Remaining puff calculation for aerosol delivery devices

Abstract

The aerosol delivery device comprises an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material; a memory configured to store article data, the article data relating to characteristics of the article; the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an ongoing aerosol generation period for the article; and a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol generation period, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs for the article.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, aerosol delivery systems, and articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles have been made by creating products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or another non-tobacco product, and may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol delivery device is provided that includes: an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material; a memory configured to store article data, the article data relating to characteristics of the article, the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an ongoing aerosol generation period (aerosol generation session) for the article; and a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol generation period, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs for the article.

[0004] The processor can be configured to initiate an aerosol-generation period for the article when the article is received by the aerosol delivery device.

[0005] The aerosol delivery device may further comprise a user-controllable element, the processor configured to initiate the aerosol generation period when the user activates the user-controllable element.

[0006] The processor can be configured to receive a partially used item indication, the partially used item indication indicating whether the item is a previously partially used item or a new item, and the item data comprises the partially used item indication, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the partially used item indication to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

[0007] The aerosol delivery device may further include an item recognition element configured to determine whether the item is a previously partially used item or a new item, and the item recognition element configured to provide a partially used item indication to the processor.

[0008] The memory can be configured to store previous puff information for previously partially used articles, the previous puff information relating to the number of puffs previously taken from the partially used article, and the processor is configured to receive the previous puff information, and the article data comprises the previous puff information, so that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puff information to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

[0009] The aerosol delivery device may further include a user interface, the user interface configured to receive a partially used item indication from a user, and the processor configured to receive a partially used item indication from the user interface.

[0010] The user interface can be configured to receive previous puff information from the user, the previous puff information relating to the number of puffs previously taken from the partially used article, and the processor is configured to receive the previous puff information, and the article data comprises the previous puff information, so that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puff information to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

[0011] The aerosol delivery device can include a user interface, the user interface configured to receive a partially used item indication from a user, and the processor configured to receive a partially used item indication from the user interface.

[0012] The user interface is configured to receive previous puff information from the user, the previous puff information relating to the number of puffs previously taken from the partially used article, and the processor is configured to receive the previous puff information, and the article data comprises the previous puff information, so that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puff information to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

[0013] The item data can include item energy data, the item energy data specifying the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material of the item; the activation data can include activation energy data, the activation energy data specifying the energy provided to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period; and the remaining puff calculation can use the item energy data and the activation energy data to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

[0014] The aerosol-forming material may be a film coated on a carrier. The aerosol-forming material may be a gel.

[0015] The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be less than 1000 joules (J). The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be less than 800 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be 720 J or less. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be greater than 300 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be greater than 500 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material may be 600 J or more.

[0016] The activation data can include duration puff data, where the duration puff data identifies the number of puffs taken during the aerosol generation period, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the activation energy data and the duration puff data to determine an average energy per puff, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the average energy per puff to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

[0017] The product data comprises product puff data, the product puff data specifying an expected number of puffs that can be taken from the product; the activation data comprises previously taken puff data, the previously taken puff data specifying the number of puffs taken during the aerosol generation period; and the remaining puffs calculation uses the product puff data and the previously taken puff data to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

[0018] The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 6 or more. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 8 or more. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 10 or more. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 16 or less. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 14 or less. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be 12 or less.

[0019] The article data may include an expected energy expenditure per puff. A remaining puffs calculation may use the expected energy expenditure per puff to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining (e.g., by subtracting the energy provided to the aerosol generator during the aerosol-generation period from the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material of the article and dividing by the expected energy expenditure per puff).

[0020] The expected energy expenditure per puff may be greater than 10 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be greater than 20 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be greater than 30 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be greater than 40 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be greater than 50 J.

[0021] The expected energy expenditure per puff may be less than 100 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be less than 90 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be less than 80 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be less than 70 J. The expected energy expenditure per puff may be substantially 60 J.

[0022] The article data can include a total area of ​​the aerosol generating material exposed to the aerosol generator, the activation data can include a used area of ​​the aerosol generating material, and the remaining puffs calculation can use the total area and the used area to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0023] The item data may include a total number of separate portions of the aerosol generating material, the activation data may include a number of separate portions of the aerosol generating material used during the aerosol generation period, and the remaining puffs calculation may use the total number of separate portions and the number of separate portions used to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0024] The aerosol generator comprises a first aerosol-generating element and a second aerosol-generating element, the first aerosol-generating element being configured to generate an aerosol with a first portion of aerosol-generating material, and the second aerosol-generating element being configured to generate an aerosol with a second portion of aerosol-generating material.

[0025] The activation data may comprise the number of activated aerosol generating elements during the aerosol generation period, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the number of activated aerosol generating elements to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

[0026] The aerosol generator may include a magnetic field generator and a susceptor or resistive heater element.

[0027] The aerosol delivery device can include a display element, and the processor is configured to control the display element to display data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0028] The processor can be configured to adjust the total aerosol generation period length in response to data regarding the number of puffs remaining on the article.

[0029] The article data may comprise first article type data for a first type of article and second article type data for a second type of article, the processor being configured to receive the article types and determine whether to use the first article type data or the second article type data in the remaining puff calculations.

[0030] The processor may be configured to receive the type of the article from a user input.

[0031] The aerosol delivery device can include an article type recognition element configured to determine the type of the article, and the processor configured to receive the type from the article type recognition element.

[0032] The processor can be configured to perform the remaining puff calculation periodically during the aerosol generation period.

[0033] The processor can be configured to perform the remaining puff calculations upon user request.

[0034] The processor can be configured to perform the remaining puff calculations following the puff.

[0035] The data regarding the number of puffs remaining may comprise an expected number of puffs remaining, and the puffs remaining calculation determines the expected number of puffs remaining.

[0036] The data regarding the number of puffs remaining can comprise the remaining portion of aerosol-forming material in the article, and the remaining puffs calculation determines the remaining portion of aerosol-forming material.

[0037] The aerosol delivery device can include a communication unit configured to transmit data regarding the number of puffs remaining to an external device.

[0038] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device described above and an external device, wherein the external device is configured to receive data regarding the number of puffs remaining and to display the data regarding the number of puffs remaining to a user.

[0039] The external device may be a mobile device.

[0040] The external device may be a box configured to store items.

[0041] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device described above and an article.

[0042] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method for determining data regarding the number of puffs remaining of an article during an aerosol generation period, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a processor of an aerosol generating device, article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article; receiving, at the processor, activation data, the activation data relating to activation of an aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period; and using, at the processor, the article data and the activation data, determining data regarding the number of puffs remaining of the article.

[0043] Apparatus aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more, or all of the features described above, as appropriate. Methods aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more, or all of the features described above, as appropriate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 illustrates a method for determining data regarding the number of puffs remaining. [Figure 5a] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 5b] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material capable of generating an aerosol when provided with energy, for example, by heating, irradiation, or in any other manner. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-forming materials may include any plant-derived material, such as tobacco-containing materials, and may include, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products and may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. Aerosol-forming materials may also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. Aerosol-forming materials are also sometimes known as "smoking materials."

[0046] The aerosol-forming material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active material and / or a filler material may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0047] The aerosol generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid" or an "amorphous solid." An amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid." In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt%, to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt%, of an amorphous solid.

[0048] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0049] According to this disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol delivery system (or components of the system) are not burned or caused to burn to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0050] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

[0051] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0052] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-forming material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0053] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0054] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system may include a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and an article, typically a consumable, for use in the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0055] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables, sometimes referred to as articles throughout this disclosure, that comprise aerosol generating materials and are configured for use in non-flammable aerosol delivery devices.

[0056] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, e.g., a non-combustible aerosol delivery device of the system, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to dissipate power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0057] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may include a consumable receiving area, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0058] In some embodiments, consumables for use in non-flammable aerosol delivery devices may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapping paper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0059] The aerosol-generating device can accept an article comprising an aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material during use, which is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other components during use. A user can insert the article into the aerosol-generating device, after which the article is heated to generate an aerosol, which is subsequently inhaled by the user. The article can be of a predetermined size or a specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to accept the article.

[0060] 1, an aerosol delivery system 10 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol delivery system 10 further includes a replaceable article 110 that includes the aerosol-generating material. Generally, the aerosol-forming device 100 can be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0061] The aerosol-forming device 100 comprises a main body 102. A housing structure surrounds and houses various components of the main body 102. An article opening 104 is formed at one end of the main body 102. The aerosol delivery device 100 further comprises a receptacle 106 defined by a wall 108. The receptacle 106 is substantially cylindrical for receiving a substantially cylindrical article 110. The article 110 is received in the receptacle 106 through the article opening 104.

[0062] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes an aerosol generator 112. The aerosol generator 112 includes an inductive element 114. The aerosol generator 112 includes a susceptor element 108, which in this example is the wall 108. The inductive element 114 includes a coil surrounding the susceptor element 108.

[0063] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a power source 116 for powering the aerosol generator 112. The power source provides electrical power to the aerosol generation assembly, which converts the provided electrical energy into thermal energy to heat the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries.

[0064] The power source can be electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly to provide power under the control of the controller when necessary to heat the aerosol generating material, and the controller can be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generation assembly based on user input.

[0065] The aerosol-generating assembly may include various components that heat the aerosol-generating material through an induction heating process. Induction heating is the process of heating an electrically conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) through electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an induction element, such as one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) appropriately positioned with respect to the induction element, generating eddy currents inside the susceptor. Because the susceptor has an electrical resistance to eddy currents, the flow of eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor through Joule heating. If the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material changing as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. Inductive heating allows for rapid heating as heat is generated inside the susceptor, as compared to, for example, conduction heating, and further allows for greater flexibility in design and application as no physical contact is required between the inductive element and the susceptor.

[0066] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes a processor 118 and a memory 116 .

[0067] The aerosol delivery device includes an item recognition element 122. The item 110 includes an identifier 124 that is readable by the item recognition element 122. In this example, the identifier 124 is a QR code, and the item recognition element 122 is a QR code reader. The identifier 124 indicates the type of item 110, for example, the strength, size, and / or mass of the aerosol-forming material of the item 110. The identifier 124 also includes a unique identifier for the item 110, allowing the specific item to be identified by the identifier 124.

[0068] During use, an article 110 is partially inserted into the aerosol delivery device 100. The item recognition element 122 recognizes the identifier 124 of the article 110. The item recognition element 122 transmits an item acceptance signal to the processor 118. In response to receiving the item acceptance signal, the processor 118 initiates an aerosol generation period (aerosol generation session). During the aerosol generation period, the processor 118 controls the power supply 116 to power the aerosol generator 112 to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generation period defines the duration during which a user draws aerosol from the aerosol generation system 10 by taking multiple puffs on the article 110.

[0069] The memory 116 stores item data relating to characteristics of items, the item data comprising first item type data for a first type of item and second item type data for a second type of item.

[0070] The item data comprises unique item data that is specific to item 110. Memory 116 stores unique item data for multiple items previously received by the aerosol delivery device. Memory 116 stores unique item data for multiple items previously received by the aerosol delivery device during an aerosol generation period.

[0071] The item recognition element 122 determines the type of item 110 from the identifier 124. The item recognition element 122 determines a unique item identifier from the identifier 124. The processor 118 receives the type of item 110 from the item recognition element 122. The processor 118 receives the unique item identifier from the item recognition element 122. The processor 118 uses the item type to determine item data for the item 110 from the memory 116. The processor uses the unique item identifier to determine item data for the item 110 from the memory 116.

[0072] The item data comprises item energy data, which specifies the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material of the item 110. The item energy data is specific to the type of item.

[0073] In this example, the aerosol-generating material comprises a membrane. The article comprises a carrier coated with the membrane. The aerosol-generating material comprises a gel. The aerosol-generating material has a mass of 0.013 g. Applicant has found that the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-generating material in such an article is between 600 and 720 joules (J). This value can be based on the expected number of puffs taken from the article over a period of time (10 to 12 puffs) and the expected energy expenditure per puff (60 J).

[0074] The article data further comprises article puff data, which specifies the expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article 110 before the aerosol-forming material is used up.

[0075] The item data comprises a partially used item indication that, for a particular item 110, indicates whether the item has been previously received by aerosol delivery device 100 or used in a previous aerosol-generation period (e.g., is a "previously partially used item"), or whether the item has not previously been received by aerosol delivery device 100 or used in a previous aerosol-generation period (e.g., is a "new item").

[0076] If the item 110 is a previously partially used item, the item data comprises previous puff information. The previous puff information relates to the number of puffs previously taken from the item 110 during a previous aerosol generation period. The previous puff information comprises previous aerosolization energy data. The previous aerosolization energy data is an estimate of the energy provided to the aerosol generator 112 during a previous aerosol generation period. In another example, the previous puff information comprises a previous puff count, which is the number of puffs taken on the aerosol generation system 10 during a previous aerosol generation period.

[0077] Throughout the aerosol generation period, the processor 118 records activation data in the memory 116. The activation data relates to activation of the aerosol generator during the ongoing (e.g., current) aerosol generation period. The activation data comprises activation energy data. The activation energy data identifies the energy imparted to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period. The processor 118 determines the energy imparted to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period by monitoring the voltage of the power source 120. The processor 118 may also monitor the current to determine the energy imparted to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period (e.g., by determining the power according to P=IV and integrating over time). In such an example, the voltage imparted to the heater may be held constant, and only the current may be monitored to determine the imparted energy. In other examples, the power imparted during heating may be relatively constant and known, and it may be possible to determine the imparted energy by monitoring the heating time.

[0078] During the aerosol generation period, processor 118 performs a remaining puffs calculation. In the remaining puffs calculation, processor 118 uses the article data and activation data to determine data regarding the number of remaining puffs for article 110. Processor 118 uses the activation energy data and article energy data to determine data regarding the number of remaining puffs for article 110.

[0079] The data regarding the number of puffs remaining comprises the expected number of puffs remaining, so that processor 118 determines the expected number of puffs remaining in the puffs remaining calculation.

[0080] Processor 118 determines from the activation energy data and the article energy data the expected percentage of energy remaining to be provided to aerosol generator 112 during the aerosol generation period. Processor 118 uses this percentage and the article puff data to determine the expected number of puffs remaining.

[0081] In other examples, the article data does not include article puff data, and processor 118 monitors the number of puffs taken during the aerosol-generation period to determine period puff data. Processor 118 then uses the period puff data and the activation energy data to determine the average energy per puff. Processor 118 uses the activation energy data and the expected energy still to be imparted during the aerosol-generation period to determine the expected number of puffs remaining.

[0082] The processor 118 can monitor the number of puffs using a dedicated puff sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor), by monitoring heater activation or temperature, by monitoring battery level, and / or by monitoring puff behavior (e.g., a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the device indicating a puff, monitoring activation of a button that must be pressed for each puff, or monitoring proximity to the user's face).

[0083] The processor 118 can also monitor the strength of the puff (e.g., with a pressure sensor), with an increase in the strength of the puff indicating a greater usage of aerosol-generating material. The activation data can comprise the strength of the puff, and data regarding the number of puffs remaining on the article can be based on the strength of the puff.

[0084] In another example, rather than monitoring the energy provided to the aerosol generator and / or using activation energy, the processor uses only the period puff data and the article puff data to determine data regarding the expected number of puffs.

[0085] If the article 110 is a previously partially used article, the processor 118 uses the previous puff information to perform a remaining puffs calculation. The processor 118 uses the previous aerosolization energy data, as well as the activation energy data and the article energy data, to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs for the article 110. The processor 118 can subtract the previous aerosolization energy data and the activation data from the article energy data to determine the energy still to be provided to the aerosol generator 112 during the aerosol generation period.

[0086] In another example, the previous puff information comprises the number of puffs taken from the article 110 during the previous aerosol-generating period, which may be used to perform the remaining puff calculations.

[0087] The processor 118 performs the remaining puff calculation periodically during the aerosol generation period. In another example, the processor performs the remaining puff calculation upon a user request. In another example, the processor performs the remaining puff calculation following a user taking a puff on the aerosol delivery system 10. The processor may include a puff sensor to determine when a user takes a puff.

[0088] Processor 118 controls a display element (not shown) that displays data regarding the number of remaining puffs. In another example, processor 118 adjusts the duration of the aerosol-generation period in response to the data regarding the number of remaining puffs. In another example, aerosol delivery device 100 includes a communications unit (e.g., a Bluetooth® unit) configured to transmit data regarding the number of remaining puffs to an external device. The external device can receive the data regarding the number of remaining puffs and display the data to a user. In some examples, the external device is a portable device. In some examples, the external device is a "smart" box (e.g., for storing items) that includes a display element that displays the data.

[0089] At the end of the aerosol-generation period, or when the article 110 is removed from the aerosol delivery device 100, the processor 118 erases the activation data from memory. The processor 118 stores the article data from the aerosol-generation period in the memory 116. The processor 118 assigns the article data a partially used article designation indicating that the article is a partially used article. The removal of the article 110 from the aerosol delivery device 110 can be detected by the article recognition element 122.

[0090] In other examples where aerosol delivery device 100 is configured to communicate with an external server or device, the product data may be stored on the external server or device rather than in memory 116 .

[0091] 2, second aerosol delivery system 210 includes second aerosol delivery device 200. The second aerosol delivery system includes many features that are substantially the same as those of aerosol delivery system 10, and those features are designated with the same reference numerals in Figures 1 and 2. In the following description of second aerosol delivery system 210, differences between second aerosol delivery system 210 and aerosol delivery system 10 will be described, and repeated descriptions of features common to the systems will be omitted.

[0092] The second aerosol supply system 210 includes a second aerosol generator 212. The second aerosol generator 212 includes a first aerosol generating element 214a, a second aerosol generating element 214b, and a third aerosol generating element 214c. Each of the first, second, and third aerosol generating elements 214a-c is an inductive element. The aerosol generator 212 includes a susceptor element, which in this example is the wall 108. Each of the first, second, and third aerosol generating elements 214a-c includes a coil surrounding the wall 108. The aerosol generating elements 214a-c are distributed longitudinally along the receptacle 106 such that each aerosol generating element covers a certain area of ​​the outer surface of the article 110 and heats a respective portion of the article. The aerosol-generating material in article 110 can be separated into separate portions, with each one of the aerosol-generating elements configured to heat one of the separate portions.

[0093] During the aerosol generation period, the processor 218 controls the power supply 120 to power one of the aerosol generating elements 214a-c at a time, so that each portion of the article 110 is heated sequentially during the aerosol generation period.

[0094] The activation data comprises the number (number, quantity) of activated aerosol generating elements during the aerosol generation period. The processor 218 uses the number of activated aerosol generating elements to perform a puffs remaining calculation to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0095] In another example, the article data comprises a total area of ​​the aerosol-generating material exposed to the aerosol generator, and the activation data comprises a used area of ​​the aerosol-generating material, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the total area and the used area to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0096] In another example, the article data comprises a total number of separate portions of aerosol generating material and the activation data comprises a number of used separate portions of aerosol generating material during an aerosol-generation period, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the total number of separate portions and the used number of separate portions to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

[0097] Referring to Figure 3, a third aerosol delivery system 310 includes a third aerosol delivery device 300. The third aerosol delivery system includes many features that are substantially similar to those of aerosol delivery system 10, and the same reference numbers are used for those features in Figures 3 and 1. In the following description of the third aerosol delivery system 310, differences between the third aerosol delivery system 310 and aerosol delivery system 10 will be described, and repeated descriptions of features common to the systems will be omitted. Additionally, many features have been omitted from Figure 3 for clarity.

[0098] In contrast to aerosol delivery device 10, third aerosol delivery device 300 does not include an item recognition element, which can simplify the structure of the aerosol delivery device. Third aerosol delivery device 300 includes a user interface 330. User interface 330 receives partially used item information from a user. User interface 330 receives previous puff information from the user. As described above, the partially used item information and previous puff information are used by the processor in the remaining puff calculations.

[0099] 4 , a method 300 for determining data regarding the number of puffs remaining of an article in an aerosol-generation period includes receiving article data 302, receiving activation data 304, and calculating the number of puffs remaining 306. Method 300 is performed by a processor in each of aerosol delivery device 10, second aerosol delivery device 200, and third aerosol delivery device 300. Method 300 may further include the steps described above with respect to the processors of aerosol delivery device 10, second aerosol delivery device 200, and third aerosol delivery device 300.

[0100] In an article data receiving step 302, a processor of the aerosol generating device receives article data, the article data relating to a property of the article.

[0101] In an activation data receiving step 304, the processor receives activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period.

[0102] In a calculate puffs remaining step 306, the processor uses the product data and the activation data to determine data regarding the number of puffs remaining for the product.

[0103] 5a and 5b, the fourth aerosol delivery device 400 comprises a body 402 and a fourth aerosol generator 412. The aerosol generator 412 extends away from the body 402. The aerosol generator 412 is external to the body 402. During use, the aerosol generator 412 is inserted into a fourth item 410. The fourth item 410 comprises a recess 414 in which the fourth aerosol generator 412 is received. The fourth aerosol generator 412 heats an aerosol-generating material in the fourth item 410 to generate an aerosol.

[0104] The fourth item 410 and the fourth aerosol delivery device 400 can have any of the features described above with respect to the items and devices of Figures 1 to 3. In particular, the fourth item 410 and the fourth aerosol delivery device 400 can have any of the features that enable the remaining puff calculations to be performed. The fourth aerosol delivery device 400 performs the method of Figure 4.

[0105] In other examples, the aerosol delivery device may be operable in multiple modes where heating temperatures and times can be varied, and the product data may comprise multiple data sets corresponding to the modes.

[0106] In the embodiments described above, the aerosol delivery device includes a heating element that is an induction heating element. In some embodiments, other types of heating elements, such as resistive heating, are used. The device structure has been generally described above, and a detailed description is omitted. In such an arrangement, the aerosol generation assembly includes a resistive heating generator that includes components that heat the heating element by a resistive heating process. In this case, an electric current is applied directly to the resistive heating element, and the resulting current flow in the heating element heats the heating element by Joule heating. The resistive heating element includes a resistive material configured to generate heat when an appropriate electric current flows through it, and the heating assembly includes electrical contacts for applying the electric current to the resistive material.

[0107] In an embodiment, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself, which transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

[0108] The various embodiments described herein are presented merely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided merely as a representative sample of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, configurations, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or equivalents thereof, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material; a memory configured to store item data, the item data relating to characteristics of the item, the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an ongoing aerosol generation period for the item; a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol-generation period, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data regarding the number of remaining puffs for the article; An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to initiate the aerosol-generation period for the item when the item is received by the aerosol delivery device.

3. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a user-controllable element, wherein the processor is configured to initiate the aerosol generation period when a user activates the user-controllable element.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a partially used item indication, the partially used item indication indicating whether the item is a previously partially used item or a new item, and the item data comprises the partially used item indication, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the partially used item indication to determine the data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, further comprising an item recognition element configured to identify the item and determine whether the item is a previously partially used item or a new item, and the item recognition element configured to provide the partially used item indication to the processor.

6. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the memory is configured to store previous puff information for previously partially used articles, the previous puff information relating to the number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, the processor is configured to receive the previous puff information, and the article data comprises the previous puff information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puff information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

7. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, further comprising a user interface, the user interface configured to receive the partially used item indication from the user, and the processor configured to receive the partially used item indication from the user interface.

8. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the user interface is configured to receive previous puff information from the user, the previous puff information relating to the number of puffs previously taken from a partially used product, the processor is configured to receive the previous puff information, and the product data comprises the previous puff information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puff information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

9. the item data comprises item energy data, the item energy data specifying the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol-forming material of the item; the activation data comprises activation energy data, the activation energy data specifying energy provided to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period; the remaining puffs calculation uses the article energy data and the activation energy data to determine the data regarding the remaining number of puffs. The aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. the activation data comprises period puff data, the period puff data identifying a number of puffs taken during the ongoing aerosol generation period; the remaining puffs calculation uses the activation energy data and the duration puff data to determine an average energy per puff, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the average energy per puff to determine data regarding the remaining number of puffs; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9.

11. the product data comprises product puff data, the product puff data specifying an expected number of puffs that can be taken from the product; the activation data comprises previously taken puff data, the previously taken puff data identifying a number of puffs taken during the aerosol-generation period; the remaining puffs calculation uses the article puff data and the previously taken puff data to determine the data regarding the remaining number of puffs. The aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a first aerosol generating element and a second aerosol generating element, the first aerosol generating element configured to generate an aerosol in a first portion of the aerosol-generating material, and the second aerosol generating element configured to generate an aerosol in a second portion of the aerosol-generating material.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12, wherein the activation data comprises a number of activated aerosol generating elements during the aerosol generation period, and the remaining puffs calculation uses the number of activated aerosol generating elements to determine the data regarding the remaining number of puffs.

14. 14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a display element, wherein the processor is configured to control the display element to display the data regarding the number of puffs remaining.

15. 15. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to adjust a total aerosol generation period length in response to the data regarding the number of puffs remaining on the article.

16. 16. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the article data comprises first article type data for a first type of article and second article type data for a second type of article, and the processor is configured to receive the article types and determine whether to use the first article type data or the second article type data in the remaining puff calculations.

17. 17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to receive the type of the article from a user input.

18. 17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 16, further comprising an article type recognition element, the article type recognition element configured to determine the type of the article, and the processor configured to receive the type from the article type recognition element.

19. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the processor is configured to perform the remaining puff calculation periodically during the aerosol generation period.

20. 20. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the data regarding the number of puffs remaining comprises an expected number of puffs remaining, and the remaining puffs calculation determines the expected number of puffs remaining.

21. 21. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the data regarding the remaining number of puffs comprises the remaining portion of the aerosol-generating material in the article, and the remaining puffs calculation determines the remaining portion of the aerosol-generating material.

22. 22. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a communication unit configured to transmit the data regarding the number of puffs remaining to an external device.

23. 23. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device of claim 22 and the external device, wherein the external device is configured to receive the data regarding the number of puffs remaining and to display the data regarding the number of puffs remaining to a user.

24. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 22 and the article.

25. 1. A method for determining data regarding the number of puffs remaining of an article during an aerosol-generating period, comprising: receiving, at a processor of the aerosol generating device, article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article; receiving, at the processor, activation data related to activation of the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation period; determining, in the processor, data regarding the number of puffs remaining for the article using the article data and the activation data; A method comprising:

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