / or virtual worlds which can be considered as contributions toward a metaverse concept.

[0006] Examples of such virtual user environments include individual gaming environments (such as a game world in which a user can control an avatar to interact with the game world), shared gaming environments (such as a game world in which a user can control an avatar to interact with the game world and one or more other gamer avatars in the game world, such as might occur with multiplayer game run from a single gaming device), online shared gaming environments (such as a game world in which a user can control an avatar to interact with one or more gamer avatars in the game world, such as might occur with a multiplayer game run using multiple gaming devices connected over a communications channel), massively multiplayer online gaming environments (such as a game world in which a user can control an avatar to interact with many gamer avatars in the game world, such as might occur with a massively multiplayer online game run using multiple gaming devices connected over a communication network and often with a game-specific server hosting the game world. Further examples of such virtual user environments include virtual world environments which include office spaces or meeting rooms or other non-gaming environments or the like. Working from home may be linked into virtual work spaces to improve engagement and similarity between the virtual work space and non-official work spaces (such as is common in many working from home arrangements). For a real world user to interact with a virtual user environment (such as a virtual world, a metaverse or the metaverse), some form of digital interface device is used. For some virtual world experiences, the digital interface device may be a personal computer-type device (whether using so-called desktop computer hardware or so-called laptop hardware, and regardless of an operating system and any input devices such as keyboard, mouse, touchpad, game controller or the like) or a co-called mobile device (such as a tablet device, smartphone device, phablet device or the like, and regardless of whether input is performed using a physical means such as a keypad or a touch sensitive device such as a touchscreen). In any of these examples, information about the virtual world is typically provided to the user by way of a display screen of the digital interface device and optionally also using an audio output of the digital interface device. For some virtual world experiences, the user may additionally (or in some cases alternatively) use a digital interface device in the form of a virtual reality device, such as a VR headset or the like. For some virtual world experiences, the user may additionally (or in some cases alternatively) use a digital interface device in the form of an augmented reality device, which overlays aspects of the virtual world with aspects of the physical world.

[0007] When interacting with a virtual world, a user may be represented in the virtual world by some form of avatar. The avatar may be able to interact with entities in the virtual world, which entities may include avatars of other users, avatars of computer-generated entities, and / or computer-generated objects in the virtual world. Where the virtual world overlaps in some way with the physical world of the user (which may be termed ’’augmented reality”) there may be provided opportunities to interact with an entity / object in the virtual world that creates a reaction in the physical world, or vice-versa.

[0008] Summary

[0009] Aspects of the disclosure are defined in the accompanying claims.

[0010] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device configured to generate an aerosol comprising: a control component configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision device; a display component configured to display a visual scheme; and a communication interface configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision device and a remote virtual service hosting a data record for a virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service.

[0011] In some examples, the aerosol provision device comprises an aerosol generating component configured to generate an aerosol. In some examples, the control component is configured to control generation of an aerosol. In some examples, the control component is configured to store data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision device. In some examples, the virtual object is a corresponding virtual object. In some examples, the virtual environment is a virtual user environment.

[0012] In some examples, the display component is configured to apply the visual scheme at the aerosol provision device and the communication interface is further arranged to synchronize the visual scheme with the virtual representation.

[0013] In some examples, the virtual object is configured to display the visual scheme in the virtual environment and the communication interface is further arranged to receive synchronization information for the aerosol provision device

[0014] In some examples, the display component is arranged to display a first visual scheme and the virtual object in the virtual environment is arranged to display a second visual scheme.

[0015] In some examples, the first visual scheme and second visual scheme are different subschemes of a single master scheme.

[0016] In some examples, a visual scheme includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

[0017] In some examples, a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes. In some examples, the control component is arranged to use at least one of Bluetooth TM, Bluetooth Low Energy TM, ZigBee TM, WiFi TM, Wifi Direct TM, GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, NFC, or RFID.

[0018] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided system comprising: a virtual environment in which an avatar representing a user is enabled to interact with one or more virtual objects, wherein the one or more virtual objects include a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device, wherein the virtual representation includes a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual environment; a communication interface configured to communicate one or more parameters describing the visual scheme with an aerosol provision device from a physical user space, wherein the aerosol provision device is associated with the virtual representation.

[0019] In some examples, the virtual environment is a virtual user environment.

[0020] In some examples, the visual scheme is applied to the virtual representation and the communication interface is arranged to synchronize the visual scheme to the aerosol provision device.

[0021] In some examples, the virtual environment is arranged to display a first visual scheme and the aerosol provision device is arranged to display a second visual scheme.

[0022] In some examples, the first visual scheme and second visual scheme are different subschemes of a single master scheme.

[0023] In some examples, the the virtual environment comprises a visual scheme editor arranged to receive user input and output a visual scheme.

[0024] In some examples, a visual scheme includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

[0025] In some examples, a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method comprising: generating, in a virtual environment, a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device associated with a user account of a user, the virtual representation including a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual environment; communicating with the aerosol provision device one or more parameters for the visual scheme.

[0026] In some examples, the virtual environment is a virtual user environment.

[0027] In some examples, the method further comprises: applying the visual scheme at the aerosol provision device; and, synchronizing the visual scheme to the virtual representation.

[0028] In some examples, the method further comprises: applying the visual scheme at the virtual representation; and, synchronizing the visual scheme to the aerosol provision device.

[0029] In some examples, the method further comprises: applying a first visual scheme at the virtual representation and a second visual scheme at the aerosol provision device, wherein the first visual scheme is different to the second visual scheme.

[0030] In some examples, the first visual scheme and the second visual scheme are different subschemes of a single master scheme.

[0031] In some examples, generating a virtual representation comprises at least one of creating, designing, editing and altering a visual scheme in the virtual environment.

[0032] In some examples, the visual scheme includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

[0033] In some examples, a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes.

[0034] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means configured to generate an aerosol comprising: control means configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision means; and display means configured to display a visual scheme; and communication means configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision means and a remote virtual service hosting a data record for a virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service.

[0035] Description of Drawings

[0036] The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures:

[0037] Figure l is a schematic view of an aerosol provision device according to examples;

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an arrangement according to examples;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a scheme arrangement according to examples;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a system according to examples; and,

[0041] Figure 5 is flow chart of a method according to examples.

[0042] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0043] Detailed Description

[0044] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0045] The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an aerosol generating component 110. The aerosol generating component 110 is configured to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating component 110 may be an atomizer and a store of aerosol generating material or the like. The aerosol generating component 110 may include a heater or a vaporiser or the like. The store of aerosol generating material may be a store of e-liquid or a store of tobaccocontaining material or the like.

[0047] The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a control component 120 configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision device. The control component 120 may be arranged to control generation of an aerosol. The control component 120 may store data describing one or more operational properties of the aerosol provision device 100. The control component 120 may be control circuitry or the like. The control component 120 may interact with a user to provide control over the generation of aerosol from the aerosol generating component 110. For example, a user may interact with the control component 120 via an interface or button or the like and the control component 120 controls the activation of the aerosol generating component 110. The control component 120 and the aerosol generating component 110 are connected. This may be via a wired or wireless arrangement. The control component 120 is able to provide signals to the aerosol generating component 110.

[0048] The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a communication interface 130 configured to permit communication between the aerosol provision device 100 and a remote virtual service (not shown). The communication interface 130 may be a wireless communication element that allows for communication to a virtual service via wireless communication method. The user may interact with the communication interface 130 directly or via a further user interface such as a graphical user interface or the like. The communication interface 130 is configured to transmit information describing a visual scheme between the aerosol provision device 100 and a remote virtual service (not shown) hosting a data record for a corresponding virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service. A virtual environment may be a public virtual environment wherein a large number of users may interact or a private environment where only a user (or a user and approved contacts) can interact with virtual objections in the virtual space.

[0049] The communication interface 130 may use any of Bluetooth TM, Bluetooth Low Energy TM, ZigBee TM, WiFi TM, Wifi Direct TM, GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, NFC, or RFID.

[0050] In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol generating component 110 is connected to the control component 120 illustrating that signals from the control component 120 can be communicated to the aerosol generating component 110.

[0051] The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a display component 140. The display component 140 may be configured to display a visual scheme. The visual scheme may be one that is received from or sent to the virtual user environment by the communication interface 130.

[0052] In examples, the display component 140 is configured to apply the visual scheme at the aerosol provision device 100 and the communication interface 130 is further arranged to synchronize the visual scheme with the virtual representation (not shown).

[0053] In some examples, therefore, there is two way communication between the communication interface 130 and the virtual representation and / or the virtual space. In this way, aspects of the virtual environment can be mirrored or can impact aspects of the aerosol provision device in the “real world” environment. In particular, the visual scheme of the real world device may be provided to the virtual representation and / or vice versa.

[0054] During communication between the virtual environment and the real world environment, data can be sent, updated or stored or backed-up to a data store or the like. Each of these improve the process of transfer of data from one zone of influence (virtual or real) to another. By transiting information between the two zones of influence, the two environments can be maintained as relevant to one another. For example, a change in one environment may be transmitted to the other. In this way, a user’s experience is improved rather than the user needing to cause the change in both environments. For example, the user may in the real world update their display component 140 to provide a red display for their device (a visual scheme). The communication interface 130 may transmit this information to the virtual environment and a virtual object representing the user’s device in the virtual space may be updated to providing a red display. In this way, the user is provided with continuity of use throughout environments.

[0055] In examples, the virtual space receives the information on the new visual scheme. The virtual space may then invite the user, on the user’s first entry to the virtual space following making the change in the real world, to “synchronise” or “update” their virtual device to the current real device settings. In this way, the user needs only to choose to match the environments and if the user prefers to have a different visual scheme in one environment to the other, the user can have this.

[0056] In examples, the virtual object is configured to display the visual scheme in the virtual user environment and the communication interface 130 is further arranged to receive synchronization information for the aerosol provision device 100.

[0057] In the arrangement herein, the communication interface 130 can receive information from the virtual environment and offer to apply it, or apply it, to the aerosol provision device 100 in the real world. As such, the visual scheme in the virtual environment may correspond to or differ from the visual scheme in the real world.

[0058] In examples, the display component 140 is arranged to display a first visual scheme and the virtual object in the virtual user environment is arranged to display a second visual scheme. The visual schemes may differ as requested or desired by the user. A default option may be selected by a user prior to operation as to whether the visual schemes are to be synchronized following any change or whether the visual schemes are to be synchronized only on perrequest basis. Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a schematic view of an arrangement 200 according to examples. The arrangement 200 comprises an aerosol provision device comprising an aerosol generating component 210 connected to a control component 220. The connection may be wired or wireless. The aerosol provision device also has a communication interface 230. The device also has a display component 240. The aerosol provision device of Figure 2 is broadly as per the aerosol provision device of Figure 1. The arrangement 200 also shows the communication interface 230 having a communicative ability with a virtual service 250 (dashed line). The virtual service 250 may be remote or otherwise. The remote virtual service 250 may be able to provide virtual representations. In examples, the remote virtual service 250 provides a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device 260. The virtual representation may be virtual object or the like shown in a virtual user environment. The virtual user environment may be accessible via the remote virtual service.

[0059] The aerosol provision device is configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision device and a remote virtual service hosting a data record. In the example of Figure 2, the virtual object takes the appearance of an aerosol provision device 260 as in the arrangement 200 of Figure 2. However, the virtual object 260 may take any appearance. Furthermore, the visual scheme of the aerosol provision device that may be synchronised with the virtual object 250 may be any suitable visual scheme.

[0060] In examples, the visual schemes includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features. In examples, the visual schemes may be obtained from a library of visual schemes. In examples, the aerosol provision device may synchronize visual properties of the device with the virtual object 260 in the virtual environment. Accordingly, colour schemes, skins, patterns or designs of the “real life” aerosol provision device may be used and reproduced in the virtual aerosol provision device in the remote virtual service. As an example, the user’s use of a red language display in the aerosol provision device in the real world may lead to red language display being produced on the virtual object 260 in the remote virtual service 250. This arrangement can offer a one-to-one correspondence between selections or creations in real life and selections or creations in virtual service relating to visual schemes. The aerosol provision device may have a GUI or the like to provide some user interaction with the aerosol provision device. This may be part of the control component or the display component. Selection or creation of the visual scheme may occur through the GUI. The user may be able to access libraries of visual schemes through a GUI or the like. The communication interface may be able to communicate with such libraries.

[0061] In examples, when selecting or creating a visual scheme for the real life aerosol provision device, the virtual object 260 may provide a corresponding but non-identical visual scheme in the remote virtual service 240. For example, use of red language display in the aerosol provision device in real life may lead to the virtual environment 250 providing a red landscape in which to experience the aerosol provision device 260 in the virtual environment 250. In this way, engagement with the virtual object 260 may improve the user’s experience of the use of the aerosol provision device and vice versa.

[0062] The manufacturer may allow for additional visual schemes such as virtual backgrounds (or the like) when the real world device has a specific visual scheme implemented. For example, when the real world aerosol provision device has a visual scheme implemented with a specific sports team, the virtual environment may have an option to provide a virtual background of the stadium of that team or the environment may be in the colours of that team. In examples, the user may select the virtual background to be a stadium of a sports team, and the display component of the aerosol provision device may update to use the colours of that team.

[0063] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic view of a scheme arrangement 300 according to examples. In the example shown, the scheme arrangement 300 may be a visual scheme arrangement. The visual scheme arrangement 300 may have a series of “sub schemes”. In an example, the scheme arrangement 300 has two major schemes 310, 320. Each of these has two sub-schemes. The first major scheme 310 has two sub-schemes 312, 314. The second major scheme 320 has two sub-schemes 322, 324. Each sub-scheme has two further sub-schemes. For example the first sub-scheme 312 of the first major scheme 310 has a first further sub-scheme 3122 and a second further sub-scheme 3124.

[0064] In examples, these may relate to similar schemes. Considering again, the example of a major scheme 310 that relates to a sports team, the first visual sub scheme may be stadium 312 or player 314. The stadium 312 sub-scheme may have further sub-schemes of the pitch 3122 or the dressing rooms 3124. The player 314 sub-scheme may have further sub-schemes of a first player 3142 and a second player 3144. Any of schemes 310, 320, 312, 314, 322, 324 may be considered a master scheme with sub-schemes below them.

[0065] Examples of sports teams are for illustrative purposes. The same could be imagined for a simple colour chart. The first major scheme may reds, while the second may be blues. Divisions within those colours (major schemes) can be readily envisaged.

[0066] It is reasonable to imagine that a user may wish, for example, for the display on the real world aerosol provision device to be related to a first visual scheme (e.g. a sub-scheme or a further sub-scheme) while the virtual object (or the virtual environment) may be related to a second visual scheme.

[0067] This assists in providing different display opportunities at the aerosol provision device in contrast to the virtual representation.

[0068] Broadly, the user can impact the virtual environment by use and manipulation of the aerosol provision device and similarly, the user may be able to impact or understand the aerosol provision device via the virtual environment.

[0069] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a schematic view of a system 400 according to examples. The system 400 comprises a virtual user environment 402 in which an avatar 404 representing a user is enabled to interact with one or more virtual objects 406, wherein the one or more virtual objects 406 include a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device. The virtual representation includes a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual user environment 402. The system 400 comprises a communication interface 408 configured to communicate one or more parameters describing the visual scheme with an aerosol provision device 412 from a physical user space 410, wherein the aerosol provision device 412 is associated with the virtual representation. As noted above, the visual scheme may be applied to the virtual representation and the communication interface 408 is arranged to synchronize the visual scheme to the aerosol provision device 412 in the physical space 410. Therefore, the user may impact the real world from the virtual and vice versa. The avatar 404 may be related to the visual scheme.

[0070] In examples, therefore, the virtual environment 402 (which may be VR or AR or the like) may send signals that are ultimately received by the aerosol provision device 412 in the physical space 410 (“real world”). The signals may relate to queries or commands issued to the aerosol provision device 412 in relation to visual schemes. Visual schemes may include colouring and / or size of letters or displays (in this way user’s with poorer eyesight can select a larger font or the like to improve access to their device). Selection of colour may be highly beneficial for colour blind users.

[0071] The device in the virtual world or the real world need not be the same. For example, the user may interact with a box of a device in the virtual world and receive a link to their aerosol provision device 412 for further details on a visual scheme or the like. The user may therefore be able to interact in the virtual space and provide real world effects. In an example, a user in the virtual space can see virtual products in use. Users can interact with the device and receive, for example, a notification to provide the visual scheme in place on that specific virtual device. A user may be able to select, interact with and use or purchase that visual scheme within the virtual space.

[0072] The virtual user environment 402 may comprise a virtual scheme editor (not shown). In this way, a user may be able to provide user input on visual scheme. The environment 402 may be able to provide the visual scheme edited or created in the virtual environment onto / into the aerosol provision device 412 in the physical space 410. In this way, a user can create a highly realistic version of the visual scheme for use in the physical space 410 while in the virtual space 402.

[0073] A visual scheme library may be part of the visual scheme editor in the virtual space 402. This may be as part of a data store in the virtual environment 402. The editor may allow a user to start from nothing or to amend currently existing designs. The editor may be linked to a network of user contacts, such as a user can copy and personalise a friend’s visual scheme. Additionally, for selected contacts, a user may be able to design and provide a visual scheme for that selected contact.

[0074] In examples, where a second user has a first user as a trusted selected contacts, a first user can design and provide a visual scheme that is applied temporarily to a second user’s device 412. The second user can decide whether to keep the visual scheme as designed for them by their trusted selected contact via interaction with the visual scheme either in physical space 410 or in virtual environment 402.

[0075] In examples, the communication in the arrangement of Figure 4, uses at least one of Bluetooth TM, Bluetooth Low Energy TM, ZigBee TM, WiFi TM, Wifi Direct TM, GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, NFC, or RFID. In an example, the communication B between the aerosol provision device 412 and the communication interface 408 is via Bluetooth Low Energy TM, while the communication C between the communication interface 408 and the virtual space 402 is via WiFi TM.

[0076] Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a flow chart of a method 500 according to examples. In a method 500, a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device associated with a user account of a user is generated in a virtual user environment, the virtual representation including a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual user environment 505. One or more parameters for the visual scheme are then communicated with the aerosol provision device 510.

[0077] The method described herein provides a series of advantages as for the devices. The user is provided with a space in which to communicate visual scheme information with their aerosol provision device alongside other aerosol provision devices. In this way, the user may be able to improve their use or tailor their use of the aerosol provision device based on the visual schemes communicated with the virtual environment.

[0078] The above methods and systems allow for users to obtain real world output from virtual world input alongside virtual world input from real world output. The flexibility of the present system allows for high levels of user engagement and experience. The present system provides greater accessibility for a wide range of impairments that are, on the whole, not widely considered or solved in modern systems. As such, the present system provides improved experience for a wide range of users. User engagement and enrichment is also significantly improved with the present systems.

[0079] The communication interface discussed herein is arranged to communicate with networks and the like. The networks may be any relevant network. Communication links are shown by arrows or lines (dashed or otherwise). These communication links need not be one way.

[0080] Visual schemes discussed herein may include images, visual elements, animations or the like. This may include skins or personal art. Customized user images, videos animations alongside other user interaction features. Back ups can be stored on cloud or other data stores to allow a user to switch to previous visual schemes. The user may select a number of back ups to allow for a wide range of visual schemes to be selectable and implemented in either the real world device or the virtual environment.

[0081] The delivery system described herein, which may be referred to as an aerosol provision device, aerosol-generating system, aerosol provision system or the like can be implemented as a combustible aerosol provision system, a non-combustible aerosol provision system or an aerosol-free delivery system.

[0082] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); and, non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolgenerating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials. According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0083] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

[0084] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a consumable or the like that can be introduced by a user into the aerosol provision system.

[0085] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0086] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-bum system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0087] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosolgenerating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0088] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol -generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0089] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0090] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0091] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol -generating material storage area, an aerosol -generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0092] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

[0093] The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

[0094] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0095] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0096] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, maijoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

[0097] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0098] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0099] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

[0100] As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, j asmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0101] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

[0102] In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0103] Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0104] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0105] A consumable is an article that may comprise aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0106] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0107] A heater is a form of aerosol generator, though any aerosol generator may be used in the examples shown above.

[0108] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other examples not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol provision device configured to generate an aerosol comprising: a control component configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision device; a display component configured to display a visual scheme; and a communication interface configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision device and a remote virtual service hosting a data record for a virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the display component is configured to apply the visual scheme at the aerosol provision device and the communication interface is further arranged to synchronize the visual scheme with the virtual representation.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual object is configured to display the visual scheme in the virtual environment and the communication interface is further arranged to receive synchronization information for the aerosol provision device.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the display component is arranged to display a first visual scheme and the virtual object in the virtual environment is arranged to display a second visual scheme.

5. An aerosol provision device according to claim 4, wherein the first visual scheme and second visual scheme are different sub-schemes of a single master scheme.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein a visual scheme includes at least one of images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

7. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1-6, wherein a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes.

8. A system comprising: a virtual environment in which an avatar representing a user is enabled to interact with one or more virtual objects, wherein the one or more virtual objects include a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device, wherein the virtual representation includes a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual environment; a communication interface configured to communicate one or more parameters describing the visual scheme with an aerosol provision device from a physical user space, wherein the aerosol provision device is associated with the virtual representation.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the visual scheme is applied to the virtual representation and the communication interface is arranged to synchronize the visual scheme to the aerosol provision device.

10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the virtual environment is arranged to display a first visual scheme and the aerosol provision device is arranged to display a second visual scheme.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the first visual scheme and second visual scheme are different sub-schemes of a single master scheme.

12. A system according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the virtual environment comprises a visual scheme editor arranged to receive user input and output a visual scheme.

13. A system according to any of claims 8-12, wherein a visual scheme includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

14. A system according to any of claims 8-13, wherein a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes.

15. A method compri sing :generating, in a virtual environment, a virtual representation of an aerosol provision device associated with a user account of a user, the virtual representation including a visual scheme configured to provide a specific appearance to the virtual representation within the virtual environment; communicating with the aerosol provision device one or more parameters for the visual scheme.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising: applying the visual scheme at the aerosol provision device; and, synchronizing the visual scheme to the virtual representation.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: applying the visual scheme at the virtual representation; and, synchronizing the visual scheme to the aerosol provision device.

18. A method according to any of claims 15 to 17, further comprising: applying a first visual scheme at the virtual representation and a second visual scheme at the aerosol provision device, wherein the first visual scheme is different to the second visual scheme.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the first visual scheme and the second visual scheme are different sub-schemes of a single master scheme.

20. A method according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein generating a virtual representation comprises at least one of creating, designing, editing and altering a visual scheme in the virtual environment.

21. A method according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the visual scheme includes at least one of: images; videos; animations; and / or user interaction features.

22. A method according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein a visual scheme is obtained from a library of visual schemes.

23. Aerosol provision means configured to generate an aerosol comprising: control means configured to process data describing one or more operational parameters of the aerosol provision means; and display means configured to display a visual scheme; and communication means configured to transmit information describing the visual scheme between the aerosol provision means and a remote virtual service hosting a data record for a virtual object in a virtual environment accessible via the remote virtual service.

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