Proximity detection for aerosol delivery device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol delivery device that includes a housing, a heating element, a communication interface and a microprocessor.SOLUTION: The heating element may activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing, with the air being combinable with a vapor formed by the vaporization so as to form an aerosol. The communication interface may effect a wireless, proximity-based communication link 106 with a computing device 104. The microprocessor may be coupled to the communication interface, and may control at least one functional element of an aerosol delivery device 102 based on a state of the proximity-based communication link, or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device over the proximity-based communication link.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, and more specifically, to aerosol delivery devices that may utilize electrically generated heat for the production of aerosols (e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as e-cigarettes). The smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which may be made from tobacco or derived from tobacco, or may otherwise incorporate materials that may incorporate tobacco, and the precursor may form an inhalable substance for human consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] Many smoking devices have been proposed for many years as an improvement or replacement for smoking products that require tobacco to be burned for use. Many of these devices are purportedly designed to provide the sensation associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from tobacco combustion. To this end, numerous smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile materials or attempt to provide the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without significant levels of tobacco combustion. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources described in the background art in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 to Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. See, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heating sources referenced by trade name and commercial source in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 to Bless et al., filed February 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, other types of smoking articles are proposed in U.S. Patent No. 5,505,214 to Collins et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,894,841 to Voges, U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 to Hon, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267031 to Hon, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide smoking articles that use heat generated by electrical energy to provide the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, that do so without burning or pyrolyzing tobacco to any significant extent, that do so without the need for a combustion heat source, and that do so without necessarily delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. Additionally, advances in the manufacture of electronic smoking articles would be desirable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,214 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,841 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 [Patent Document 7] US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 [Patent Document 8] US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267031 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device, a method for forming such a device, and elements of such a device. According to one embodiment of the implementation of the present disclosure, an aerosol delivery device is provided. The aerosol delivery device includes a housing, a heating element, a communication interface, and a microprocessor. The heating element can be configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to air flow through at least a portion of the housing, and the air can combine with the vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol. The communication interface can be configured to enable a wireless proximity-based communication link with a computing device. The microprocessor can be coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device over the proximity-based communication link.

[0006] In some examples, the microprocessor can be configured to control functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device when a proximity-based communication link is broken.

[0007] In some examples, the microprocessor can be configured to control functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based on the signal strength of the proximity-based communication link.

[0008] In some examples, being configured such that the microprocessor controls at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device may include being configured to control a sensory feedback member to provide user-perceivable feedback.

[0009] In some examples, the microprocessor being configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device may include being configured to control the at least one functional element to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0010] According to another aspect of an implementation of the present disclosure, a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface can be configured to enable a wireless proximity-based communication link with an aerosol delivery device including a housing and a heating element. As above, the heating element can be configured to actuate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing, the air being capable of combining with the vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol.

[0011] A processor of the computing device may be coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link. Alternatively, the processor may be configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal over the proximity-based communication link to the aerosol delivery device and in response thereto enable control of the aerosol delivery device.

[0012] In some examples, the processor may be configured to control functional element(s) of the computing device if a proximity-based communication link is broken.

[0013] In some examples, the processor may be configured to control functional element(s) of the computing device based on signal strength of a proximity-based communication link.

[0014] In some examples, the processor can be configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal, including being configured to cause transmission of the trigger signal and enable control of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device to provide user-perceivable feedback.

[0015] In some examples, the processor may be configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal, including being configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0016] In other implementations, methods are provided for controlling the operation of and interacting with the aerosol delivery device, respectively. The features, functions, and advantages discussed herein may be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in other implementations, further details of which may be found in relation to the following description and drawings.

[0017] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following example implementations. Exemplary implementation 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising: a housing; a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to airflow through at least a portion of the housing, wherein the air can combine with the vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol; a communications interface configured to affect a wireless proximity-based communications link with a computing device; and a microprocessor coupled to the communications interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device via the proximity-based communications link.

[0018] Exemplary Implementation 2: An aerosol delivery device described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in the event that a proximity-based communication link is lost.

[0019] Exemplary Implementation 3: An aerosol delivery device described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on the signal strength of a proximity-based communication link.

[0020] Exemplary Implementation 4: An aerosol delivery device described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, including a microprocessor configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device, configured to control a sensory feedback member to provide feedback perceptible to the user.

[0021] Exemplary Implementation 5: An aerosol delivery device as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, including a microprocessor configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device, configured to control at least one functional element to change the lock state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0022] Exemplary implementation 6: A computing device having an aerosol delivery device comprising a housing, a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to airflow through at least a portion of the housing, where the air can combine with the vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol, and a processor coupled to the communications interface and configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal to the aerosol delivery device via the proximity-based communications link to control at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link or to affect control of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto, the computing device comprising a communications interface configured to affect a wireless proximity-based communications link.

[0023] Exemplary Implementation 7: A computing device as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the processor is configured to control at least one functional element of the computing device and when a proximity-based communication link is lost.

[0024] Exemplary Implementation 8: A computing device described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the processor is configured to control at least one functional element of the computing device and based on the signal strength of a communication link based on proximity.

[0025] Exemplary Implementation 9: A computing device as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the processor is configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal, including being configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal to affect control of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device to provide feedback perceptible to a user.

[0026] Exemplary Implementation 10: A computing device as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein the processor is configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal, including being configured to cause transmission of a trigger signal to change a lock state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0027] Exemplary implementation 11: A method for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to airflow through at least a portion of a housing, wherein the air can combine with vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol; affecting a wireless proximity-based communications link with a computing device in the aerosol delivery device; and controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device via the proximity-based communications link.

[0028] Exemplary Implementation 12: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, in which at least one functional element of an aerosol delivery device is controlled in the event that a proximity-based communication link is lost.

[0029] Exemplary Implementation 13: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, in which at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device is controlled based on the signal strength of a proximity-based communication link.

[0030] Exemplary Implementation 14: A method according to any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device includes controlling a sensory feedback member to provide feedback perceptible to the user.

[0031] Exemplary Implementation 15: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, wherein controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device includes controlling at least one functional element to change a lock state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0032] Exemplary implementation 16: A method of interacting with an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to airflow through at least a portion of a housing, wherein the air can combine with vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol; and, in a computing device, affecting a wireless proximity-based communications link with the aerosol delivery device; and controlling at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link or causing transmission of a trigger signal to the aerosol delivery device via the proximity-based communications link to affect control of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto.

[0033] Exemplary Implementation 17: A method according to any preceding or subsequent exemplary implementation, or a combination thereof, comprising controlling at least one functional element of a computing device and in the event that a proximity-based communication link is broken.

[0034] Exemplary Implementation 18: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, including controlling at least one functional element of a computing device and based on the signal strength of a communication link based on proximity.

[0035] Exemplary Implementation 19: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, including causing transmission of a trigger signal to affect control of a sensory feedback member of an aerosol delivery device to provide feedback perceptible to a user.

[0036] Exemplary Implementation 20: A method as described in any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary implementations, or a combination thereof, including causing transmission of a trigger signal to change the lock state of an aerosol delivery device.

[0037] This summary is provided merely for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. It will therefore be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any manner. In this regard, these and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four or more of the embodiments described above, as well as any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements described in the present disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are combined in an explicit example in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read in its entirety such that any separable features or elements of the invention of the present disclosure should be considered as intended to be combinable in its various aspects and embodiments, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] Having thus described the present disclosure in the foregoing general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] Respective systems are shown according to implementations of the present disclosure, each of which includes an aerosol delivery device and a computing device. [Diagram 2] Respective systems are shown according to implementations of the present disclosure, each of which includes an aerosol delivery device and a computing device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device that may correspond in some examples to the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 according to various implementations of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]1 illustrates a computing device that may correspond to the computing device of FIG. 1 in some examples, according to various implementations of the disclosure. [Diagram 5] According to an example implementation, an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application suitable for controlling or interacting with an aerosol delivery device is shown. [Figure 6] According to an example implementation, an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application suitable for controlling or interacting with an aerosol delivery device is shown. [Figure 7] According to an example implementation, an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application suitable for controlling or interacting with an aerosol delivery device is shown. [Figure 8] According to an example implementation, an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application suitable for controlling or interacting with an aerosol delivery device is shown. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates various operations in a method of controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device, according to an example implementation. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates various operations in a method of interacting with an aerosol delivery device, according to an example implementation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to its implementations. These implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein, but rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0041] As described below, implementations of the present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery systems and the control or interaction of such aerosol delivery systems. Aerosol delivery systems according to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat materials to form inhalable substances (preferably without burning the materials to any significant extent), and the components of such systems have product forms that are most preferably small enough to be considered handheld devices. That is, the use of the components of the preferred aerosol delivery systems does not result in the production of smoke in the sense of an aerosol, which is primarily due to by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather, the use of these preferred systems results in the production of vapor, which is due to the volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some implementations, the components of the aerosol delivery systems may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, which most preferably incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components and thus deliver tobacco-derived components in aerosol form.

[0042] The aerosol-generating components of certain preferred aerosol delivery systems may provide many of the cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation habits, taste or flavor variety, organoleptic effects, physical sensations, usage habits, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, etc.) that are utilized by lighting and burning tobacco (and thus inhaling tobacco smoke) without combusting any of the components to any significant extent. For example, a user of an aerosol-generating component of the present disclosure may hold and use the component in the same manner as a smoker using a conventional smoking article, draw on one end of the component for inhalation of the aerosol generated by the component, and puff or suck for selected time intervals.

[0043] The aerosol delivery system of the present disclosure may also be characterized as a vapor product article or drug delivery article. Thus, such an article or device may be adapted to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and / or pharma- ceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in vapor form (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For the sake of brevity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is intended to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in any form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not in a form that can be considered smoke-like.

[0044] The aerosol delivery system of the present disclosure generally includes several components provided in an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell may vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body may vary, which may define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single integral housing, or the elongated housing may be formed of two or more separable bodies. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include an elongated shell or body that may be substantially tubular in shape and thus resemble the shape of a traditional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all of the components of the present aerosol delivery device are included within one housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may include two or more housings that are joined and separable. For example, the aerosol delivery device may have a control body at one end with a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling the operation of the article), and at the other end an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge) may be removably attached thereto.

[0045] The aerosol delivery system of the present disclosure most preferably comprises some combination of a power source (i.e., a power source), at least one control component (e.g., a means for activating, controlling, regulating, and terminating electrical power for heat generation, such as by controlling current that power source to other components of the article, e.g., a microprocessor, either individually or as part of a microcontroller), a heater or heat generating member (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone or in combination with one or more additional elements may be commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid that can generate an aerosol when sufficient heat is applied, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid," and "e-juice"), and a mouth area or tip that allows for drawing on the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflow path through the article such that, when drawn on, the generated aerosol may be drawn therefrom).

[0046] More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure will become apparent in light of the further disclosure provided herein. Moreover, the selection and arrangement of various aerosol delivery system components can be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as the representative products referenced in the Background section of this disclosure.

[0047] In various examples, the aerosol delivery device can include a reservoir configured to hold the aerosol precursor composition. The reservoir can be formed, in particular, from a porous material (e.g., a fibrous material) and thus can be referred to as a porous substrate (e.g., a fibrous substrate).

[0048] Fibrous substrates useful as reservoirs of aerosol delivery devices can be woven or nonwoven materials formed from a plurality of fibers or filaments, and can be formed from one or both of natural and synthetic fibers. For example, the fibrous substrate can comprise a fiberglass material. In certain examples, a cellulose acetate material can be used. In other implementations, a carbon material can be used. The reservoir can be substantially in the form of a container and can include the fibrous material contained therein.

[0049] 1 and 2 show respective systems 100, 200 according to implementations of the present disclosure, each of which includes an aerosol delivery device 102 and a computing device 104. As shown and described in more detail below, the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be a system for controlling the operation of an aerosol delivery device. And the system 200 shown in FIG. 2 can be a system for interacting with an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device and the computing device can be the same in either system. However, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device can differ between systems at least in terms of its functionality. Similarly, in some examples, the computing device can differ between systems at least in terms of its functionality.

[0050] The aerosol delivery device 102 may be embodied as any of several different devices, including a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to air flow through at least a portion of the housing, where the air can combine with the vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol. The computing device 104 may also be embodied as any of several different devices, such as any of several different mobile computers. More specific examples of suitable mobile computers include portable computers (e.g., laptops, notebooks, tablet computers), mobile phones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), wearable computers (e.g., smart watches), and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be embodied as other than a mobile computer, such as using a desktop computer, a server computer, and the like. In yet another example, the computing device may be embodied as a radio wave beacon, such as using iBeacon™ technology developed by Apple Inc.

[0051] As shown, the aerosol delivery device 102 and the computing device 104 may be paired to establish a proximity-based communication link 106 between the devices to enable wireless communication between the devices. The proximity-based communication link may be supported by one or more of a number of different proximity-based device-to-device communication technologies. Examples of suitable technologies include various near field communication (NFC) technologies, wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies, and the like. More specific examples of suitable WPAN technologies include Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE), ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA), radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless USB, and the like, as defined by the IEEE 802.15 standard or otherwise. Still other examples of suitable proximity-based device-to-device communication technologies include Wi-Fi Direct, as well as certain other technologies based on or defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard that support direct device-to-device communication.

[0052] According to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the system 100, 200 may provide a number of proximity-based services based on or delivered via the proximity-based communication link 106. In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 102 and / or the computing device 104 may be configured to perform one or more actions based on the status of the proximity-based communication link. The status of the proximity-based communication link may be indicated in a number of different ways, such as by its presence, in which the device may perform one or more actions when the proximity-based communication link is established or broken. In another example, the status of the proximity-based communication link may be indicated by its signal strength, which in some examples may be provided by a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) (i.e., the power present in a signal received over the communication link).

[0053] Actions taken by the aerosol delivery device 102 and / or computing device 104 based on the state of the proximity-based communication link 106 may include the device being configured to provide user-perceptible feedback. This feedback may include visual, auditory and / or tactile (e.g., vibration) feedback. Additionally or alternatively, the actions may include the aerosol delivery device being configured to change the lock state of the aerosol delivery device. Thus, for example, the device may provide user-perceptible feedback when the proximity-based communication link is broken or its signal strength drops below a threshold level (indicating increased distance between the aerosol delivery device and the computing device). Additionally or alternatively, for example, the aerosol delivery device may be locked, thereby disabling the device or, more specifically, one or more of its components (e.g., heating element).

[0054] 2, in some examples, the computing device 104 may be configured to communicate a trigger signal 202 to the aerosol delivery device 102 via the proximity-based communication link 106 to affect control of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto. In some examples, communication of the trigger signal may be initiated by a user of the computing device, such as by a particular user selection or schedule that is defined or selected by the user. In other examples, communication of the trigger signal may be initiated when one or more conditions are met, which may or may not be user defined.

[0055] The aerosol delivery device 102 may be configured to perform one or more actions in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device 104 via the proximity-based communication link 106. The actions performed by the aerosol delivery device may include that it is configured to provide user-perceptible feedback (e.g., visual, auditory and / or tactile feedback). Additionally or alternatively, the actions may include that the aerosol delivery device is configured to change a locking state of the aerosol delivery device. Thus, for example, the aerosol delivery device may provide user-perceptible feedback in response to a trigger signal that may enable a user to position their aerosol delivery device. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the aerosol delivery device may be locked in response to a trigger signal that may enable a user to remotely lock their aerosol delivery device.

[0056] In some other examples, the computing device 104 embodied as a radio beacon may transmit a trigger signal to control the aerosol delivery device 102 when it detects and pairs with the aerosol delivery device to establish a proximity-based communication link. The trigger signal may lock or unlock the aerosol delivery device, which may allow a person to prevent or enable use of the aerosol delivery device in the environment in which the radio beacon is located. In another example, the trigger signal may operate the aerosol delivery device with certain variable parameters, such as higher output power (increased vapor), different flavor triggers, etc.

[0057] Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4, which show more specific examples of a suitable aerosol delivery device and a computing device, respectively, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0058] 3 shows an aerosol delivery device 300, which in some examples may correspond to the aerosol delivery device 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As seen in the cross-sectional view shown in the figure, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a control body 302 and a cartridge 304, which may be permanently or removably arranged in a functional relationship. The engagement of the control body and the cartridge may be a press-fit engagement (as shown), a threaded engagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement, or the like. In particular, connecting components such as those described further herein may be used. For example, the control body may include a coupler adapted to engage a connector on the cartridge.

[0059] In certain implementations, one or both of the controller 302 and cartridge 304 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the controller may have a replaceable or rechargeable battery and thus may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a typical electrical outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or the like. For example, an adapter including a USB connector on one end and a controller connector on an opposing end is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, in some examples, the cartridge may include a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0060555 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 302 may be formed from a controller shell 306 that may include a control component 308 (e.g., a microprocessor, either individually or as part of a microcontroller), a flow sensor 310, a battery 312, and a light emitting diode (LED) 314, and such components may be variably arranged. Additionally, indicators (e.g., tactile feedback components, audio feedback components, etc.) may be included in addition to or as an alternative to the LEDs. The cartridge 304 may be formed of a cartridge shell 316 that encloses a reservoir 318 in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 320 adapted to vent or otherwise transport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to a heater 322 (sometimes also referred to as a heating element). In some examples, a valve may be disposed between the reservoir and the heater and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from the reservoir to the heater.

[0061] Various examples of materials configured to generate heat when an electrical current is applied through the material may be used to form the heater 322. These example heaters may be resistive heating elements, such as a wire coil. Exemplary materials from which the wire coil may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome, Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi 2 ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), and aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al) 2 ), graphite, graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and fibers), and ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Exemplary implementations of heaters or heating elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described further below and may be incorporated into devices such as those shown in FIG. 3, as described herein.

[0062] There may be an opening 324 in the cartridge shell 316 (e.g., mouthpiece) that allows the formed aerosol to escape from the cartridge 304. Such components are representative of components that may be present in a cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of cartridge components encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0063] The cartridge 304 may also include one or more electronic components 326, which may include integrated circuits, memory components, sensors, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 308 and / or external devices by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere within the cartridge or its base 328.

[0064] Although the control component 308 and the flow sensor 310 are shown separately, it is understood that the control component and the flow sensor may be combined as an electronic circuit board to which the airflow sensor is directly attached. Furthermore, the electronic circuit board may be positioned horizontally relative to the illustration of FIG. 1 in that the electronic circuit board may be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control body. In some examples, the airflow sensor may comprise its own circuit board or other base element to which it may be attached. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured in a variety of shapes, including a substantially tubular shape. In some examples, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, overlaid on, or form part or all of a heater substrate, as described further below.

[0065] The regulator 302 and cartridge 304 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid engagement therebetween. As shown in FIG. 3, the regulator may include a coupler 330 having a cavity 332 therein. The cartridge base 328 may be adapted to engage the coupler and may include a protrusion 334 adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the regulator and the cartridge as well as establish an electrical connection between the battery 312 and control components 308 in the regulator and the heater 322 in the cartridge. Additionally, the regulator shell 306 may include an air inlet 336, which may be a notch in the shell that connects to the coupler, allowing ambient air to pass around the coupler and into the shell, which then passes through the cavity 332 of the coupler and through the protrusion 334 into the cartridge.

[0066] Connectors and bases useful in the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the connector 330 seen in FIG. 3 may define an outer periphery 338 configured to mate with an inner periphery 340 of the base 328. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer periphery of the connector. Additionally, the connector may define one or more protrusions 342 on the outer periphery configured to engage one or more recesses 344 defined in the inner periphery of the base. However, various other example structures, shapes, and components may be used to couple the base to the connector. In some examples, the connection between the base of the cartridge 304 and the coupler of the control body 302 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples, the connection therebetween may be releasable, such that, for example, the control body may be reused with one or more additional cartridges, which may be disposable and / or refillable.

[0067] The aerosol delivery device 300 may, in some examples, be substantially rod-shaped, or substantially tubular-shaped, or substantially cylindrical-shaped, while in other examples additional shapes and dimensions are encompassed (e.g., rectangular or triangular cross-sections, multi-sided shapes, etc.).

[0068] The reservoir 318 shown in FIG. 3 may be a container or may be a fibrous reservoir as described herein. For example, the reservoir may comprise one or more layers of non-woven fibers substantially formed in the shape of a tube that, in this example, surrounds the inside of the cartridge shell 316. The aerosol precursor composition may be held within the reservoir. For example, the liquid components may be adsorptively held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 320. The liquid transport element may transport the aerosol precursor composition stored within the reservoir by capillary action to a heater 322, which in this example is in the form of a metal wire coil. The heater is thus in a heating arrangement with the liquid transport element. Exemplary implementations of reservoirs and transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described further below, and such reservoirs and / or transport elements may be incorporated into an apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 3 described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating members and transport elements described further below may be incorporated into an apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 3 described herein.

[0069] In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 300, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 310 and the heater 322 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the inlet 336 and pass through a cavity 332 in the connector 330 and a central opening in the protrusion 334 of the base 328. Within the cartridge 304, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. This aerosol is immediately transferred or otherwise drawn from the heater and exits through an opening 324 in the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device.

[0070] In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 300 may include a number of additional software control functions. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include a battery protection circuit configured to detect the battery input, the load on the battery terminals, and the charging input. The battery protection circuit may include short circuit protection and low voltage lockout. The aerosol delivery device may also include a component for ambient temperature measurement, the control component 308 of which may be configured to control at least one functional element to inhibit charging of the battery if the temperature is below a certain temperature (e.g., 0° C.) or above a certain temperature (e.g., 45° C.) before or during a state of charging.

[0071] Power delivery from the battery 312 may vary over the course of each inhalation on the device 300 due to a power control mechanism. The device may include a "long inhalation" safety timer such that in the event that the device attempts to inhale continuously, either by the user or by an inadvertent mechanism, the control component 308 may control at least one functional element to automatically terminate inhalation after a certain time (e.g., 4 seconds). Additionally, the time during inhalation on the device may be limited to less than a certain time (e.g., 100 seconds). A supervisory safety timer may automatically reset the aerosol delivery device if the control component or the software running thereon becomes unstable and does not perform the timer function within a suitable time interval (e.g., 8 seconds). Further safety protection may be provided in the event of a flow sensor 310 failure or otherwise failure, such as by permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device to prevent inadvertent heating. In the event of a pressure sensor failure, where the device operates continuously without stopping after a maximum inhalation time of 4 seconds, an inhalation limit switch may disable the device.

[0072] The aerosol delivery device 300 may include a puff tracking algorithm configured to lock out the heater once a set number of puffs have been achieved for the attached cartridge (based on the number of available puffs calculated in light of the e-liquid charge in the cartridge). The aerosol delivery device may include a sleep, standby, or low power mode feature in which power delivery may be automatically conserved after a set period of non-use. Further safety protection may be provided in that all charge / discharge cycles of the battery 312 may be monitored by the control component 308 over its useful life. After the battery has reached what amounts to a set number (e.g., 200) of full discharge and full recharge cycles, the battery may be determined to be depleted, and the control component may control at least one functional element to prevent further charging of the battery.

[0073] The various components of the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure can be selected from those described in the art and commercially available. An example of a battery that can be used according to the present disclosure is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0028766 to Peckerar et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0074] The aerosol delivery device 300 can incorporate the sensor 310 or another sensor or detector for controlling power to the heater 322 when aerosol production is desired (e.g., during inhalation during use). Thus, for example, a manner or method is provided for turning off power to the heater when the aerosol delivery device is not retracted during use, and turning on power to activate or trigger the production of heat by the heater during retraction. Additional representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their construction and configuration, their components, and general methods of their operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010 / 003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0075] Most preferably, the aerosol delivery device 300 incorporates a control component 308 or another control mechanism to control the amount of power to the heater 322 during inhalation. Representative types of electronic components, their construction and configuration, their features, and their general methods of operation are described in U.S. Patents 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., 8,040,320 to Pan, and 9,102,112 to Pan. No. 205,622 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0230117 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0060554 to Collet et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0270727 to Ampolini et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 209,191 to Henry et al., filed March 13, 2014, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0076] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components for supporting an aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 011,992 to Davis et al., filed August 28, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 to Bless et al., filed February 3, 2014, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Additionally, various dispensing materials within certain types of electronic cigarettes as well as the construction and operation of these dispensing materials are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0209105 to Sears et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0077] The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition, may include various components including, by way of example, polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extracts, and / or flavorants. Various components that may be included within the aerosol precursor composition are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additional representative types of aerosol precursor compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,531 to Biggs et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0078] Additional representative types of components that provide visual cues or indicators, such as LEDs and related components, auditory elements (e.g., speakers), vibratory elements (e.g., vibration motors), etc., may be used within the aerosol delivery device 300. Examples of suitable LED components, as well as their configurations and applications, are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton, U.S. Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 173,266 to Sears et al., filed February 5, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0079] Still other features, controls, or components that may be incorporated into the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., 5,954,979 to Counts et al., 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., 8,365,742 to Hon, 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Katase. No. 2010 / 0163063 to Fernando et al., No. 2013 / 0192623 to Tucker et al., No. 2013 / 0298905 to Leven et al., No. 2013 / 0180553 to Kim et al., No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., and No. 2014 / 0261408 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0080] According to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the aerosol delivery device 300 may further include a communication interface 346 configured to affect a wireless proximity-based communication link (e.g., proximity-based communication link 106) with a computing device (e.g., computing device 104). A control component 308 (e.g., a microprocessor) may be coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device via the proximity-based communication link.

[0081] In some examples, the control component 308 may be configured to control the functional elements of the aerosol delivery device 300 in the event that a proximity-based communication link is down. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the control component may be configured to control the functional elements of the aerosol delivery device based on the signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of the proximity-based communication link.

[0082] The functional elements of the aerosol delivery device 300 may be controlled in any of a number of different manners, based on the state of a communication link based on proximity, or in response to a trigger signal received over the link. For example, the control component 308 may be configured to control a sensory feedback member (e.g., an LED, an auditory element, a vibration element) to provide user-perceptible feedback (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile feedback). Additionally or alternatively, for example, the control component may be configured to control at least one functional element to change the lock state of the aerosol delivery device. This may include disabling one or more components of the aerosol delivery device, such as, for example, the heater 322.

[0083] Figure 4 illustrates a computing device 400 that may, in some examples, correspond to computing device 104 of Figures 1 and 2. It will be understood that the components, devices, or elements shown in and described with respect to Figure 4 below may not be required, and thus, in certain examples, some may be omitted. Furthermore, in some examples, additional or different components, devices, or elements may be included beyond those shown in and described with respect to Figure 4.

[0084] As shown, computing device 400 may include processing circuitry 402 that may be configured to perform functions according to one or more example implementations described herein. More specifically, for example, the processing circuitry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and / or other processing and management services according to one or more example implementations.

[0085] In some examples, computing device 400 or portions or components thereof, such as processing circuitry 402, may be implemented via one or more integrated circuits, which may each include one or more chips. Thus, in some cases, the processing circuitry and / or one or more additional components of the computing device may be implemented as a system on a chip.

[0086] In some examples, the processing circuit 402 may include a processor 404, and in some examples may further include a memory 406, such as that shown in Figure 4. The processing circuit may be in communication with or otherwise control one or more of each of a number of components, such as a user interface 408, a communication interface 410, etc.

[0087] The processor 404 may be embodied in various forms. For example, the processor may be embodied as various hardware processing means, such as a microprocessor, a co-processor, a controller, or various other computing devices or processing devices, including integrated circuits, such as, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), combinations thereof, etc. Although the processor is illustrated as a single processor, it will be understood that the processor may comprise multiple processors. The multiple processors may be in operative communication with each other and collectively configured to perform one or more functions described herein. In some examples, the processor may be configured to execute instructions, which may be stored in the memory 406 and / or otherwise accessible to the processor. Thus, whether configured by hardware or a combination of hardware and software, the processor may be capable of performing the operations according to the various examples, according to which it is configured.

[0088] In some examples, memory 406 may include one or more memory devices. Memory may include fixed and / or removable storage devices. In some examples, memory may provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may store computer program instructions that may be executed by processor 404. In this regard, memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, and / or the like to enable computing device 400 to perform various functions according to one or more example implementations of the present disclosure. In some examples, memory may communicate with one or more of the processor, user interface 408, or communication interface 410 via one or more buses for processing information among the components of the computing device.

[0089] In some examples, the computing device 400 may include one or more user interfaces 408. The user interfaces may be in communication with the processing circuit 402 to receive indications of user input and / or provide audio, visual, tactile, mechanical or other output to the user. Thus, the user interfaces may include, but are not limited to, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touchscreen display, a microphone, a speaker, a vibration motor, one or more biometric input devices (e.g., visual or sensory tracking devices), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or other input / output mechanisms. In examples where the user interface includes a touchscreen display, the user interface may be further configured to detect and / or receive indications of touch and / or other movement gestures or other inputs to the display. The user interface may be configured to display, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application executing on the computing device, through which the aerosol delivery device (e.g., the aerosol delivery device 102) may be controlled or an interaction with the aerosol delivery device may be performed. The user interface may further comprise an input mechanism for enabling a user to select commands, which may then be received by the device via the user interface.

[0090] The computing device 400 may include one or more communication interfaces 410 that enable the computing device to communicate with one or more networks, other computing devices, or other appropriately enabled devices, such as the aerosol delivery device (e.g., the aerosol delivery device 102). The communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software to support a wireless communication link (e.g., the proximity-based communication link 106) to enable communication with a wireless communication network (e.g., a cellular network, Wi-Fi, WLAN, etc.). For example, the communication interface may be configured to support various wireless proximity-based device-to-device communication technologies, such as those described above. In some examples, the communication interface includes a communication modem, a physical port (e.g., a serial port) for receiving a wired communication cable, and / or cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, one or more optical transmission technologies, and / or other wired communication technologies that may be used to implement a wired communication link.

[0091] According to an example implementation of the present disclosure, the communication interface 410 may be configured to provide a wireless, proximity-based communication link (e.g., the proximity-based communication link 106) to an aerosol delivery device (e.g., the aerosol delivery device 102). The processor 404 may be coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the computing device 400 based on a state of the proximity-based communication link or to send a trigger signal to the aerosol delivery device over the proximity-based communication link in response to effect control of the aerosol delivery device.

[0092] In some examples, the processor 404 may be configured to control functional elements of the computing device 400 when the proximity-based communication link is broken. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processor may be configured to control functional elements of the computing device based on the signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of the proximity-based communication link. In any case, however, the functional elements of the computing device may be controlled in any of a number of different ways based on the state of the proximity-based communication link. For example, the processor may be configured to control one or more user interfaces (e.g., a display, a speaker, a vibration motor) to provide user-perceivable feedback (e.g., visual, audible, tactile feedback).

[0093] In some examples, the processor 404 can be configured to cause the sending of a trigger signal to effect control of the aerosol delivery device in any of a number of different ways. In response to the trigger signal, for example, a sensory feedback member (e.g., LED, auditory element, vibrating element) of the aerosol delivery device can be configured to provide user-perceivable feedback (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile feedback). Additionally or alternatively, for example, a lock state of the aerosol delivery device may be changed in response to the trigger signal. This can include, for example, disabling one or more components of the aerosol delivery device, such as a heating element of the aerosol delivery device.

[0094] Returning briefly to FIG. 1 , in some examples, the computing device 104 may execute a software application (executable on the computing device). The software application may provide a GUI through which control or interaction with the aerosol delivery device 102 may be performed according to various example implementations. The GUI may provide one or more selectable commands for controlling or interacting with the aerosol delivery device, and / or access to device status or other information regarding the aerosol delivery device. A user may select a command, such as by touching an appropriate area of ​​a touch screen display, providing a voice command, and / or actuating an appropriate key, button, or other input mechanism that may be provided by a user interface of the computing device. The computing device may receive an indication of the command selected by the user and may determine one or more actions corresponding to the command. The computing device may format and send one or more messages, including, in some examples, a trigger signal, to invoke execution of one or more commanded actions by the aerosol delivery device in response to a user command. In some examples, this may be accomplished by a message implemented as a read request, such as the method described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 327,776 to Ampolini et al., filed July 10, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0095] To further illustrate aspects of exemplary implementations of the present disclosure, reference is made to FIGS. 5-8, which show exemplary GUIs of suitable software applications for controlling or interacting with an aerosol delivery device.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 5, the GUI can display device status information about the aerosol delivery device 102 that is reported to the computing device 104 on demand or at some frequency. This information includes battery level, battery health, and / or cartridge level. The battery level can indicate the current percentage charge of the battery (e.g., battery 312) of the aerosol delivery device. The battery health can indicate the current condition of the battery relative to a new battery. In some examples, the battery health can indicate the number of charge and discharge cycles that the battery may have remaining in a predetermined number (e.g., 200) designated to constitute its life. The cartridge level can indicate the amount of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the cartridge of the aerosol delivery device (e.g., cartridge 304).

[0097] 6, the GUI can enable a user to validate the aerosol delivery device 102 against a software application running on the computing device 104. In some examples, this can include user input that causes the software application, and thus the computing device, to send a trigger signal 202 to the aerosol delivery device over a proximity-based communications link. In response, the aerosol delivery device can provide user-perceivable feedback, such as a single or continuous LED flash, depending on the user's input.

[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates an example where a GUI provides access to one or more selectable commands for controlling or interacting with the aerosol delivery device 102. These commands allow the user to disable the sensory feedback members (e.g., LED 314). Additionally or alternatively, for example, the use can initiate a hard lock or proximity lock of the aerosol delivery device. Selecting a hard lock command can cause the software application, and thus the computing device, to transmit a trigger signal 202 to the aerosol delivery device over the proximity-based communication link in response to locking the aerosol delivery device. Selecting a proximity lock command can result in the transmission of a similar trigger signal. However, in this case, the signal enables the aerosol delivery device to lock the aerosol delivery device if the proximity-based communication link 106 is broken or its signal strength drops below a threshold level (indicating increased distance between the aerosol delivery device and the computing device 106). In some examples, it may be necessary to repair the aerosol delivery device and the computing device to re-establish the proximity-based communication link in order to unlock the aerosol delivery device. Also, as shown, a command can enable the user to terminate the proximity-based communication link between the devices.

[0099] 8 illustrates additional information that may be provided by the GUI, according to some example implementations. As shown, the GUI may maintain a counter of the number of cartridges that have been used with the aerosol delivery device 102. In some examples, this may be managed by the user. In other examples, it may be managed automatically based on an indication from the aerosol delivery device that a cartridge has been replaced. Also, in some examples, regardless of how the counter is managed, the user may reset the counter on demand.

[0100] 9 illustrates various operations in a method 900 of controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device including a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of a housing, the air combining with the vapor formed thereby to form an aerosol. The method includes operations performed at the aerosol delivery device. As shown in block 902, the operations can include establishing a wireless, proximity-based communications link with a computing device. And, as shown in block 904, the operations can include controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device via the proximity-based communications link.

[0101] In some examples, functional elements of the aerosol delivery device may be controlled when the proximity-based communications link is broken and / or based on the signal strength of the proximity-based communications link.

[0102] In some examples, controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device may include controlling a sensory feedback member to provide user-perceivable feedback and / or controlling at least one functional element to change a locking state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0103] 10 illustrates various operations in a method 1000 of interacting with an aerosol delivery device including a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of a housing, combining the air with the vapor formed thereby to form an aerosol. The method includes operations performed on a computing device. As shown in block 1002, these operations can include achieving a wireless, proximity-based communications link with the aerosol delivery device. And, as shown in block 1004, the operations can include controlling at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communications link, or causing the aerosol delivery device to transmit a trigger signal via the proximity-based communications link and responsively achieving control of the aerosol delivery device.

[0104] In some examples, the method may include controlling a functional element of the computing device, in which case the functional element may be controlled if the proximity-based communications link is broken and / or based on the signal strength of the proximity-based communications link.

[0105] In some examples, the method can include causing transmission of a trigger signal. In these examples, causing transmission of the trigger signal can include causing transmission of the trigger signal to effect control of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device to provide user-perceptible feedback and / or to change a lock state of the aerosol delivery device.

[0106] Each block of the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10, and combinations of blocks of the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware and / or a computer program product including one or more computer readable media having computer readable program instructions stored thereon. For example, one or more of the procedures described herein may be embodied by computer program instructions of a computer program product. In this regard, a computer program product that may embody the procedures described herein may be stored by one or more memory devices of a computing device and executed by a processor of the computing device. In some examples, computer program instructions including a computer program product that embodies the procedures described above may be stored by memory devices of multiple computing devices. As will be appreciated, such a computer program product may be executed on a computer or other programmable device to produce a machine such that the computer program product including instructions executed on a computer or other programmable device generates means for implementing the specified functions within the flowchart blocks.

[0107] Further, the computer program product may comprise one or more computer-readable memories on which computer program instructions may be stored such that the one or more computer-readable memories may direct a computer or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, such that the computer program product comprises a product that performs the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions of the one or more computer program products may also be loaded into a computer or other programmable device to perform a sequence of operations on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device implement the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. Thus, the blocks of the flowcharts support a combination of means for performing the specified functions. Also, one or more blocks of the flowcharts and combinations of blocks of the flowcharts may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system that performs the specified functions, or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer program product(s).

[0108] It will be further understood that the ordering of the blocks and corresponding method operations shown in the flowcharts are provided as a non-limiting example to illustrate operations that may be performed according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the ordering of the blocks and corresponding method operations shown in the flowcharts is non-limiting, as the ordering of two or more blocks shown and described with respect to the flowcharts may be changed and, according to some examples, method operations associated with two or more blocks may be performed at least partially in parallel. Furthermore, in some examples, one or more blocks and corresponding method operations shown and described with respect to the flowcharts may be optional and may be omitted.

[0109] The above description of the use of the article may be applied to various exemplary implementations described herein with minor modifications that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the above description of the use is not intended to limit the use of the article, but is provided to comply with all necessary requirements of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the article shown in Figures 1-4, or otherwise described above, may be included in a computing device or aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

[0110] Those skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain will be able to conceive numerous modifications and other implementations of the disclosures described herein utilizing the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular implementations disclosed, and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe implementations in the context of certain combinations of elements and / or functions, it is to be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions other than those expressly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: Housing and a heating element operative in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing and configured to vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition, the air being capable of combining with a vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol; and a communication interface configured to enable a wireless proximity-based communication link with a computing device; An aerosol delivery device comprising: a microprocessor coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device over the proximity-based communication link.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device when the proximity-based communication link is broken.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a signal strength of the proximity-based communication link.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device, including being configured to control a sensory feedback member to provide user-perceptible feedback.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device, including being configured to control at least one functional element to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

6. 1. A computing device comprising: A communication interface, Housing, and a communications interface configured to enable a wireless proximity-based communications link with an aerosol delivery device including a heating element configured to operate in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing to vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition, the air being capable of combining with a vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol; and A computing device comprising: a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to control at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link, or to cause transmission of a trigger signal to the aerosol delivery device over the proximity-based communication link and, in response thereto, enable control of the aerosol delivery device.

7. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to control the at least one functional element of the computing device when the proximity-based communication link is broken.

8. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to control the at least one functional element of the computing device based on a signal strength of the proximity-based communications link.

9. The computing device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to cause transmission of the trigger signal and configured to cause transmission of the trigger signal and enable control of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device to provide user-perceptible feedback.

10. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to cause transmission of the trigger signal and configured to cause transmission of the trigger signal to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

11. 11. A method of controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device including a heating element operative in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing and configured to vaporize a component of an aerosol precursor composition, the air being capable of combining with a vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol, the method comprising: Enabling a wireless proximity-based communications link with a computing device; and controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link or in response to a trigger signal received from the computing device over the proximity-based communication link.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device is controlled if the proximity-based communication link is broken.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device is controlled based on a signal strength of the proximity-based communication link.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device includes controlling a sensory feedback member to provide user-perceptible feedback.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

16. 11. A method of interacting with an aerosol delivery device including a heating element configured to operate in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing and to vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition, the air being capable of combining with vapor formed by the vaporization to form an aerosol, the method comprising: enabling a wireless proximity-based communications link with the aerosol delivery device; A method comprising: controlling at least one functional element of the computing device based on a state of the proximity-based communication link, or causing transmission of a trigger signal to the aerosol delivery device over the proximity-based communication link, and in response thereto, enabling control of the aerosol delivery device.

17. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising controlling the at least one functional element of the computing device when the proximity-based communication link is broken.

18. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising controlling the at least one functional element of the computing device based on a signal strength of the proximity-based communication link.

19. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising causing transmission of the trigger signal, and including causing transmission of the trigger signal to enable control of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device to provide user-perceptible feedback.

20. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising causing transmission of the trigger signal, the method comprising causing transmission of the trigger signal to change a locked state of the aerosol delivery device.

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