Aerosol supply system

Abstract

An aerosol supply system is provided for supplying aerosols for inhalation by the user. [Solution] The aerosol supply system 100 comprises an aerosol supply device 110, an aerosol product 120, and a connector 130. The aerosol supply device includes a control circuit 112 for identifying the aerosol product. The control circuit includes a physical connection part 114. The aerosol product stores the aerosol generating material. The connector includes a complementary physical connection part 132 for connecting to the physical connection part of the control circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply system, a method for supplying an aerosol from the aerosol supply system, and an aerosol supply means.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol supply systems are known. In a typical system, a user-activated heater is used to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol supply device, and then the user inhales the aerosol. In a latest system, a consumable element containing a replaceable aerosol-generating material can be used. There may be a desire for the manufacturer to control the use of genuine consumables. In particular, the manufacturer's device functions best when using genuine manufacturer's consumables, and when using non-genuine consumables, the life of the device may be shortened, or the function of the device may be degraded, affecting the user experience.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to solve some of the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

[0005] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user is provided. The aerosol supply system includes an aerosol supply device including a control circuit for identifying an aerosol-generating article, the control circuit including a physical connection portion, an aerosol-generating article for storing an aerosol-generating material, and a connector including a complementary physical connection portion for connecting to the physical connection portion of the control circuit.

[0006] Such a system can recognize the authenticity of an aerosol product so that the device operates only when the aerosol product is an acceptable genuine product. In particular, it can prevent the device from operating if the aerosol product is non-genuine. In this way, the system prevents the device from being used with aerosol products that are not known to interact with the device in the desired manner. In particular, this allows manufacturers to ensure that the user experience is standardized over multiple uses, thereby improving the user experience of the system. Indeed, by preventing the device from operating with non-genuine aerosol products, both the user experience and the lifespan of the device can be improved because the manufacturer's aerosol products can be configured to interact best with that device.

[0007] Therefore, it is possible to protect the users of the system and the system itself from use with non-authentic aerosol products.

[0008] Several embodiments described herein provide a method for supplying an aerosol from an aerosol supply system, the method comprising: preparing an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a control circuit for identifying an aerosol product, and the control circuit comprises a physical connection; preparing an aerosol product for storing an aerosol generating material; preparing a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuit; connecting the connector to the physical connection of the control circuit; identifying the authenticity of the aerosol product; and updating the performance status of the aerosol supply device based on the authenticity of the aerosol product.

[0009] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply means is provided for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the aerosol supply means comprising an aerosol supply device comprising a control circuit means for identifying an aerosol product, wherein the control circuit means comprises a physical connection means; an aerosol product for storing the aerosol generating means; and a connection means comprising a complementary physical connection portion for connecting to the physical connection means of the control circuit means.

[0010] Next, the following diagrams will be used as examples for reference to explain this instruction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an example aerosol supply system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an example aerosol supply system. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an example aerosol supply system. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating one example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] While various modifications and alternative forms are possible for this invention, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings as examples and described in detail below. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed descriptions of specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, the invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and, for brevity, are not discussed / described in detail. Therefore, it will be understood that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein but not described in detail may be implemented according to any prior art for implementing such aspects and features.

[0014] This disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system, sometimes called an aerosol supply system, such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the terms “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may be used, and it will be understood that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol supply systems / devices and electronic aerosol supply systems / devices. Furthermore, as is common in the art, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor,” as well as related terms such as “vaporize,” “volatilize,” and “aerosolize,” may generally be used interchangeably.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an aerosol supply system 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol supply system 100 has an aerosol supply device 110. The aerosol supply device 110 has a control circuit 112 for identifying aerosol products. The control circuit 112 includes a physical connection part 114. The aerosol supply system 100 has an aerosol product container 120 for storing aerosol generating material. The aerosol supply system 100 has a connector 130 with a complementary physical connection part 132 for connecting to the physical connection part 114 of the control circuit 112.

[0016] The aerosol supply device 110 may be a device comprising a heater or atomizer, etc., for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be supplied to the aerosol supply device 110 in the form of an aerosol product 120. The aerosol product 120 may contain the aerosol-generating material and may be removablely inserted into the aerosol supply device 110. In one example, the aerosol product 120 is a refillable pod that can be inserted into and removed from the aerosol supply device 110 for use.

[0017] The example in Figure 1 shows three main elements: an aerosol supply device 110, an aerosol product 120, and a connector 130. The connector 130 may be physically connected to a physical connection 114 of the control circuit 112 via a complementary physical connection 132. This physical connection may be realized via one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses or slots, etc.

[0018] During use, the connector 130 is physically connected to the control circuit 112, which identifies the aerosol product 120. In particular, the control circuit 112 identifies whether the aerosol product 120 is a genuine aerosol product or a non-genuine aerosol product. If the aerosol product 120 is identified as genuine, the control circuit 112 may send a signal to the aerosol supply device 110, enabling the aerosol supply device 110 to be activated by inhalation or pressing of the activation button.

[0019] In one example, the connector 130 can complete the circuit within the control circuit 112 so that the control circuit 112 can operate to identify the aerosol product 120. In this example, the connector 130 provides an enhanced level of security in the use of the aerosol supply device 110. The connector 130 is provided to an authorized user so that only this authorized user can connect the connector 130 to the control circuit 112. In this way, the system 100 prevents use by unauthorized users as well as non-genuine aerosol products 120. Furthermore, the use of a physical connection between the connector 130 and the control circuit 112 makes it more difficult to manufacture a fraudulent non-genuine connector 130 that can be connected to the control circuit 112 and allow unauthorized users to use the device 110. Thus, the security of the system 100 is enhanced by using a physical connection rather than a software connection that may be vulnerable to hacking or attacks.

[0020] In another example, the connector 130 may have a circuit to enable the identification of the aerosol product 120. In this manner, the connector 130 is physically connected to the control circuit 112, and when the aerosol product 120 is inserted into the aerosol supply device 110, both the control circuit 112 and the connector 130 can identify the aerosol product 120. In one example, the control circuit 112 identifies one indicator of authenticity, and the connector 130 identifies another indicator of authenticity. If both the control circuit 112 and the connector 130 identify the aerosol product 120 as authentic, the control circuit 112 enables the operation of the aerosol supply device 110.

[0021] In the example above, once the aerosol product 120 is successfully authenticated, the connector 130 can send a signal to the control circuit 112 via the physical connections 114 and 132 (which may also be electrical connections) to indicate that the aerosol product 120 has been authenticated by the connector 130. The control circuit 112 receives this signal, and once the aerosol product 120 is authenticated by the control circuit 112, it can enable the user to activate the aerosol supply device 110. This activation may take the form of activating a heater or the like in response to the user inhaling the device 110 or pressing an activation button.

[0022] In particular, the physical configuration of the connection between the control circuit 112 and the connector 130 may be such that the control circuit 112 can identify a first identifier located at a first position on the aerosol product 120, while the controller 130 can identify a second identifier located at a second position on the aerosol product 120. In this way, a two-factor check by the connector 130 and the control circuit 112 is provided regarding the authenticity of the aerosol product 120. Furthermore, requiring two identifiers at two positions on the aerosol product 120 makes it significantly difficult to manufacture non-authentic aerosol products that can operate in the aerosol supply device 110. Therefore, the likelihood of successfully using non-authentic aerosol products in the aerosol supply device 110 is greatly reduced.

[0023] In the example in Figure 1, device 110, aerosol product 120, and connector 130 are three distinct objects that can be used together. Referring now to Figure 2, a system 200 similar to system 100 in Figure 1 is shown. Features similar to those used in Figure 1 are indicated by increasing the reference number by 100. For example, system 100 in Figure 1 is similar to system 200 in Figure 2. Similar or identical features may not be described for brevity.

[0024] In Fig. 2, the connector 230 is part of or connected to the aerosol-generating article 220. In this example, the aerosol-generating article 220 can be authenticated by the connector 230 by having a cooperative connection to which the connector 230 can be connected. The physical connection of the connector 230 to the aerosol-generating article 220 can be the first authentication step of the aerosol-generating article 220. The connector 230 may not be physically connectable to a non-genuine aerosol-generating article. Then, the connector 230 can be connected to the control circuit 212 for a second authentication step. In the example of Fig. 2, the control circuit 212 and the physical connection 214 are within the device 210, and when the connector 230 is connected, the aerosol-generating article 220 is located within the body of the aerosol supply device 210.

[0025] The two-step authentication in the example of Fig. 2 increases the difficulty of manufacturing non-genuine aerosol-generating articles for use with the system 200. The first authentication step can be to complete a circuit within the connector 230 by a correct connection to the aerosol-generating article 220. The second authentication step can be the identification of the aerosol-generating article 220 by the control circuit 212, for example, by recognizing an identifier (such as a QR code (registered trademark), RFID tag, etc.) within the aerosol-generating article 220. As described above, until authentication is performed, the heater or atomizer of the device 210 cannot operate, preventing the use of non-genuine aerosol-generating articles.

[0026] Referring now to Fig. 3, a system 300 similar to the system 200 of Fig. 2 is shown. Features similar to those used in Fig. 2 are shown with the reference numbers increased by only 100. For example, the system 200 of Fig. 2 is similar to the system 300 of Fig. 3. Similar or identical features may not be described for the sake of brevity.

[0027] The system 300 in Figure 3 includes a further element 340, of which the connector 330 is part. In one example, this element could be a communication device 340. The communication device 340 could be a smartphone, tablet, PC, etc., which can provide control of the elements of the system 300 or provide signals to those elements through communication between the communication device 340 and the aerosol supply device 310. This may be via telecommunication through physical connections 314, 332, or it may be via telecommunication.

[0028] In particular, authentication of the aerosol product 320 may be performed by any of the processes described above, while user authentication may be performed via the communication device 340. Modern smartphones and tablets, in particular, have access mechanisms and authentication systems that ensure only authorized users can access the smartphone or tablet, such as fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, passwords, passkeys, alphanumeric access sequences, or software identification tokens. Such mechanisms and systems may be used to identify that a user attempting to use device 310 is an authorized user. Specifically, the user may need to access the communication device 340 and connect the communication device 340 to the control circuit 312 via the connector 330 in order to perform user authentication. Subsequently, the user inserts the aerosol product 320 into the aerosol supply device 310, and the aerosol product is authenticated by the control circuit 312 before the aerosol supply device 310 becomes operational. Such a system provides a highly robust and secure system 300 that resists both attempts by unauthorized users to use device 310 and the use of non-genuine aerosol products. To reiterate, the proposed two-factor system protects both the user and the device in a robust way.

[0029] In one example, the communication device 340 may communicate with the aerosol supply device 310 via wired or wireless communication. Authentication of the aerosol product 320 may be performed via a wired physical connection, while user authentication may be performed via a system that relays authentication via Bluetooth®, WiFi®, or other wireless communication. Modern smartphones and tablets have such capabilities and can be used in this example to communicate with the aerosol supply device 310 and transmit user authorization signals. In this way, control signals can be transmitted from the connector 330 to the control circuit 312 of the aerosol supply device 310.

[0030] The communication device 340 may be used to interact with the aerosol supply device 310. This may simply take the form of an authorization step, as described above. However, after the user of the communication device 340 has been verified to be authorized via an interface on the communication device 340, the communication device 340 may be able to control elements of the aerosol supply device 310. The communication device 340 may be used to change the settings of the aerosol supply device 310, such as the heating profile provided, device parameters, etc., in order to change the aerosol that the aerosol supply device 310 supplies. In this way, the authorized user can control and personalize the aerosol supplied by the aerosol supply device 310. Thus, control signals transmitted from the connector 330 to the control circuit 312 of the aerosol supply device 310 may be related to controlling the function of the device 310. Control signals may also be related to enabling the device 310 to function (or not function) based on the success or failure of user authentication.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the communication device 340 may be able to provide diagnostic or troubleshooting functions for the aerosol supply device 310. In fact, when communicating with the aerosol supply device 310, whether wirelessly or wired, the communication device 340 may be able to evaluate the operating criteria or conditions of the components of the aerosol supply device 310. Thus, the communication device 340 may be able to notify the user when parts may need to be replaced. The user may interact with the device 310 via the communication device 340 through an app on the communication device 340.

[0032] In the system 300 shown in Figure 3, the generation of aerosols from the aerosol supply device 310 can be controlled at a relatively low cost and with high precision by utilizing not only the connector 330 and the control circuit 312 but also the communication device 340. Since the aerosol generating material 320 is relatively passive in the authorization process and does not function to identify the user, a power supply is not required within the aerosol generating material 320.

[0033] In any of the above examples, the connector 330 may have its own control circuit for communicating with the aerosol product 320. The aerosol product 320 may have an identifier, such as a QR code (registered trademark) or an RFID tag, for identifying the aerosol product 320. The aerosol product 320 may include two such identifiers, for example, an identifier for identification by the connector 330 and an identifier for identification by the control circuit 312.

[0034] The identifier may indicate that the aerosol product 320 is genuine. Alternatively or additionally, the identifier may indicate the chemical composition of the aerosol product 320. In this way, the control circuit 312 can identify the aerosol product 320 and then select a heating profile suitable for use with a particular aerosol product 320. If different aerosol products 320 are identified, the control circuit 312 can select different heating profiles. These predetermined heating profiles can be designed by the manufacturer and encoded in the identifier of the aerosol product 320. In this way, the manufacturer can be helped to generate the desired aerosol from the aerosol product 320 without requiring input from the user.

[0035] In one example, connector 330 is a USB connector, and the physical connection portion 314 of the control circuit 312 is a complementary USB connection. The system used herein may use a USB dongle, USB drive, or similar USB device to provide the connection between connector 330 and control circuit 312. Connector 330 can be connected to control circuit 312 by moving in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3.

[0036] The connector 330 and the control circuit 312 can control the performance state of the aerosol supply device 310 based on user and aerosol product 320 authentication. The “performance state” of the aerosol supply device 310 can be broadly considered to be one or more of an operating state or a non-operating state. Signals provided from the connector 330 are received by the control circuit 312 and may ultimately result in updating the aerosol supply device 310 from one performance state to another.

[0037] In the "operating state," elements of the aerosol supply device 310 used to generate the aerosol (atomizer, heater, etc.) may be activated. The specific activation of device 310 may require additional input, such as inhaling device 310 by the user or pressing a button on device 310 by the user, as described above. Alternatively, device 310 may automatically generate the aerosol via the heater upon receiving a signal from the control circuit 312 regarding authentication of the user and / or the aerosol product 320.

[0038] In the "non-operating state," elements of the aerosol supply device 310 used to generate the aerosol (atomizer, heater, etc.) may not be activated. In this example, inhalation or pressing a button on the device 310 does not affect the heater or atomizer, etc. The aerosol supply device 310 may be deactivated before user / aerosol product 320 authentication. Alternatively, the aerosol supply device 310 may be deactivated when the aerosol product 320 or potential user is not identified as genuine or authorized.

[0039] The term "operating state" may refer to several states in which device 310 can be operated, and may include variations between these states (such as heating profiles). Similarly, the term "non-operating state" may refer to several states in which device 310 cannot be operated, and may include variations between these states (such as requirements for returning the device to an operating state).

[0040] The operating state selected by the aerosol supply device 310 may be based on the characteristics of the aerosol product 320, which can be identified by the control circuit 312 or the connector 330. These characteristics may be the chemical composition of the aerosolizable material in the aerosol product 320, the strength of the aerosolizable material in the aerosol product 320, the size of the aerosol product 320 related to the amount of aerosolizable material in the aerosol product 320, and the grading of the aerosol product 320. The grading of the aerosol product 320 may relate to whether the aerosol product 320 is a batch having a particularly high concentration of one compound, whether it contains multiple aerosolizable materials, or any other relevant factors. Such characteristics may also be associated with the aerosol product 320 and may influence the subsequent activity of the aerosol supply device 310, such as the applied heating profile.

[0041] The identifier of the aerosol product 320 may be a coded identifier, such as a QR code (registered trademark) or barcode, which can be read by the connector 320 or the control circuit 312. There is a correspondence between these elements so that the connector 320 or the control circuit 312 can read the identifier. For example, if the identifier is a QR code (registered trademark), the connector 320 or the control circuit 312 may be a QR code (registered trademark) reader. The identifier may also be an RFID, and the connector 320 or the control circuit 312 may be an RFID reader. Other identifier / detector combinations are also possible.

[0042] System 300 may have memory (not shown) for storing a database. The memory may be part of the control circuit 312. The database may store identification information of genuine aerosol products and authorized users so that System 300 can cross-check against the database in memory when identifying aerosol products or users. Manufacturers may also set operating states in memory for use with specific aerosol products based on best practices understood in the factory. Operating states may, alternatively or additionally, be set by the user and may be editable by the user, for example, via a communication device 340. In this example, the user experience is improved by providing greater flexibility for the user.

[0043] In one example, a database for storing identification information of genuine aerosol products and authorized users is remotely maintained in a data store and can be accessed by a communication element in the control circuit 312 of device 310 or by a communication device 340. Details about specific heating profiles to be used with a particular aerosol product may also be stored in the remote database. In this way, updates to the authenticity of aerosol products, authorized users, and predetermined operating states for use with a particular aerosol product can be made without downloading such updates to be stored in device 310; rather, device 310 can remotely read the updated database. In this way, if a change occurs, the change can be easily deployed to or accessed from all related devices 310.

[0044] Storing the database in device 310 or communication device 340 may be advantageous because it eliminates the need for system 300 to have communication elements within system 300 and eliminates the need to connect to a communication network to access the remotely held database before each usage session.

[0045] Storing the database remotely and connecting to it via a communication element may be advantageous because it ensures that the device 310 does not need to periodically update its internal database, as the system 300 does not need to keep the database in memory and the database can be updated remotely. In this way, recently modified (modified in terms of synthesis, certification, or otherwise) aerosol products 320 are accurately evaluated from a periodically updated remote database in terms of their eligibility or in terms of the heating profiles used in those aerosol products.

[0046] The operating or non-operating performance state can be indicated by the control circuit 312, and the user can initiate the heater's activation through additional input such as pressing a button or puffing into the device 310. In this configuration, the control circuit 312 may determine that the authentication of the aerosol product and the user has not been met, thereby preventing the heater from operating despite the user having made an input such as pressing a button or puffing.

[0047] In contrast, when authorization is granted, the control circuit 312 may enable the heater to be activated in response to a button press or inhalation by the user. In this way, the system 300 provides safe delivery of the aerosol only to genuine aerosol products and authorized users.

[0048] Figure 4 shows method 400 of using the aerosol supply system. In method 400, the device can be started in a default non-operating state (step 402). It is advantageous for the device to be in a non-operating state before user authorization and identification of the aerosol product. In this state, the user cannot start the heater. The user then physically connects the device to the connector (step 404). The control circuit and connector operate to authenticate the aerosol product by identifying an identifier within the aerosol product, in one example (step 406). This may include checking against an onboard database or a remote database.

[0049] If the aerosol product is identified as genuine, the method proceeds to step 410. The device's performance state is then updated to an operational state (step 412). This operational state may be designed for use with the identified aerosol product (e.g., with a specific heating temperature, aerosol generation, etc.). After the usage session ends, for example, if the aerosol product is removed and discarded, the method returns to step 402, where the device is in an inoperable state. In this way, a new certification round is performed when a new aerosol product is introduced to enable system hardening.

[0050] If the aerosol product is identified as non-genuine, the method proceeds to step 420. The performance status of the device is updated to non-operational (step 422). In this example, the user may not be able to operate the device. Such a condition can be overcome, for example, by removing the non-genuine aerosol product and replacing it with a genuine aerosol product.

[0051] Similar methods may be conceivable for user authentication. In fact, in the example shown herein, before proceeding to step 412 and making the device available, the device and connector evaluate the authenticity of both the user and the aerosol product.

[0052] In some cases, the inactive state may be a locked state. The locked state may be used when repeated attempts occur to use the device while it is in an inactive state. Alternatively, the device may be updated to a locked state after multiple attempts to use the device using non-authentic aerosol products or by unauthorized users. In this way, the device can be protected from hacking attempts or misuse. Similarly, if an unauthorized user attempts to use the device without authorization, the authorized user may be notified that such an attempt has been made, or that a large number of requests occurred during the inactive period. The authorized user can then act accordingly. The locked state can be changed back to the default inactive state by entering a password, passcode, passkey, alphanumeric sequence, or similar information known only to the intended user. This can be done via the communication device shown in Figure 3. This enhances the overall protection provided to the device by this system.

[0053] In certain examples, the devices disclosed herein may operate with interchangeable flavor pods within the device. The flavors may be either tobacco or glycol, or extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine). It may contain mint oil (from ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or any species of the Mint genus), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), as well as other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant matter, or breath fresheners. These may be imitations, synthetics, natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof.

[0054] When combined with an aerosol generating medium or aerosol product, the aerosol supply devices disclosed herein may be referred to as aerosol supply systems.

[0055] Thus, an aerosol supply system for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user is described, comprising: an aerosol supply device comprising an aerosol supply device having a control circuit for identifying an aerosol product, the control circuit having a physical connection part; an aerosol product for storing an aerosol generating material; and a connector having a complementary physical connection part for connecting to the physical connection part of the control circuit.

[0056] Aerosol supply systems can be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-combustible aerosol supply systems.

[0057] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

[0058] In one embodiment, the aerosol supply system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device.

[0059] In one embodiment, the e-cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing, and optionally a mouthpiece.

[0060] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment, the substrate container is coupled to or includes a heater.

[0061] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product that releases one or more compounds by heating a base material without combustion. The base material is an aerosolizable material and may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

[0062] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

[0063] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

[0064] In one embodiment, the heated product is a non-electronic article.

[0065] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source capable of supplying thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without using electronic means, such as by burning a combustible material such as charcoal.

[0066] In one embodiment, the heated product also includes a filter capable of filtering out aerosols generated by heating an aerosolizable substrate.

[0067] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material may include an aerosol or aerosol-generating agent, or a wetting agent, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0068] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol by heating a combination of base materials without combustion. The base materials may include, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel base and a solid base. The solid base may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel base and tobacco.

[0069] To address various issues and advance technology, this disclosure provides, as an example, a variety of embodiments that can implement the claimed invention and provide a superior electronic aerosol delivery system. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented solely to aid in and teach the understanding of the claimed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered limitations to this disclosure or to equivalents of the claims as defined by the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. The various embodiments appropriately include, consist of, or essentially consist of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Furthermore, this disclosure includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply system for supplying aerosols for inhalation by a user, an aerosol supply device comprising a control circuit for identifying aerosol products, wherein the control circuit comprises a physical connection part, Aerosol products for storing aerosol generating materials, A connector having a complementary physical connection part for connecting to the physical connection part of the control circuit and enabling user authentication, an aerosol supply system equipped with the following features.

2. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, configured to perform user authentication via the connector that can be physically connected to the physical connection portion of the control circuit.

3. The aerosol supply system according to claim 2, wherein the connector is physically connectable to the physical connection portion of the control circuit via one or more corresponding feature portions such as protrusions and recesses or slots.

4. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is part of a communication device that includes an access mechanism or authentication system for authenticating a user.

5. The aerosol supply system according to claim 4, wherein the communication device is one of a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC, and the communication device is configured to identify the user of the aerosol supply system.

6. The aerosol supply system according to claim 4, configured to require a connection of the communication device to the control circuit via the connector for user authentication.

7. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is separate from the aerosol supply device and the aerosol product.

8. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a physical connection portion configured to connect to a cooperating connection portion of the aerosol product.

9. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connector is at least one of a USB dongle or a USB drive.

10. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connector is configured to provide a control signal to the control circuit of the aerosol supply device.

11. A method for supplying aerosols from an aerosol supply system, The steps include: preparing an aerosol supply device equipped with a control circuit for identifying aerosol products, wherein the control circuit is equipped with a physical connection part; A step of preparing aerosol products for storing aerosol generating materials, The steps include: providing a connector having a complementary physical connection part for connecting to the physical connection part of the control circuit; The steps include connecting the connector to the physical connection portion of the control circuit, Steps to identify user identification information, The steps include updating the performance status of the aerosol supply device based on the user's identification information, Methods that include...

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of preparing a connector includes the step of preparing a connector connected to a communication device for communicating with the aerosol supply device.

13. The step of identifying the user's identification information is The steps include identifying the user's identification information using the communication device, The steps include: communicating the user's identification information to the aerosol supply device using the communication device; The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

14. The steps include: comparing the user's identification information with the authorized user database; The steps include updating the performance status of the aerosol supply device based on the user's identification information, The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

15. A step of identifying the authenticity of the aerosol product, The steps include updating the performance status of the aerosol supply device based on the authenticity of the aerosol product, The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

16. Aerosol supply means for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user, an aerosol supply device comprising a control circuit means for identifying aerosol products, wherein the control circuit means comprises a physical connection means, Aerosol products for storing aerosol generating means, A connection means that is connected to the physical connection means of the control circuit means and has a complementary physical connection part for enabling user authentication, an aerosol supply means comprising:

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