Aerosol delivery system with non-consumable items for changing device settings

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a coupler or receptacle and a circuit. The coupler or receptacle is structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles, including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material. The non-consumables have target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device. The circuit includes a processing circuit configured to detect engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle and thus with the aerosol delivery device. The processing circuit is configured to measure an electrical resistance of the article that indicates that the article is a non-consumable item. The processing circuit is also configured to identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identify a setting of the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and change the value of the setting.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, such as smoking articles, designed to deliver at least one substance to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Many aerosol delivery systems, especially non-combustible aerosol delivery systems, have been proposed over the years as an improvement or replacement for smoking products that require tobacco to be burned for use. These systems are generally designed to deliver at least one substance to the user, such as to satisfy a particular "consumer moment". To this end, the substance may include ingredients that provide a physiological effect to the user, provide a sensory effect to the user, or both. The substance may generally be present in an aerosol-generating material that may contain one or more of a specific range of ingredients, such as active substances, flavorings, aerosol-forming materials, and other functional materials, such as fillers.

[0003] Aerosol delivery systems include, for example, vapor products commonly known as "electronic cigarettes", "e-cigarettes" or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), as well as non-combustion heating products, including tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs). Many of these products take the form of a system that includes a device and a consumable, it being the consumable that includes the material from which the substance to be delivered is derived. Typically, the device is reusable and the consumable is disposable (although some consumables are refillable). Thus, the consumable is often sold separately from the device, often in multipacks. Furthermore, the subsystems, and some individual components of the device or consumable, may be supplied by specialized manufacturers. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Changing the settings of an aerosol delivery device without an input user interface traditionally involves manually changing the software and uploading the new software to the device. This process is not only time consuming but also error prone. Coding faults are often only found after the device has been tested. Thus, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an improved process for changing the settings of an aerosol delivery device. The exemplary embodiment provides a non-consumable item that is similar to a consumable item but does not contain an aerosol generating material. The non-consumable item instead has a target electrical resistance associated with the setting. Depending on the target electrical resistance, different settings may be switched or cycled. When the non-consumable item is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device may provide feedback indicating the changed setting. This can be helpful in selecting a setting in advance, but can also allow the user to review the current setting of the device. This feature can give the user the ability to quickly adjust the setting at any time depending on the user's needs.

[0005] The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following illustrative embodiment examples. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Some exemplary embodiments provide an aerosol delivery system comprising: a number of non-consumable non-consumable articles that do not have an aerosol generating material, the non-consumable articles having target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device; and an aerosol delivery device structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumable articles and non-consumable articles having an aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to at least detect engagement of the articles with the aerosol delivery device, automatically as a direct result of the engagement, measure an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable, identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identify a setting of the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and modify the value of the setting.

[0007] Some exemplary embodiments provide an aerosol delivery device comprising one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material and having target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device, and circuitry including at least a processing circuit configured to detect engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle, and thus with the aerosol delivery device, automatically measure an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable as a direct result of the engagement, identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identify a setting for the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and change the value of the setting.

[0008] Some exemplary embodiments provide a method of operating an aerosol delivery device including one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material and having a target electrical resistance associated with a respective setting of the aerosol delivery device, the method including detecting engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle and thus with the aerosol delivery device, automatically measuring an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable item as a direct result of the engagement, identifying one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identifying a setting for the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and changing the value of the setting.

[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements described in the present disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in a specific exemplary embodiment described herein or are otherwise recited. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole such that any separable features or elements of the present disclosure are deemed combinable, in any of its aspects and exemplary embodiments, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0010] It will therefore be understood that this Summary of the Invention has been provided solely for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. It will therefore be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and should not be construed in any way to narrow the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described exemplary embodiments.

[0011] Having thus described aspects of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery system in the form of a vapor product, according to some illustrative embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery system in the form of a vapor product, according to some illustrative embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a nebulizer that may be used to implement an aerosol generator of an aerosol delivery system, according to some exemplary embodiments. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol delivery system including non-consumable items, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery system in the form of a vapor product including a non-consumable product, according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7A] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various operations in a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, according to various exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7B]1 is a flowchart illustrating various operations in a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, according to various exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7C] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various operations in a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, according to various exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7D] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various operations in a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, according to various exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7E] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various operations in a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, according to various exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather, these exemplary embodiments 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. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0014] Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, references to first, second, etc. should not be construed to imply a particular order. A feature described as being above another feature may instead be below, and vice versa (unless otherwise specified or clear from the context), and similarly, a feature described as being to the left of another feature may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also, while this specification may refer to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless otherwise specified, any one or more of these, if not all of these, may be absolute values ​​or may be approximations to account for acceptable variations that may occur due to technical tolerances, etc.

[0015] As used herein, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, an "or" of a set of operands is an "inclusive or", whereby it is true if and only if one or more of the operands are true, as opposed to an "exclusive or", which is false if all of the operands are true. Thus, for example, "[A] or [B]" is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. Additionally, the articles "a" and "an" mean "one or more", unless otherwise specified or clear from the context that the singular form is intended. Additionally, it should be understood that "data", "content", "digital content", "information", and similar terms may sometimes be used interchangeably, unless otherwise specified.

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to delivery systems designed to deliver at least one substance to a user, such as to satisfy a particular "consumer moment." The substance may include ingredients that provide a physiological effect to the user, provide a sensory effect to the user, or both.

[0017] The delivery system can take many forms. Examples of suitable delivery systems include aerosol delivery systems, such as powered aerosol delivery systems, designed to release one or more substances or compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material. These aerosol delivery systems are sometimes referred to as non-combustible aerosol delivery systems, aerosol delivery devices, and the like, and the aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine.

[0018] Examples of suitable aerosol delivery systems include vapor products, non-combustion heating products, hybrid products, and the like. Vapor products are commonly known as "electronic cigarettes," "e-cigarettes," or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), although the aerosol-generating material need not contain nicotine. Many vapor products are designed to heat a liquid material to generate an aerosol. Other vapor products are designed to break down an aerosol-generating material into an aerosol without heating or with only secondary heating. Non-combustion heating products include tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs), and many are designed to heat a solid material to generate an aerosol without burning the solid material.

[0019] Hybrid products use a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gel. Some hybrid products are similar to vapor products, except that the aerosol generated from the liquid or gel aerosol-generating material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to capture additional components before reaching the user. In some exemplary embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol delivery system 100 according to some exemplary embodiments. In various examples, the aerosol delivery system may be a vapor product, a non-combustion heating product, or a hybrid product. The aerosol delivery system includes one or more of each of several components including, for example, an aerosol delivery device 102 and a consumable 104 (sometimes referred to as an article) for use with the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery system also includes an aerosol generator 106. In various embodiments, the aerosol generator may be part of the aerosol delivery device or the consumable. In other embodiments, the aerosol generator may be separate from the aerosol delivery device and the consumable and removably engaged with the aerosol delivery device and / or the consumable.

[0021] In various examples, the aerosol delivery system 100 and its components, including the aerosol delivery device 102 and the consumables 104, may be reusable or disposable. In some examples, the aerosol delivery system, including both the aerosol delivery device and the consumables, may be disposable. In some examples, the aerosol delivery device may be reusable and the consumables may be reusable (e.g., refillable) or disposable (e.g., replaceable). In yet other examples, the consumables may be refillable and replaceable. In examples where the aerosol generator 106 is part of the aerosol delivery device or consumables, the aerosol generator may be reusable or disposable, as well as the aerosol delivery device or consumables.

[0022] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 102 may include a housing 108 having a power source 110 and circuitry 112. The power source is configured to provide power to the aerosol delivery device, and thus the aerosol delivery system 100. The power source may be or include, for example, a power source such as a non-rechargeable or rechargeable battery, a solid-state battery (SSB), a lithium-ion battery, a supercapacitor, or the like.

[0023] Circuitry 112 may be configured to enable one or more functions (sometimes referred to as services) of aerosol delivery device 102, and thus aerosol delivery system 100. The circuitry includes electronic components, and in some examples, one or more of the electronic components may be formed as a circuit board, such as a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0024] In some examples, the circuitry 112 includes at least one switch 114 that can be directly or indirectly operated by a user to activate the aerosol delivery device 102, and thus the aerosol delivery system 100. The switch may be or include a push button, a touch-sensitive surface, or the like that can be manually operated by a user. Additionally or alternatively, the switch may be or include a sensor configured to sense one or more process variables indicative of use of the aerosol delivery device or the aerosol delivery system. One example is a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a pressure switch, or the like configured to detect airflow or a pressure change caused by the airflow when a user inhales the consumable 104.

[0025] The switch 114 may provide a user interface function. In some examples, the circuit 112 may include a user interface (UI) 116 that is separate from, or is, or includes a switch. The UI may include one or more input devices and / or output devices to enable interaction between a user and the aerosol delivery device 102. As described above with respect to the switch, examples of suitable input devices include push buttons, touch-sensitive surfaces, and the like. The one or more output devices generally include devices configured to provide information in a human-perceivable form that may be visual, auditory, or tactile / haptic. Examples of suitable output devices include light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), quantum dot-based LEDs, and the like. Other examples of suitable output devices include display devices (e.g., electronic visual displays), touch screens (integrated touch-sensitive surfaces and display devices), loudspeakers, vibration motors, and the like.

[0026] In some examples, the circuitry 112 includes a processing circuit 118 configured to perform data processing, application execution, or other processing, control, or management services according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The processing circuitry may include a processor embodied in various forms, such as at least one processor core, a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, or various other computing or processing devices including one or more integrated circuits, such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), some combination thereof, etc. In some examples, the processing circuitry may include a memory coupled or integrated with the processor, and the memory may store data, computer program instructions executable by the processor, some combination thereof, etc.

[0027] As also shown, in some examples, the housing 108, and thus the aerosol delivery device 102, may also include a coupler 120 and / or a receptacle 122 structured to engage and retain the consumable 104, thereby coupling the aerosol delivery device with the consumable. The coupler may be or include a connector, fastener, etc. configured to connect with a corresponding coupler of the consumable via a press-fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc. The receptacle may be or include a reservoir, tank, container, cavity, chamber, etc. structured to receive and contain the consumable or at least a portion of the consumable.

[0028] Consumables 104 are articles that contain aerosol-generating materials 124 (also referred to as aerosol precursor compositions), some or all of which are intended to be consumed during use by a user. Aerosol delivery system 100 may include one or more consumables, and each consumable may include one or more aerosol-generating materials. In some examples where the aerosol delivery system is a hybrid product, the aerosol delivery system may include a liquid or gel-like aerosol-generating material for generating an aerosol, which may then pass through a second solid aerosol-generating material to pick up additional components before reaching the user. These aerosol-generating materials may be in a single consumable or in respective consumables that may be separately removable.

[0029] The aerosol-generating material 124 is capable of generating an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gel. The aerosol-generating material may include an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some examples, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that may hold some fluid therein, such as a liquid. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material may include about 50%, 60%, or 70% amorphous solid by weight to about 90%, 95%, or 100% amorphous solid by weight.

[0030] The aerosol-generating material 124 may include one or more of each of a number of components, such as an active agent 126 , a flavoring agent 128 , an aerosol-forming material 130 or other functional materials 132 .

[0031] The active substance 126 may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response, such as increased alertness, increased focus, increased energy, increased stamina, increased calmness or improved sleep. The active substance may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nutritional supplements, psychoactive substances. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), L-theanine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 (cobalamin) or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, terpenes, or components, derivatives or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another plant.

[0032] In some examples where the active substance 126 comprises a derivative or extract, the active substance may be or may include one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0033] As described herein, the active material 126 may include or be derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from a plant, including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fiber, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husks, husks, and the like. Alternatively, the material may include synthetically derived active compounds naturally occurring in plants. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, and the like. Examples of plants are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, yerba mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, and la. Bender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, shiso, kurhum, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiene, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, caraway, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, ciacrilin, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha spp., Mint spp., Egyptian mint, Peppermint spp., Bergamot mint, Peppermint spp., Curly mint, Kentucky Kernel mint, Mentha spp., Pineapple mint, Pennyroyal mint, Spearmint spp., and Apple mint.

[0034] In yet another example, the active substance 126 may be 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) / oxytriptan / Griffonia simplicifolia, acetylcholine, arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bacopa monnieri, beta-alanine, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), Centella asiatica, Kai-fu, cinnamon, citicoline, cotinine, creatine, curcumin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, omega-3), dopamine, Dorstenia arifolia, Dorstenia odorata, essential oils, GABA, Galphimia graphica, glutamic acid, hops, Kaempferia parviflora (Thai ginseng), kava, L-carnitine, L-arginine, lavender oil, L-choline, The active ingredient may be or may contain one or more of liquefied choline, L-lysine, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, lutein, magnesium, L-threonate, myo-inositol, nardostasis, nitrates, oily extract of Viola odorata, oxygen, phenylalanine, phosphatidylserine, quercetin, resveratrol, Rhizoma gastrodiae, Rhodiola rosea, Rhodiola rosea, rose essential oil, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), Scleretium tortiosum, Sceletium tortiosum, Schisandra, selenium, serotonin, skullcap, spearmint extract, spikenard, theobromine, turmeric, turnella aphrodisiaca, tyrosine, vitamin A, vitamin B3 or yerba mate.

[0035] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 124 includes a flavoring agent 128. As used herein, the terms "flavoring agent," "flavoring agent," and the like may also refer to materials that may be used, where local regulations permit, to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in a product intended for adult consumers.Flavoring agents may be any naturally occurring flavoring material, botanical substance, extract of botanical substance, synthetically derived material, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, liquorice (licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, etc. , papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberries, mulberry, citrus fruits, drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascaria, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang ylang, Sage, fennel, wasabi, pimento, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of peppermint, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, 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, scutellaria, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, daphne, dandelion ... mien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, caraway, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, organoleptic site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), as well as other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners.The flavoring agent may be an imitation, synthetic or natural ingredient, or a blend thereof. The flavoring agent may be in any suitable form, for example a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

[0036] In some exemplary embodiments, the flavoring agent 128 may include sensory agents intended to achieve somatic sensations, usually 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 providing heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effects. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucoliptol, WS-3.

[0037] The aerosol-forming material 130 may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0038] The one or more other functional materials 132 may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant. Suitable binders include, for example, pectin, guar gum, fruit pectin, citrus pectin, tobacco pectin, hydroxyethyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust bean gum, hydroxypropyl locust bean gum, alginate, starch, modified starch, derivatized starch, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, ethylhydroxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, tamarind gum, dextran, pullularone, konjac flour, or xanthan gum.

[0039] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 124 may be on or in a support to form the substrate 134. The support may be or include, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material (e.g., material formed from reconstituted plant material such as reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted hemp, etc.), plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy. In some examples, the support includes a susceptor, which may be embedded within the aerosol-generating material or on one or both sides of the aerosol-generating material.

[0040] Although not separately shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the consumable 104 may further include a receptacle structured to engage and hold the aerosol-generating material 124 or the substrate 134 having the aerosol-generating material. The receptacle may be or include a reservoir, tank, container, cavity, receiving chamber, etc. structured to accept and contain the aerosol-generating material or substrate. The consumable may include an aerosol-generating material transfer component (also referred to as a liquid transfer element) configured to transfer the aerosol-generating material to the aerosol generator 106. The aerosol-generating material transfer component may be adapted to wick up or otherwise transfer the aerosol-generating material by capillary action. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material transfer component may include a microfluidic chip, a micropump, or other suitable component for transferring the aerosol-generating material.

[0041] The aerosol generator 106 (also referred to as a nebulizer, aerosolizer, or aerosol-generating component) is configured to energize the aerosol-generating material 124 to generate an aerosol or otherwise generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. More specifically, in some examples, the aerosol generator may be powered by the power source 110 under control of the circuitry 112 to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate the aerosol.

[0042] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generator 106 is an electric heater configured to perform electric heating in which electrical energy from a power source is converted to thermal energy, and the aerosol-generating material is exposed to the thermal energy, releasing one or more volatile substances from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. Examples of suitable forms of electric heating include resistive (Joule) heating, inductive heating, dielectric and microwave heating, radiative heating, arc heating, and the like. More specific examples of suitable electric heaters include resistive heating elements such as wire coils, flat plates, prongs, microheaters, and the like.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generator 106 is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating or with only secondary heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to apply one or more of increased pressure, vibration, or electrostatic energy to the aerosol-generating material. More specific examples of these aerosol generators include jet nebulizers, ultrasonic nebulizers, vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizers, surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizers, etc.

[0044] Jet nebulizers are configured to break the aerosol-generating material 124 into an aerosol using compressed gas (e.g., air, oxygen), and ultrasonic nebulizers are configured to break the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol using ultrasound. VMT nebulizers include a mesh and a piezoelectric material (e.g., piezoelectric material, piezomagnetic material) that may be driven to vibrate, causing the mesh to break the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. SAW nebulizers are configured to break the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol using surface acoustic waves or Rayleigh waves.

[0045] In some examples, the aerosol generator 106 may include a susceptor, or the susceptor may be part of the substrate 134. The susceptor is a material that can be heated by penetration by a varying magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator that may be separate from the aerosol generator or may be part of the aerosol generator. The susceptor may be a conductive material, such that penetration by the varying magnetic field causes inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material, such that penetration by the varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor in some examples may be both conductive and magnetic, such that the susceptor in these examples is heatable by both heating mechanisms.

[0046] Although not separately shown, either the aerosol delivery device 102 or the consumable 104, or both, may include an aerosol modifier. The aerosol modifier is a substance configured to modify the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material 124, for example, by changing the taste, flavor, acidity, or other properties of the aerosol. In various examples, the aerosol modifier may be an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may include, for example, one or more of a flavoring agent, a colorant, water, or a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may be solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gel-like. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, filaments, or granules. The aerosol modifier may not include a filtration material. In some examples, the aerosol modifier may be provided within an aerosol modifier emitting component operable to selectively emit the aerosol modifier.

[0047] Aerosol delivery system 100 and its components, including aerosol delivery device 102, consumables 104, and aerosol generator 106, may be manufactured using any of a number of different form factors and using additional or alternative components to those described above.

[0048] 2 and 3 show an aerosol delivery system 200 in the form of a vapor product, which in some exemplary embodiments may correspond to the aerosol delivery system 100. As shown, the aerosol delivery system 200 may include an aerosol delivery device 202 (also referred to as a control body or power unit) and a consumable 204 (also referred to as a cartridge or tank), which may correspond to the aerosol delivery device 102 and the consumable 104, respectively. The aerosol delivery system, and in particular the consumable, may also include an aerosol generator in the form of an electric heater 306, such as a heating element, such as a metal wire coil, corresponding to the aerosol generator 106 and configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy by resistive (Joule) heating. The aerosol delivery device and the consumable may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a perspective view and a partially cutaway side view, respectively, of the aerosol delivery system in a coupled configuration.

[0049] As can be seen in Figure 2 and the cutaway view shown in Figure 3, aerosol delivery device 202 and consumable 204 each include a number of respective components. The components illustrated in Figure 3 are representative of components that may be present in the aerosol delivery device and consumable and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0050] The aerosol delivery device 202 may include a housing 208 (sometimes referred to as an aerosol delivery device shell) that may include a power source 310. The housing may also include circuitry 312 having a switch in the form of a sensor 314, a user interface including a light source 316 that may be illuminated by use of the aerosol delivery system 200, and processing circuitry 318 (also referred to as a control component). The housing may also include a receptacle in the form of a consumable-receiving chamber 322 structured to engage and hold the consumable 204. The consumable may also include an aerosol-generating material 324 that may correspond to the aerosol-generating material 124 and may include one or more of each of several components, such as actives, flavorings, aerosol-forming materials, or other functional materials.

[0051] 3, the aerosol delivery device 202 may also include an electrical connector 336 positioned within the consumable receiving chamber 322 configured to electrically couple the circuitry, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the consumable 204, and in particular with electrical contacts 338 on the consumable. In this regard, the electrical connector and electrical contacts may form a connection interface between the aerosol delivery device and the consumable. As also shown, the aerosol delivery device may include an external electrical connector 340 for connecting the aerosol delivery device with one or more external devices. Examples of suitable external electrical connectors include a USB connector, a proprietary connector such as Apple's Lightning connector, and the like.

[0052] In various examples, the consumable 204 includes a reservoir portion and a mouthpiece portion. The reservoir portion and the mouthpiece portion may be integral or permanently secured together, or the reservoir portion itself may define the mouthpiece portion (or vice versa). In other examples, the reservoir portion and the mouthpiece portion may be separate and removably engage with one another.

[0053] The consumable 204, i.e., the tank portion and / or the mouthpiece portion, may be separately defined with respect to a longitudinal axis (L), a first transverse axis (T1) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second transverse axis (T2) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first transverse axis. The consumable may be formed of a housing 242 (sometimes referred to as a consumable shell) that encloses a reservoir 344 (in the tank portion) configured to hold an aerosol generating material 324. In some examples, the consumable may include an aerosol generator, such as the electric heater 306 in the illustrated example. In some examples, an electrical connector 336 on the aerosol delivery device 202 and electrical contacts 338 on the consumable may electrically connect the electric heater with the power source 310 and / or circuitry 312 of the aerosol delivery device.

[0054] As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 344 may be in fluid communication with an aerosol-generating material transport component 346 adapted to wick or otherwise transport the aerosol-generating material 324 stored within the reservoir housing to the electric heater 306. At least a portion of the aerosol-generating material transport component may be positioned proximate (e.g., directly adjacent, adjacent, proximate, or relatively close to) the electric heater. The aerosol-generating material transport component may extend between the electric heater and the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir, and at least a portion of the electric heater may be disposed above a proximal end of the reservoir. For purposes of this disclosure, it should be understood that the term "above" in this particular context should be interpreted to mean toward the proximal end of the reservoir and / or consumable 204 in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis (L). Other configurations of the aerosol-generating material transport component are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol-generating material transport component may be positioned proximate to the distal end of the reservoir and / or disposed across the longitudinal axis (L).

[0055] The electric heater 306 and the aerosol-generating material transport component 346 may be configured as separate fluidly connected elements, i.e., the electric heater and the aerosol-generating material transport component, or may be configured as combined elements. For example, in some embodiments, the electric heater may be integrated into the aerosol-generating material transport component. Furthermore, the electric heater and the aerosol-generating material transport components may be formed in any configuration as otherwise described herein. In some examples, a valve may be positioned between the reservoir 344 and the electric heater and configured to control the amount of aerosol-generating material 324 that is passed or delivered from the reservoir to the electric heater.

[0056] An opening 348 may be present in the housing 242 (eg, at the mouth end of the mouthpiece portion) to allow for the exit of aerosol formed from the consumable 204 .

[0057] As mentioned above, the circuit 312 of the aerosol delivery device 202 may include several electronic components and in some examples may be formed of a circuit board such as a PCB that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. The sensor 314 (switch) may be one of these electronic components positioned on the circuit board. In some examples, the sensor may include its own circuit board or may include other base elements to which the sensor can be attached. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured in various shapes. In some examples, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, laminated on, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0058] In some examples, the reservoir 344 may be a container for storing the aerosol-generating material 324. In some examples, the reservoir may be or may include a fibrous reservoir with a substrate having the aerosol-generating material present on or in a support. For example, in this example, the reservoir may include one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formed into a tubular shape that surrounds the interior of the housing 242. The aerosol-generating material may be held within the reservoir. For example, a liquid component may be adsorbent-type held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the aerosol-generating material transport component 346. The aerosol-generating material transport component may transport the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir to the electric heater 306 via capillary action or via a micropump. Thus, the electric heater is in a heating configuration with the aerosol-generating material transport component.

[0059] In use, when a user inhales on the aerosol delivery system 200, airflow is detected by the sensor 314, which activates the electric heater 306 and energizes the aerosol generating material 324 to generate an aerosol. When the mouth end of the aerosol delivery system is inhaled, ambient air enters and passes through the aerosol delivery system. In the consumable 204, the inhaled air is blown, sucked, or otherwise drawn through the electric heater and combines with the aerosol exiting the mouth end opening 348 of the aerosol delivery system.

[0060] 2 and 3, the aerosol generator of the aerosol delivery system 200 is an electric heater 306 designed to heat the aerosol-generating material 324 to generate an aerosol. In other embodiments, the aerosol generator is designed to decompose the aerosol-generating material without heating or with only secondary heating. FIGURE 4 illustrates a nebulizer 400 that can be used to implement the aerosol generator of the aerosol delivery system according to these other exemplary embodiments.

[0061] 4, nebulizer 400 includes a mesh plate 402, which may be fixed relative to one another, and a piezoelectric material 404. The piezoelectric material may be driven to vibrate, causing the mesh plate to break down the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. In some examples, the nebulizer may also include a support component located on the opposite side of the mesh plate from the piezoelectric material to increase the life of the mesh plate, and / or an auxiliary component between the mesh plate and the piezoelectric material to promote interfacial contact between the mesh plate and the piezoelectric material.

[0062] In various exemplary embodiments, the mesh plate 402 can have a variety of different configurations. The mesh plate may have a flat profile, a dome shape (concave or convex with respect to the aerosol-generating material), or flat and dome portions. The mesh plate defines a plurality of perforations 406 that may be substantially uniform or vary in size across the perforated portion of the mesh plate. The perforations may be circular or non-circular openings (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, triangular, regular polygonal, irregular polygonal). In three dimensions, the perforations may have a fixed cross-section, such as in the case of cylindrical perforations with a fixed circular cross-section, or a variable cross-section, such as in the case of frusto-conical perforations with a variable circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the perforations may be square or pyramidal.

[0063] The piezoelectric material 404 may be or may include a piezoelectric material or a piezomagnetic material. The piezoelectric material may be coupled to a circuit configured to generate an oscillating electrical signal to vibrate the piezoelectric material. In the case of a piezomagnetic material, the circuit may generate a pair of opposing phase oscillating electrical signals to generate opposing phase oscillating magnetic fields that drive a pair of magnets to vibrate the piezomagnetic material.

[0064] A piezoelectric material 404 may be affixed to the mesh plate 402, and vibration of the piezoelectric material may vibrate the mesh plate. The mesh plate may be in contact with or immersed in the aerosol-generating material, in sufficient proximity to the aerosol-generating material, or may otherwise receive the aerosol-generating material via an aerosol-generating material transport component. Vibration of the mesh plate may then pass the aerosol-generating material through perforations 406 that break the aerosol-generating material into aerosols. More specifically, in some examples, the aerosol-generating material may be forced through the perforations 406 of the vibrating mesh plate 402, resulting in aerosol particles. In other examples where the mesh plate is in contact with or immersed in the aerosol-generating material, the vibrating mesh plate may generate ultrasonic waves in the aerosol-generating material that cause the formation of an aerosol at the surface of the aerosol-generating material.

[0065] As discussed above, hybrid products use a combination of aerosol-generating materials, and some hybrid products are similar to vapor products, except that the aerosol generated from one aerosol-generating material may pass through a second aerosol-generating material to pick up additional components. Thus, another similar aerosol delivery system in the form of a hybrid product may be constructed (with electric heater 306 or nebulizer 400) similar to the vapor products of Figures 2 and 3. The hybrid product may include a second aerosol-generating material, through which the aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 324 passes to pick up additional components before passing through opening 348 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery system.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an aerosol delivery system 500 according to some exemplary embodiments. The aerosol delivery system 500 of FIG. 5 may be a part of or separate from the aerosol delivery system 100 of FIG. 1. In this regard, the aerosol delivery system 500 includes an aerosol delivery device 102 having a coupler 120 and / or a receptacle 122 structured to engage and hold a consumable 104 with an aerosol generating material 124. The coupler and / or the receptacle are also structured to at least engage, if not hold, a non-consumable item 504 that does not include an aerosol generating material. That is, the aerosol delivery device includes couplers and / or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of items, including consumable items with aerosol generating material and non-consumable items without aerosol generating material.

[0067] The non-consumable item 504 does not include an aerosol generating material, but is one of several non-consumable items having a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a respective setting of the aerosol delivery device 102. In some examples, the non-consumable item may be equipped with a resistor having a target resistance associated with a respective setting. In other examples, the non-consumable item may be equipped with multiple resistors connected in series or parallel and having a joint equivalent resistance that is the target resistance. The target resistance may be a resistance value or a range of resistance values. An example of a suitable range of resistance values ​​is reflected by a target resistance value + / - an acceptable tolerance from the target resistance value. The target electrical resistance of the non-consumable item may be defined such that the target electrical resistance is sufficiently different from the electrical resistance of the consumable item 104 such that the aerosol delivery device may distinguish between different types of articles.

[0068] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, processing circuitry 118 of aerosol delivery device 102 may be configured to detect engagement of the article with coupler 120 or receptacle 122, and thus engagement of the article with the aerosol delivery device. Automatically as a direct result of the engagement, the processing circuitry may then be configured to measure an electrical resistance 506 of the article, indicating that the article is a non-consumable item 504 (as opposed to a consumable item 104).

[0069] The electrical resistance of the article may be measured in any of a number of different ways. In a particular example, the non-consumable item 504 may include a resistor, and the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to measure the electrical resistance 506 of the resistor. This may include processing circuitry configured to control power from the power source 110 to apply a voltage across the resistor for a short duration (e.g., 20 milliseconds), measure the voltage across and current through the resistor, and determine the electrical resistance from the voltage and current. Second, after a valid non-consumable item 504 is read, the processing circuitry 118 may wait a duration (e.g., 5 milliseconds) and repeat this process to determine the electrical resistance, proceeding only if the same electrical resistance is determined in both attempts.

[0070] The processing circuitry 118 may be configured to identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance 506 of the article. The target electrical resistances may have a buffer between them, which buffer reduces the likelihood that an unintended one of the target electrical resistances is identified from the electrical resistance measured by the processing circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may take multiple measurements of the electrical resistance, identify one of the target electrical resistances for each one of the multiple measurements, and proceed only if one of the target electrical resistances is the same for the multiple measurements.

[0071] The processing circuitry 118 may be configured to identify the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances and change the value of that setting, and in some examples, an output device (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot-based LED, a display device, a loudspeaker, a vibration motor) of the UI 116 may be configured to provide information in a human perceptible form indicating the change in the value of the setting.

[0072] In some examples, the processing circuit 118 may be configured to detect engagement of the second article with the coupler 120 or the receptacle 122. The processing circuit may be configured to determine an electrical resistance of the second article, which indicates that the second article is a consumable item 102. The processing circuit may also be configured to control power to the aerosol generator 106 to energize the aerosol-generating material 124 to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user.

[0073] In some examples, the processing circuit 118 may be configured to change a setting of the aerosol delivery device automatically as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item 504 with the coupler 120 or receptacle 122, and thus with the aerosol delivery device 102. In this regard, the processing circuit may be configured to switch the setting between a first value and a second value, or to cycle the setting between a series of values. Each of the non-consumable items may have a target resistance associated with one of the respective settings, although in some examples, the target resistance may be associated with multiple of the respective settings. In these examples, the processing circuit may be configured to switch or cycle between multiple settings of the respective settings, or to switch or cycle between values ​​of each of the multiple settings upon setting.

[0074] Each setting of the aerosol delivery device associated with the target electrical resistance 506 of the non-consumable item 504 may include any of a number of different settings. Examples of each setting include one or more of a power mode, an auto mode, a color mode, a brightness mode, a power indicator mode, a haptic feedback mode, a haptic pattern mode, a lock mode, a debug mode, a debug mode output, a kill switch, a shelf mode, or a switch sensitivity.

[0075] One of the non-consumables 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a power mode of the aerosol delivery device 102. The power mode may be used to select a level of power provided to the aerosol generator 106 when the consumable 104 is engaged with the aerosol delivery device. In this regard, the power mode may be cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and modes of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator. The automatic mode may further be used to select a profile of power provided to the aerosol generator, and the profile of the automatic mode may be cycled between values ​​corresponding to a profile according to which power is provided to the aerosol generator. Examples of suitable profiles include a step function, a linear ramp, or a combination of a step function and a linear ramp.

[0076] One of the non-consumables 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a color mode, which may be a mode of the light source of the UI 116 used to select a color scheme of the aerosol delivery device 102. The color mode may be cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes. Another of the consumables may have a target electrical resistance associated with a brightness mode, which is used to select a brightness of the light source, which may be switched between a day mode (normal brightness) and a night mode.

[0077] A non-consumable item 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a power indicator mode that may be used by a light source in the UI 116 to indicate the charge level of the power source 110, which may be toggled between on and off. The same or another non-consumable item may be for a power indicator mode that indicates the status of the life of the power source, which may also be toggled between on and off.

[0078] One of the non-consumables 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a haptic feedback mode used to select an intensity of haptic feedback provided by a vibration motor of the UI 116, which may be cycled between values ​​corresponding to different intensities of haptic feedback. Another of the non-consumables may have a target electrical resistance associated with a haptic pattern mode used to select a pattern of haptic feedback provided by the vibration motor, which may be cycled between values ​​corresponding to different patterns of haptic feedback.

[0079] The non-consumable 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a lock mode used to lock the aerosol delivery device 102, which may be toggled between locked and unlocked. Similarly, the non-consumable may have a target electrical resistance associated with a debug mode for placing the aerosol delivery device in a debug mode for use during development or testing of the aerosol delivery device, which may also be toggled between on and off. In a further example, yet another non-consumable may have a target electrical resistance associated with a debug mode output that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to respective sensor outputs when the debug mode is on. These may include flow sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc.

[0080] One of the non-consumables 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a kill switch used to disable the aerosol delivery device 102 from either a charging operation or a discharging operation or both. The kill switch may be or include a software feature of the circuitry 112 that the circuitry may be configured to set in response to detection of any of several different events. Examples of suitable events include unintended use of the aerosol delivery device, unauthorized use of the aerosol delivery device, testing of the aerosol delivery device, a defect or failure of the aerosol delivery device or one or more components of the aerosol delivery device, etc. The kill switch may be toggled between set and cleared (or reset) using one of the non-consumables. In some examples, the kill switch may be restricted to be set only when the aerosol delivery device is in a debug mode.

[0081] The non-consumable item 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with a shelf mode to place the aerosol delivery device 102 into shelf mode, such as when the aerosol delivery device is packaged for distribution to a retailer. In this mode, the aerosol delivery device is in a low power consumption state to limit the drain on the power source 110 during extended periods when the aerosol delivery device is stored and not in use. The shelf mode may be switched between on and off.

[0082] Yet another of the non-consumables 504 may have a target electrical resistance 506 associated with setting the sensitivity of a switch 114 (e.g., a flow sensor, a pressure sensor) that may be directly or indirectly operated by a user to activate the aerosol delivery device 102 and thus the aerosol delivery system 100. In some examples, the sensitivity of the switch may be cycled between values ​​corresponding to different levels of sensitivity.

[0083] To further illustrate some example embodiments, below are descriptions of various target resistance examples and settings whose values ​​are switched or cycled.

[0084] [Table 1]

[0085] The aerosol delivery system 500 and its components, including the aerosol delivery device 102 and the non-consumable item 504, may be manufactured using any of a number of different form factors and with additional or alternative components to those described above. Figure 6 illustrates an aerosol delivery system 600 in the form of a vapor product including the aerosol delivery device 202 of Figures 2 and 3 and a non-consumable item 604, according to some exemplary embodiments. As before, the aerosol delivery system 600 of Figure 6 may be part of the aerosol delivery system 200 of Figures 2 and 3 or may be separate therefrom. As shown, the non-consumable item may have the same or similar form factor as the consumable item 204.

[0086] 3 and 6, the housing 208 of the aerosol delivery device 202 may include a receptacle in the form of a consumable receiving chamber 322 structured to engage and retain the consumable 204. The consumable receiving chamber may similarly be structured to engage and retain a non-consumable 604. Also, the consumable may include an aerosol generating material 324, whereas the non-consumable does not have or otherwise include an aerosol generating material. The non-consumable may instead include a resistor 606 having a target resistance. As shown, the non-consumable may be formed with a housing 642 (sometimes referred to as a non-consumable shell) that encloses the resistor.

[0087] 3 and 6, the aerosol delivery device 202 may also include an electrical connector 336 positioned within the consumable receiving chamber 322 configured to electrically couple the circuitry 312, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the consumable 204, and in particular with electrical contacts 338 on the consumable 204. Similarly, the electrical connector may be configured to electrically couple the circuitry, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the non-consumable 604, and in particular with electrical contacts 608 on the consumable. The electrical connector and electrical contacts may form a connection interface between the aerosol delivery device and the non-consumable. In some examples, the processing circuitry 318 may then be configured to measure the electrical resistance of the resistor 606, and thus the electrical resistance of the non-consumable at the electrical connector.

[0088] 7A-7E are flow charts illustrating various steps of a method 700 of operating an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device includes one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of items, including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material. The non-consumables have target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device.

[0089] The method 700 includes detecting engagement of the article with a coupler or receptacle, and thus with the aerosol delivery device, as shown in block 702 of FIG. 7A. The method includes measuring an electrical resistance of the article that indicates the article is non-consumable automatically as a direct result of the engagement, as shown in block 704. The method includes identifying one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, as shown in block 706. The method includes identifying a setting for a respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, as shown in block 708. The method also includes changing a value of the setting, as shown in block 710.

[0090] In some examples, the method 700 further includes detecting engagement of the second article with the coupler or receptacle, as shown in block 712 of FIG. 7B. The method includes determining an electrical resistance of the second article, indicating that the second article is a consumable item, as shown in block 714. The method also includes controlling power to the aerosol generator to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user, as shown in block 716.

[0091] In some examples, the coupler or receptacle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the circuit, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the article. In some of these examples, at block 704, the electrical resistance of the article is measured at the electrical connector.

[0092] In some examples, the method 700 further includes an output device of the aerosol delivery device that provides information in a human perceptible form indicative of a change in the value of the setting, as shown in block 718 of FIG. 7C.

[0093] In some examples, the value of the setting of the aerosol delivery device is changed in block 710 automatically as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item with the coupler or receptacle, and thus with the aerosol delivery device.

[0094] In some examples, changing the value of the setting in block 710 includes switching the setting between a first value and a second value, as shown in Figure 7D, block 720. Also, in some examples, changing the value of the setting in block 710 includes cycling the setting through a series of values, as shown in Figure 7E, block 722.

[0095] As discussed above and repeated several times below, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0096] Clause 1. An aerosol delivery system comprising: a non-consumable item, the non-consumable item being one of several non-consumable items not having an aerosol generating material, the non-consumable item having a target electrical resistance associated with a respective setting of the aerosol delivery device; and an aerosol delivery device structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumable items having an aerosol generating material and non-consumable items, the aerosol delivery device being configured to at least detect engagement of the article with the aerosol delivery device, automatically as a direct result of the engagement, measure an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable item, identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identify a setting of the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and modify the value of the setting.

[0097] Clause 2. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device is further configured to at least detect engagement of a second article with the aerosol delivery device, determine an electrical resistance of the second article indicating that the second article is a consumable item, and control power to the aerosol generator to energize the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user.

[0098] Clause 3. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the aerosol delivery device to the article, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to measure the electrical resistance of the article at the electrical connector.

[0099] Clause 4. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes an output device configured to provide information in a human perceivable form indicating a change in the value of the setting.

[0100] Clause 5. The aerosol delivery system of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to automatically change a setting of the aerosol delivery device as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item with the aerosol delivery device.

[0101] Clause 6. The aerosol delivery system of clause 5, wherein the aerosol delivery device configured to change the value of the setting includes an aerosol delivery device configured to switch the setting between a first value and a second value.

[0102] Clause 7. The aerosol delivery system of clause 5 or clause 6, wherein the aerosol delivery device configured to change the value of the setting comprises an aerosol delivery device configured to cycle the setting between a range of values.

[0103] Clause 8. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the identified setting is a power mode of the aerosol delivery device that is cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and a value corresponding to a mode of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device.

[0104] Clause 9. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol delivery device has an automatic mode in which when a consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the automatic mode, and the identified setting is a profile for the automatic mode in which power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the profile, cycled between values ​​corresponding to the profile.

[0105] Clause 10. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a light source, and the identified setting is a color mode of the light source that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes.

[0106] Clause 11. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a light source, and the identified setting is a brightness mode of the light source that is switched between a day mode and a night mode.

[0107] Clause 12. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source, the aerosol delivery device includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a charge level of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0108] Clause 13. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source, the aerosol delivery device includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a life status of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0109] Clause 14. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a vibration motor configured to provide tactile feedback, and the identified setting is a tactile feedback mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different intensities of tactile feedback.

[0110] Clause 15. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a vibration motor configured to provide tactile feedback, and the identified setting is a tactile pattern mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different patterns of tactile feedback.

[0111] Clause 16. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the identified setting is a lock mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between locked and unlocked.

[0112] Clause 17. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the identified setting is a debug mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between on and off.

[0113] Clause 18. The aerosol delivery system of clause 17, wherein each setting further includes a debug mode output that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the respective sensor output when the debug mode is on.

[0114] Clause 19. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the identified setting is a shelf mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between on and off.

[0115] Clause 20. An aerosol delivery system as described in any of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a switch operable by a user to activate the aerosol delivery device, and the identified setting is a sensitivity of the switch that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different levels of sensitivity.

[0116] Clause 21. An aerosol delivery device comprising one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material and having target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device, and circuitry including at least a processing circuit configured to detect engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle, and thus with the aerosol delivery device, and automatically, as a direct result of the engagement, measure an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable article, identify one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identify a setting of the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and modify the value of the setting.

[0117] Clause 22. The aerosol delivery device of clause 21, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to at least detect engagement of the second article with the coupler or receptacle, determine an electrical resistance of the second article indicating that the second article is a consumable item, and control power to the aerosol generator to energize the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user.

[0118] Clause 23. An aerosol delivery device as described in clause 21 or clause 22, wherein the coupler or receptacle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the circuit and thus the aerosol delivery device with the article, and the processing circuit is configured to measure the electrical resistance of the article at the electrical connector.

[0119] Clause 24. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the circuitry further includes an output device configured to provide information in a human perceptible form indicating a change in the value of the setting.

[0120] Clause 25. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 24, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to automatically change settings of the aerosol delivery device as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item with the coupler or receptacle and thus with the aerosol delivery device.

[0121] Clause 26. An aerosol delivery device as described in clause 25, wherein the processing circuitry configured to change the value of the setting includes processing circuitry configured to switch the setting between a first value and a second value.

[0122] Clause 27. The aerosol delivery device of clause 25 or clause 26, wherein the processing circuitry configured to change the value of the setting comprises processing circuitry configured to cycle the setting between a range of values.

[0123] Clause 28. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 27, wherein the identified setting is a power mode of the aerosol delivery device that is cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and a value corresponding to a mode of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device.

[0124] Clause 29. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 28, wherein the aerosol delivery device has an automatic mode in which, when a consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the automatic mode, and the identified setting is a profile in the automatic mode, where the profile in accordance with which power is provided to the aerosol generator is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the profile.

[0125] Clause 30. The aerosol delivery device of any of clauses 21 to 29, wherein the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a color mode of the light source that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes.

[0126] Clause 31. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 30, wherein the circuitry further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a brightness mode of the light source that is switched between a day mode and a night mode.

[0127] Clause 32. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 31, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a charge level of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0128] Clause 33. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 32, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a life status of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0129] Clause 34. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 33, wherein the circuitry further includes a vibration motor configured to provide tactile feedback, and the identified setting is a tactile feedback mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different intensities of tactile feedback.

[0130] Clause 35. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 34, wherein the circuitry further includes a vibration motor configured to provide tactile feedback, and the identified setting is a tactile pattern mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different patterns of tactile feedback.

[0131] Clause 36. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 35, wherein the identified setting is a lock mode of the aerosol delivery device that can be switched between locked and unlocked.

[0132] Clause 37. An aerosol delivery device as described in any of clauses 21 to 36, wherein the identified setting is a debug mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between on and off.

[0133] Clause 38. The aerosol delivery device of clause 37, wherein each setting further includes a debug mode output that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the respective sensor output when the debug mode is on.

[0134] Clause 39. An aerosol delivery device according to any of clauses 21 to 38, wherein the identified setting is a shelf mode of the aerosol delivery device, which is switched between on and off.

[0135] Clause 40. The aerosol delivery device of any of clauses 21 to 39, wherein the circuit further includes a switch operable by a user to activate the aerosol delivery device, and the identified setting is a sensitivity of the switch that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different levels of sensitivity.

[0136] Clause 41. A method of operating an aerosol delivery device including one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles with the aerosol generating material, including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having the aerosol generating material and having target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device, the method including detecting engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle, and thus engagement of the article with the aerosol delivery device, automatically measuring an electrical resistance of the article indicating that the article is a non-consumable item as a direct result of the engagement, identifying one of the target electrical resistances that best matches the electrical resistance of the article, identifying a setting of the respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances, and altering the value of the setting.

[0137] Clause 42. The method of clause 41, further comprising detecting engagement of a second article with the coupler or receptacle, determining an electrical resistance of the second article indicating that the second article is a consumable item, and controlling power to the aerosol generator to energize the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user.

[0138] Clause 43. The method of clause 41 or clause 42, wherein the coupler or receptacle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the circuit, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the article, and the electrical resistance of the article is measured at the electrical connector.

[0139] Clause 44. The method of any of clauses 41 to 43, further comprising an output device of the aerosol delivery device for providing information in a human perceptible form indicative of a change in value of the setting.

[0140] Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 41 to 44, wherein the settings of the aerosol delivery device are automatically changed as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable with the coupler or receptacle and thus with the aerosol delivery device.

[0141] Clause 46. The method of clause 45, wherein changing the value of the setting includes switching the setting between a first value and a second value.

[0142] Clause 47. The method of clause 45 or clause 46, wherein changing the value of the setting comprises cycling the setting through a range of values.

[0143] Clause 48. The method of any of clauses 41 to 47, wherein the identified setting is a power mode of the aerosol delivery device that is cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and a value corresponding to a mode of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device.

[0144] Clause 49. The method of any of clauses 41 to 48, wherein the aerosol delivery device has an automatic mode in which power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the automatic mode when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, and the identified setting is a profile of the automatic mode, wherein power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the profile and the identified setting is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the profile.

[0145] Clause 50. The method of any of clauses 41 to 49, wherein the circuitry further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a color mode of the light source that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes.

[0146] Clause 51. The method of any one of clauses 41 to 50, wherein the circuitry further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a brightness mode of the light source that is switched between a day mode and a night mode.

[0147] Clause 52. The method of any of clauses 41 to 51, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a charge level of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0148] Clause 53. The method of any of clauses 41 to 52, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a life status of the power source and is switched between on and off.

[0149] Clause 54. The method of any of clauses 41 to 53, wherein the circuitry further includes a vibration motor configured to provide haptic feedback, and the identified setting is a haptic feedback mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different intensities of haptic feedback.

[0150] Clause 55. The method of any of clauses 41 to 54, wherein the circuitry further includes a vibration motor configured to provide haptic feedback, and the identified setting is a haptic pattern mode of the vibration motor that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different patterns of haptic feedback.

[0151] Clause 56. The method of any of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the identified setting is a lock mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between locked and unlocked.

[0152] Clause 57. The method of any of clauses 41 to 56, wherein the identified setting is a debug mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between on and off.

[0153] Clause 58. The method of clause 57, wherein each configuration further includes a debug mode output that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the respective sensor output when the debug mode is on.

[0154] Clause 59. The method of any of clauses 41 to 58, wherein the identified setting is a shelf mode of the aerosol delivery device that is switched between on and off.

[0155] Clause 60. The method of any of clauses 41 to 59, wherein the circuit further includes a switch operable by a user to activate the aerosol delivery device, and the identified setting is a sensitivity of the switch that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different levels of sensitivity.

[0156] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are 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: one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles including consumables having an aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having an aerosol generating material and having a target electrical resistance associated with a respective setting of the aerosol delivery device; at least, Detecting engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle, and thus the article with the aerosol delivery device, and automatically, as a direct result of the engagement: measuring the electrical resistance of the article, which indicates that the article is non-consumable; Identifying one of the target electrical resistances that most closely matches the electrical resistance of the article; Identifying a respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances; Change the value of a setting A circuit including a processing circuit configured as described above. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. The processing circuitry includes at least Detecting engagement of a second article with the coupler or receptacle; determining an electrical resistance of the second article, the electrical resistance indicating that the second article is a consumable item; Controlling power to an aerosol generator to energize an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further configured to:

3. the coupler or receptacle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the circuit, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the article; The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to measure the electrical resistance of the article at the electrical connector.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to automatically change the value of a setting on the aerosol delivery device as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item with the coupler or receptacle, and thus with the aerosol delivery device.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry configured to change the value of the setting includes processing circuitry configured to switch the setting between a first value and a second value or cycle the setting among a series of values.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the identified setting is a power mode of the aerosol delivery device that is cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and a value corresponding to a mode of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device.

7. 2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device has an automatic mode in which when a consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the automatic mode, and the identified setting is a profile of the automatic mode in which power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the profile and is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the profile.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a color mode of the light source that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes.

9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a charge level of the power source or a status of the life of the power source and is switched between on and off.

10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the identified setting is a locked mode of the aerosol delivery device that can be toggled between locked and unlocked.

11. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery device including one or more couplers or receptacles structured to separately and individually engage different types of articles with aerosol generating material, including consumables having aerosol generating material and non-consumables not having aerosol generating material and having target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol delivery device, the method comprising: Detecting engagement of the article with the coupler or receptacle and thus the article with the aerosol delivery device; Automatically, as a direct result of engagement, measuring the electrical resistance of the article, which indicates that the article is non-consumable; identifying one of the target electrical resistances that most closely matches the electrical resistance of the article; identifying a respective setting associated with one of the target electrical resistances; Changing the value of a setting A method of operating an aerosol delivery device, comprising:

12. Detecting engagement of a second item with the coupler or receptacle; determining an electrical resistance of the second article, the electrical resistance indicating that the second article is a consumable item; controlling power to the aerosol generator to energize the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

13. the coupler or receptacle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple the circuit, and thus the aerosol delivery device, with the article; The method of claim 11 , wherein the electrical resistance of the article is measured at an electrical connector.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the value of the setting of the aerosol delivery device is automatically changed as a direct result of each engagement of the non-consumable item with the coupler or receptacle and thus with the aerosol delivery device.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein changing the value of the setting comprises switching the setting between a first value and a second value or cycling the setting through a sequence of values.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the identified setting is a power mode of the aerosol delivery device that is cycled between a value corresponding to an automatic mode and a value corresponding to a mode of different levels of power provided to the aerosol generator when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the aerosol delivery device has an automatic mode in which power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the automatic mode when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, and the identified setting is a profile of the automatic mode in which power is provided to the aerosol generator according to the profile and is cycled between values ​​corresponding to the profile.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry further comprises a light source, and the identified setting is a color mode of the light source that is cycled between values ​​corresponding to different color schemes.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a power source and the circuit further includes a light source, and the identified setting is a power indicator mode of the light source that indicates a charge level of the power source or a status of the life of the power source and is switched between on and off.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identified setting is a locked mode of the aerosol delivery device that is toggled between locked and unlocked.

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