Electronic aerosol provision system, aerosol provision system and method

Abstract

Described is an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision system comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

Description

[0001] ELECTRONIC AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM, AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

[0002] AND METHOD

[0003] Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol provision system, e.g. an e-cigarette, and to a control unit for such a system. The present disclosure also relates to electronic aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).

[0005] Background

[0006] Electronic vapour provision systems, such as e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems, generally contain a vapour precursor material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which a vapour is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation. When a user inhales on the device, a control unit operates a battery to provide power to a heater. This activates the heater to vaporise vapour precursor material, which is then inhaled by the user.

[0007] This type of e-cigarette therefore generally incorporates two consumables, firstly the vapour precursor material to be vapourised, and secondly power in the battery. Regarding the vapour precursor material, once the vapour precursor material has been exhausted, the remains of the vapour precursor material or a component previously containing the vapour precursor material may be discarded to allow replacement with new vapour precursor material (e.g. in a cartridge). Regarding power, an e-cigarette usually provides some form of electrical connector to receive power from an external charging device, thereby allowing the battery within the e-cigarette to be re-charged.

[0008] Most e-cigarettes are powered by re-chargeable lithium ion batteries (or cells), which are to be found in a very widespread range of devices, not just e-cigarettes. (N.B. the terms “battery” and “cell” will be used inter-changeably herein, since due to the limited space within an e-cigarette, the battery in such an e-cigarette usually comprises just a single cell). Conventional lithium ion batteries used in e-cigarettes typically have an energy storage capacity in the range 70-3500 mAh, depending on the size of device, etc.

[0009] The design of aspects relating to the vaporiser assembly of a vapour provision system can play an important role in the overall performance of the system, for example in terms of helping to reduce the likelihood of the user unexpectedly and inconveniently ending up with a fully discharged e-cigarette.

[0010] Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation. An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking I capillary action. While a user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporise source liquid in the vicinity of the heating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system. When a user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source. There is a flow path connecting the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it. The aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

[0011] Typically, such electronic aerosol provision systems are provided with heater assemblies suitable for heating the source liquid to form an aerosol. An example of such a heater assembly is a wick and coil heater assembly, which is formed of a coil of wire (typically nichrome NiCr 8020) wrapped or coiled around a wick (which typically comprises a bundle of collected fibres, such as cotton fibres, extending along the longitudinal axis of the coil of wire). The ends of the wick extend on either side of the coil of wire and are inserted into the reservoir of the source liquid.

[0012] In such systems, a power source of a finite capacity, such as a battery, is used to provide power to the heater for generating aerosol to be delivered to a user. Due to aging of the battery, the capacity of the battery degrades, thus impacting the performance in terms of number of inhalations possible on a full charge of the battery. Therefore, as a user uses the system with time, the performance decreases, but in most instances the user is not provided with any information regarding this degradation in capacity. Therefore, users may experience situations where devices run out of power in situations where they previous would not have done, thereby causing anxiety among users of the aerosol provision system.

[0013] Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address these issues.

[0014] Summary The disclosure is defined in the appended claims.

[0015] In a first aspect there is an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosolgenerating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision system comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0016] In some implementations in accordance with the first aspect, the control circuitry may be provided on a computing device, remote from an aerosol provision device containing the rechargeable power source. For example, the computing device may be provided in a smartphone or server.

[0017] In a second aspect there is an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0018] In a third aspect there is a computing device for communicatively coupling to an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising a rechargeable power source and recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply, wherein the computing device comprises control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0019] In a fourth aspect there is a method of notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source for an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol- generating material using an aerosol generator, the method comprising: obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source, determining, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source, and causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision system including a power source, control circuitry, an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power source under control of the control circuitry, and power source measuring circuitry configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power source. The control circuitry is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

[0021] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the control circuitry is configured to cause an alert to be provided to a user of the aerosol provision system when the effective capacity falls below a threshold.

[0022] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the alert includes a message informing the user that the power source of the aerosol provision system should be replaced.

[0023] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the control circuitry is configured to cause the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user.

[0024] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the control circuitry is further configured determine an effective usage indicating an approximate number of inhalations achievable from the power source based on the determined effective capacity and user usage behaviour obtained in advance.

[0025] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the user usage behaviour comprises an average inhalation duration, and optionally power, obtained from measuring the durations of a plurality of inhalations obtained in advance.

[0026] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the control circuitry is configured to communicate with a remote device, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause at least one of the alert and the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user via a feedback mechanism of the remote device.

[0027] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the aerosol provision system comprises a feedback mechanism, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause at least one of the alert and the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user via the feedback mechanism.

[0028] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the power source measuring circuitry is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source after a re-charging cycle of a predetermined duration and / or current has been performed.

[0029] In accordance with some examples of the fifth aspect, the power source measuring circuitry is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source by monitoring the output voltage of the power source during a re-charging cycle of the power source, and determining when the rate of change of the output voltage with respect to time is below a predetermined value.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device including a power source, control circuitry, power source measuring circuitry configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power source. The control circuitry is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

[0031] According to a seventh aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of determining an effective capacity of a power source of an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the method including measuring, using power source measuring circuitry, a current maximum potential capacity of the power source, and determining, using control circuitry, an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

[0032] According to an eighth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision means for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision means including power supply means, control means, an aerosol generator means for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power supply means under control of the control means, and power source measuring means configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means. The control means is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power supply means by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means.

[0033] It will be appreciated that features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the first and other aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and may be combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described above.

[0034] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 schematically shows an aerosol provision system including a device and a replaceable cartridge comprising a liquid aerosol generating material in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 schematically shows certain electrical components of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3 schematically shows certain components of an aerosol provision device and a computing device of an aerosol provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4 schematically shows certain components of an attached aerosol provision device and computing device of an aerosol provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0040] Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source of an aerosol provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an aerosol provision system comprised of an aerosol provision device and a cartridge in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the device includes power source measurement circuitry for measuring or determining a current maximum potential capacity of the power source according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7 shows an example method of determining an effective capacity of the power source of the aerosol provision system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 shows an example graph representing a capacity of the power source during recharging for determining the current maximum potential capacity of the power source according to a first implementation; Figure 9 shows an example graph representing a capacity of the power source during recharging for determining the current maximum potential capacity of the power source according to a second implementation;

[0044] Figure 10 schematically represents an aerosol provision system comprising a display for providing feedback to a user; and

[0045] Figure 11 schematically shows an arrangement of an aerosol provision system and a wirelessly coupled remote device, whereby the display on the remote device is used for providing feedback to a user.

[0046] Detailed Description

[0047] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed I described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed I 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a powered noncombustible aerosol provision system.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device, electronic cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” is sometimes used but this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapour) provision system.

[0051] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 implementations, 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 implementations, 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 implementations, 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.

[0054] In some embodiments, the or each 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 materials.

[0055] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

[0056] 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.

[0057] In some implementations, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some implementations, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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, marjoram, 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0062] 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.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma 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, jasmine, 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0066] The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0067] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants. An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.

[0068] The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosolmodifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

[0069] In some implementations, the aerosol provision systems comprise a modular assembly including an aerosol provision device (sometimes referred to as a reusable part) and an article comprising aerosol-generating material (sometimes referred to as a consumable or a replaceable part). However, in other implementations, the aerosol provision systems may comprise a one-piece arrangement where the article and aerosol provision device are integrally formed.

[0070] 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. 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of 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 (or storage portion), an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, 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. A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrical ly-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrical ly-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

[0074] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some implementations, 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 implementations, 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.

[0075] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an aerosol provision system 1 provided in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The aerosol provision system 1 of Figure 1 is adapted to vaporise a liquid aerosol-generating material (sometimes referred to as a source liquid or an e-liquid). However, as described above, the principles of the present disclosure are not limited to aerosol provision system 1 adapted to vaporise liquid aerosolgenerating material. For example, the principles of the present disclosure could be implement in aerosol provision devices adapted to vaporise a solid or gel aerosol-generating material.

[0076] The aerosol provision system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 2 and a replaceable I disposable cartridge 4 (which is an example of an article). The aerosol provision system 1 of Figure 1 is an example of a modular construction of an aerosol provision system 1. In this regard, the aerosol provision device 2 and the cartridge 4 are able to engage with or disengage from one another at an interface 6. However, as mentioned above, the principles of the present disclosure also apply to other constructions of the aerosol provision system 1 , such as one-part or unitary constructions where the device 2 and cartridge 4 may be integrally formed (or in other words, the aerosol provision device 1 is provided with an integrally formed aerosolgenerating material storage area). The aerosol provision system 1 is generally elongate and cylindrical in shape. The aerosol provision system 1 may be sized so as to approximate a conventional cigarette. However, it should be understood that the general size and shape of the aerosol provision system 1 is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure. In some other implementations, the aerosol provision system 1 may conform to different overall shapes; for example, the aerosol provision device 2 may be based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

[0077] The device 2 comprises components that are generally intended to have a longer lifetime than the cartridge 4. In other words, the device 2 is intended to be used, sequentially, with multiple cartridges 4. The cartridge 4 comprises components (such as aerosol-generating material) that are consumed when forming an aerosol for delivery to the user during use of the aerosol provision system 1.

[0078] In the example modular configuration of Figure 1 , the device 2 and the cartridge 4 are releasably coupled together at the first interface 6. When the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge 4 is exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge 4 (e.g., containing a different aerosol-generating material), the cartridge 4 may be removed from the device 2 and a replacement cartridge 4 attached to the device 2 in its place. The interface 6 provides a structural connection between the device 2 and cartridge 4 and may be established in accordance with broadly conventional techniques, for example based around a screw thread, latch mechanism, bayonet fixing or magnetic coupling. In some implementations, the interface 6 may also provide an electrical coupling between the device 2 and the cartridge 4 using suitable electrical contacts. The electrical coupling may allow for power and I or data to be supplied to I from the cartridge 4.

[0079] It should also be understood that in some implementations, the cartridge 4 may be refillable. That is, the cartridge 4 may be refilled with aerosol-generating material when the cartridge 4 is depleted, using an appropriate mechanism such as a one-way refilling valve or the like (not shown). The cartridge 4 may be removed from the device 2 in order to be refilled. In other examples, the cartridge 4 may be configured so as to be refilled while attached to the device 2.

[0080] In implementations where the aerosol provision system 1 is a one-part or unitary system, the aerosol provision system 1 may be designed to be disposable once the aerosol-generating material is exhausted. Alternatively, the aerosol provision system 1 may be provided with a suitable mechanism, such as a one-way valve or the like, to enable the integrated cartridge 4 (or integrated aerosol-generating material storage area) to be refilled with aerosol-generating material.

[0081] In Figure 1, the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42, an aerosol-generating material storage area 44, an aerosol generator 48, an aerosol-generating material transport component 46, an outlet or mouthpiece opening 50, and an air path 52.

[0082] The cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge 4 and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the device 2. The cartridge housing 42 is formed from a suitable material, such as a plastics material or a metal material. In the described implementation, the cartridge housing 42 is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 4 couples to the device 2. In this example the cartridge 4 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm. However, it will be appreciated the specific geometry, and more generally the overall shapes, may be different in different implementations. The cartridge 4 comprises a first end, broadly defined by the interface 6, and a second end which is opposite the first end and includes the mouthpiece opening 50. The second end including the mouthpiece opening 50 is intended to be received in / by a user’s mouth and may therefore be referred to as a mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4.

[0083] Within the cartridge housing 42 is an aerosol-generating material storage area 44 (also sometimes call a reservoir 44). The cartridge 40, or more particularly the reservoir 44, of Figure 1 is configured to store a liquid aerosol-generating material, which may be referred to herein as a source liquid, e-liquid or liquid. The source liquid may be broadly conventional, and may contain nicotine and I or other active ingredients, and I or one or more flavours, as described above. In some implementations, the source liquid may contain no nicotine.

[0084] The reservoir 44 in this example has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defines the air path 52 through the cartridge 4. The reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the liquid. The reservoir 44 may be formed in accordance with conventional techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.

[0085] The cartridge 4 further comprises an aerosol generator 48. The aerosol generator 48 is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material (e.g., the source liquid). Optionally, the cartridge 4 comprises the aerosol-generating material transport component 46, which is configured to transport the aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 44 (e.g., reservoir 44) to the aerosol generator 48. In some implementations, the aerosol-generating material transport component 46 may not be required, particularly in implementations where the aerosol generator 48 is in fluid communication with the aerosol-generating material storage area 44.

[0086] The aerosol generator 48 is configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material. In some implementations, the aerosol generator 48 is a heater 48. The heater 48 is 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. By way of example, the heater 48 may take the form of an electrically resistive wire or trace intended to have electrical current passed between ends thereof, or a susceptor element which is intended to generate heat upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field. However, in other implementations, the aerosol generator 48 is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator 48 may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0087] The aerosol-generating material transport element 46 is configured to transport aerosolgenerating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 44 (reservoir 44) to the aerosol generator 48. The nature of the aerosol-generating material may dictate the form of the aerosol-generating material transport element 46. For example, for a liquid or viscous gel aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating material transport element 46 is configured to transport the liquid or viscous gel aerosol-generating material using capillary action or a suitable pumping mechanism or the like. For example, the aerosol-generating material transport element 46 may comprise a porous material (e.g., ceramic) or a bundle of fibres (e.g., glass or cotton fibres) capable of transporting liquid I viscous gel using capillary action.

[0088] In the described implementation of Figure 1 , the aerosol generator 48 is a heater 48 taking the form of a coil of metal wire, such as a nickel chrome alloy (Cr20Ni80) wire. The aerosolgenerating material transport element 46 in the implementation of Figure 1 is a wick 46 taking the form of a bundle of fibres, such as glass fibres. The heater 48 is wound around the wick 46 approximately in a central region thereof as seen in Figure 1 such that the heater 48 is provided in the proximity of the wick 46 and therefore any liquid held in the wick 46. In some implementations, the aerosol generator 48 may comprise a porous ceramic wick 46 and an electrically conductive track disposed on a surface of the porous ceramic wick acting as the heater 48. In yet other implementations, the heater 48 and wick 46 may be combined into a single component, e.g., a plurality of sintered steel fibres forming a planar structure. In the described example, the heater 48 and wick 46 are located towards an end of the reservoir 44. In this example, the wick 46 extends transversely across the cartridge air path 52 with its ends extending into the reservoir 44 of liquid through openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 44. The openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 44 are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 46 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the liquid reservoir 44 into the cartridge air path 52 without unduly compressing the wick 46, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance. The wick 46 is therefore configured to transport liquid from the reservoir 44 to the vicinity of the heater 48 via a capillary effect.

[0089] The wick 46 and heater 48 are arranged in the cartridge air path 52 such that a region of the cartridge air path 52 provided around the wick 46 and heater 48 in effect defines a vaporisation region for the cartridge 4. This vaporisation region is the region of the cartridge 4 where vapour is initially generated. In use, electrical power may be supplied to the heater 48 to vaporise an amount of liquid drawn to the vicinity of the heater 48 by the wick 46.

[0090] Aerosol is delivered to the user via the mouthpiece opening 50 provided at the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4. During use, the user may place their lips on or around the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 and draw air I aerosol through the mouthpiece opening 50. More specifically, air is drawn into and along the air path 52, past the heater 48 where aerosol is entrained into the drawn air, and the combined aerosol I air is then inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece opening 50. Although Figure 1 shows the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 as being an integral part of the cartridge 4, a separate mouthpiece component may be provided which releasably couples to the end of the cartridge 4.

[0091] The device 2 comprises an outer housing 12, an optional indicator 14 (i.e. an output mechanism), an inhalation sensor 16 located within a chamber 18, a controller or control circuitry 20, a power source 26, an air inlet 28 and an air path 30.

[0092] The device part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the aerosol provision system 1 , a power source 26 for providing operating power for the aerosol provision system 1, a controller or control circuitry 20 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 , and an inhalation sensor (puff detector) 16 located in a chamber 18. The device 2 further comprises an optional indicator 14.

[0093] The outer housing 12 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross-section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge 4 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6. In this example, the device 2 has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the aerosol provision system 1 when the cartridge 4 and device 2 are coupled together is around 12 cm. However, and as already noted, it will be appreciated that the overall shape and scale of an aerosol provision system 1 implementing the present disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.

[0094] The outer housing 12 further comprises an air inlet 28 which connects to an air path 30 provided through the device 2. The device air path 30 in turn connects to the cartridge air path 52 across the interface 6 when the device 2 and cartridge 4 are connected together. In this regard, the interface 6 is also arranged to provide a connection of the respective air paths 30 and 52, such that air and / or aerosol is able to pass along the coupled air paths 30, 52. In other implementations, the device 2 does not comprise an air path 30 and instead the cartridge 4 comprises the air path 52 and a suitable air inlet which permits air to enter into the air path 52 when the cartridge 4 and device 2 are coupled.

[0095] The power source 26 in this example is a battery 26. The battery 26 may be rechargeable and may be of a broadly conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in aerosol provision devices and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery 26 may be, for example, a lithium ion battery. The battery 26 may be recharged through a suitable charging connector provided at or in the outer housing 12, for example a USB connector. Additionally or alternatively, the device 2 may comprise suitable circuitry to facilitate wireless charging of the battery 26. In other examples, the power source 26 may be an alternative component suitable for storing energy such as a super capacitor.

[0096] The control circuitry or control unit 20 is suitably configured I programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision system 1. The control circuitry 20 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units I circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision system's operation and may be implemented by provision of a (micro)controller, processor, ASIC or similar form of control chip. The control circuitry 20 may be arranged to control any functionality associated with the aerosol provision system 1. By way of non-limiting examples only, the functionality may include the charging or re-charging of the battery 26, the discharging of the battery 26 (e.g., for providing power to the heater 48), in addition to other functionality such as controlling visual indicators (e.g., LEDs) I displays, communication functionality for communicating with external devices, etc. The control circuitry 20 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB). Note also that the functionality provided by the control circuitry 20 may be split across multiple circuit boards and I or across components which are not mounted to a PCB, and these additional components and / or PCBs can be located as appropriate within the aerosol provision device 2. For example, functionality of the control circuit 20 for controlling the (re)charging functionality of the battery 26 may be provided separately (e.g. on a different PCB) from the functionality for controlling the discharge of the battery 26.

[0097] As noted above, when the device 2 and the cartridge 4 are coupled together at interface 6, the interface 6 provides an electrical connection between the device 2 and the cartridge 4. More particularly, electrical contacts on the device 2, which are coupled to the power source 26, are electrically coupled to electrical contacts on the cartridge, which are coupled to the heater 48. Accordingly, under suitable control by the control circuitry 20, electrical power from the power source 26 is able to be supplied from the power source 26 to the heater 48, thereby energising the heater 48 and allowing the heater 48 to vaporise liquid in the proximity of the heater 48 held in the wick 46.

[0098] In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol provision device 2 comprises a chamber 18 containing the inhalation sensor 16, which in this example is a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor 16 is in fluid communication with the air path 30 in the device 2 (e.g. the chamber 18 branches off from the air path 30 in the device 2). When a user inhales on the aerosol provision system 1 at the mouthpiece end, and subsequently draws air into the device 2 via the air inlet 28 and along the air paths 30, 52, the pressure sensor 16 detects a change (a drop) in the pressure within chamber 18. If the drop in pressure is sufficient, the pressure sensor 16 (or control circuitry 20 coupled thereto) detects a user inhalation.

[0099] The aerosol provision system 1 is controlled to generate aerosol in response to detecting an inhalation by a user. That is, when the pressure sensor 16 detects a drop in pressure in the pressure sensor chamber 18, the control circuitry 20 responds by causing electrical power to be supplied from the battery 26 to the aerosol generator 48 sufficient to cause vaporisation of the liquid held within the wick 46. This is an example of an aerosol provision system which is said to be “puff actuated”. The pressure sensor 16 may be used to start and I or end the power supply to the heater 48 (e.g., when the pressure sensor detects the absence of an inhalation). It should be appreciated that the inhalation sensor 16 may be any suitable sensor, such as an air flow sensor, for sensing when a user inhales on the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 and subsequently draws air along the air paths 30, 52. Accordingly, the presence of the chamber 18 is optional and its presence may depend on the characteristics of the selected inhalation sensor 16. For example, an air flow sensor may sit in the air flow path 30, 52.

[0100] In other implementations, the aerosol provision device 2 includes a button or other user actuatable mechanism. When the button or other user actuatable mechanism is actuated by the user, the control circuitry 20 caused power to be supplied to the heater 48 as described above. This is an example of an aerosol provision device which is said to be “button actuated”. The button may be used to start and I or end power supply to the heater 48 (e.g., when the button is released by the user). In some implementations, both a button (or other user actuatable mechanism) and an inhalation sensor 16 may be used to control the delivery of power to the heater 48, e.g., by requiring both the button press and a pressure drop indicative of an inhalation to be present before supplying power to the heater 48.

[0101] The aerosol provision device 2 further comprises an optional indicator 14 (i.e. an output mechanism). The indicator 14 may be provided for providing feedback to a user of the aerosol provision device 1. For example, the indicator 14 may indicate information such as whether the aerosol generator 48 is currently active, a remaining battery life (of the battery 26), total number of activations of the aerosol generator 48, amount of liquid remaining in the reservoir 44, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the indicator 14 may display operational parameters of the aerosol provision device 2. In some implementations, the indicator 14 may be provided in conjunction with an input mechanism (such as one or more buttons or a touch screen display) which may allow operational parameters to be programmed and / or settings of the aerosol provision device 1 to be changed. The indicator 14 may be a visual indication (such as a display or one or more LEDs), an audio indicator (such as a speaker) or a haptic indictor (such as a haptic motor).

[0102] Note that although in some implementations, the aerosol-generating material is heated to form an aerosol, e.g., via a heater 48, and thus also the temperature of the generated aerosol may be raised above ambient through the vaporisation, this is not the only way in which the temperature of an aerosol may be elevated above ambient temperature. For instance, in some implementations, the aerosol generator 48 may indirectly cause heating of the aerosol-generating material during generation of the aerosol. In some implementations, an additional heater provided downstream of the aerosol generator 48 (with respect to the flow of air I aerosol during an inhalation) may be provided to cause the aerosol to be heated prior to exiting the aerosol provision system 1. Hence, it should be appreciated that the principles of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to aerosol provision systems 1 that comprise a heater as the aerosol generator 48.

[0103] In accordance with the present disclosure the aerosol provision device 1 is capable of generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, and comprises a rechargeable power source and recharging circuitry. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of certain electrical (including electronic) components of the aerosol provision system 1 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 2 depicts various components which are generally located in the aerosol provision device 2 of the aerosol provision system in Figure 2, since this is a re-usable (rather than disposable) portion. However, in some embodiments at least, some of the electrical components may be located in the cartomiser 4.

[0104] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 20 is connected to (either directly or indirectly) an electrical (and mechanical) interface 6 (as discussed above), a power switch 212, a power source 26 (as discussed above) such as a battery, a non-volatile memory 218 (e.g. ROM), a communications interface 217, a timer (clock) 219, an indicator 14 (as discussed above), an inhalation sensor 16 (as discussed above), recharging circuitry 220 and a recharging interface 221. The control unit 20 may be located on a PCB, which may also be used for mounting other components as appropriate, e.g. memory 218, inhalation sensor 16, power switch 212, communications interface 217, and / or recharging circuitry 220 depending upon the particular internal configuration of the control unit 20. Alternatively, these components may be located on one or more other PCBs (or other forms of mounting).

[0105] Figure 2 illustrates some, but not necessarily all, of the electrical connections between the different components. For example, the inhalation sensor 16 may receive power from the power source 26 via its connection to the control unit 20, or alternatively there may be a separate power connection from the power source 26 direct to the inhalation sensor 16 (not shown).

[0106] The control unit 20 includes a processor such as a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM). The operations of the control unit 20 and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor (or on the other electronic components as appropriate). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory 218, which can be integrated into the control unit 20 itself, or provided as a separate component (e.g. on PCB). The processor may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required. The control unit 20 also contains suitable interfaces (and control software) for interacting with the other devices, such as with the inhalation sensor 16.

[0107] The control unit 20 utilises the indicator 14 as an output device to indicate conditions or states within the aerosol provision device 2, such as a low battery warning. Different signals for signalling different states or conditions may be provided. For example, the indicator 14 may be a speaker that provides different signals by utilising tones or beeps of different pitch and / or duration, and / or by providing multiple such beeps or tones. The indicator 14 may be provided by other forms of output device as well as or instead of a speaker. For example, there may be a light output at one or more other locations on the aerosol provision device 2. Where the indicator 14 includes a light, different signals may be provided by, for example, various combinations of lights (where there is light output at more than one location), flashing sequences, colours or brightness levels, amongst others. In some examples, the indicator 14 may comprise a display configured to provide a notification to a user using, for example, pictures and / or alphanumeric characters (e.g. to form words and sentences).

[0108] The communications interface 217 (labelled “Comms 217” in Figure 2) may be a wired or wireless connection to allow the aerosol provision device 2 to communicate with an external device. For example, the communications interface 217 may support one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (the IEEE 802.11 family), and / or near field communications (NFC) for establishing wireless communications. Alternatively, or additionally, the communications link may support wired communications, potentially via interface 6, recharging interface 221 (as discussed below) and / or some other communications facility. The communications interface may be used, inter alia, to allow an external device, such as a computing device, to provide and update control settings on the aerosol provision device 2, and / or to retrieve status and usage information from the aerosol provision device 2.

[0109] As noted above, the aerosol provision system 1 provides an air path (not shown) from the air inlet through the aerosol provision device 2, past the inhalation sensor 16 and the aerosol generator 48 (in the vaporiser), to the mouthpiece outlet 50 of the cartomiser 4. Thus when a user inhales on the mouthpiece of the aerosol provision system, the control unit 20 detects such inhalation based on information from the inhalation sensor. In response to such a detection, the control unit 20 supplies power from the battery or cell 26 to the aerosol generator 48, which thereby heats and vaporises the liquid from the wick for inhalation by the user.

[0110] The power source 26 is linked to the aerosol generator 48 via a power switch 212 and interface 6 (including a corresponding interface on the cartomiser 4). The power switch 212 supports the flow (and switching on / off) of the relatively large current supplied from the power source 26 in order to power the aerosol generator 48 - this is typically of the order of 1 amp or more. The power switch 212 is controlled by the control unit 20. For example, the control unit 20 may close the power switch 212 in response to the inhalation sensor 16 sensing an airflow through the aerosol provision device 2, thereby allowing power to flow from the battery to the heater. Conversely, the control unit 20 may open the power switch 212 in response to the inhalation sensor 16 sensing that the airflow through the aerosol provision device 2 has now ended, thereby terminating the power flow from the battery to the heater. In addition, the control unit 20 may use switch 212 to implement a PWM scheme, as described above, to regulate the amount of power supplied from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 during an inhalation.

[0111] The recharging circuitry 220 is for recharging the rechargeable power source 26 when the aerosol provision device 2 is coupled to an external power supply (not shown). For example, the recharging circuitry 220 may be configured to receive power from an external power supply, and to direct the power from the external power supply to charge the power source 26 if the power is supplied with appropriate parameters (e.g. within upper and lower tolerances for current and voltage). The recharging circuitry 220 may also be configured to assess a state of the power source 26 to determine whether recharging is necessary or safe. For example, the recharging circuitry 220 may prevent or limit recharging if the power source is near capacity (e.g. based on a measured voltage or current), if the charging time exceeds a threshold, or if the temperature of the power source is outside of upper or lower thresholds.

[0112] As shown in Figure 2, the recharging circuitry 220 is connected to a recharging interface 221 which is configured to interface with an external power supply (either directly, or indirectly via an adaptor or computing device). The recharging interface 221 allows for the transfer of power from the external power supply to the power source 26 either directly (not shown), or via the recharging circuitry 220. The recharging interface 221 may be configured to form a wired circuit with a corresponding connecting of an external power supply, an adaptor, a charging cable, or computing device. As such the recharging interface 221 may be at least partially exposed on the surface of the aerosol provision device 2. For example, the recharging interface 221 may be provided by a USB interface, such as a USB-C interface, or other form of connector. Alternatively, the recharging interface 221 may be provided by a wireless interface 22 which is provided in a housing 12 of the aerosol provision device 2, and which is configured to receive power wirelessly from an external power supply (either directly, or indirectly via an adaptor or computing device).

[0113] Additionally, in some examples, the recharging interface 221 may further me configured to transmit data. For example, the recharging interface 221 may allow communications between the aerosol provision device 2 and an external device such as an adaptor or computing device. The recharging interface 221 may be connected to the communications interface 217 such that the communications interface 217 is able to use the recharging interface 221 (e.g. connections provided by the recharging interface 221) to communicate with an external device. The communications may be sent through separate dedicated data transmission lines (connections) and I or may be sent though the power transmission lines (connections) of the recharging interface 221.

[0114] In some other examples, the recharging interface 221 may not be present, and instead the recharging circuitry 220 may interact with the interface 6 to allow recharging of the power source 26. In other words, the recharging interface 221 and the interface 6 are combined as a single interface that is configured to allow both the supply of power to the aerosol generator 48 from the power source 26 and also the transmission of power from an external power supply to the power source 26.

[0115] It will be appreciated that the electrical configuration shown in Figure 2 is provided by way of example only, and the skilled person will be aware of many potential variations. For example, some aerosol provision devices 2 may not have a communications interface 217 and I or recharging circuitry 220, while in other embodiments, the communications interface 217 and I or recharging circuitry 220 may be combined, at least in part, with the control unit 20.

[0116] The functionality of the control unit 20 may be distributed across one or more components which act in combination as a controller. For example, there may be a PCB provided in combination with power source 26 to control re-charging of the battery, such as to detect and thereby prevent voltage or current overload and / or overly long charging, and likewise to control discharging of the battery, e.g. so that the battery does not get excessively discharged to the point of damage.

[0117] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; the aerosol provision system 1 comprising an aerosol provision device 2 including the electronic components shown in Figure 2 (other components may be present, such as components described in relation to Figure 1) and a computing device 300. The components of the aerosol provision device 2 of Figure 3 are as described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[0118] The computing device 300 of Figure 3 is configured to communicatively couple to the aerosol provision device 2 which as discussed in relation to Figure 2 comprises a rechargeable power source 26 and recharging circuitry 220 for recharging the rechargeable power source 26 when coupled to an external power supply. The computing device 300 comprises a control unit 320, a communications interface 310, a memory 330 and an indicator 340. The computing device 300 may be, for example, a smart phone, a personal computer, or a charging case for the aerosol provision device 2. The control unit 320, communications interface 310, memory 330 and indicator 340 components may operate in a substantially similar manner to the correspondingly named components of the aerosol provision device 2, discussed above in relation to Figure 2. By correspondingly named, it is meant that respective components of each device share a name relating to a shared function performed by said components (e.g. the indicators 14,340 both perform a function of indicating). While not labelled as such in Figure 3, the corresponding components of the aerosol provision device 2 may be referred to as “first” components (e.g. first control unit 20, first communications interface 217, first memory 218 and first indicator 14), whereas the corresponding components of the computing device 300 may be referred to as a “second” components (e.g. second control unit 320, second communications interface 310, second memory 330 and second indicator 340), or vice versa.

[0119] The control unit 320 includes a processor such as a CPU and memory 330 (ROM and RAM). The operations of the control unit 20 and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor (or on the other electronic components as appropriate). Such software programs may be stored in nonvolatile memory 330, which can be integrated into the control unit 20 itself, or provided as a separate component (e.g. on PCB). The processor may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required. The control unit 20 also contains suitable interfaces (and control software) for interacting with the other devices.

[0120] The control unit 320 can utilise the indicator 340 as an output device to indicate conditions or states within the aerosol provision device 2 and I or the computing device 300, such as a low battery warning of the aerosol provision device 2 or other status information. In particular, the indicator 340 may be used to indicate the information discussed in relation to the indicator 14 of Figures 1 and 2. The indicator 340 may provide a visual indication (such as a display or one or more LEDs), an audio indicator (such as a speaker) or a haptic indication (such as a haptic motor).

[0121] The communications interface 310 (labelled “Comms 310” in Figure 3) may be a wired or wireless connection to allow the computing device 300 to communicate with the aerosol generating device 2, as well as optionally other external devices or servers. For example, the communications interface 310 may support one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (the IEEE 802.11 family), and / or near field communications (NFC) for establishing wireless communications. Alternatively, or additionally, the communications link may support wired communications, potentially via interface 6, recharging interface 221 and / or some other communications facility. The communications interface 310 may be used, inter alia, to allow the computing device 300 to provide and update control settings on the aerosol provision device 2, and / or to retrieve status and usage information from the aerosol provision device 2. The communications interface 310 may also be used, inter alia, to allow the computing device 300 to receive updates relating to the aerosol provision device 2 from a server or other external device.

[0122] Preferably, the computing device 300 is a remote computing device that is capable of establishing a wireless communications link with the aerosol provision device 2. By remote it is meant that the computing device 300 and the aerosol provision device 2 are able to communicate while being physically separated (e.g. not physically connected). For example, the communications interface 310 of the computing device 300 and the communications interface of the aerosol provision device 217 can be configured to establish wireless communications (e.g. they both may support one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and / or near NFC). This allows the aerosol provision device 2 to send data (e.g. the user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source) to the computing device 300 via a wireless communications link, without requiring that the two devices 2, 300 are physically connected.

[0123] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; the aerosol provision system 1 comprising an aerosol provision device 2 including the electronic components shown in Figures 2 and 3 (other components may be present, such as components described in relation to Figure 1) and a computing device 300. The components of the aerosol provision device 2 of Figure 4 are as described in relation to Figure 3. In contrast to the computing device 300 of Figure 3, the computing device 300 of Figure 4 further comprises a docking port 410 for docking (e.g. connecting or retaining) the aerosol provision device 2 with the computing device 4, and, optionally, a power source 420 which may be configured for recharging the aerosol provision device 2 via the recharging interface 221. The computing device 300 may be a docking, charging or base station (e.g. an accessory for charging which is intended to be used in substantially one location) or a charging case (e.g. a portable accessory configured to be carried by a user to allow charging whenever required). The remaining features of the computing device 300 of Figure 4 are substantially as described in relation to Figure 3.

[0124] The docking port 410 is for docking the aerosol provision device 2 with the computing device 300. By docking it is mean that the computing device 300 is configured to connected to the aerosol provision device 2 via the docking port. In some examples, the docking port 410 may be shaped to receive a portion of the aerosol provision device 2. For example, the docking port 410 may comprise a recess in a housing of the computing device 300 that has a cross- section that is substantially similar to, although potentially slightly larger, than a cross-section of a portion of the aerosol provision device 2 that is received within the recess. In some examples, the docking port 410 may comprise connection features (e.g. latches or magnets) configured to attach to or engage with the aerosol provision device 2. The aerosol provision device 2 may or may not comprise corresponding connection features (e.g. corresponding latch features or corresponding magnets) which interact with the connection features of the docking port 410.

[0125] In some examples, the docking port 410 may be configured to electrically couple to the recharging circuitry 220 of the aerosol provision device 2 when docked in the docking port 410 (for example, the recharging interface 221 may facilitate the formation of electronic circuits between the computing device 300 and the aerosol provision device 2). In some other examples, the docking port 410 may be configured to wirelessly couple the computing device 300 to the recharging circuitry 220 of the aerosol provision device 2 when docked in the docking port 410 (for example, the recharging interface 221 may allow for the transmission of power wirelessly from the computing device 300 o the aerosol provision device 2). By configured to, it is meant that the docking port 410 may be configured to position or guide the aerosol provision device 2 to ensure a suitable connection (wired or wirelessly) is established between the aerosol provision device 2 and the computing device 300.

[0126] As shown in Figure 4, the computing device 300 comprises a power source 420 which may be used to supply electrical power to the aerosol provision device 2 from the computing device 300. As such, the computing device 300 is configured to act as an external power supply to cause electrical power to be transferred to the aerosol provision device 2 from the computing device 300. In these examples, the computing device 300 may be a charging case (e.g. a portable accessory configured to charge the aerosol provision device 2 on demand). The docking station 410 and the recharging interface 221 may be configured to facilitate the transfer of power from the computing device 300 to the aerosol provision device 2.

[0127] In some other examples, the power source 420 of the computing device 300 may not be present, or the power source 420 may not be used to charge the aerosol provision device 2. Instead, in some examples, the computing device 300 may be configured to allow power from a source external to the computing device 300 to charge the aerosol provision device 2. For examples, the computing device 300 may receive power from an external source and control the provision of said power to the aerosol provision device 2. In these examples, the computing device 300 may be, or act as, an adaptor or a charging station for the aerosol provision device 2.

[0128] In some examples, the communications interface 310 (labelled “Comms 310” in Figure 4) may configured to form a wired connection to allow the computing device 300 to communicate with the aerosol generating device 2. For example, the communications link may support wired communications, via recharging interface 221 when the aerosol provision device 2 is received by the docking port 410. Alternatively, in some examples, the communications interface 320 may be configured to engage in short range wireless communications (e.g. according to the NFC protocol) with the aerosol generating device 2 when the aerosol provision device 2 is received by the docking port 410. The communications interface 310 may be used, inter alia, to allow the computing device 300 to provide and update control settings on the aerosol provision device 2, and / or to retrieve status and usage information from the aerosol provision device 2. The communications interface 310 may also be used, inter alia, to allow the computing device 300 to receive updates relating to the aerosol provision device 2 from a server or other external device.

[0129] Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source of an aerosol provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure (e.g. an aerosol provision system as discussed in relation to Figures 1 to 4). The method of Figure 5 identifies aspects of the operation of control circuitry for the aerosol provision system 1. In particular, Figure 5 relates to the performance of the method by the control circuitry. The method of Figure 5 is for notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source for aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator.

[0130] By control circuitry (e.g. a control unit), it is meant electronic circuitry able to carry out or execute operations and functions. The control circuitry may comprise a processor such as a CPU, and memory (ROM and RAM). The operations of the control circuitry are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor (or on the other electronic components as appropriate). Such software programs may be stored in nonvolatile memory, which can be integrated into the control circuitry itself, or provided as a separate component (e.g. on a PCB). The processor may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required (e.g. to perform operations relating to the method steps below).

[0131] In examples, the control circuitry may be provided by a control unit 20 of an aerosol provision device 2, or may be provided by a control unit 320 of a computing device 300. In some examples, the control circuitry may be provided by both the control unit 20 of an aerosol provision device 2 and the control unit 320 of the computing device 300. In other words, the method may be performed by one or both of the aerosol provision device 2 and the computing device 300. For example, the steps of the method may be carried out entirely by a control unit 20, 320 of one of the devices, or one or more steps may be carried out by the control unit 20,320 one of the devices and the remaining steps may be carried out by the control unit 20,320 of the other of the devices.

[0132] In view of the above, in some examples, an aerosol provision system 1 (including a rechargeable power source 26, a recharging circuitry 220, and control circuitry) may comprise the aerosol provision device 2 of Figure 2, where the control circuitry performing the method steps of Figure 5 is the control unit 20 of the aerosol provision device 2. Whereas in other examples, an aerosol provision system 1 (including a rechargeable power source 26, a recharging circuitry 220, and control circuitry) may comprise the aerosol provision device 2 and the computing device 300 of Figures 3 or 4, where the control circuitry performing the method steps of Figure 5 is the control unit 320 of the computing device 300, or a combination of the control unit 20 of the aerosol provision device 2 and the control unit 320 of the computing device 300.

[0133] The method of Figure 5 begins with step S1 which comprises obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of the rechargeable power source 26 (or power source 420 in some examples such as some of those in accordance with Figure 4). By obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of the rechargeable power source 26, it is meant that the control circuitry (e.g. control unit 20 or control unit 320) receives or records data relating to when the user recharges the rechargeable power source.

[0134] The user behaviour data relating to the recharging of the rechargeable power source 26 may include date and time of charging events and the duration of these charging events, as well as other data relating to the charging of the power source 26 (e.g. total duration of time in which the delivery device 2 is connected to a charger, where this is longer than the duration in which charging occurs since the re-charging per se will end once the power source 26 is fully charged). In some examples, the user behaviour data may include information indicating when the power source 26 of the aerosol provision device 2 was being re-charged and when the power source of the aerosol provision device 2 was not being re-charged (e.g. by recording in increments whether or not charging is occurring, such as on an minute-by- minute or hourly basis for each day) For example, the control circuitry may interact with the recharging circuitry 220 to determine when an external power source is connected (e.g. a charge adaptor or charging case), and may record the time values related to the charging event (e.g. start, stop and duration of charging) to generate user behaviour data relation to recharging of the power source 26. In some other examples, a different entity to the control circuitry may generate user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source, with the control circuitry obtaining the user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source from the different entity. For example, the control circuitry may be the control unit 320 of a computing device 300 which may be configured to obtain the user behaviour data from the recharging circuitry 220 or the control unit 20 of the aerosol provision device 2.

[0135] The obtained user behaviour data may be stored in memory accessible by the control circuitry. For example, the obtained user behaviour data may be stored in memory 218 of the aerosol provision device 2 and I or the obtained user behaviour data may be stored in memory 330 of the computing device 300. The obtained user behaviour data could be stored using a log, table or other suitable data structure in the relevant memory. For example, the data structure may include information identifying the date and time of a charging event instigated by the user.

[0136] By obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of power source 26, the control circuitry is able to build up a record of when (e.g. time and date) the user recharges the power source 26 of the aerosol provision device 2. The storage of the obtained user behaviour data in memory allows for the retrieval and analysis of this built up record.

[0137] The method of Figure 5 continues with step S2 which comprises determining, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source 26. By determining, it is meant that the control circuitry (e.g. control unit 20 of Figures 2, 3, or 4, or control unit 320 of Figures 3 or 4) is configured to analyse or process the obtained user behaviour data to calculate or otherwise identify the default pattern for recharging (e.g. using data from timer 219, and I or other data such as location data).

[0138] For example, the control circuitry may process the obtained user behaviour data to create or update a model representing or otherwise defining the default pattern of the user’s behaviour relating to recharging of the power source 26 (i.e. the default pattern is in some examples provided by a model). In some examples, such a model may be updated every time a certain event happens, such as the user initiating recharging of the power source 26, or, where the control circuitry is provided by control unit 320 of the computing device 300, the obtaining by the control unit 320 of a new set of user behaviour data relating to one or more new recharging events instigated by the user. In other examples, such a model may be updated periodically (e.g. once per day, or once per week), or in accordance with a different criteria (e.g. at least once every 10 recharge events).

[0139] By a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source 26, it is meant data defining the regular or normal times during which the power source is charged including, for example, times of day when charging is typically initiated and I or the regularity with which the power source 26 is charged. In some examples, the default pattern may identify likely or probable times when the power source 26 of the aerosol provision device 2 is expected to be re-charged. In some examples, the default pattern of recharging includes a time of day and a duration for which the rechargeable power source is coupled to the external power supply. For example, the control circuitry may process or analyse the user behaviour data to determine when the user normally charges the power source 26, and to use this to create a default pattern to predict when the user is expected or likely to charge the power source 26 in the future.

[0140] Phrases such as “the rechargeable power source is coupled to the external power supply”, “begins charging”, “beginning of a charge session”, “starts recharging” are used somewhat interchangeably to indicate that an action has been performed which results in the initiation of the supply of power to the power source 26. For example, in order to charge the power source 26, the user couples the power source 26 to an external power source (e.g. power source 420) which starts or begins charging the power source 26 (e.g. begins a charge session). As such, where it is indicated that a user begins charging, or the like, this indicates that the user has taken an action such as coupling the rechargeable power source 26 is coupled to an external power supply.

[0141] In some examples, the default pattern may identify that the user typically places the power source 26 on charge at a regular time of day (e.g. at 10 pm in the evening) or that the user typically places the power source on charge a number of hours after disconnecting the aerosol provision device 2 from a charger (e.g. after 10 hours). In some examples, the default pattern of recharging includes a day of the week on which the rechargeable power source is (regularly) coupled to the external power supply.

[0142] In some examples, the default pattern may indicate different behaviour on different days of a week, month or year. For example, the default pattern may show from the user behaviour data that the number and I or duration of charging events instigated by the user are correlated not only with time, but also with specific day of the week. These correlations, etc., can then be exploited by the model to give a more accurate estimate of the (distribution of) expected energy usage. Furthermore, these events can be correlated with publicly available information or user provided information such as potential non-working days including weekends and national holidays.

[0143] For example, the default pattern may identify that on certain days the power source 26 is placed on charge more often than other days (e.g. charged in the morning and evening on Mondays to Fridays). Similarly, the default pattern may identify that the user behaviour relating to instigating charging is more regular on certain days than others (e.g. more regular on Mondays to Fridays, than Saturdays or Sundays). It will be appreciated that the determined pattern of the user’s routine is specific to the user; however the same processing and analysis techniques can be applied independently of the specific user. For example, while some users may not work Saturdays and Sundays, other users may work Saturdays and Sundays. The same processing and analysis techniques may identify behaviour relating to working and non-working days irrespective of which days a user works on.

[0144] In some examples, control circuitry (e.g. control unit 20 or control unit 320) is configured to obtain an indication of location of the aerosol provision system and I or the user. In these examples, the default pattern of recharging includes an indication of location. For examples, the default pattern includes further information such as an indication of the location of the aerosol provision device and I or user when the power source is being recharged and / or when recharge is initiated. For example, the default pattern may identify that the user places the device on charge in one or more locations, and does not place the device on charge when they are away from the one or more locations.

[0145] The default pattern described herein can be based on a wide range of statistical and computing structures of varying sophistication, such as principle component analysis (PCA), correlation models, neural networks, etc. Note that the default pattern may be provided by a model that is refined with increasing usage of the device. For example, at a given point in time, the model may predict certain expected behaviour relating to recharging over a set time period (e.g. the next week). The actual recharging behaviour over this time period may then be accessed and compared with the prediction. If the prediction is discrepant from the actual usage, this can be used to help refine and improve the model via any suitable machine learning technique.

[0146] In some examples, the default pattern may be determined by the aerosol provision device 2 itself, and / or by an external computing device 300, such as a smartphone, tablet computer (see figure 3) or charging case (see figure 4). The default pattern or a representation of the default pattern may be presented on the aerosol provision device 2 (e.g. by an appropriate display) or may be presented on the external computing device (e.g. by an appropriate display). In some examples, the user interface of an external computing device such as smartphone is typically much more powerful than for an aerosol provision device 2, e.g. with a touch-screen interface, etc., and such a device generally also has much more processing power.

[0147] A further possibility is that the default pattern is generated by a server accessible by the aerosol provision device 2, or the external computing device 300, over the Internet or other appropriate network. In this case, the user behaviour data may be uploaded to the server for analysis and modelling. In some examples, the determined default pattern is generated externally from the aerosol provision device 2, and computing device 300 if present, by the control circuitry communicating with a server, with the generated default pattern being subsequently communicated back to the aerosol provision device 2 for storage and later use (e.g. in step S3).

[0148] The method of Figure 5 further continues with step S3 which comprises causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination. In some examples, causing a notification to be generated means that a signal or the like (e.g. an impulse) is produced which results in the generation of the notification (e.g. the signal may be an instruction, or a component may be configured to respond to the signal by generating the notification).

[0149] The notification may take any appropriate form, depending upon the available facilities of the aerosol provision device 2 (e.g. dependent upon the nature of indicator 14). For example, the aerosol provision device 2 may provide a particular audio warning (one or more beeps) via speaker, or set one or more indicator lights. In some examples, the notification may be generated by the external computing device 300 (e.g. by indicator 340). Another possibility is to communicate with an further external device (e.g. a user’s smart phone) via communications interface 217, with the further external device generating the notification (e.g. by using an app on a smartphone, and the app providing the relevant notification to the user).

[0150] By notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination it is meant that the user is signalled based on the determination to indicate when to recharge the rechargeable power source. For example, notification indicates or otherwise makes the user aware that the power source 26 should be charged at a target time or within a target period. In some examples, the notification notifies the user that they should recharge immediately or at any time from the generation of the notification. In some of these examples, causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power means causing a notification to be generated notifying the user to recharge the rechargeable power source.

[0151] In some other examples, the notification notifies the user that they should recharge at a future time. In some of these examples, causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination means causing a notification to be generated notifying the user to recharge the rechargeable power source their the rechargeable power source at, or by, a first time wherein the first time is determined by to control circuitry in response to the determined default pattern.

[0152] In response to the notification, the user may choose some appropriate action, for example, placing the device on charge within a period or by a time indicated by the notification. For example, the user may connect the aerosol provision device 2 to a docking port 410 of a computing device 300 in line with Figure 4 in response to the notification.

[0153] In some examples, where the notification is provided by an indicator capable of providing a natural language format (e.g. text on a display or speech via a speaker), the notification may be a message in a natural language. For example, the notification may comprise a message such as “Consider putting your device on charge in the next hour” or “Consider putting your device on charge by 10pm”. In some examples, the notification may further reference the default pattern determined in step S2 in order to encourage habit formation. For example, the notification may comprise a message such as “Consider putting your device on charge by 10pm, in line with your normal routine”.

[0154] In some examples, the notification may not be in a natural language format. For example, The notification may comprise one or more user perceivable signals (e.g. beeps, buzzes or flashes) which the user can interpret in order to take an appropriate action. For example, the notification may be explained to the user via a user manual, or via stencilling on a portion of a housing adjacent to the source of the notification. For example, the user manual or stencilling may describe the notification in combination with an instruction for when a user should recharge the rechargeable power source (e.g. “if notification #1 occurs, place on charge within 1 hour”). It will be appreciated that there may be various notifications (e.g. different sequences of signals) indicating different time periods to the user for when to recharge the rechargeable power source. The notification is based on the determined default pattern (step S2) in that the notification is caused to be generated based on information in the default pattern. In some examples, the default pattern may define typical or standard (i.e. default) user behaviour in relation to recharging. For example, the default pattern may identify regular or normal periods (e.g. times and I or days) when the user recharges the power source 26, or periods within which the user typically begins a charge session (e.g. evenings) and periods after which the user typically does not begin a charge session (e.g. periods when the user may be working or asleep).

[0155] In some examples the control circuitry defines one or more thresholds and / or conditions in response to the determination of the default pattern. In these examples, the control circuitry can cause a notification to be generated if one of the one or more thresholds or conditions are met or exceeded. In some examples, the control circuitry can define one or more time thresholds after which a notification should be generated. For example, based on the default pattern the control circuitry may set a time threshold corresponding to the beginning of a period in which the user regularly begins charging (i.e. couples the device 2 to an external power source). The control circuitry can cause a notification to be generated after the time threshold has been exceeded, until the user couples the aerosol provision device 2 to a power source. In some examples, the control circuitry can cause a notification to cease to be generated, if a second threshold has been exceeded (for example, the second threshold based on the default pattern and corresponding to the end of a period in which the user regularly begins charging).

[0156] In some examples, the control circuitry can define one or more conditions upon which a notification should be generated. In some examples, the control circuitry can determine a condition relating to the location of the aerosol provision device 2 (containing the power source 26) and / or the user, and can cause a notification to be generated if information is received indicating the aerosol provision device 2 and / or user meet the location condition (e.g. a user is at a home location, or an office location).

[0157] In some examples, the control circuitry can determine a condition relating to the use of the aerosol provision device, and can cause a notification to be generated if information is received that indicates that the device has been used in accordance with the condition. For example, the condition may require that the device has been used within a period of time (e.g. within 30 minutes, preferably within 15 minutes, and most preferably within 5 minutes (based on the timer 219 or similar)), which may be advantageous in that the user and the aerosol provision device 2 may be in close proximity, particularly where the notification is provided by an indicator 14 of the aerosol provision device 2. Alternatively, the condition may require that the device has not been used within a period of time (e.g. more than 30 minutes since last usage, and preferably more than 60 minutes since last usage (based on the timer 219 or similar)), which may indicate that the user does not intend to use the aerosol provision device 2 for a prolonged period.

[0158] In some examples, conditions may be related to a motion of the aerosol provision device 2 (where the aerosol provision device 2 includes a sensor capable of detecting motion), to an interaction of a user with an app or program on an external device (e.g. computing device 300), and or to an amount of usage during a day (e.g. based on a count of a number of activations of an aerosol generator 48). In some examples, the control circuitry causes a notification to be generated when both a threshold and a condition are met. For example, the control circuitry may cause a notification to be generated if the a time threshold has been exceeded (e.g. the time of day is after the beginning of a period in which a user typically begins a charge session of the power source 26), and a condition is met (e.g. the user or device is at a specific location, and the user has or alternatively has not used the device for a period of time).

[0159] In some examples, control circuitry (e.g. control unit 20 or control unit 320) may identify from the default pattern that the user typically begins charging the power source 26 at a certain time or during a certain period, and cause a notification to be generated that pre-warns a user that the time or period at which the user typically charges the power source is approaching. In some examples, different notifications may be provided dependent on the duration until the time or period at which the user typically charges the power source (e.g. one hour, 30 minutes, and 15 minute threshold warnings). It will be appreciated that if the user begins charging the power source 26 before a notification is due then the notification will not be issued.

[0160] In some examples, the control circuitry (e.g. control unit 20 or control unit 320) may identify from the default pattern that the user typically begins charging the power source during a certain period (i.e. between certain times), and cause a notification to be generated that warns a user that period at which the user typically charges the power source has started and I or is currently occurring. For example, if a user typically places the power source on charge in a certain period (e.g. between 7 pm and 10 pm), then the control circuitry may cause one or more notifications in the period to remind the user to place the power source on charge. For example, a notification could be provided at the start of the period, at the middle of the period, and I or towards the end of the period, such as 90% of the way through the period (e.g. the notification generated based on thresholds corresponding to the progression through the period)). In some examples, the default pattern may indicate a predicted (most likely) time at which the user begins charging the power source within the period, and the controller may provide a notification to coincide with the predicted time.

[0161] In some examples, the control circuity (e.g. control unit 20 or control unit 320) may identify from the default pattern that a user has not begun charging the power source during a regular period or at a regular time (i.e. the user has deviated from the default pattern), and may cause a notification to be generated to the user to indicate that they should couple the rechargeable power source to the external power supply to begin charging the power source. In other words, the control circuitry is configured to cause the notification to be generated in response to a deviation from the default pattern of recharging (e.g. in the absence of the rechargeable power source being coupled to the external power supply). For example, the default pattern may indicate that a user typically begins charging the power source 26 in a set period of time. The control circuitry can identify that the user has not begun charging the power sources 26 within this time period and can in response cause a notification to be generated to notify the user that they should recharge the power source 26.

[0162] In some examples, the control circuitry is configured to provide a number of notifications dependent on the extent of the deviation from the default pattern (e.g. a notification at 1 hour after the expiry of the expected period identified from the default pattern, and a notification at 2 hours after the expiry of the expected period identified from the default pattern, etc). In some examples, the user can prevent further notifications by placing the power source on charge (e.g. by coupling the device 2 with an external power supply), or by interacting with the aerosol provision device 2, computing device 300, or other external device to silence further notifications.

[0163] In some examples, the control circuitry may cause a notification to be generated based on location data in the default pattern. For example, the control circuitry can receive information indicating that the user and I or the aerosol provision device 2 are at a location where the user regularly charges the power source 26, and, in response, cause a notification to be generated to notify a user when to recharge the power source (e.g. charge immediately, or charge within the next hour).

[0164] In some examples, the control circuitry may cause a notification to be generated based on location data and timing data in the default pattern (e.g. based on conditions and thresholds). For example, the control circuitry can receive information indicating that the user and I or the aerosol provision device 2 are at a location where the user regularly charges the power source 26, and that a period within which the user regularly charges the power source is about to begin, has begun, or has ended. In response, the control circuitry causes a notification to be generated to notify a user when to recharge the power source (e.g. charge immediately, or charge within the next hour).

[0165] Similarly in some examples, the control circuitry may identify that a period within which the user regularly charges the power source is about to begin or has begun, but that the user is not in their regular location, and in response does not cause a notification to be generated, or causes a notification to be delayed until information is received identifying that a user and I or the aerosol provision device are at a location where the power source 26 is regularly charged.

[0166] The method of Figure 5 then ends.

[0167] In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, there is also provided aerosol provision means, including aerosol provision system 1, for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using aerosol generator means, including aerosol generator 48, the aerosol provision means comprising: rechargeable power means, including power source 26, recharging means, including recharging circuitry 220, for recharging the rechargeable power means when coupled to an external power supply; and control means, including control circuitry 20, configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power means; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power means; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power means based on the determination.

[0168] Thus there has been described an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision system comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0169] Thus there has also been described an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0170] Thus there has further been described a computing device for communicatively coupling to an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising a rechargeable power source and recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply, wherein the computing device comprises control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0171] Thus there has still further been described a method of notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source for an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the method comprising: obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source, determining, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source, and causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

[0172] While the above described embodiments have in some respects focussed on some specific example aerosol provision systems, it will be appreciated the same principles can be applied for aerosol provision systems using other technologies. For example, while Figure 1 has focussed on a liquid aerosol-generating material, it will be appreciated that the aerosol provision device or system in accordance with the embodiments of the disclosure may instead use a solid- or gel-based aerosol-generating material. That is to say, the specific manner in which various aspects of the aerosol provision system function are not directly relevant to the principles underlying the examples described herein.

[0173] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, described is an aerosol provision system configured to determine an effective capacity of a power source indicative of the degradation of the capacity of the power source with time. The effective capacity may is based on the output from power source measuring circuitry, capable of measuring electrical properties of the power source to provide a current maximum potential capacity of the power source, and a default maximum potential capacity of the power source obtained in advance (e.g., from a manufacturer). Based on the determined effective capacity, the aerosol provision system may perform an action, particularly when the effective capacity is considered to fall below a threshold value. The actions taken by the aerosol provision system may guide the user in taking subsequent actions in respect of the usage of the aerosol provision system. For example, the aerosol provision system may alert the user when the effective capacity of the power source is below a threshold amount and / or the typical average number of inhalations that can be achieved by the power source if fully charged. In this way, the user can be informed when the power source is no longer fit for purpose and should be replaced.

[0174] The following description will focus on embodiments in which the aerosol provision system is one in which a source liquid as the aerosol-generating material is vaporised to generate an aerosol for user inhalation. In such embodiments, the article is more commonly referred to as a cartridge. The cartridge mechanically engages with the aerosol provision device as described above. However, it should be appreciated that the principles of the present disclosure are applicable to aerosol provision systems capable of vaporising different aerosol-generating materials, such as solids or gels, as described above. More generally, the principles of the present disclosure apply to aerosol provision systems for use with any suitable aerosol-generating materials.

[0175] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through an aerosol provision system 501 provided in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0176] The aerosol provision system 501 shown in Figure 6 comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 502 and a replaceable I disposable cartridge 504 (which is an example of a consumable or article). The aerosol provision system 501 of Figure 6 is an example of a modular construction of an aerosol provision system 501. In this regard, the aerosol provision device 502 and the cartridge 504 are able to engage with or disengage from one another at an interface 506. However, as mentioned above, the principles of the present disclosure also apply to other constructions of the aerosol provision system 501 , such as one-part or unitary constructions where the device 502 and cartridge 504 may be integrally formed (or in other words, the aerosol provision device 501 is provided with an integrally formed aerosol-generating material storage area or portion).

[0177] The aerosol provision system 501 is generally elongate and cylindrical in shape. The aerosol provision system 501 may be sized so as to approximate a cigarette. However, it should be understood that the general size and shape of the aerosol provision system 501 is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure. In some other implementations, the aerosol provision system 501 may conform to different overall shapes; for example, the aerosol provision device 502 may be based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

[0178] The device 502 comprises components that are generally intended to have a longer lifetime than the cartridge 504. In other words, the device 502 is intended to be used, sequentially, with multiple cartridges 504. The cartridge 504 comprises components (such as aerosolgenerating material) that are consumed when forming an aerosol for delivery to the user during use of the aerosol provision system 501.

[0179] In the example modular configuration of Figure 6, the device 502 and the cartridge 504 are releasably coupled together at the first interface 506. When the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge 504 is exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge 504 (e.g., containing a different aerosol-generating material), the cartridge 504 may be removed from the device 502 and a replacement cartridge 504 attached to the device 502 in its place. The interface 506 provides a structural connection between the device 502 and cartridge 504 and may be established in accordance with suitable techniques, for example based around a screw thread, latch mechanism, bayonet fixing or magnetic coupling. In some implementations, the interface 506 may also provide an electrical coupling between the device 502 and the cartridge 504 using suitable electrical contacts. The electrical coupling may allow for power and I or data to be supplied to I from the cartridge 504.

[0180] It should also be understood that in some implementations, the cartridge 504 may be refillable. That is, the cartridge 504 may be refilled with aerosol-generating material when the cartridge 504 is depleted, using an appropriate mechanism such as a one-way refilling valve or the like. The cartridge 504 may be removed from the device 502 in order to be refilled. In other examples, the cartridge 504 may be configured so as to be refilled while attached to the device 502.

[0181] In implementations where the aerosol provision system 501 is a one-part or unitary system, the aerosol provision system 501 may be provided with a suitable mechanism, such as a one-way valve or the like, to enable the integrated cartridge 504 (or integrated aerosolgenerating material storage area) to be refilled with aerosol-generating material.

[0182] In Figure 6, the cartridge part 504 comprises a cartridge housing 542, an aerosol-generating material storage area 544, an aerosol generator 548, an aerosol-generating material transport component 546, an outlet or opening 550, and an air path 552.

[0183] The cartridge housing 542 supports other components of the cartridge 504 and provides the mechanical interface 506 with the device 502. The cartridge housing 542 is formed from a suitable material, such as a plastics material or a metal material. In the described implementation, the cartridge housing 542 is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 504 couples to the device 502. In this example the cartridge 504 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm. However, it will be appreciated the specific geometry, and more generally the overall shapes, may be different in different implementations. The cartridge 504 comprises a first end, broadly defined by the interface 506, and a second end which is opposite the first end and includes the opening 550. The second end including the opening is intended to be received in / by a user’s mouth and may be referred to as a mouthpiece end of the cartridge 504.

[0184] Within the cartridge housing 542 is an aerosol-generating material storage area 544, which may be referred to herein as a reservoir 544. The cartridge 504 of Figure 6 is configured to store a liquid aerosol-generating material, which may be referred to herein as a source liquid, e-liquid or liquid. The source liquid may contain nicotine and I or other active ingredients, and I or one or more flavours, as described above. In some implementations, the source liquid may contain no nicotine. The reservoir 544 is suitably configured to hold or retain liquid therein.

[0185] The reservoir 544 in this example has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 542 and an inner wall that defines an air path 552 through the cartridge 504. The reservoir 544 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the liquid. The reservoir 544 may be formed in accordance with suitable techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 542.

[0186] The cartridge 504 further comprises an aerosol generator 548. The aerosol generator 548 is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material (e.g., the source liquid). The cartridge 504 further comprises the aerosol-generating material transport component 546, which is configured to transport the aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 544 (e.g., reservoir 544) to the aerosol generator 548. In some implementations, the aerosol-generating material transport component 546 may be integrated with the aerosol generator 548 to form a combined aerosol generator 548 and aerosol-generating material transport component 546.

[0187] The aerosol generator 548 is configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material. In some implementations, the aerosol generator 548 is a heater 548. The heater 548 is 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. By way of example, the heater 548 may take the form of an electrically resistive wire or trace intended to have electrical current passed between ends thereof, or a susceptor element which is intended to generate heat upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field. However, in other implementations, the aerosol generator 548 is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator 548 may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0188] The aerosol-generating material transport element 546 is configured to transport aerosolgenerating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 544 (reservoir 544) to the aerosol generator 548. The nature of the aerosol-generating material may dictate the form of the aerosol-generating material transport element 546. For example, for a liquid or viscous gel aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating material transport element 546 is configured to transport the liquid or viscous gel aerosol-generating material using capillary action. For example, the aerosol-generating material transport element 546 may comprise a porous material (e.g., ceramic) or a bundle of fibres (e.g., glass or cotton fibres) capable of transporting liquid / viscous gel using capillary action.

[0189] In the described implementation of Figure 6, the aerosol generator 548 is a heater 548 taking the form of a coil of metal wire, such as a nickel chrome alloy (Cr20Ni80) wire. The aerosol-generating material transport element 546 in the implementation of Figure 6 is a wick 546 taking the form of a bundle of fibres, such as glass fibres. The heater 548 is wound around the wick 546 as seen in Figure 6 such that the heater 548 is provided in the proximity of the wick 546 and therefore also to any liquid held in the wick 546. In some implementations, the aerosol generator 548 may comprise a porous ceramic wick 546 and an electrically conductive track disposed on a surface of the porous ceramic wick acting as the heater 548. In yet other implementations, the heater 548 and wick 546 may be combined into a single component, e.g., a plurality of sintered steel fibres forming a planar structure.

[0190] The heater 548 and wick 546 are located towards an end of the reservoir 544. In this example, the wick 546 extends transversely across the cartridge air path 552 with its ends extending into the reservoir 544 of liquid through openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 544. The openings in the inner wall of the reservoir are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 546 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the liquid reservoir 544 into the cartridge air path 552 without unduly compressing the wick 546, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance. The wick 546 is therefore configured to transport liquid from the reservoir 544 to the vicinity of the heater 548 via a capillary effect.

[0191] The wick 546 and heater 548 are arranged in the cartridge air path 552 such that a region of the cartridge air path 552 around the wick 546 and heater 548 in effect defines a vaporisation region for the cartridge 504. This vaporisation region (or aerosol generation region) is the region of the cartridge 504 where vapour is initially generated and aerosol initially formed. In use, electrical power may be supplied to the heater 548 to vaporise an amount of liquid drawn to the vicinity of the heater 548 by the wick 546.

[0192] Aerosol is delivered to the user via the outlet 550 provided at the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 504. During use, the user may place their lips on or around the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 504 and draw air I aerosol through the outlet 550. More specifically, air is drawn into and along the air path 552, past the aerosol generator 548 where aerosol is entrained into the air, and the combined aerosol I air is then inhaled by the user through the opening 550. Although Figure 6 shows the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 504 as being an integral part of the cartridge 504, a separate mouthpiece component may be provided which releasably couples to the end of the cartridge 504.

[0193] The device 502 comprises an outer housing 512, an optional indicator 514, an inhalation sensor 516 located within a chamber 518, a controller or control circuitry 520, a power source 526, an air inlet 528 and an air path 530.

[0194] The device part 502 comprises an outer housing 512 with an opening that defines an air inlet 528 for the aerosol provision system 501 , a power source 526 for providing operating power for the aerosol provision system 501 , a controller or control circuitry 520 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol provision system 501, and an inhalation sensor (puff detector) 516 located in a chamber 518. The device 502 further comprises an optional indicator 514.

[0195] The outer housing 512 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross-section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge 504 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 506. In this example, the device 502 has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the aerosol provision system 501 when the cartridge 504 and device 502 are coupled together is around 12 cm. However, and as already noted, it will be appreciated that the overall shape and scale of an aerosol provision system 501 implementing the present disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.

[0196] The outer housing 512 further comprises an air inlet 528 which connects to an air path 530 provided through the device 502. The device air path 530 in turn connects to the cartridge air path 552 across the interface 506 when the device 502 and cartridge 504 are connected together. In this regard, the interface 506 is also arranged to provide a connection of the respective air paths 530 and 552, such that air and / or aerosol is able to pass along the coupled air paths 530, 552. In other implementations, the device 502 does not comprise an air path 530 and instead the cartridge 504 comprises the air path 552 and a suitable air inlet which permits air to enter into the air path 552 when the cartridge 504 and device 502 are coupled.

[0197] The power source 526 in this implementation is a battery 526. The battery 526 is rechargeable and may be, for example of the kind normally used in aerosol provision systems and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery 526 may be, for example, a lithium ion battery. The battery 526 may be recharged through a suitable charging connector provided at or in the outer housing 512, for example a USB connector. Additionally or alternatively, the device 502 may comprise suitable circuitry to facilitate wireless charging of the battery 526.

[0198] The control circuitry 520 is suitably configured I programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision system 501. The control circuitry 520 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units I circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision system's operation and may be implemented by provision of a (micro)controller, processor, ASIC or similar form of control chip. The control circuitry 520 may be arranged to control any functionality associated with the system 501. By way of nonlimiting examples only, the functionality may include the charging or re-charging of the battery 526, the discharging of the battery 526 (e.g., for providing power to the heater 548), in addition to other functionality such as controlling visual indicators (e.g., LEDs) I displays, communication functionality for communicating with external devices, etc. The control circuitry 520 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB). Note also that the functionality provided by the control circuitry 520 may be split across multiple circuit boards and I or across components which are not mounted to a PCB, and these additional components and I or PCBs can be located as appropriate within the aerosol provision device. For example, functionality of the control circuit 520 for controlling the (re)charging functionality of the battery 526 may be provided separately (e.g. on a different PCB) from the functionality for controlling the discharge of the battery 526.

[0199] As noted above, when the device 502 and the cartridge 504 are coupled together at interface 506, the interface 506 provides an electrical connection between the device 502 and the cartridge 504. More particularly, electrical contacts on the device 502, which are coupled to the power source 526, are electrically coupled to electrical contacts on the cartridge, which are coupled to the heater 548. Accordingly, under suitable control by the control circuitry 520, electrical power from the power source 526 is able to be supplied from the power source 526 to the heater 548, thereby allowing the heater 548 to vaporise liquid in the proximity of the heater 548 held in the wick 546. In the example of Figure 6, the aerosol provision device 502 comprises a chamber 518 containing the inhalation sensor 516, which in this example is a pressure sensor 516. However, the inhalation sensor 516 may be any suitable sensor, such as an air flow sensor, for sensing when a user inhales on the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 504 and subsequently draws air along the air paths 530, 552. Accordingly, the presence of the chamber 518 is optional and its presence may depend on the characteristics of the selected inhalation sensor 516.

[0200] The pressure sensor 516 is in fluid communication with the air path 530 in the device 502 (e.g. the chamber 518 branches off from the air path 530 in the device 502). Thus, when a user inhales on the opening 550, there is a drop in pressure in the chamber 518, which if sufficient, is detected by the pressure sensor 516. The aerosol provision system 501 is controlled to generate aerosol in response to detecting an inhalation by a user. That is, when the pressure sensor 516 detects a drop in pressure in the pressure sensor chamber 518, the control circuitry 520 responds by causing electrical power to be supplied from the battery 526 to the aerosol generator 548 sufficient to cause vaporisation of the liquid held within the wick 546. This is an example of an aerosol provision system which is said to be “puff actuated”. The pressure sensor 516 may be used to start and I or end the power supply to the heater 548 (e.g., when the pressure sensor detects the absence of an inhalation).

[0201] In other implementations, the aerosol provision system 501 includes a button or other user actuatable mechanism. When the button or other user actuatable mechanism is actuated by the user, the control circuitry 520 caused power to be supplied to the heater 548 as described above. This is an example of an aerosol provision system which is said to be “button actuated”. The button may be used to start and I or end power supply to the heater 548 (e.g., when the button is released by the user). In some implementations, both a button (or other user actuatable mechanism) and an inhalation sensor 516 may be used to control the delivery of power to the heater 548, e.g., by requiring both the button press and a pressure drop indicative of an inhalation to be present before supplying power to the heater 548.

[0202] As noted above, the power source 526 in the aerosol provision device 502 is a rechargeable battery 526. As the aerosol provision device 502 is intended to be used with multiple cartridges (or multiple refills of an integrally formed reservoir 544), by providing a rechargeable battery 526 capable of being recharged, the lifetime of the aerosol provision device 502 is able to be extended and thus the aerosol provision device 502 is capable of being used with more cartridges 504 than would otherwise be possible with a non- rechargeable battery of a similar size or capacity. In addition or alternatively, by virtue of the fact the battery 526 is rechargeable, the physical size of the battery 526 may be reduced thereby allowing for smaller scale aerosol provision devices 502 without compromising on an overall lifetime usage of the aerosol provision system 501.

[0203] However, rechargeable power sources 526, for instance such as lithium ion batteries, tend to experience a decrease in their maximum potential capacity with an increasing number of recharging cycles. That is to say, for example, a lithium ion battery having a maximum potential capacity of 500 mAh after a single recharge cycle, may experience a drop in the capacity of the battery over say 100 recharge cycles of 50 mAh. Other factors such as the environmental temperature or how the battery is discharged in use my also affect the rate of degradation of the capacity of the lithium ion battery. Thus, users of aerosol provision systems 501 having rechargeable batteries will often experience a reduction in capacity of such batteries with time (which may be perceived by user as a need to recharge the aerosol provision system more frequently).

[0204] For a majority of users, aerosol provision systems 501 are used to provide nicotine (or other active substance) to a user, and thus the fear of having insufficient power in the battery 526 during the user’s day when they are unable to recharge the battery 526 can cause some users to experience anxiety or even cause users to consider alternative means for delivering the nicotine (or other active substance).

[0205] Hence, in accordance with the present disclosure, the aerosol provision system 501 is provided with power source measuring circuitry 524 that is configured to measure or determine a current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. The output of the power source measuring circuitry 524 is provided to the control circuitry 520 (or to a specific part I module I circuit of the control circuitry 520) where the control circuitry 520 is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity (obtained in advance) with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source. On the basis of the determined effective capacity of the power source 526, the control circuitry 520 or aerosol provision system 501 may be able to perform one or more actions.

[0206] The power source measuring circuitry 524 is shown schematically in Figure 6 as being positioned between the control circuitry 520 and the power source 526, and more particularly is coupled to the wires I connection between the power source 526 and the control circuitry 520. The power source measuring circuitry 524 is shown as a separate circuit I module in the aerosol provision system 501 of Figure 6, but it should be appreciated that in some implementations, the power source measuring circuitry 524 may be integrated with the control circuitry 520. The power source measuring circuitry 524 is adapted to make electrical measurements associated with the power source 526, for example such as a voltage and or a current, although other measurements may be made in other implementations. In some implementations, the power source measuring circuitry 524 or the control circuitry 520 may be provided with a timer or clock, which may be used to trigger the taking of measurements or to record the corresponding time at which a measurement is taken. In some further implementations, the power source measuring circuitry 524 or the control circuitry 520 may be provided with a mechanism to detect when recharging of the power source 526 is started.

[0207] Figure 7 shows an example method of determining an effective capacity of the power source 526 of the aerosol provision system 501 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0208] In Figure 7, the method starts at step S11 where the control circuitry 520 obtains a default maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. In some implementations, the default maximum potential capacity of the power source 526 may be pre-programmed into the control circuitry 520 during manufacture of the aerosol provision system 501. For example, the power source 526 to be used with the aerosol provision system 501 may be supplied with an indication of the maximum potential capacity and this value is programmed into the control circuitry 520. In other implementations, when the power source 526 is installed in the aerosol provision system 501 , the control circuitry 520 may be configured to identify the power source 526 (e.g., from a readable chip installed on the power source 526) and send the obtained identifier to a remote server, e.g., via wireless communications, to obtain the indication of the maximum potential capacity. In further implementations, when the power source 526 is initially installed in the aerosol provision device 502, the power source measuring circuitry 524 may be configured to perform one or more measurements and to determine the default maximum potential capacity of the power source 526 (noting that, at least initially, degradation of the power source 526 is likely to be minimal).

[0209] After step S11, the method proceeds to step S12 where the power source measuring circuitry 524 is configured to determine a current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. Step S11 is typically performed well in advance of step S12, e.g., at the manufacturing stage, whereas step S12 is typically performed when the user is in possession of the aerosol provision system 501 and has been using the device 502. Step S12 may be performed periodically after the aerosol provision system 501 is first activated (e.g., after the first time the inhalation sensor 516 detects a user inhalation). For example, step S12 may be performed every 524 or 548 hours after first use, although it should be appreciated that the time period may be set based on the expected rate of degradation for the power source 526. Alternatively, or additionally, the step S12 may be performed periodically, potentially more frequently than described above, after another criteria has been reached, such as the number of charging cycles reaching a predetermined threshold, or the usage of the device 502 reaching a certain threshold. In other implementations, step S12 may be performed after every use or after a number of uses, and I or each time the device 502 is powered on.

[0210] As noted above, the power source measuring circuitry 524 is configured to measure or determine a current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. It should be appreciated that, in use, the available energy within a power source 526 at any given moment is unlikely to be the same as the maximum potential capacity, e.g., due to selfdischarge or controlled discharge (e.g., when powering the aerosol generator 548), or due to incomplete recharging cycles or the like. Therefore, on the basis of one or more measurements made, the power source measuring circuitry 524 is capable of determining a current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526.

[0211] The power source measuring circuitry 524 may be adapted to use any suitable technique to determine the maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. However, by way of example, we consider the following two techniques in which the maximum potential capacity may be determined.

[0212] Figure 8 shows an example graph representing a capacity of the power source 526 (in arbitrary units on the y-axis) as a function of time (in arbitrary units on the x-axis) during a recharging operation. In this example, the power source 526 begins recharging from an initial value at a time t1. Two scenarios are illustrated - a first curve A shows an example measured capacity for a power source 526 during recharging that has little to no degradation in capacity, while a second curve B shows an example measured capacity for a power source 526 during recharging that has some degradation.

[0213] According to the first implementation, the power source measuring circuitry 524 is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526 after a recharging cycle of a predetermined duration and / or current has been performed. That is to say, in this implementation, the power source measuring circuitry 524 determines when a predetermined duration, d, has elapsed from an initial point of recharging, e.g., time t1 on Figure 8, and is subsequently configured to perform a measurement at time t2. For example, the power source measuring circuitry 524 may measure the voltage of the power source 526 at time t2.

[0214] As can be seen in Figure 8, the relative capacities of the two power sources 526 represented by curves A and B differ at the point in time t2. From the measurement obtained at time t2, the capacity of the two power sources 526 can be obtained. In some implementations, the duration, d, may be set to be an appropriate duration. For example, the duration, d, may be set in advance to a time period in which a depleted battery may be expected to be fully charged (or charged to a certain level, e.g., 95% of full charge), such that the measurement at time t2 is considered to be indicative of a battery that is or is close to full charge, thereby giving a better representation of the maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. In some instances, power source may not be charged for the full duration, and in which case the power source measuring circuitry 524 may be configured to abandon a determination of the current maximum potential capacity.

[0215] Figure 9 similarly shows an example graph representing a capacity of the power source 526 (in arbitrary units on the y-axis) as a function of time (in arbitrary units on the x-axis) during a recharging operation. In this example, the power source 526 begins recharging from an initial value at a time t1. Two scenarios are illustrated - a first curve A shows an example measured capacity for a power source 526 during recharging that has little to no degradation in capacity, while a second curve B shows an example measured capacity for a power source 526 during recharging that has some degradation.

[0216] According to the second implementation, the power source measuring circuitry 524 is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source by monitoring the output voltage of the power source 526 during a re-charging cycle of the power source 526, and determining when the rate of change of the output voltage with respect to time is below a predetermined value.

[0217] For example, with reference to Figure 9, the dashed lines tangential to the curves A and B represent a certain gradient of the curves A and B with respect to time. This gradient is in effect representative of the rate of change of, in this example, the measured voltage with time. Although the actual capacity of the power sources are different at the time t3, owing to the degradation noted above, the form I shape of the charging curves is similar. Therefore, by identifying when the rate of change of the output voltage with respect to time reaches a threshold value, this may be indicative of a common point in the recharging cycle for both power sources 526. That is to say, when the rate of change of voltage with respect to time is, e.g., X V / s, this may be indicative of the fact that the power source is e.g., Y% of the current maximum potential capacity. Therefore, a comparison between the default maximum potential capacity and the current maximum potential capacity can be realised.

[0218] In such implementations, it should be realised that the measurement made at t3 is not fixed as it is in Figure 8 relative to the start of charging, and thus is less dependent on identifying the time when recharging starts. Moreover, the measurement can be performed more quickly as it is dependent on reaching the rate of change of voltage required, as opposed to passing a fixed duration where, in practice, the recharging cycle is performed for longer than is necessary.

[0219] The above two examples of Figures 8 and 9 are to be understood as examples only and the skilled person will be aware of, and capable of implementing, other techniques which may be utilised to determine the current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526. That is to say, the specific way in which the power source measuring circuitry 524 is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0220] With reference back to Figure 7, at step S13, the control circuitry 520, having received the output of the current maximum potential capacity from the power source measuring circuitry 524, is configured to determine an effective capacity. The effective capacity is indicative of the degradation of the power source 526. For example, if the default maximum potential capacity is 500 mAh that represents a notional 100% capacity of the power source 526, the determined current maximum potential capacity may be say 450 mAh. The effective capacity in this regard may be determined as the percentage of the default maximum potential capacity that the determined current maximum potential capacity is - for example, in the above example, the effective capacity may be 90%. Thus, the effective capacity indicates that there is a 10% degradation in the capacity of the power source 526. The effective capacity may not be limited to a percentage measure, for example in other implementations, the effective capacity may be an absolute measure of the difference between the default maximum potential capacity and the determined current maximum potential capacity, or in other implementations, the effective capacity may be the same as the determined current maximum potential capacity.

[0221] At step S13, the control circuitry 520 is configured to determine whether the effective capacity is below a threshold. The threshold may be suitably set depending on the form of the effective capacity. For example, if the effective capacity is determined as a percentage, the threshold may be set to say 70 %. Thus, the control circuitry 520 is configured to compare the effective capacity with the threshold and determined whether the effective capacity is below the threshold.

[0222] If at step S13 the effective capacity is not below the threshold (i.e. , NO at step S13), then the method proceeds back to step S12 and the current maximum potential capacity is determined again (i.e., at a later time as described above).

[0223] Conversely, if at step S13 the effective capacity is below the threshold (i.e., YES at step S13), then the method proceeds to one or more of steps S14, S15 and S16. At step S14, the control circuitry 520 is configured to cause an alert to be issued to the user of the aerosol provision system 501. The alert may take any form and be communicated to the user in any suitable way. For example, the indicator 514 of the aerosol provision system

[0224] 501 may comprise a display, LED or other visual element which is actuated to provide the alert to the user (e.g., as a displayed image I message on a display or via a flashing or illuminated LED). Alternatively or additionally, the indicator 514 may comprise a speaker and the alert may comprise a sound generated by the speaker, which may include a recorded speech message or the like. Yet further alternatively or additionally, the indicator 514 may comprise a haptic motor configured to generate haptic feedback to be provided to the user as the alert.

[0225] Regardless of the form of the alert, and the mechanism by which it is generated, the alert acts to signify to the user that the effective capacity is below the threshold, which may signify to the user that the power source 526 has degraded to beyond an acceptable extent (and thus the user may have a greater risk of running out of power to power the aerosol provision system 501). In some implementations, the alert includes a message informing the user that the power source 526 of the aerosol provision system 501 should be replaced. In some implementations, the power source 526 may be removable from the aerosol provision device

[0226] 502 and a new power source 526 may be installed in its place. In other implementations, the power source 526 may be integrally formed with the aerosol provision device 502 and thus replacement of the power source 526 may be achieved through replacing the aerosol provision device 502. Depending on the form of the alert, the message informing the user that the power source 526 of the aerosol provision system 501 should be replaced can take a suitable form (e.g., a text message on the display, a speech message played by the speaker, or a sequence of flashing lights I vibrations, etc.). Like the form of the alert, the form of the message is not particularly limited and may take any suitable form.

[0227] In addition or alternatively to providing the alert at step S14, in response to determining the effective capacity is below the threshold, the control circuitry 520 may cause the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user at step S15. While the alert at step S14 may inform the user the effective capacity is below the threshold, in some implementations, it may be desirable to provide an indication of the effective capacity to the user, thereby helping to inform the user precisely how far below the threshold the effective capacity is. This may help to guide and inform a user regarding their subsequent usage of the aerosol provision system 501 and / or the urgency in terms of replacing the power source 526. In a similar manner, the effective capacity of the power source 526 can take a suitable form (e.g., a text message on the display, a speech message played by the speaker, or a sequence of flashing lights I vibrations, etc.). The way in which the effective capacity is communicated to the user is not particularly limited and may take any suitable form.

[0228] In addition or alternatively to providing the alert at step S14 and / or the determined effective capacity at step S15, in response to determining the effective capacity is below the threshold, the control circuitry 520 is further configured determine an effective usage at step S16. The effective usage indicates an approximate number of inhalations achievable from the power source 526 based on the determined effective capacity and additionally user usage behaviour obtained in advance. That is to say, the control circuitry 520 is capable of determining an approximate number of inhalations that is achievable from the current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526, such that the user is able to know that, when the power source 526 is charged to its maximum available capacity, the expected usage from the power source 526 is X number of inhalations and thus the user can plan whether this is sufficient for their usage through the day (or more particularly, between recharge cycles).

[0229] In one implementation, the user usage behaviour is predetermined and fixed for a given aerosol provision system 501. For example, the manufacturer of the aerosol provision system 501 may determine that an average inhalation is approximately two seconds and uses approximately 1.2 mAh of charge per inhalation. Therefore, a power source 526 having a determined current maximum potential capacity of 450 mAh is capable of delivering approximately 540 inhalations (as opposed to 600 inhalations for a 500 mAh capacity).

[0230] In other implementations, the control circuitry 520 is configured to determine an average charge consumed on the basis of data corresponding to the user. For example, the control circuitry 520 may be configured to determine the duration of a user’s inhalation, e.g., by determining the time between the inhalation sensor 516 determine the start of an inhalation and the end of an inhalation, over a plurality of inhalations. In other implementations, the control circuitry 520 may also be configured to determine the average power applied to the aerosol generator 548 (e.g., via measuring or otherwise knowing the supplied voltage and / or current to the aerosol generator 548), and from the average duration, and optionally the average power, determine the average charge used per inhalation for that given user. In this way, the user usage behaviour can be tailored to the specific user to give a better approximation of the number of inhalations achievable from the power source 526 when fully charged based on the determined current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526.

[0231] Hence, at step S16, the control circuitry 520 is configured to determine an effective usage and communicate this to the user, such that the user is capable of determining whether the current state of the power source 526 is suitable for their day-to-day (or recharging cycle to recharging cycle) usage.

[0232] In some implementations, the method of Figure 7 does not include any steps concerning the control of the aerosol generator 548. Typically, for certain power sources, such as lithium ion batteries, the power should not be discharged further when the power source 526 drops below a safe use limit. The alert of step S14, the effective capacity feedback of step S15, and the communication of the effective usage at step S16 are typically provided independently of the actual charge of the power source 526 dropping below the safe use limit as these relate to parameters concerning the current maximum potential (i.e., not the actual measured charge) capacity of the power source 526. However, in some implementations, the control circuitry 520 may be configured to prevent activation of the aerosol generator 548, for example when the determined current maximum potential capacity approaches the safe use limit.

[0233] In response to any of steps S14 to S16 being performed, the alert I feedback I information may be provided continuously to the user until the user replaces the power source 526 or the aerosol provision device 502. In other implementations, the aerosol provision system 501 may be provided with a temporary mute button that allows the alert I feedback I information of steps S14, S15 and S16 to be temporarily muted, e.g., for a predetermined period. Once the predetermined period has elapsed, the alert I feedback I information may be provided to the user once again.

[0234] In the example method of Figure 7, the effective capacity is compared to a single threshold at step S13. However, it should be appreciated that the method may be extended to compare the effective capacity to multiple thresholds of different levels. For example, the effective capacity may be compared to a threshold of say 80 %, and if the effective capacity is below this level, the method performs any one of steps S14 to S16 a first time. For example, an alert may be generated with the text message, “POWER SOURCE NEEDS REPLACING SOON”. The effective capacity may be compared to a second threshold of say 60 %, and if the effective capacity is below this level, the method performs any one of steps S14 to S16 a second time. For example, an alert may be generated with the text message, “POWER SOURCE NEEDS REPLACING NOW’, in this second instance.

[0235] If at step S13 the effective capacity is not below the threshold (i.e., NO at step S13), in some implementations, the aerosol provision system 501 may be configured to provide a notification to the user indicating the power source 526 is in good health. For example, using any of the described feedback mechanisms above (e.g., display, LEDs, acoustic speakers, haptic motors, etc.), the aerosol provision system 501 may be configured to cause a notification to be generated that indicates the power source 526 is normal or in good health.

[0236] As described above, in some implementations, the alert of step S14, the effective capacity feedback of step S15, and the communication of the effective usage at step S16 are provided on an associated feedback mechanism of the aerosol provision system 501 I device 502. Figure 10 represents, schematically, an aerosol provision system 501 (such as the aerosol provision system 501 of Figure 6) having a display as the indictor 514 on the housing 512 of the aerosol provision device 502.

[0237] However, in other implementations, the aerosol provision system 501 may be provided with suitable circuitry to couple to a remote device 600, such as a smartphone, laptop, smartwatch or other wearable technology, or a personal digital assistant, for example. Figure 11 schematically represents an example arrangement of the aerosol provision system 501, such as the aerosol provision system of Figure 6, provided in wireless communication with a remote device 600 (e.g., a smartphone in this example). The aerosol provision system 501 in this example may not be provided with any suitable feedback mechanism for providing the alert of step S14, the effective capacity feedback of step S15, and the communication of the effective usage at step S16, but instead is configured to send signals to the remote device 600 to use a feedback mechanism of the remote device 600, such as a display 601, to provide the alert of step S14, the effective capacity feedback of step S15, and I or the communication of the effective usage at step S16.

[0238] In principle, it should be appreciated that the alert of step S14, the effective capacity feedback of step S15, and the communication of the effective usage at step S16 may each separately be provided on either or both of the aerosol provision system 501 or the remote device 600 depending on the implementation at hand.

[0239] Hence, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the aerosol provision system 501 is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source 526 based on the output from the power source measuring circuitry 524 of a current maximum potential capacity of the power source 526 and a default maximum potential capacity of the power source 526 obtained in advance. The effective capacity of the power source 526 is indicative of the degradation of the capacity of the power source 526 with time. The aerosol provision system 501 may perform an action on the basis of the effective capacity which may guide the user in taking subsequent actions in respect of the usage of the aerosol provision system 501 (such as replacing the power source 526 and / or planning their usage of the aerosol provision system 501). In this way, the user can be informed when the power source 526 is no longer fit for purpose and should be replaced. This can help alleviate some anxiety around prolonged usage of the aerosol provision system 501 between charging cycles.

[0240] In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, there is also provided aerosol provision means, including the aerosol provision system 501, for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision means comprising power supply means, including power supply 526, control means, including control circuitry 520, aerosol generator means, including aerosol generator 548, for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power supply means under control of the control means, and power source measuring means, including power source measuring circuitry 524, configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means. The control means is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power supply means by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means.

[0241] Thus, there has been described an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision system including a power source, control circuitry, an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power source under control of the control circuitry, and power source measuring circuitry configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power source. The control circuitry is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source. Also described is an aerosol provision device, a method of determining an effective capacity of a power source of an aerosol provision system and an aerosol provision means.

[0242] While the above described embodiments have in some respects focussed on some specific example aerosol provision systems, it will be appreciated the same principles can be applied for aerosol provision systems using other technologies. That is to say, the specific manner in which various aspects of the aerosol provision system function are not directly relevant to the principles underlying the examples described herein.

[0243] In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on 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 claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims1. An aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision system comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

2. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the control circuity is configured to cause the notification to be generated in response to a deviation from the default pattern of recharging in the absence of the rechargeable power source being coupled to the external power supply.

3. The aerosol provision system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification is output on a corresponding indicator of the aerosol provision system.

4. The aerosol provision system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification is output on a corresponding indicator of a remote device communicatively coupled to the aerosol provision system.

5. The aerosol provision system of claim 3 or 4, wherein the indicator is at least one of: a display, an acoustic signal generator, and a haptic motor.

6. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the default pattern of recharging includes a time of day and a duration for which the rechargeable power source is coupled to the external power supply.

7. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the default pattern of recharging includes a day of the week on which the rechargeable power source is coupled to the external power supply.

8. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control circuitry is configured to obtain an indication of location of the aerosol provision system, and wherein the default pattern of recharging includes an indication of location.

9. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol provision device, wherein the rechargeable power source, the recharging circuitry, and the control circuitry are components of the aerosol provision device.

10. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol provision device and a computing device, wherein the rechargeable power source and the recharging circuitry are components of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the control circuitry is a component of the computing device.

11. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising: a rechargeable power source; recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply; and control circuitry configured to: obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

12. A computing device for communicatively coupling to an aerosol delivery device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol delivery device comprising a rechargeable power source and recharging circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source when coupled to an external power supply, wherein the computing device comprises control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to:obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the computing device further includes a docking port for docking the aerosol delivery device with the computing device, wherein the docking port is further configured to electrically couple to the recharging circuitry of the aerosol provision device when docked in the docking port, and wherein the computing device acts as the external power supply causing electrical power to be transferred to the aerosol provision device from the computing device.

14. The computing device of claim 12 or 13, wherein the computing device is a remote computing device and is capable of establishing a wireless communications link with the aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device configured to send the user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source to the computing device via the wireless communications link.

15. A method of notifying a user when to recharge a rechargeable power source for an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the method comprising: obtaining user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power source; determining, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power source; and causing a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power source based on the determination.

16. Aerosol provision means for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using aerosol generator means, the aerosol provision means comprising: rechargeable power means; recharging means for recharging the rechargeable power means when coupled to an external power supply; and control means configured to:obtain user behaviour data relating to the recharging of rechargeable power means; determine, based on the obtained user behaviour data, a default pattern of recharging of the rechargeable power means; and cause a notification to be generated notifying the user when to recharge the rechargeable power means based on the determination.

17. An aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision system comprising: a power source; control circuitry; an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power source under control of the control circuitry; and power source measuring circuitry configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power source, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

18. The aerosol provision system of claim 17, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause an alert to be provided to a user of the aerosol provision system when the effective capacity falls below a threshold.

19. The aerosol provision system of claim 18, wherein the alert includes a message informing the user that the power source of the aerosol provision system should be replaced.

20. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user.21 . The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the control circuitry is further configured determine an effective usage indicating an approximate number of inhalations achievable from the power source based on the determined effective capacity and user usage behaviour obtained in advance.

22. The aerosol provision system of claim 21 , wherein the user usage behaviour comprises an average inhalation duration, and optionally power, obtained from measuring the durations of a plurality of inhalations obtained in advance.

23. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the control circuitry is configured to communicate with a remote device, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause at least one of the alert and the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user via a feedback mechanism of the remote device.

24. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises a feedback mechanism, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause at least one of the alert and the determined effective capacity to be fed back to a user via the feedback mechanism.

25. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the power source measuring circuitry is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source after a re-charging cycle of a predetermined duration and / or current has been performed.

26. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the power source measuring circuitry is configured to measure the current maximum potential capacity of the power source by monitoring the output voltage of the power source during a re-charging cycle of the power source, and determining when the rate of change of the output voltage with respect to time is below a predetermined value.

27. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generator, the aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; control circuitry; power source measuring circuitry configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power source, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

28. A method of determining an effective capacity of a power source of an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the method comprising: measuring, using power source measuring circuitry, a current maximum potential capacity of the power source, anddetermining, using control circuitry, an effective capacity of the power source by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power source.

29. An aerosol provision means for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision means comprising: power supply means; control means; an aerosol generator means for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material when supplied by power from the power supply means under control of the control means; and power source measuring means configured to measure a current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means, wherein the control means is configured to determine an effective capacity of the power supply means by comparing a default maximum potential capacity obtained in advance with the current maximum potential capacity of the power supply means.

Images