Customizing Feedback for Aerosol Delivery Systems

Abstract

A feedback section for a feedback providing system including an aerosol delivery system. The feedback section provides a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. The feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback section, and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback section. In this way, for example, feedback related to a critical operating mechanism of the aerosol delivery system may be displayed in a mandatory manner to ensure safe operation of the aerosol delivery system. On the other hand, for example, feedback related to useful but non-critical information may be selectively provided by the feedback section, such that the user has the option to determine whether this non-mandatory feedback is provided by the feedback section.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.). [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic aerosol delivery systems often use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or more generally aerosol delivery devices. Such aerosol delivery devices typically contain an aerosolizable material, such as a fluid or liquid reservoir containing a formulation, typically but not necessarily including nicotine, or a solid material, such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapor / aerosol is generated, for example by heating and vaporization, for inhalation by a user. Thus, an aerosol delivery system typically includes an aerosol delivery device that includes a vaporizer, e.g., a heating element, configured to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor.

[0003] Once vapor is generated, it may be passed through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material is not itself flavored), and then the (flavored) vapor may in turn be delivered from the aerosol delivery device to the user via the mouthpiece.

[0004] A potential drawback of existing aerosol delivery systems and related aerosol delivery devices is that they often provide insufficient user feedback to indicate to a user the need to take action in response to events occurring on or relating to / around the aerosol delivery device, which can therefore cause problems by the aerosol delivery device being used in ways that it should not be used and / or when it is not as optimal as it might otherwise be.

[0005] Various approaches are described herein that attempt to address or help alleviate some of the problems discussed above. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of a particular embodiment, there is provided an aerosol feedback providing system including an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol and a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol supply system, wherein the feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0007] According to a second aspect of a particular embodiment, there is provided an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system further comprising a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system being configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0008] According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol comprising an aerosol delivery device and a consumable including an aerosol generating material for aerosolization, the aerosol delivery device including a feedback section for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery device being configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback section and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback section.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of a particular embodiment, a method for controlling the provision of feedback in a feedback aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol is provided, the method including the steps of providing a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system, disabling selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, and enabling selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] It will be understood that the features and aspects of the present disclosure described above with respect to various aspects of the present disclosure are equally applicable to and may be combined with embodiments of the present disclosure according to other aspects of the present disclosure, as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein. [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an aerosol delivery system including a cartridge and a control unit / aerosol delivery device (shown separately) according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the cartridge components of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3A]2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing part of a cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3B] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another housing part of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3C] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another housing part of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5B] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating another perspective view of the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5C] 2 shows a schematic plan view of an elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 6A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 7A] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device from an aerosol delivery system that includes a feedback portion, a user interface, and a toggle indicator and can be used as part of a feedback providing system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device from an aerosol delivery system that includes a feedback portion, a user interface, and a toggle indicator and can be used as part of a feedback providing system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A]7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating a cartridge and aerosol delivery device that can be used as part of a feedback-providing system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the cartridge and aerosol delivery device being provided with a feedback portion as in FIG. 7A and a user interface having an integrated toggle indicator. [Figure 8B] 7C illustrates a schematic diagram of a cartridge and aerosol delivery device that can be used as part of a feedback-providing system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the cartridge and aerosol delivery device being provided with a feedback portion as in FIG. 7B and a user interface having an integrated toggle indicator. [Figure 9A] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device provided with multiple feedback portions according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device provided with multiple feedback portions according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates a schematic of an aerosol delivery system using a reservoir, an aerosol-generating material transport element / aerosol generator, and a sensor coupled to a power source (battery), according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates a schematic of a feedback providing system including an aerosol delivery system and a remote electrical device, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a feedback-providing system that includes an aerosol delivery system and a remote electrical device, allowing for customization of feedback from the feedback-providing system, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are explained / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner and will not be explained / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods described herein that are not described in detail may be implemented by any conventional technique for implementing such aspects and features.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery devices (such as e-cigarettes) used as part of a broader aerosol delivery system. According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery device is one in which the constituent aerosolizable material (or its constituent components) of the aerosol delivery device is not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery to a user. An aerosolizable material, sometimes referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material or an aerosol precursor material, is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other way. The aerosolizable material may also be flavored in some embodiments.

[0014] Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, with the understanding that this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery devices. Note that electronic cigarettes are also known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs), although the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.

[0015] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device is a hybrid device configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device comprises a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

[0016] Typically, a (non-combustion) aerosol delivery system may comprise a cartridge / consumable part and a body / aerosol delivery device / reusable part configured to removably engage with the cartridge / consumable part.

[0017] The aerosol delivery device may be provided with means therein for powering a vaporizer (aerosol generator) and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol delivery device may also be provided with a reservoir for containing the aerosolizable material, and in some embodiments, a further reservoir for containing a flavorant for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol delivery device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be a heater / heating element that can interact with an aerosolizable material (also referred to as an aerosol-generating material) to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form a vapor / aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the vaporizer may be capable of generating a vapor / aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, for example by one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means.

[0019] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolizable material that may include an active ingredient, a carrier ingredient, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

[0020] The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and / or olfactorily active ingredients included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and / or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active ingredient may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active ingredient may include components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or another botanical substance. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine bitartrate / nicotine tartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

[0021] In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and may be selected from "flavors" and / or "flavoring agents" and may be used, where local regulations permit, to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in products intended for adult consumers. In some instances, such ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavoring agents, flavoring materials, cooling agents, heating agents, and / or sweetening agents.They may be flavorings derived from natural sources, plants, plant extracts, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, limes, tropical fruits, and the like). citrus, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, 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, eggplant, betel quid, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang Ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiento, maize may include other additives such as oleic acid, joram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, calvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.), and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners.They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases, extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, peaches, apples, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, konjac ... The additives may be one or more of the following: citrus, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. They may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or may be blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

[0022] In some embodiments, the flavoring material (flavor) may include menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavor includes cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry flavor components. In some embodiments, the flavor includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavor may include a sensory elicitor, which is intended to achieve somatic sensations that are normally chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of aroma or gustatory nerves, and these may include agents that produce heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effects. A suitable heat effecting agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0023] The carrier component may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier component may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0024] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0025] As mentioned above, aerosol delivery devices (e-cigarettes) often comprise modular assemblies that include both reusable (body) and replaceable consumable (cartridge) parts. Devices that fit this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a substantially elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may comprise this type of substantially elongated two-part device that uses consumable parts. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein may equally be employed in other electronic cigarette configurations, such as modular devices with three or more parts, as devices that fit other overall shapes, for example, based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

[0026] Thus, with reference to the foregoing, and with reference to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system / device (e-cigarette) 1 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the electronic cigarette (e.g., terms such as upper, lower, above, below, top, bottom, etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the electronic cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). However, it will be understood that this is merely for ease of explanation and is not intended to imply that there is a required orientation of the electronic cigarette in use.

[0027] The e-cigarette 1 comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 and the cartridge 2 are shown separated in Figure 1 but are coupled together in use.

[0028] The cartridge 2 and the control unit 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The specific manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may be established according to conventional techniques centered around, for example, thread, bayonet, latch-type or friction-fit mechanical fastening, with appropriately positioned electrical contacts / electrodes to establish an electrical connection between the two components as required. For example, in the electronic cigarette 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge includes a mouth end 52 and an interface end 54, and is coupled to the control unit by inserting an interface end portion 6 of the interface end of the cartridge into a corresponding receptacle 8 / receiving section of the control unit. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge includes a protrusion 56 that fits tightly into the receptacle 8 and engages a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8 to provide a removable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. An electrical connection is established between the control unit and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts on the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in FIG. 1 ) and corresponding spring-loaded contact pins in the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in FIG. 1 ). As noted above, the specific manner in which the electrical connection is established is not important to the principles described herein, and in fact some implementations may not have any electrical connection between the cartridge and the control unit at all, for example, because the transmission of power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction technology). For such an embodiment, for example, the aerosol delivery device 4 and / or the receptacle 8 may comprise a coil configured to inductively heat a susceptor disposed within the consumable / cartridge, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-generating material within the consumable / cartridge to generate an aerosol. In this manner, the aerosol generator may comprise a susceptor.

[0029] The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery device) has a substantially elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the control unit, the overall length (along the longitudinal axis) of the electronic cigarette in this example is about 12.5 cm. The overall length of the control unit is about 9 cm, and the overall length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e., there is about 1.5 cm of overlap between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the control unit when they are coupled to each other). The electronic cigarette is generally oval in shape, with a cross section that is largest near the center of the electronic cigarette and curves and tapers toward the ends. The cross section near the center of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, while the other end of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the electronic cigarette is formed from plastic in this example. It will be understood that the particular size and shape of the electronic cigarette, as well as the materials from which the electronic cigarette is made, are not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may vary in different embodiments, i.e., the principles described herein may be equally employed in electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.

[0030] The control unit 4, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, may be broadly conventional in its function and general construction techniques. In the example of FIG. 1, the control unit 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including receptacle walls 12 defining a receptacle 8 for receiving an end of a cartridge as described above. The outer housing 10 of the control unit 4 in this example has a generally oval cross-section that matches the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the interface of the two parts to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated 180°, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the control unit in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two control unit air inlet openings 14 (i.e., holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with the cartridge's air inlet 50 when the cartridge is coupled to the control unit. Different ones of the openings 14 align with the cartridge's air inlet 50 in different orientations. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the cartridge may not have rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the control unit in only one orientation, while in other embodiments, the cartridge may have a greater degree of rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the control unit in more orientations.

[0031] The control unit further comprises a battery 16 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, control circuitry 18 for controlling and monitoring operation of the electronic cigarette, user input buttons 20, indicator lights 22, and a charging port 24.

[0032] The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the type typically used in e-cigarettes and other applications requiring the supply of relatively high currents for relatively short periods of time. The battery 16 may be recharged via a charging port 24, which may comprise, for example, a USB connector.

[0033] The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button with a spring-mounted component that can be pressed by a user to establish, for example, electrical contact in an underlying circuit. In this regard, the input button can be considered an input device for detecting user input, for example to trigger aerosol generation, and the particular manner in which the button is implemented is not important. For example, in other implementations, other forms of mechanical buttons or touch-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or light-sensing technology) may be used, or there may be no button, and the device may rely on a puff detector to trigger aerosol generation.

[0034] Indicator lights 22 are provided to visually indicate to a user various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, such as an indication of operating status (e.g., on / off / standby) and other characteristics such as battery life, fault conditions, etc. Different characteristics may be indicated, for example, by different colors and / or different flash sequences, in accordance with common prior art.

[0035] The control circuit 18 is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operating functions in accordance with established techniques for controlling electronic cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) 18 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units / circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different embodiments, the control circuit 18 may comprise a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery / power source to the cartridge in response to user input, a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, and other functional units / circuits associated with functions in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes, such as indicator light display drive circuitry and user input detection circuitry. It will be appreciated that the functionality of the control circuit 18 may be provided in a variety of different ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computers, and / or one or more suitably configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chipsets configured to provide the desired functionality.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of cartridge 2 (exploded along longitudinal axis L). Cartridge 2 includes housing part 32, air channel seal 34, septum element 36, outlet tube 38, vaporizer / heating element 40, aerosolizable material transport element 42, plug 44, and end cap 48 having contact electrode 46. Figures 3-6 show some of these components in schematic form in more detail.

[0037] Figure 3A is a schematic cutaway view of housing part 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing part 32 is at its thinnest. Figure 3B is a schematic cutaway view of housing part 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing part 32 is at its widest. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing part along longitudinal axis L from interface end 54 (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).

[0038] Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below, and Figure 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below.

[0039] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from above, and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic view of plug 44 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouth end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., as viewed from above relative to the orientation of Figures 1 and 2).

[0040] Figure 6A is a schematic top perspective view of end cap 48. Figure 6B is a schematic view of end cap 48 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouth end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., from above).

[0041] The housing part 32 in this example includes an outer housing wall 64 and an inner housing tube 62 formed from a single moulding, in this example of polypropylene. The outer housing wall 64 defines the exterior of the cartridge 2 and the inner housing tube 62 defines a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing part is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the mouth end 52 of the cartridge except for a mouth opening / aerosol outlet 60 which is in fluid communication with the inner housing tube 62. The housing part 32 includes an opening in the side wall which provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. The air inlet 50 in this example is approximately 2 mm 22. The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 includes the above-mentioned projection 56 which engages with a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part includes a further projection 66 which acts to provide an abutment stop for locating the septum element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 further includes an aperture which provides a latch recess 68 arranged to receive a corresponding latch projection 70 in the end cap to secure the end cap to the housing part when the cartridge is assembled.

[0042] The outer wall 64 of the housing component 32 includes a double-walled section 74 that defines a gap 76 that is in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 provides a portion of an air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double-walled section 74 of the housing component 32 is configured such that the gap defines an air channel through the housing outer wall 64 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a cross-section of approximately 3 mm in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 2 The gap / portion of the air channel 76 defined by the double wall section of the housing component extends down to the open end of the housing component 32.

[0043] The air channel seal 34 is generally a silicone molding in the form of a tube having a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes a circumferential ridge 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these are not visible in FIG. 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is mounted on the inner housing tube 62 with the end of the inner housing tube 62 extending partially into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. The through hole 80 of the air channel seal has a diameter of about 5.8 mm in the relaxed state of the air channel seal, while the end of the inner housing tube 62 has a diameter of about 6.2 mm, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is stretched to receive the inner housing tube 62. This seal is aided by the ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.

[0044] The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section, for example made of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, having an inside diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm. The bottom end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88, each end of which has a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 rides on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is about 9.0 mm in the air channel seal's relaxed state, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is aided by a ridge 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. A collar 80 on the air channel seal 34 provides a stop for the outlet tube 38.

[0045] The aerosolizable material transport element 42 comprises a capillary wick, and the vaporizer 40 comprises a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the portion of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer comprises an electrical lead 41 that passes through a hole in the plug 44 to a contact electrode 46 attached to the end cap 54, allowing power to be provided to the vaporizer via an electrical interface established when the cartridge is connected to a control unit. The vaporizer lead 41 may comprise the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may comprise a different material (e.g., a low resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example, the heater coil 40 comprises nickel-iron alloy wire, and the wick 42 comprises fiberglass bundles. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport elements may be provided according to any conventional technique and may comprise different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some implementations, the wick may comprise a fibrous or solid ceramic material, and the heater may comprise a different alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example in the form of a porous and resistive material. More generally, it will be understood that the particular nature of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer is not of primary importance to the principles described herein.

[0046] When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received within the semicircular recess 90 in the outlet tube 38 so that the central portion of the wick around which the heating coil is wrapped is inside the outlet tube and the end portions of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38.

[0047] The plug 44 in this example comprises a unitary molding of silicone and may be resilient. The plug comprises a base 100 having an outer wall 102 extending upwardly therefrom (i.e., toward the mouth end of the cartridge). The plug further comprises an inner wall 104 extending upwardly from the base 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 through the base 100.

[0048] An outer wall 102 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the housing component 32 so that the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing component 32 when the cartridge is assembled. An inner wall 104 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 so that the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 108, the end of each slot having a semicircular recess 110. Extending outwardly (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104 is a cradle section 112 shaped to receive a section of the aerosolizable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slot 108 and semicircular recess 110 in the inner wall of the plug 44 and the slot 88 and semicircular recess 90 in the outlet tube 38 are aligned such that the slot 88 in the outlet tube 38 receives each of the cradles 112, and the respective semicircular recesses in the outlet tube and plug cooperate to define an aperture through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. The size of the aperture in the semicircular recess through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes corresponds closely to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but is slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 provides some compression. This allows the aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action while limiting the extent to which aerosolizable material not transported by capillary action can pass through the aperture. As mentioned above, the plug 44 includes a further opening 114 in the base 100 through which the vaporizer contact lead 41 passes when the cartridge is assembled. The bottom of the plug base includes spacers 116 that maintain an offset between the remaining surface of the bottom of the base and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which the vaporizer electrical contact leads 41 pass.

[0049] The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene molding with a pair of gold plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.

[0050] The ends of the electrode posts 44 on the bottom side of the end cap are approximately flush with the interface ends 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48. These are the portions of the electrodes that correspondingly aligned spring contacts in the control unit will connect to when the cartridge is assembled and connected to the control unit. The ends of the electrode posts inside the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 into holes 114 in the plug 44 through which the contact leads 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly oversized relative to the holes 114 and include chamfers at their upper ends to aid in insertion into the holes 114 in the plug, where they are maintained in pressure contact with the vaporizer contact leads.

[0051] The end cap has a base section 124 and an upstanding wall 120 which fits against the inner surface of the housing component 32. The upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing component 32 so that, when the cartridge is assembled, the latch projections 70 engage the latch recesses 68 in the housing component 32 to snap-fit ​​the end cap 48 to the housing component. The top of the upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts the periphery of the plug 44 and the lower surface of the spacer 116 on the plug also abuts the base section 124 of the plug so that the end cap 48 is maintained in a slightly compressed state against the resilient portion 44 when it is attached to the housing component.

[0052] A base portion 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral lip 126 beyond the base of the upstanding wall 112 having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing component at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes an upstanding locating pin 122 which aligns with a corresponding locating hole 128 in the plug to help define their relative positions during assembly.

[0053] The septum element 36 is made of a single moulding of polypropylene and includes a septum 130 and a collar 132 formed by a projection from the septum 130 in a direction towards the interface end of the cartridge. The septum element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the septum is disposed around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments the septum element 36 may be integrally formed with the outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages the lower surface of the septum 130 which in turn engages the projection 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. The septum 130 thus prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32, i.e. the septum 130 is fixedly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the projection 66 in the housing part, thus providing the plug with a fixed surface to press against. A collar 132 formed by a projection from the septum includes a first pair of opposing projections / tangs 134 that engage corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The projections from the septum 130 further provide a pair of cradle sections 136 configured to engage corresponding ones of the cradle sections 112 in the part 44 when the cartridge is assembled to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes.

[0054] When the cartridge is assembled, an air channel is formed that extends from the air inlet 50 through the cartridge to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting at the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing part 32, a first section of the air channel is provided by a gap 76 formed by a double wall section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32, and extends from the air inlet 50 through the plug 44 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge. A second portion of the air channel is provided by a gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third portion of the air channel is provided by a hole 106 through the plug 44. A fourth portion of the air channel is provided by the area within the inner wall 104 of the plug and the outlet tube around the vaporizer 40. This fourth portion of the air channel may be referred to as the aerosol / aerosol generation region, and is the primary region where aerosol is generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation region may be referred to as the air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remaining portion of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an outer housing inner tube 62 that connects the air channel to an aerosol outlet 60. The air channel that leads from the aerosol-generation region to the aerosol outlet may be referred to as the aerosol outlet section of the air channel.

[0055] Also, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 for the aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air channel and inside the housing part 32. The aerosolizable material may be filled during manufacture, for example through a fill hole that is subsequently sealed, or by other means. The specific nature of the aerosolizable material, for example with respect to the composition of the aerosolizable material, is not of primary importance to the principles described herein, and generally any conventional aerosolizable material of the kind typically used in electronic cigarettes may be used. The present disclosure may refer to a liquid as an aerosolizable material, which may be a conventional e-liquid as described above. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that has the ability to flow, which may include liquids, gels, or solids, and in the case of solids, a plurality of solid particles may be considered to have the ability to flow if considered as a bulk.

[0056] The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above the septum 130 and a second region below the septum 130 in the space formed between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 passes through an opening in the wall of the air channel caused by the semicircular recesses 108, 90 in the plug 44 and outlet tube 38, which engage with each other as described above, and the cradle sections 112, 136 in the plug 44 and septum element 36. The end of the aerosolizable material transport element then extends into the second region of the reservoir from which it draws the aerosolizable material through the opening in the air channel and into the vaporizer 40 for subsequent vaporization.

[0057] In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the control unit 4, which is operated to supply power to the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Power then flows through the connecting lead 41 to the vaporizer 40. The vaporizer is thus electrically heated, which vaporizes a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element near the vaporizer. This generates an aerosol in the aerosol-generating region of the airway. The aerosolizable material vaporized from the aerosolizable material transport element is replaced by more aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is operating, the user inhales on the mouth end 52 of the cartridge. This draws air through whichever control unit air inlet 14 aligns with the cartridge air inlet 50 (which will depend on the orientation in which the cartridge was inserted into the control unit receptacle 8). Air then enters the cartridge through air inlet 50, passes along gap 76 in double-walled section 74 of housing component 32, passes between plug 44 and end cap 48, and then through hole 106 in base 100 of plug 44 into the aerosol-generating region surrounding vaporizer 40. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the vaporizer to form a condensed aerosol that is then drawn along exit tube 38 and housing component inner side 62 before exiting through mouthpiece exit / aerosol exit 60 for inhalation by the user.

[0058] From Figures 1 to 6B above, one can see the configuration of a possible embodiment of an aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate an aerosol suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure.

[0059] Now referring to Figures 7A to 12, the present disclosure also provides a feedback providing system comprising an aerosol supply system 1 for generating an aerosol and a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol supply system 1, wherein the feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, and configured to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0060] In this manner, for example, feedback relating to critical operating mechanisms of the aerosol delivery system may be displayed in a mandatory manner to ensure safe operation of the aerosol delivery system, whereas, for example, feedback relating to useful but non-critical information may be selectively provided by the feedback portion such that the user has the option to determine whether or not this non-mandatory feedback is provided by the feedback portion.

[0061] As described in further detail below, by being able to selectively prevent the second (non-mandatory) feedback but not the first (mandatory) feedback, the feedback-providing system may ensure that the important first feedback is displayed regardless of the user's preferences so that the system can continue to operate safely. This may be particularly useful where the first feedback relates to whether the device is operating within acceptable parameters, for example, temperature parameters of an aerosol delivery system such as its aerosol generator 40.

[0062] 7A and 7B, feedback portions 702a, 702b may be located either on the cartridge / consumable 2 of the aerosol delivery system or on the aerosol delivery device 4, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, multiple feedback portions may be used, such that a first feedback portion 702a is located on the cartridge and a second feedback portion 720b is located on the aerosol delivery device 4.

[0063] The feedback portion may take a number of different forms. For example, the feedback portion may comprise a light indicator (e.g., LED), a visual display screen (e.g., LCD, LED, etc.), an acoustic device (e.g., speaker, buzzer, etc.), a tactile device, a thermal device, or any other suitable means of conveying information to the user. It should also be understood that the feedback portion may comprise any number and combination of feedback mechanisms necessary to convey the necessary information.

[0064] Furthermore, in some very specific embodiments, certain feedback mechanisms may be reserved for certain "types" of feedback. For example, an acoustic type of feedback may be reserved for the first feedback described herein. In this way, when the user receives the acoustic feedback, the user immediately understands that the feedback is related to the mandatory first feedback, as opposed to another type of feedback, such as a haptic and / or visual type of feedback, which may instead be reserved for the second optional feedback (and / or the optional third optional feedback). Thus, in this way, a more efficient communication of feedback may be achieved.

[0065] With regard to how the feedback unit can be made to selectively prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, the feedback providing system may include a user interface unit 252, 704a, 704b for allowing a user of the aerosol delivery system to switch between a first operating mode configured to allow the second feedback to be provided by the feedback unit and a second operating mode configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. In this manner, the user can preferably enable or disable optional feedback as desired. For example, the user may want to check the power level of the power source of the aerosol delivery system. This feedback may then be selectively enabled to switch the device to the first operating mode, the feedback may be observed by the user, and then selectively disabled to switch the device to the second operating mode.

[0066] A toggle indicator 706a, 706b may also be provided to indicate whether the secondary feedback is enabled or disabled. For example, the toggle indicator may include an LED indicator light, an audio element, a tactile element, or any other means suitable for providing an indication to the user whether the secondary feedback is enabled or disabled.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the toggle indicator may be integral with the user interface portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the user interface portion may comprise slide switches 804a, 804b, and toggle indicators 806a, 806b form part of the user interface portion 804a, 804b. In this example, the second feedback is enabled, and the dashed lines indicate the position of the slide switch when the second feedback is disabled. As mentioned above, this configuration may be equally arranged on the cartridge / consumable 2 or the aerosol delivery device 4. It should also be noted that the slide switch shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B is merely an example, and other toggle mechanisms may be used. For example, a button switch may be provided as the user interface, and the button switch may be selectively moved between two positions having different heights corresponding to whether the second feedback is enabled or disabled. Non-mechanical means, such as a touch pad, may be provided as the user interface as well.

[0068] Obviously, according to some embodiments, the feedback-providing system may be provided with three or more positions on the user interface unit such that (in other words) it may be configured to enable a user of the feedback-providing system to switch between a first operating mode M1, a second operating mode M2 ​​and a third operating mode in which a third feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit. With regard to any such third feedback, this third feedback (similar to the second feedback) may be configured to be disabled and / or prevented from being provided by the feedback unit by switching the user interface unit to the second operating mode. However, the level of the third feedback may be configured to be different (e.g., greater or less) than the level of the second feedback.

[0069] A "level" of feedback may include the frequency of feedback, and / or the amount of feedback (e.g., feedback brightness in the case of visual feedback, or feedback volume in the case of audio feedback), the magnitude of the feedback (e.g., feedback brightness in the case of visual feedback, or feedback intensity in the case of haptic feedback), or even the prominence of the feedback (e.g., feedback brightness in the case of visual feedback, or feedback intensity in the case of haptic feedback, or feedback volume in the case of audio feedback). Obviously, where such levels are used, this could also include average or maximum levels, according to some narrower embodiments.

[0070] It should also be appreciated that the types of feedback provided in association with different modes may differ, as well as the level of feedback. For example, a first mode may enable feedback to be provided via a haptic element, while a second mode may enable feedback to be provided via an audio element.

[0071] Thus, from the above it can be seen that in some cases more than two operating modes may be provided, such as there being a second operating mode for providing only the (mandatory) first feedback, and then there being at least two other operating modes (e.g. a first operating mode and a third operating mode) which may also provide other additional (non-mandatory) feedback at different levels.

[0072] Also for completeness, it should be noted that any such feedback unit used, and / or other devices for controlling the provision of the second (optional) feedback, may be located on or within the aerosol delivery system 1, such as either the consumable 2 or the aerosol delivery device 4 therefrom (if such a consumable 2 / aerosol delivery device 4 configuration is used). However, it is clear that according to some embodiments, any such feedback unit and / or other devices for controlling the provision of the second (optional) feedback may be located within the electrical device 250 as part of a broader feedback provision including the aerosol delivery system 1 and the electrical device 250, the electrical device 250 being operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery system 1 via a wireless connection protocol such as, for example, Bluetooth. Such an embodiment is shown, for example, in the embodiments of Figures 11 and 12.

[0073] As for what such an electrical device 250 might be, it is envisioned that this could include any form of electrical device 250 that can operatively communicate with the aerosol delivery system 1, such as (but is not limited to) any of the portable devices, such as a tablet computer, a smartphone 250A, a portable computer, etc., that may be carried by a user of the aerosol delivery system 1.

[0074] As will be appreciated, being able to selectively enable / disable certain feedback provides several technical advantages. For example, by selectively providing certain feedback, the aerosol delivery system may operate more efficiently in terms of power consumption. Additionally, the user now does not have an overwhelming amount of optional feedback that may distract from more important feedback, while still maintaining optional feedback easily accessible via the user interface portion as needed.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first feedback and the second feedback may be provided to / by different sections or parts of the feedback unit, or by separate feedback units. As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the aerosol delivery system 1 is provided with multiple feedback units 902, 904, 906, but in other embodiments (as described above) may be located in some other electronic device (e.g., in some embodiments, a portable device such as a tablet computer, smartphone, etc.).

[0076] In this way, the user may more easily and efficiently identify the more important and mandatory feedback information compared to the optional feedback information. As an example, the mandatory first feedback may be provided by the feedback unit 902, and the optional second feedback may be provided by the feedback units 904 and 906.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the first feedback F1 is configured to be provided in response to a first predetermined criterion being met. For example, the predetermined condition may be detected using a sensor included in the aerosol delivery system. Such a sensor may be configured to detect a parameter related to a critical operation of the aerosol delivery system, such as an operating condition of the aerosol delivery system and / or a temperature of the aerosol delivery system that may reflect a safety level of operation of the aerosol delivery system. Thus, the user may be notified of this change in the operating condition of the aerosol delivery system via the first feedback, which cannot be selectively prevented from being provided by the feedback unit, as explained above.

[0078] As briefly described above, the first predetermined criterion may relate to an operational state of the aerosol delivery system 1. In some embodiments, the first predetermined criterion includes a determination being made that the aerosol delivery system is faulty. This determination may be made based on measurements made by sensors included in the aerosol delivery system. For example, the determination may be made based on detection of characteristics of device components such as the aerosol generating material transport element 42 (if used), the power supply 16, etc. If the characteristics of any of these components are outside of a predetermined normal operating range, it may be determined that the aerosol delivery system is not operating at a safe standard and is therefore found to be faulty.

[0079] The above-mentioned determinations may be made by the control circuitry 18 based on sensor measurements received by the control circuitry 18 from the aerosol delivery system. As shown in Fig. 10, sensors 1002a, 1002b and 1002c may be positioned to measure characteristics of the reservoir 31, the aerosol generator 40 / aerosol-generating material transport element 42, and the power source (battery) 16, respectively. Each of the sensors 1002a, 1002b, 1002c according to this embodiment may be electronically connected to the control circuitry 18 as shown by the connecting lines in Fig. 10.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first predetermined criterion may include the temperature value exceeding a predetermined temperature (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11). This predetermined temperature may be related to the temperature of the aerosol-generating material transport element 42, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B. In this case, if the temperature of the aerosol-generating material transport element increases above a certain temperature, there may be a risk that the aerosol-generating material transport element will ignite. The temperature of the aerosol-generating material transport element may increase in this manner if the wick dries out due to an insufficient amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the reservoir 31 of the aerosol delivery system 1, or if the aerosol-generating material transport element is consistently heated for an extended period of time, for example, without an opportunity to cool. The predetermined temperature may be configured to be a predetermined margin below the ignition temperature of the aerosol-generating material transport element, such that a first feedback is provided (and any corrective action taken) before the aerosol-generating material transport element 42 ignites and potentially causes damage to the aerosol delivery system 1 and / or the user.

[0081] In another embodiment, the temperature may be the temperature of the power source 16 or battery from the aerosol delivery system 1 (or from an aerosol delivery device 4, if such device 4 is used), as described above with reference to Figures 1-6B. In this case, if the temperature of the power source 16 rises above a certain temperature, there may be a significant risk of the power source catching fire. A malfunctioning battery may be at risk of such overheating, and therefore sensing the temperature of the power source may simultaneously indicate whether the aerosol delivery system 1 has failed.

[0082] According to some embodiments, the second feedback F2 may be configured to be provided in response to a second predetermined criterion being fulfilled. As with the first criterion, the second criterion may also be detected using a sensor included in the aerosol delivery system 1. Such a sensor may be configured to detect a parameter related to an auxiliary characteristic of the aerosol delivery system 1. In other words, the second predetermined criterion may relate to a characteristic that is not as high a priority as the first predetermined criterion in terms of safety, etc. In this way, the second feedback is configured to be provided for useful auxiliary information related to the operation of the device, such feedback not being essential for the safe operation of the device, but nevertheless useful to know when needed.

[0083] For example, in some embodiments, the second criterion includes a determination that the power supply from the aerosol delivery system 1 includes less than a predetermined amount of remaining power. This preferably triggers a second feedback to indicate that the aerosol delivery system 1 requires charging. However, because the power level may not necessarily be critical to the safe operation of the device, this feedback may be selectively prevented by the user as described above.

[0084] In more particular embodiments, the second feedback may be further configured to indicate the amount of power remaining in the power source 16 (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11). This indication may be provided, for example, via the user interface described above. Alternatively, this indication may be provided by a separate display means.

[0085] In some embodiments, the second criterion includes a determination that the amount of aerosol generating material comprises less than a predetermined amount. For example, the user interface portion may be configured to indicate the remaining amount of aerosol generating material upon reaching the predetermined amount, or alternatively, may be configured to indicate reaching the predetermined amount without also indicating the exact amount of aerosol generating material remaining.

[0086] The amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the aerosol delivery system may be measured in a number of different ways. As a specific example, an optical sensor in reservoir 31 may be configured to detect the remaining amount of aerosol-generating material by sensing a distance to a surface of the aerosol-generating material contained in reservoir 31. As will be appreciated, this distance may vary depending on the orientation of aerosol delivery system 1, and in some embodiments, the optical sensor may be configured to measure the distance only when the aerosol delivery system is determined to be in a particular orientation (e.g., as determined by a gyroscope device included in the aerosol delivery system).

[0087] In some embodiments, the second criteria includes a determination that the aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery system has not been operated to generate aerosol for a period exceeding a predetermined period. This may be useful as an optional feedback to remind the user to operate the aerosol delivery system to avoid inefficient use of the power source 16 during idle periods. As a further specific embodiment, the feedback providing system may be configured to turn off the power source when it determines that a second predetermined period has elapsed since the aerosol delivery system was used to generate aerosol, the second predetermined period being longer than the first predetermined period. This may be further suitable for improving the efficiency of the aerosol delivery system 1 by reducing wasteful use of the power source 16.

[0088] As will be appreciated from the above, a number of different types of first and second feedback may be provided based on a number of different first and second criteria, and it should be noted that these feedbacks may be provided to the feedback unit individually or simultaneously in any combination to the feedback unit.

[0089] With respect to any first feedback, second feedback, and / or further feedback provided (e.g., optional third feedback F3 provided, as described above in some embodiments), it should be noted that in some embodiments, feedback F1, F2, F3 may be provided visually from the feedback-providing system as part of the display 252, e.g., via a feedback portion comprising the display 252, and / or as part of any required mode of operation M1, M2 from the feedback-providing system (or aerosol delivery system 1). For such embodiments, the output feedback may take the form of a suitable visual indication on the display 252, as the case may be, as desired.

[0090] With respect to what such visual indication may be, it will be understood that this visual indication may take the form of any suitable (visual) indicator as desired. For example, the indicator 254 according to some embodiments may include a symbol such as a warning symbol 256 (e.g., an exclamation point 258 and / or a warning triangle 260), a string of characters 262, an error message, or some other graphical symbol 264. In this manner, the indicator may represent the underlying purpose of the feedback being provided.

[0091] According to some embodiments, to better distinguish between the (possibly more important) first feedback and the (possibly potentially optional) second feedback, insofar as the first feedback F1 includes a first indicator 254A on the display 252 and the second feedback F2 includes a second indicator 264B on the display 252, in some of these embodiments the first indicator may include a first color and the second indicator includes a second color that is different from the first color. In this manner, by providing different colors, a user may be able to more easily identify when a particular type of feedback is being provided. For example, in an embodiment in which a first feedback F1 is provided that may indicate safety-critical information, the first color for the first indicator may be a color that is more associated with danger, such as a color that includes at least one of black, purple, red, orange, amber, or yellow. In this manner, if the second feedback F2 (or even the third feedback F3) is provided, which may indicate less safety-critical information, the second color (or the third color for the third feedback, if used) may be a color less associated with danger than the first color, such as a color including at least one of blue, green, orange, amber, yellow, or white. Such an embodiment is shown, for example, in the particular embodiment of FIG. 11, where the first indicator 254A includes a red color, the second indicator 254B includes an amber / orange color, and the third indicator 254C (for the third feedback F3) includes a green color.

[0092] It will be appreciated that whatever type of first feedback F1 or second feedback F2 (or even third feedback in some embodiments where the third mode of operation is used) is provided, such as whether the feedback is haptic / visual / audio type feedback, according to some of these embodiments the first feedback F1 may be configured to be provided more prominently (e.g. louder, longer, brighter and / or stronger) than the second (or third) feedback F2 to better highlight to the user the more important nature of the first feedback than the second (or third) feedback F2, F3. This is shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG.

[0093] In particular, with reference to at least some of these embodiments, in embodiments where feedback is configured to be displayed on a display 252, such as a display 252 from a remote electrical device 250 from a feedback-providing system, the display 252 / feedback unit may be configured to display a graphical representation of the aerosol delivery system 1 (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11). In this manner, according to some embodiments, the feedback unit and / or the display 252 may be configured to display an identifier 266 (e.g., a graphical representation of 268, and / or a description / name 270) of the aerosol delivery system 1 on the display 252 so as to more easily allow a user to associate any given feedback (e.g., the first feedback F1, the second feedback F2, and / or the third feedback F3) with the aerosol delivery system 1 in question. Again, such potential embodiments are shown, for example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12. In such embodiments, at least one of the first feedback F1 and the second feedback F2 may be provided adjacent to the identifier 266, such as above or below.

[0094] With the above in mind, it can be seen that the present disclosure correspondingly also provides a method for controlling the provision of feedback in an aerosol feedback providing system including an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, the method including the steps of providing a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol supply system, disabling selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, and enabling selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0095] Thus, with the above in mind, according to a first aspect of a particular embodiment, an aerosol feedback providing system is described that includes an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol and a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol supply system, wherein the feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0096] Also described is an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system further comprising a feedback unit for providing first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system being configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

[0097] Also described is an aerosol supply device for use in an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol comprising an aerosol supply device and a consumable including an aerosol generating material for aerosolization, the aerosol supply device comprising a feedback portion for providing first and second feedback to a user of the aerosol supply system, the aerosol supply device being configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback portion and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback portion.

[0098] Also described is a feedback unit for a feedback providing system comprising the aerosol delivery system 1. The feedback unit provides a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. The feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. In this way, for example, feedback related to a critical operating mechanism of the aerosol delivery system may be displayed in a mandatory manner to ensure safe operation of the aerosol delivery system. On the other hand, for example, feedback related to useful but non-critical information may be selectively provided by the feedback unit, such that the user has the option to determine whether this non-mandatory feedback is provided by the feedback unit.

[0099] To address various problems and advance the art, the present disclosure illustrates, by way of example, various embodiments in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed subject matter. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, features, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims, or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. It is to be understood that the various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein, and thus the features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims in combinations other than those expressly set forth in the claims. For example, any of the dependent claims relating to independent claim 1 (or any other independent claim) may, where appropriate, be used correspondingly as a corresponding feature of any of the associated independent claims recited in the claims. Obviously, similarly, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

[0100] For example, at a more general level, it will be appreciated that aspects of the disclosure above may also provide an effective system in which the type and / or level of feedback that may be provided may be effectively varied, possibly as part of different operational modes M1, M2.

[0101] In line with this, it is also envisioned that, as part of any given mode of operation, at least one of the first feedback F1 and / or the second feedback F2 (or the third feedback) potentially includes an indication 274 regarding the amount of power remaining in the power source 16 from the aerosol delivery system 1. According to some embodiments thereof, the indication regarding the amount of power remaining in the power source 16 from the aerosol delivery system 1 may include a battery symbol 276 to more easily visualize for a user the amount of power remaining in said power source 16.

[0102] According to some embodiments, as part of any given mode of operation, to also assist the user as to whether the aerosol delivery system 1 is currently powered, at least one (or both) of the first feedback and the second feedback F1, F2 may include an indication 278 regarding whether or not the aerosol delivery system i) is currently powered and / or ii) is currently charging, or that i) is currently powered and / or ii) is currently charging. In these examples, in some embodiments thereof, the indication 278 may explicitly include a lightning bolt 280 or potentially a power plug / socket symbol.

[0103] In some embodiments, at least one of the first feedback F1 and the second feedback F2 may include an indication 284 of whether the aerosol delivery system is on, which may be accomplished in very particular embodiments by an indication including, for example, a predetermined symbol.

[0104] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 1, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to be disposed within a case, such as a charging case, when the aerosol delivery system 1 is not in use. Thus, with respect to these embodiments, in some particular embodiments thereof, at least one of the first feedback F1 and / or the second feedback F2 may include i) an indication 286, 286A, 286B regarding whether a case for the aerosol delivery system 1 has been detected, and / or ii) an indication regarding whether the aerosol delivery system 1 is disposed within a case for holding the aerosol delivery system 1.

[0105] With respect to any of the above embodiments, the instructions 274, 278, 286 may be provided at an appropriate location from a portion of the feedback providing system and / or aerosol delivery system 1 as appropriate, such as on any provided display 252, and / or as part of the feedback section, and / or as part of the electrical device 250 (if such an electrical device is used). FIG. 12 illustrates at least one embodiment of a feedback providing system including the above instructions, which may vary as appropriate between each selected operating mode M1, M2. Thus, it is clearly understood that the extent to which these instructions 274, 278, 286 are provided may vary between any given operating mode M1, M2 from the feedback providing system, if any permutation of these instructions is used as part of either the first feedback F1, the second feedback F2 (or further feedback such as any used third feedback F3).

[0106] In this manner, the feedback-providing system (or aerosol delivery system in which all components are arranged as part of the aerosol delivery system 1) may thus be effectively configured to allow a user to modify each operational mode M1, M2 to customize the amount of feedback provided as part of the operational mode M1, M2, and potentially have as part of that operational mode any given feedback (whether this is the first feedback F1, the second feedback F2, and / or any other feedback such as the third feedback F3) that includes any of the combinations of features or instructions described herein as part of each such feedback of that operational mode. Thus, clearly, the present disclosure also provides an effective feedback-providing system (or aerosol delivery system 1) that allows for convenient customization of feedback delivered to a user as part of multiple operational modes.

[0107] 12, which allows a user to customize each of the first and second modes of operation M1 and M2 and change any of the level / amount / degree / type of feedback and / or instructions provided as part of such feedback for each mode of operation. Such customization may be accomplished, for example, via a display 252 from the feedback-providing system (or in some embodiments the aerosol delivery system 1) configured to display a feedback customization interface 290 to enable at least one of the first feedback F1 and / or the second feedback F2 to be customized from the feedback customization interface as part of each of the mode operations M1, M2.

[0108] With the above in mind, it will therefore be appreciated that described herein are a variety of different embodiments, as defined by at least the following additional embodiment clauses. [Clause 1] A feedback providing system comprising: an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol; and a feedback portion for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. [Clause 2] The feedback providing system of claim 1, wherein the feedback providing system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit, and is configured to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. [Clause 3] The feedback providing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the feedback providing system is configured to enable a user of the feedback providing system to switch between a first operating mode in which the second feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit and a second operating mode in which the first feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit. [Article 4] 4. The feedback providing system of claim 3, further configured such that the first feedback is provided by the feedback unit in the first operating mode. [Article 5] 5. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 4, configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit in the second operation mode. [Article 6] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 3 to 5, further comprising a user interface unit for enabling a user of the feedback providing system to switch between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. [Article 7] The feedback providing system of claim 6, wherein the user interface unit further comprises a toggle device for enabling a user of the feedback providing system to switch between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. [Article 8] 8. The system for providing feedback of clause 7, wherein the toggle device comprises a movable switch. [Article 9] The feedback providing system according to any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the aerosol supply system comprises the user interface unit. [Article 10] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 3 to 9, wherein the feedback providing system is further configured to enable a user of the feedback providing system to switch between the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and a third operating mode configured such that the first feedback and third feedback are provided by the feedback unit. [Article 11] 11. The system for providing feedback as described in clause 10, wherein the third level of feedback is different from the second level of feedback. [Article 12] 12. The feedback providing system of claim 11, wherein the third level of feedback is less than the second level of feedback. [Article 13] 13. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 10 to 12, configured to prevent the third feedback from being provided by the feedback unit in the second operating mode. [Article 14] 14. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 10 to 13, configured to prevent the third feedback from being provided by the feedback unit in the first operating mode. [Article 15] 15. The feedback providing system according to any one of clauses 10 to 14, wherein a type of the third feedback is different from a type of at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback. [Article 16] 16. The feedback providing system according to any one of clauses 10 to 15, wherein the third feedback type is the same as the second feedback type. [Article 17] 17. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the first feedback type is different from the second feedback type. [Article 18] 18. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 17, configured such that the first feedback is provided in response to a first predetermined criterion being met. [Article 19] 20. The feedback providing system of claim 18, wherein the first predetermined criterion includes a determination that the aerosol delivery system is faulty. [Article 20] 20. The system for providing feedback of claim 18 or 19, wherein the first predetermined criterion includes a temperature value exceeding a predetermined temperature. [Article 21] 21. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 20, configured such that the second feedback is provided in response to a second predetermined criterion being met. [Article 22] 22. The feedback providing system of claim 21, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that the power source from the aerosol delivery system includes less than a predetermined amount of remaining power. [Article 23] 23. The system for providing feedback of any one of clauses 21-22, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that an amount of aerosol-generating material in the aerosol delivery system comprises less than a predetermined amount. [Article 24] A feedback providing system as described in any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that an aerosol generator from the aerosol supply system has not been operating to generate aerosol for a period of time that exceeds a predetermined period of time. [Article 25] 25. The feedback providing system according to any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the aerosol supply system comprises the feedback unit. [Article 26] 26. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 25, further comprising an electrical device operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery system. [Article 27] 27. The feedback providing system of claim 26, wherein the electrical device is operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery system via Bluetooth. [Article 28] 28. The system for providing feedback as claimed in any one of clauses 26 to 27, wherein the electrical device comprises a smartphone. [Article 29] 29. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 26 to 28, wherein the electrical device comprises a smartwatch. [Article 30] 30. The feedback providing system according to any one of clauses 26 to 29, wherein the electrical device comprises a feedback unit. [Article 31] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 26 to 30, wherein the electrical device is configured to provide the first feedback. [Article 32] 32. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 26 to 31, wherein the electrical device is configured to provide the second feedback. [Article 33] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 32, wherein the aerosol supply system further comprises a consumable for storing an aerosol generating material, and an aerosol supply device configured to receive the consumable for generating the aerosol from the aerosol generating material. [Article 34] 34. The system for providing feedback as described in clause 33, wherein the consumable comprises an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. [Article 35] 35. The system for providing feedback as described in clause 34, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a susceptor. [Article 36] 36. The feedback providing system of claim 35, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a coil configured to inductively heat the susceptor disposed within the consumable. [Article 37] 38. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 37, wherein the consumable is substantially cylindrical. [Article 38] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 38, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a receptacle for removably receiving the consumable. [Article 39] 40. The system for providing feedback described in clause 39 when further dependent on clause 36, wherein the coil is configured to surround the receptacle. [Article 40] 40. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 39, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to wirelessly power the cartridge from the aerosol delivery device. [Article 41] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 40, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to power the consumable from the aerosol delivery device by electromagnetic induction. [Article 42] 42. The system for providing feedback of any one of clauses 33 to 41, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a solid material. [Article 43] 43. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 42, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises tobacco. [Article 44] 44. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 43, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device via a friction fit. [Article 45] 45. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 44, wherein the consumable is connectable to the aerosol delivery device in two or more orientations. [Article 46] 46. ​​The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 33 to 45, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a feedback unit. [Article 47] 47. The feedback providing system of claim 46, wherein the feedback unit comprises a speaker for providing at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback. [Article 48] 48. The feedback providing system of claim 47, wherein the feedback unit comprises a tactile element for providing at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback. [Article 49] 49. The feedback providing system of claim 48, wherein the feedback unit comprises a display for providing at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback. [Article 50] 50. The feedback providing system of claim 49, wherein the first feedback includes a first indication on the display. [Article 51] 51. The system for providing feedback of clause 49 or 50, wherein the second feedback includes a second indicator on the display. [Article 52] 52. The system for providing feedback as described in clause 51, wherein the first indicator includes a first color and the second indicator includes a second color different from the first color. [Article 53] 53. The feedback providing system of claim 52, wherein the first color is at least one of black, purple, red, orange, amber, or yellow. [Article 55] 54. The feedback providing system of claim 52 or 53, wherein the second color is at least one of blue, green, yellow, or white. [Article 55] The system for providing feedback of clause 51 when further dependent on clause 50, wherein the first indicator is configured to be displayed more prominently than the second indicator. [Article 56] The feedback providing method of any one of clauses 1-55, wherein the feedback unit is configured to provide an identifier of the aerosol delivery system. [Article 57] Providing feedback as described in any one of clauses 1 to 56, when further dependent on at least clause 49, wherein the feedback unit is configured to display an identifier of the aerosol delivery system on the display. [Article 58] 58. The method of providing feedback according to any one of clauses 1-57, further comprising a display for displaying an identifier of the aerosol delivery system on the display. [Article 59] The method of providing feedback according to any one of clauses 56 to 58, wherein the identifier is provided for each operational mode. [Article 60] 60. The method of claim 58 or 59, wherein the identifier comprises a graphical representation of the aerosol delivery system. [Article 61] The provision of any one of clauses 56-60, wherein the identifier includes a description of the aerosol delivery system. [Article 62] 62. The method of any one of clauses 56-61, wherein the identifier includes a name of the aerosol delivery system. [Article 63] The feedback providing method according to any one of clauses 56 to 62, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback is configured to be provided adjacent to the identifier. [Article 64] The feedback providing method according to any one of clauses 56 to 63, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback is provided above the identifier. [Article 65] The feedback providing method according to any one of clauses 56 to 63, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback is provided below the identifier. [Article 66] Providing feedback as described in any one of clauses 56 to 64 when further dependent on at least clause 57 or 58, wherein the identifier remains in the same position on the display for all modes of operation. [Article 67] 67. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-66, wherein the first feedback includes haptic feedback. [Article 68] 68. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-67, wherein the first feedback includes acoustic feedback. [Article 69] 69. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-68, wherein the first feedback includes visual feedback. [Article 70] 70. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-69, wherein the second feedback includes haptic feedback. [Article 71] 71. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-70, wherein the second feedback comprises acoustic feedback. [Article 72] 72. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-71, wherein the second feedback includes visual feedback. [Article 73] 73. The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1-72, wherein the first feedback type is different from the second feedback type. [Article 74] 74. The system for providing feedback according to any one of clauses 1 to 73, wherein the first level of feedback is different from the second level of feedback. [Article 75] 75. The system for providing feedback as described in clause 74, wherein the first level of feedback is greater than the second level of feedback. [Article 76] A feedback providing system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 75, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication regarding the remaining power in a power source from the aerosol delivery system. [Article 77] 77. The feedback providing system of claim 76, wherein the indication regarding the remaining amount of power in the power source from the aerosol delivery system includes a battery symbol. [Article 78] A feedback providing system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 77, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication of whether the aerosol delivery system is currently powered. [Article 79] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 78, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication that the aerosol delivery system is currently charging. [Article 80] 80. The feedback providing system of claim 79, wherein the indication that the aerosol delivery system is currently charging includes a lightning bolt. [Article 81] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 80, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication of whether the aerosol delivery system is switched on. [Article 82] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 81, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication of whether a case for the aerosol delivery system has been detected. [Article 83] A feedback providing system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 82, wherein at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback includes an indication of whether the aerosol delivery system is disposed in a case for holding the aerosol delivery system. [Article 84] 84. The feedback providing system of claim 82 or 83, wherein the case comprises a charging case for charging a power source from the aerosol delivery system. [Article 85] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 84, configured to enable customization of the first feedback and / or the second feedback. [Article 86] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 85, configured to enable customization of the first level of feedback and / or the second level of feedback. [Article 87] The feedback providing system of any one of clauses 1 to 86, configured to enable customization of the first feedback type and / or the second feedback type. [Article 88] A feedback providing system as described in any one of clauses 85 to 87, wherein a display from the feedback providing system is configured to display a feedback customization interface to enable customization of the first feedback and / or the second feedback from the feedback customization interface. [Article 89] The feedback providing system of claim 88, wherein the feedback customization interface includes an identifier for the aerosol delivery system. [Article 90] 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, further comprising a feedback portion for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. [Article 91] The aerosol supply system of claim 90, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. [Article 92] 1. An aerosol delivery device for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol delivery device; and a consumable including an aerosol generating material for aerosolization, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a feedback section for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. An aerosol delivery device comprising: [Article 93] The aerosol supply device of claim 92, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit and to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. [Article 94] 1. A method for providing feedback in a feedback providing system comprising an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the method comprising: Providing a feedback portion for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system. A method comprising: [Article 95] 95. The method of claim 94, wherein the method is a method for controlling the provision of feedback in the feedback providing system. [Article 96] Disabling selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. 96. The method of claim 94 or 95, further comprising: [Article 97] selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; 97. The method of any one of clauses 94 to 96, further comprising: [Article 98] Switching between a first operating mode in which the second feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit and a second operating mode in which the first feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit. 98. The method of any one of clauses 94 to 97, further comprising: [Article 99] Switching between a first operating mode configured to cause the second feedback to be provided by the feedback unit and a second operating mode configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit. 99. The method of any one of clauses 94 to 98, further comprising: [Article 100] switching a user interface portion of the feedback providing system between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. 99. The method of claim 98 or 99, further comprising: [Article 101] The method of claim 100, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises the user interface portion. [Article 102] A method according to any one of clauses 94 to 101, wherein the feedback unit is provided as part of an electrical device operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery system. [Article 103] The method of clause 102, wherein the electrical device comprises a smartphone. [Article 104] The method of any one of clauses 94 to 103, wherein the first feedback type is different from the second feedback type. [Article 105] The method of claim 104, wherein the first feedback type includes audio feedback and the second feedback type includes at least visual feedback and / or tactile feedback. [Article 106] displaying an identifier of the aerosol delivery system from the feedback providing system on a display. 106. The method of any one of clauses 94 to 105, further comprising: [Article 107] displaying the identifier in each of the first and second operating modes. The method of claim 106 when further dependent on at least clause 98, further comprising: [Article 108] 108. The method of claim 106 or 107, wherein the feedback unit comprises the display. [Article 109] A method according to any one of clauses 106 to 108, when further dependent on at least clause 102, wherein the electrical device comprises the display. [Article 110] The method of any one of clauses 94 to 109, wherein the first feedback is provided more prominently than the second feedback.

[0109] For completeness, with regard to how any toggle indicators, user interface portions, feedback portions (if any) may be powered, it will be understood that each such portion (if required) may be powered using the power source / battery 16 or each may be powered by its own power source.

[0110] Similarly, and with regard to the placement of any such toggle indicators, user interface portions, feedback portions, or those alluded to above, it will be understood that their locations may be provided anywhere in aerosol delivery system 1 (or as part of a wider feedback-providing system, if such latter system is used) as may be required to enable them to provide the necessary functionality. This placement may even include locations where the feedback portion or sensor is not actually located in aerosol delivery system 1, consumable 2, aerosol delivery device 4 (e.g., in a separate electrical device attachable to the user, such as a strap or some other patch or device that may be secured to the user (removably, if necessary, e.g., via an adhesive patch)).

[0111] Similarly, where the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a consumable 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4, any provided toggle indicators, user interface portions, feedback portions 702a, 702b, or sensors may be located in either the consumable 2 or the aerosol delivery device 4, as appropriate, to enable the required functionality of the toggle indicators 706a, 706b, feedback portions 702a, 702b, or sensors 1002a, 1002b, 1002c.

[0112] Similarly, for completeness, it will be understood that with respect to any toggle indicator, user interface portion, feedback portion, or sensor 1002a, 1002b, 1002c in the aerosol delivery device 4 or aerosol delivery system 1, any power or signal transmitted thereto may be provided using either a wired or wireless connection between the control circuitry 18 and the associated device. In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, for example, a wired connection is provided between each of the toggle indicators / user interface portions / feedback portions / sensors and the control circuitry 18, which extends through contact electrodes 46 located on each of the aerosol delivery device 4 and the consumable 2 when the toggle indicator / user interface portion / feedback portion / sensor is located in the consumable 2 across interface end 54.

Claims

1. 1. A feedback providing system, comprising: an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol; a feedback section for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system; Equipped with The feedback providing system comprises: configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; and A feedback providing system configured to enable selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

2. The feedback providing system includes: a first mode of operation configured such that the second feedback is provided by the feedback unit; a second operational mode configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback portion; and The feedback providing system of claim 1 , configured to enable switching between:

3. The feedback providing system includes: the first mode of operation configured such that the second feedback is provided by the feedback unit; the second operational mode configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; The feedback providing system of claim 2 , further comprising a user interface unit for enabling switching between:

4. 4. The feedback providing system of claim 3, wherein the user interface unit further comprises a toggle device for enabling a user of the feedback providing system to switch between the first operating mode configured to cause the second feedback to be provided by the feedback unit and the second operating mode configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

5. The system for providing feedback of claim 4 , wherein the toggle device comprises a movable switch.

6. The feedback providing system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises the user interface unit.

7. The feedback providing system includes: the first mode of operation; the second mode of operation; and a third operating mode configured such that the first feedback and the third feedback are provided by the feedback unit; and The feedback providing system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further configured to enable switching between:

8. The system for providing feedback of claim 7 , wherein the third level of feedback is different from the second level of feedback.

9. The system for providing feedback according to claim 8 , wherein the third level of feedback is less than the second level of feedback.

10. The feedback providing system of any one of claims 7 to 9, configured to prevent the third feedback from being provided by the feedback unit in the second mode of operation.

11. The feedback providing system of any one of claims 7 to 10, configured to prevent the third feedback from being provided by the feedback unit in the first mode of operation.

12. The feedback providing system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a type of the third feedback is different from a type of at least one of the first feedback and the second feedback.

13. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the third feedback type is the same as the second feedback type.

14. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first feedback type is different from the second feedback type.

15. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first feedback is configured to be provided in response to a first predetermined criterion being met.

16. 16. The system for providing feedback of claim 15, wherein the first predetermined criterion includes a determination that the aerosol delivery system is malfunctioning.

17. 17. The system for providing feedback according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first predetermined criterion comprises a temperature value exceeding a predetermined temperature.

18. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second feedback is configured to be provided in response to a second predetermined criterion being met.

19. 20. The system for providing feedback of claim 18, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that a power source from the aerosol delivery system includes less than a predetermined amount of remaining power.

20. 20. The system for providing feedback of claim 18 or 19, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that an amount of aerosol-generating material in the aerosol delivery system comprises less than a predetermined amount.

21. The feedback providing system of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the second predetermined criterion includes a determination that an aerosol generator from the aerosol supply system has not been operating to generate aerosol for a period of time that exceeds a predetermined period of time.

22. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises the feedback portion.

23. The system for providing feedback according to any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising an electrical device operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery system.

24. The system for providing feedback according to claim 23 , wherein the electrical device comprises a feedback unit.

25. The aerosol delivery system comprises: a consumable for storing the aerosol generating material; an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable for generating the aerosol from the aerosol-generating material; The feedback providing system of any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising:

26. 26. The system for providing feedback of claim 25, wherein the consumable comprises an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.

27. 27. The system for providing feedback according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises the feedback portion.

28. 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: a feedback unit for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system; The aerosol delivery system comprises: configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; and An aerosol delivery system configured to allow selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback portion.

29. 1. An aerosol delivery device for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol delivery device; and a consumable containing an aerosol generating material for aerosolization, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a feedback unit for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system; The aerosol delivery device comprises: configured to disable selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; and An aerosol delivery device configured to allow selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback portion.

30. 1. A method for controlling the provision of feedback in a feedback providing system comprising an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the method comprising: providing a feedback unit for providing a first feedback and a second feedback to a user of the aerosol delivery system; selectively preventing the first feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; and selectively preventing the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit; A method comprising:

31. switching between a first mode of operation in which the second feedback is configured to be provided by the feedback unit and a second mode of operation in which the second feedback is configured to prevent the second feedback from being provided by the feedback unit.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

32. switching a user interface portion from the feedback providing system between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising:

33. 32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises the user interface portion.

34. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the feedback portion is provided as part of an electrical device operable to communicate wirelessly with the aerosol delivery system.

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the electrical device comprises a smartphone.

36. The method of any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the first feedback type is different from the second feedback type.

37. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first feedback type comprises audio feedback and the second feedback type comprises at least visual feedback and / or haptic feedback.

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