Delivery prediction device and method

Abstract

This invention provides a delivery prediction device and method for electronic aerosol supply systems such as e-cigarettes. [Solution] The aerosol supply system is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material for inhalation by a user, and includes a computer configured to estimate the user's demand for the active ingredient in the generated aerosol based on one or more inhalation actions by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session of a length of one hour or less, and to adjust one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system to adapt the aerosol supply to the next inhalation action in response to the estimated user demand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Background of the Disclosure] [Field] The present disclosure relates to a delivery prediction apparatus and method, and more particularly to a delivery prediction apparatus and method for an electronic aerosol supply system such as an electronic cigarette. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] The "Background" description provided herein is intended to present a general overview of the context of the present disclosure. The work of the inventors named herein within the scope described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that are not considered prior art at the time of filing in other respects, are not admitted to be prior art in the present disclosure, whether explicitly or implicitly.

[0003] Electronic aerosol supply systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally include a reservoir of a feed liquid containing a formulation typically including nicotine, and the aerosol is then generated, for example, by heating and vaporizing. Thus, an aerosol supply source for an aerosol supply system may comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive the feed liquid from the reservoir, for example, by wicking / capillary action. Other source materials such as plant material, or gels such as active ingredients and / or flavorants can similarly be heated to produce an aerosol. Thus, more generally, an e-cigarette can be considered to contain or receive a payload for heating and vaporizing.

[0004] While the user inhales the device, power is supplied to a heating element, which vaporizes an aerosol source (part of the payload) located near the heating element, generating an aerosol for the user to inhale. Such devices typically have one or more air inlet holes located away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When the user inhales the mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and passes through the aerosol source. There is a flow path connecting the aerosol source and the mouthpiece opening, and as a result, the air passing through the aerosol source continues to be drawn along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source. The air carrying the aerosol exits the aerosol supply system through the mouthpiece opening for the user to inhale.

[0005] Typically, when a user inhales / puffs the device, current is supplied to the heater. Typically, current is supplied to the heater, such as a resistive heating element, in response to the activation of an airflow sensor along the path when the user inhales / puffs, or in response to the activation of a button by the user. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporize the formulation. The released vapor mixes with the air inhaled into the device by the smoking consumer to form an aerosol. Alternatively, or in addition to this, heating elements are used to heat plants, such as tobacco, typically without combustion, to release their active ingredients as vapor / aerosol.

[0006] The amount of vaporized / aerosolized payload inhaled by the user depends, at least in part, on how long and how deep the user inhales, as well as how frequently the user inhales, over a period of time. These user behaviors may be influenced by the user's mood.

[0007] In particular, it can be useful to estimate the user's current requirements for the payload being aspirated. [Overview of the project]

[0008] In a first embodiment, an aerosol supply system is provided by claim 1.

[0009] In another embodiment, a method for supplying an aerosol is provided by claim 22.

[0010] Please understand that both the above general overview of this disclosure and the following detailed description are illustrative and not limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] A more complete understanding of this disclosure and many of its associated advantages can be readily obtained by referring to the detailed description below and considering it in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of an electron aerosol / vapor supply system (EVPS). [Figure 2] This figure shows further details of EVPS. [Figure 3] This figure shows further details of EVPS. [Figure 4] This figure shows further details of EVPS. [Figure 5] This diagram shows a system equipped with an EVPS and remote devices. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the aerosol supply method. Description of the Embodiment

[0013] An electronic aerosol supply system and method are disclosed. The following description presents several specific details to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not necessary to carry out embodiments of the disclosure. Conversely, specific details known to those skilled in the art are omitted where necessary for clarity of the description.

[0014] As stated above, this disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system (e.g., a non-combustion aerosol supply system) or an electronic vapor supply system (EVPS) such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term “e-cigarette” may be used interchangeably with “(electronic) aerosol / vapor supply system.” Similarly, the terms “vapor” and “aerosol” are also used interchangeably herein.

[0015] Generally, an electronic vapor / aerosol supply system can be an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a non-combustible heating system. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosolizable materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. On the other hand, in some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system generates vapor / aerosol from one or more such aerosolizable materials.

[0016] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system can comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and articles for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply system. However, articles that themselves have means for supplying power to aerosol-generating components can themselves be considered to form a non-combustible aerosol supply system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be a power source or an exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the exothermic power source includes a carbon substrate that can provide energy to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolizable material or heat transfer material near the exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the power source, such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article to form a non-combustible aerosol supply section. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosolizable material.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol by releasing one or more volatile components from the aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the aerosol-generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat by one or more of the following means: vibration, mechanical means, pressurizing means, or electrostatic means.

[0018] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol-forming material, and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally, found in tobacco or tobacco derivatives) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. The non-olfactory physiologically active materials are materials included in the aerosolizable material to provide a physiological response other than olfaction. The aerosol-forming material may comprise one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a mixture of diacetin, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. One or more functional materials may include one or more of the following: fragrances, carriers, pH adjusters, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0019] In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosolizable material or a region for receiving the aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, the article for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may be provided with a suction port. The region for receiving the aerosolizable material may be a storage region for storing the aerosolizable material. For example, the storage region may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the region for receiving the aerosolizable material may be separate from the aerosol-generating region or combined with the aerosol-generating region.

[0020] Next, please refer to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference number refers to the same or corresponding part.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram (not to scale) of an electron vapor / aerosol delivery system, such as an e-cigarette 10, according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. The e-cigarette has a substantially cylindrical shape extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line LA and comprises two main components: a body 20 and a cartomizer 30. The cartomizer includes an internal chamber containing a reservoir for a payload, such as a liquid containing nicotine, a vaporizer (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. It should be understood that "nicotine" as used below is merely illustrative and can be replaced with any suitable active ingredient. It should be understood that "liquid" as used as payload is merely illustrative and can be replaced with any suitable payload, such as a plant material (e.g., tobacco that is heated rather than burned), or a gel containing an active ingredient and / or flavoring agent. The reservoir may be a foam or any other structure for holding the liquid until it is needed to be delivered to the vaporizer. In the case of a liquid / fluid payload, the vaporizer is for vaporizing the liquid, and the cartomizer 30 may further include a wick or similar means for transferring a small amount of liquid from the reservoir to the vaporization position of the vaporizer, or to a vaporization position adjacent to the vaporizer. In the following, a heater is used as a concrete example of a vaporizer. However, it should be understood that other forms of vaporizers (e.g., those utilizing ultrasound) may also be used. It should also be understood that the type of vaporizer used may depend on the type of payload being vaporized.

[0022] The main unit 20 includes a rechargeable battery or power supply for powering the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for overall control of the e-cigarette. As controlled by the circuit board, when the heater receives power from the battery, the heater vaporizes a liquid, which is then inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 35. In some specific embodiments, the main unit further includes a manual activation device 265 located on the outside of the main unit, such as a button, switch, or touch sensor.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the body 20 and the atomizer 30 can be removably separated from each other by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA. However, in order to provide a mechanical and electrical connection between the body 20 and the atomizer 30, the device 10 is joined together when in use by connection portions schematically shown as 25A and 25B in FIG. 1. The electrical connector 25B of the body 20 used to connect to the atomizer 30 also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is removed from the atomizer 30. The other end of the charging device can be inserted into the USB socket to recharge the battery within the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other embodiments, a cable may be provided for a direct connection between the electrical connector 25B of the body 20 and the USB socket.

[0024] The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes for air inlets (not shown in FIG. 1). These holes are connected to an air passage that leads to the suction port 35 through the e-cigarette 10. When the user sucks on the suction port 35, air is drawn into this air passage through one or more air inlet holes suitably arranged outside the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporize nicotine from the cartridge, an air flow is generated that combines with the generated vapor, and then the air flow and the generated vapor are combined and flow out from the suction port 35 and are sucked by the user. Except for single-use devices, the atomizer 30 may be removed from the body 20 and disposed of (or replaced with another atomizer if desired) when the liquid supply source is exhausted.

[0025] The e-cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1 is presented as an example, and it will be understood that various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the atomizer 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge having a liquid reservoir and a mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporizer having a heater (which is generally retained). As another example, the charging means may be connected to an additional or alternative power source such as a car cigarette lighter.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view (simplified view) of the main body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 can generally be considered as a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the main body, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.

[0027] The main body 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for supplying power to the e-cigarette 10 in response to activation of the device by the user. In addition, the main body 20 includes a control unit (not shown in FIG. 2) for controlling the e-cigarette 10, such as a chip such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a microcontroller. The microcontroller or ASIC includes a CPU or a microprocessor. The operation of the CPU and other electronic components is generally at least partially controlled by a software program running on the CPU (or other components). Such a software program can be incorporated into the microcontroller itself, or may be stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM provided as a separate component. The CPU can access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as needed and when required. The microcontroller also includes, where appropriate, a suitable communication interface (and control software) for communicating with other devices within the main body 10.

[0028] The main body 20 further includes a cap 225 for sealing and protecting the far (distal) end of the e-cigarette 10. Typically, an air inlet hole is provided in or adjacent to the cap 225 so that air can flow into the main body 20 when the user inhales into the mouthpiece 35. The control unit or ASIC may be located along the battery 210 or at one end of the battery 210. In some embodiments, the ASIC is attached to a sensor unit 215 to detect inhalation at the mouthpiece 35 (or the sensor unit 215 may be provided on the ASIC itself). An air path is provided in the e-cigarette, from the air inlet through the airflow sensor 215 and the heater (in the vaporizer or cartomizer 30) to the mouthpiece 35. Thus, when the user inhales into the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette, the CPU detects such inhalation based on information from the airflow sensor 215.

[0029] On the end of the body 20 opposite to the cap 225 is a connector 25B for joining the body 20 to the cartomizer 30. Connector 25B provides mechanical and electrical connections between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30. Connector 25B includes a body connector 240 which is metal (silver-plated in some embodiments) that serves as one terminal (positive or negative) for the electrical connection to the cartomizer 30. Connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 which provides a second terminal for the electrical connection to the cartomizer 30, i.e., a terminal of opposite polarity to the body connector 240. The electrical contact 250 is attached to a coil spring 255. When the body 20 is attached to the cartomizer 30, the connector 25A on the cartomizer 30 pushes the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring axially, i.e., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA (a direction coincident with the longitudinal axis LA). Considering the elasticity of spring 255, this compression biases spring 255 to stretch, which has the effect of firmly pressing electrical contact 250 against connector 25A of cartomizer 30, thereby helping to ensure a good electrical connection between body 20 and cartomizer 30. Body connector 240 and electrical contact 250 are separated by a base 260, which is made of a non-conductive material (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between the two electrical terminals. Base 260 is shaped to support the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.

[0030] As described above, the button 265 representing the form of the manual activation device 265 can be located on the outer housing of the main body 20. The button 265 can be implemented using any suitable mechanism that can be operated to be manually activated by the user, for example, as a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, etc. It will also be understood that the manual activation device 265 may be located on the outer housing of the cartomizer 30 instead of the outer housing of the main body 20, in which case the manual activation device 265 may be attached to the ASIC by connectors 25A, 25B. The button 265 may also be located on the end of the main body 20 instead of (or in addition to) the cap 225.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the atomizer 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 can generally be considered a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the atomizer 30, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from Figure 3 for clarity.

[0032] The cartomizer 30 includes an air passage 355 extending along the central axis (longitudinal axis) of the cartomizer 30 from the mouthpiece 35 to a connector 25A for joining the cartomizer 30 to the body 20. A liquid reservoir 360 is provided around the air passage 335. This reservoir 360 can be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam immersed in the liquid. In other embodiments, the reservoir 360 may be implemented as a hollow space within the cartomizer 30 in which the liquid is held (and generally moves freely around the hollow space). The cartomizer 30 also includes a heater 365 for heating the liquid from the reservoir 360 so as to generate vapor in response to the user inhaling the e-cigarette 10, which flows into the air passage 355 and out through the mouthpiece 35. The heater 365 is powered through wires 366 and 367, which are connected to the battery 210 of the main unit 20 via connector 25A to opposite polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) (details of the wiring between power wires 366 and 367 and connector 25A are omitted from Figure 3).

[0033] Connector 25A includes an internal electrode 375, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the cartomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the internal electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20, providing a first electrical path between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20. In particular, when connectors 25A and 25B are engaged, the internal electrode 375 pushes the electrical contact 250 to compress the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the internal electrode 375 and the electrical contact 250.

[0034] The internal electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which can be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. The insulating ring is surrounded by a cartomizer connector 370, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the cartomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the cartomizer connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20, providing a second electrical path between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20. In other words, the internal electrode 375 and the cartomizer connector 370 function, where appropriate, as positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for supplying power from the battery 210 in the body 20 to the heater 365 in the cartomizer 30 via supply lines 366 and 367.

[0035] The cartomizer connector 370 is provided with two projections or tabs 380A, 380B that extend away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10 and in opposite directions. These tabs are used together with the body connector 240 to provide a bayonet-type mounting for connecting the cartomizer 30 to the body 20. This bayonet-type mounting provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20, so that the cartomizer and body are held in a fixed position relative to each other, with minimal wobbling or deflection and very little chance of accidental separation. At the same time, the bayonet-type mounting provides easy and quick connection and disconnection by inserting and rotating to connect, and rotating (in the opposite direction) and pulling to disconnect. It will be understood that other embodiments may use different forms of connection between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30, such as snap-fit ​​or screw connections.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of specific details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure (however, for clarity of explanation, most of the internal structure of the connector shown in Figure 2, such as the base 260, is omitted). In particular, Figure 4 shows the external housing 201 of the body 20, which is generally in the form of a cylindrical tube. This external housing 201 may comprise an inner metal tube that is covered on the outside with, for example, paper. The external housing 201 may also comprise a manual activation device 265 (not shown in Figure 4) so ​​that the manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to the user.

[0037] The main body connector 240 extends from this external housing 201 of the main body 20. The main body connector 240 shown in Figure 4 comprises two main parts: a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube sized to fit snugly into the external housing 201 of the main body 20, and a lip portion 242 oriented radially outward away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e-cigarette. Where the shaft portion does not overlap with the external housing 201, a collar or sleeve 290 surrounds the shaft portion 241 of the main body connector 240, and the collar 290 is also in the shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is held between the lip portion 242 of the main body connector 240 and the external housing 201 of the main body, and together they prevent the collar 290 from moving axially (i.e., parallel to the axis LA). However, the collar 290 can rotate freely around the shaft portion 241 (which is also the axis LA).

[0038] As described above, the cap 225 is provided with an air inlet hole so that air can flow when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments, most of the air that enters the device when the user inhales flows through the collar 290 and the main body connector 240, as shown by the two arrows in Figure 4.

[0039] Referring again to Figure 1, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol supply system 10 is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material for inhalation by a user. As previously stated herein, the aerosol-generating material may include any suitable liquid or gel that can be vaporized / aerosolized using a heater or other means (such as an ultrasonic transducer), or a plant that releases vapor and / or aerosolized particles when heated.

[0040] As also shown in Figure 6, the aerosol supply system may include the EVPS 10 alone, or it may be a combination of the EVPS and a mobile phone 100 that communicates via a local wireless protocol such as Bluetooth®, or, in principle, a remote device that can communicate with the EVPS, such as a remote server, if the EVPS is capable of operating to access the internet directly or indirectly (for example, using Wi-Fi®).

[0041] The aerosol supply system comprises a computer, for example, an EVPS processor 64 and / or a telephone or server processor (or any combination thereof), the computer being configured to first estimate the user's demand for the active ingredient in the aerosol being produced based on one or more of the user's inhalation actions during the preceding inhalation session of a length of one hour or less, and secondly, to adjust one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system to adapt the aerosol supply to the next inhalation action in response to the estimated user demand.

[0042] The estimation of user requirements will be described in more detail later in this specification.

[0043] If some or all of the computer operations occur on a mobile phone or server, the resulting estimates and / or adjustments will be sent back to the EVPS as necessary.

[0044] In this way, the aerosol supply system can predict user behavior based on short-term behavior (where "short-term" means, for example, less than one hour).

[0045] In one embodiment of this disclosure, a suction session corresponds to a suction sequence. The sequence can correspond to a single characteristic pattern. In this case, a suction session may include a characteristic sequence, such as a sequence of puffs from a large volume to a small volume. Such a sequence may be characterized when the user initially desires to receive a strong effect from the suction, but then, once the effect is felt, has a less strong desire until the suction tapers off to their satisfaction. Alternatively, a suction session may correspond to a predetermined number or range of suctions performed by the user on the EVPS. For example, one session may be defined as 10 suctions or 8 to 12 suctions. In addition, or instead, one session may be defined by a predefined time since the first suction performed by the user on the EVPS. For example, the predetermined time may be 4 minutes. Thus, one session may be defined when the total number of suctions reaches 8 to 12 suctions and / or when the time elapsed since the first suction reaches 4 minutes. The values ​​for the predetermined number of suctions and the predetermined time are given purely as examples, and it should be understood that other numbers and times may be used in other embodiments as needed.

[0046] Alternatively, or in addition thereto, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inhalation session corresponds to an inhalation sequence, which is separated from another session by a pause longer than a threshold duration. The threshold duration may be selected to facilitate user understanding (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55 minutes, or more preferably a period in the range of 5 to 45 minutes, or more preferably a period in the range of 10 to 30 minutes, or even more preferably a period in the range of 15 to 20 minutes), or pharmacokinetically selected, such as the so-called half-life of nicotine in the body (about 2 hours), or physiologically selected, such as the perceived decline of nicotine-induced brain stimulation (e.g., about 15 to 25 minutes, average about 18 to 20 minutes). Optionally, this half-life may be individualized based on, for example, sex, physique (build, weight, etc.), ethnicity, etc. Otherwise, to improve the generic half-life values, a half-life lookup table and / or scaling values ​​for one or more physiological factors of the user may be used.

[0047] Therefore, a suction session can be separated from another session by including a characteristic pattern and / or by a non-used threshold duration.

[0048] If the user "glazes," i.e., continuously aspirates with the EVPS at relatively frequent intervals shorter than the threshold duration, the aspiration session may simply time out as one hour (e.g., the previous hour) rather than being characterized by any of the above criteria. It will be understood that if the session is simply based on a series of aspirates in a preceding period, it does not have to be one hour long and may be any preferred period such as 45, 30, or 15 minutes (however, shorter periods may reduce the accuracy of any predictions as there will be fewer sample aspiration events).

[0049] User demand for the active ingredient in the generated aerosol can be estimated puff by puff (e.g., for the next inhalation) and / or for the next puff session (e.g., predicting the characteristic pattern and modifying the active ingredient delivery accordingly), based on the user's recent short-term mood / behavior indicated by a proxy of recent inhalation behavior (e.g., within a preceding characteristic sequence or within a preceding period up to a certain time).

[0050] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user request can then be inferred for the user's next inhalation or inhalation session based on one or more inhalation actions by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session.

[0051] The estimated user request for the next suction or suction session by the user may be based on any preferred characteristics, or combinations of characteristics, of one or more suction actions during the previous suction session. For example, the characteristics may be those associated with individual suctions, such as suction intensity, duration, or suction intensity over time. In examples where multiple suctions are used to estimate the user request, the average or cumulative value of one or more characteristics from the previous suction session may be used.

[0052] In some embodiments, in response to at least one first inhalation by the user during the previous inhalation session causing the generation of an aerosol greater than a threshold amount, the computer is configured to estimate an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation based on at least one first inhalation.

[0053] The threshold amount is set to indicate an increasing demand for the active ingredient. In the first case, the threshold may be a default amount, which may be fixed or itself the result of a separate process or analysis of use. For example, the threshold may fluctuate during the day or over a fixed cycle caused by the initialization of an aspiration session. The threshold may also fluctuate depending on the internal state of the device (e.g., rising to reduce the likelihood of triggering an increased response in order to prolong delivery if power or active ingredient resources are running low), and / or depending on information about the active ingredient (e.g., whether the reservoir is changing, or whether there is control over the device flow rate that alters the device's delivery characteristics). Similarly, the threshold may fluctuate according to a vaping cessation program or vaping limit / suppression option selected by the user.

[0054] In the second case, instead of or in addition to any of the above considerations, the threshold may respond to the characteristic pattern of the attracting session, for example, being higher at the start of the session and lower at the end, reflecting the possible changes in demand during the session as described above, and thus reflecting the difference in what constitutes an increase in demand compared to the normal characteristic pattern of the session itself.

[0055] In the latter case, the device can learn and remember one or more characteristic suction session patterns of the user for comparison over any given period, even if the current prediction itself is based solely on the user's suction behavior in recent suction sessions or the past hour.

[0056] Therefore, in the latter case, the computer may be configured to estimate an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation based on the first inhalation, in response to the user's first inhalation action at a first point in time during the preceding inhalation session corresponding to the user's next inhalation during the current inhalation session, which generated an amount of aerosol greater than a threshold.

[0057] Conversely, a user's recent inhalation behavior may indicate that their demand for the active ingredient is lower than expected, rather than an increase in demand. Therefore, in response to at least one first inhalation by the user during the previous inhalation session resulting in the generation of an aerosol below a (second) threshold amount, the computer is configured to estimate, based on at least one first inhalation, a reduction in the user's demand for the next inhalation.

[0058] Similar to the increasing demands described above, such thresholds may be defaults, or they may be the result of separate user options, strategies, or analyses, and / or may vary depending on the expected position within the characteristic pattern of the attraction session.

[0059] In any of the above scenarios, preferably in response to an estimated user request for the next inhalation, the computer is configured to generate an aerosol that satisfies the estimated user request within a predetermined range of inhalation profiles. In other words, the EVPS should attempt to deliver the desired active ingredient during the user's normal puffing action, and therefore the user does not need to inhale significantly longer or shorter, or deeper or shallower than usual.

[0060] This can be achieved, for example, by increasing or decreasing the heater temperature to deliver more or less vapor / aerosol, and / or increasing or limiting the airflow to deliver more or less vapor / aerosol, and / or increasing or limiting the interaction between the heater and the payload to deliver more or less vapor / aerosol. Other techniques will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0061] The duration and depth / velocity of suction, which constitute the user's normal puffing behavior, may be predicted separately. As a first approximation, this may simply be a default period, for example, based on empirical studies of average suction duration. In this case, since the suction duration is predicted to be constant (even if it actually is constant) when the request is judged per delivery, the suction duration is effectively not considered.

[0062] Therefore, as a second approximation, and perhaps as an average period based on the empirical measurements of individual users, the duration is practically disregarded in this case as well, if it is assumed to be constant, but the threshold itself implicitly considers the average duration of the user, as it reflects the deviation from the normal delivery level for each inhalation.

[0063] On the other hand, as a third approximation, this may be based on one or more of the user's recent inhalation activity and / or inhalation behavior history related to factors such as time and place.

[0064] In any case, taking into account the anticipated demands and, optionally, the anticipated duration of suction, one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system, such as those described above, may be adjusted accordingly to adapt the aerosol supply to the subsequent suctioning activity.

[0065] As stated above, in place of or in addition to the following individual puffs, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the user request may be presumed for at least a portion of the following inhalation session by the user, where a portion of the following inhalation session means a portion or all of such session and includes two or more consecutive puffs.

[0066] In this scenario, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the computer is then configured to estimate an increase in user requests for at least a portion of the next inhalation session based on at least the first inhalation, in response to the user's first inhalation during the immediately preceding inhalation session having generated an amount of aerosol greater than a threshold.

[0067] Therefore, instead of predicting the increase in demand for individual puffs, or in addition to that, if a previous session includes one or more puffs and shows dissatisfaction with the default delivery (for example, by exceeding the upper threshold for one or more puffs, as described herein), the computer may modify the baseline level of delivery for the entire arc of the next session, of which the next inhalation act is part. For example, the amount of active ingredient delivered per puff during an inhalation session may be increased by 5% for each puff in response to a single puff exceeding the threshold in the previous session, or by 10% for each puff in response to two puffs exceeding the threshold in the previous session. The relationship between the behavior in the previous session and the modification of the current session may take any preferred form. For example, the location in the preceding inhalation sequence where one or more puffs exceeded the threshold may indicate a peak in the gradual modification to the delivery of additional active ingredients in the next inhalation sequence, of which the next inhalation act is part.

[0068] Therefore, as a non-limiting example, in a hypothetical sequence of 10 puffs, if the user previously inhaled more than a threshold amount during puffs 6 and 7, the resulting percentage increase in aerosol delivery for the next inhalation sequence could take the form of +0, +0, +1, +3, +5, +10, +10, +5, +3, +1. The actual change in value may be determined empirically, for example, based on the perceived level of effect, depending on the amount of active ingredient taken into the body, and may be relative to the default amount per puff in the sequence (e.g., percentage increase) or to an absolute value (e.g., separate fixed or movable increase).

[0069] Similarly, instead of predicting the increasing demand for individual puffs, or in addition to that, the computer may be configured to estimate, based on the first sequence, a pattern of user demands by the user for at least a portion of the next inhalation sequence, in response to a first sequence of the user's inhalation behavior in at least a first portion of the preceding inhalation session that substantially corresponds to the next portion in the current inhalation session, causing the aerosol to be generated above a combined threshold amount.

[0070] In other words, the above principle, which generates a stepwise modification to the delivery of additional active ingredients in the next inhalation sequence, may also be applied to cumulative requests for some or all of the preceding sequences, rather than to instructions for higher requests for one or more individual puffs. Thus, one or more cumulative thresholds can be used to determine, for example, whether the user requests more or less active ingredients from the first part of the inhalation session sequence as a whole, or similarly, whether they request more or less active ingredients from the middle part of the inhalation session sequence, or similarly, whether they request more or less active ingredients from the end part of the inhalation session sequence, and the delivery of active ingredients in the next inhalation session can be modified accordingly.

[0071] In embodiments where predicting behavior during the next session can contribute to modifying aerosol delivery for current and future inhalation, it may not be necessary to predict the characteristic pattern of the current inhalation session.

[0072] As with individual puffs, as a first approximation, this may take the form of a default pattern based on empirical measurements by the device manufacturer, at the option of choice. As a second approximation, this may take the form of a default pattern learned from individual users of the device, for example by generating suction envelopes for consecutive sessions, where sessions may be separated by minimum duration by measuring the suction level for each suction act during ongoing use of the device and averaging it over multiple sessions, as described herein.

[0073] As a third approximation, multiple such attracting envelopes may be unfolded by identifying different classes of attracting envelopes based on data captured by the EVPS, for example, using a clustering algorithm. Such processing may be performed, for example, by a remote mobile phone or server communicating directly or indirectly with the EVPS. These attracting envelopes can then be associated with other contextual data, such as time and / or user location, or any other data indicating user behavior, to determine any correlation between the contextual data and individual attracting envelopes, and to predict the most likely next attracting envelope, and therefore characteristic pattern, for the next attracting session. Alternatively, and in addition to that, as the next attracting session progresses, it can be compared with multiple such attracting envelopes to find the closest match, and the prediction is made based on such a match, and therefore the adjustment to the attracting behavior can be shifted and improved from a default model to a characteristic model, or to a continuously increasing characteristic model, as the characteristic nature of the current attracting session becomes clearer.

[0074] In this case as with individual puffs, in addition to requesting more active ingredients, the user may optionally request fewer active ingredients, and therefore, in addition to exceeding the individual or cumulative thresholds as described above, the user may inhale less active ingredients than the individual or cumulative thresholds.

[0075] Therefore, in response to at least one first inhalation action by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session resulting in the generation of an aerosol below a threshold amount, the computer may be configured to estimate, based on at least one first inhalation, a reduction in the user's request for at least a portion of the next inhalation session.

[0076] In this case as well, the techniques described above relating to how the correction can relate to individual corresponding puffs or how the correction curve within the oral portion of the suction session can be graded may be applied to reduce the production of the active ingredient, as well as to increase it.

[0077] In this case as with individual puffs, it is desirable that the modification of active ingredient generation satisfy anticipated user demands so that this modification can occur during a normal inhalation session. That is, the user should not need to inhale more frequently or multiple times within a session to receive the anticipated change in the amount of active ingredient. Accordingly, in response to the estimated user demands for at least part of the next inhalation sequence, the computer may be configured to generate an aerosol that satisfies the estimated user demands within a predetermined range of part or all of the sequence. As described above, this may be achieved by modifying the inhalation envelope so that the integral of its envelope increases or decreases by a desired amount across the entire sphere, or optionally within the range of a segment of the sphere, such as the beginning, middle, or end, as described herein.

[0078] The examples above refer to estimates, predictions, and thresholds representing user requirements in response to inhalation behavior or sequences (regardless of frequency, duration, volume, intensity, or any combination thereof), but instead of, or in addition to, any or all of these estimates, predictions, and thresholds may respond to the estimated blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body resulting from one or more inhalation behaviors during the immediately preceding inhalation session.

[0079] In other words, the blood concentration of the active ingredient may be inferred from the puff itself, instantaneously in response to a single puff, or as part of the envelope formed by the inhalation sequence, using recognized and / or empirically determined pharmacokinetic relationships, regardless of the frequency, duration, volume, intensity, or any combination thereof, and optionally the concentration of the active ingredient in the payload (if it varies), and optionally the user's physiological details (height, weight, sex, etc.), for example, based on inhalation. This may then be used, together with or instead of the puff itself, to estimate the user's demand for the active ingredient in the aerosol produced, based on the blood concentration level estimated from one or more inhalations by the user during the preceding inhalation session.

[0080] Therefore, the adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to the estimated user demand may also be in response to an estimate of the current blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body.

[0081] In the above-mentioned case, it will be understood that what gives the desired subjective effect is sometimes not the active ingredient itself, but one or more metabolites, or secondary compounds released in response to the presence of the active ingredient or metabolites. Therefore, the above reference to the active ingredient may, as necessary, include these metabolites or secondary compounds.

[0082] The above describes a scenario in which the computer is configured to estimate an increase / decrease in user demand for one or more subsequent inhalations based on whether at least one first inhalation action by the user during the previous inhalation session produced more / less than a threshold amount of aerosol. However, it should be understood that other characteristics of at least one first inhalation action by the user during the previous inhalation session may also indicate an increase / decrease in user demand. For example, if at least one first inhalation exceeds a specific first time length from the moment of inhalation to the end of inhalation, this may indicate an increase in user demand. Conversely, if at least one first inhalation falls below a specific second time length (which may be shorter than the first time length) from the moment of inhalation to the end of inhalation, this may indicate a decrease in user demand. Similarly, if at least one first inhalation exceeds a specific first pressure threshold (which may represent the intensity of inhalation), this may indicate an increase in user demand. Conversely, if at least one first inhalation falls below a specific second pressure threshold (which may be lower than the first pressure threshold), this may indicate a decrease in user demand. Similarly, combinations of parameters may be used to estimate user requirements.

[0083] In other examples, the estimated user demand may be based on characteristics that characterize multiple suctions, such as the time between consecutive suctions and / or the frequency of suctions. These characteristics may also be used to estimate increases and / or decreases in user demand based on exceeding or falling below one or more thresholds.

[0084] In addition, estimated user demand may be based on average measurements of characteristics associated with multiple suction actions during the preceding suction session. For example, estimated user demand may be based on the average of suction intensity and / or duration.

[0085] Referring again to Figure 1, the EVPS can be a self-contained unit (commonly referred to as an e-cigarette, even if the device itself does not necessarily conform to the shape or dimensions of a conventional cigarette). Such an e-cigarette may include airflow measuring means, processing means, and optionally one or more feedback means such as tactile, audible, and / or light / display means.

[0086] Instead, referring to Figure 5, the EVPS may comprise two components, such as an e-cigarette 10 and a mobile phone or similar device (such as a tablet) 100 that can communicate with the e-cigarette via, for example, Bluetooth® (for example, to receive data from the e-cigarette).

[0087] Subsequently, the mobile phone may be equipped with, in place of or in addition to, those of an e-cigarette, processing means, as well as one or more feedback means such as tactile, voice, and / or light / display means.

[0088] Optionally, the EVPS may include an e-cigarette 10 capable of communicating with a mobile phone 100, the mobile phone storing one or more parameters or other data for the EVPS (such as data characteristic of one or more modes of use by the user) and receiving such parameters / data from the e-cigarette. The phone may then optionally perform processing on such parameters / data, return the processed data and / or commands to the EVPS, display the results to the user (or perform another action), or transfer the processed and / or unprocessed parameters / data to a remote server.

[0089] Optionally, the mobile phone or EVPS itself may be capable of operating wirelessly to access data associated with the user's account on such a remote server.

[0090] Therefore, the operation of the computer can be located on one or more selected from a list consisting of the aerosol generation unit itself, a remote server capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system, a mobile computing device capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system, and a remote server capable of communicating with the mobile computing device capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system.

[0091] Referring next to Figure 6, an aerosol supply method for an aerosol supply system configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material for inhalation by a user is: In the first step s710, the user's demand for the active ingredient in the generated aerosol is estimated based on one or more inhalation actions by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session lasting less than one hour, The second step s720 includes adjusting one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system to adapt the aerosol supply to the following inhalation action in response to the estimated user request.

[0092] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations of the above methods are conceivable within the scope of this disclosure to correspond to the operation of various embodiments of the methods and / or apparatus described and claimed herein, and this disclosure is not limited thereto, but includes the following:

[0093] A suction session corresponds to one selected from a list consisting of suction sequences corresponding to characteristic patterns and suction sequences separated from other sessions by pauses longer than the threshold duration.

[0094] User requirements are presumed for the following inhalations by the user.

[0095] In response to the characteristics of at least one first inhalation behavior by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session exceeding a threshold, an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated based on at least one inhalation.

[0096] In response to the user's first inhalation action during the immediately preceding inhalation session generating an aerosol greater than a threshold amount, an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated based on at least the first inhalation.

[0097] In either case, if the properties or quantity of the aerosol exceed a threshold, those properties or the aerosol can act as a proxy for the amount of active ingredient inhaled. In systems where the amount of active ingredient per unit volume of aerosol is variable (e.g., by the user), the threshold may be adjusted in response to the current concentration of the active ingredient in the aerosol.

[0098] Based on the first inhalation, the increase in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated in response to the user's first inhalation action at a first point in time during the preceding inhalation session, which generated more aerosol than the threshold amount, corresponding to the user's next inhalation during the current inhalation session.

[0099] In response to the fact that the characteristics of at least one first inhalation action by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session are less than a second threshold, a reduction in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated based on at least one inhalation.

[0100] Based on at least the first inhalation by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session, and in response to the generation of an aerosol below a threshold amount by the user, a reduction in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated.

[0101] In response to the estimated user request for the next inhalation, an aerosol is generated that satisfies the estimated user request within a predetermined range of inhalation profiles.

[0102] User requests are estimated for at least a portion of the user's next suction session.

[0103] In response to the user's characteristics of at least one first inhalation behavior during the immediately preceding inhalation exceeding a threshold, an increase in user demand for at least a portion of the next inhalation session is estimated based on at least one first inhalation.

[0104] In response to the user's first inhalation action during the immediately preceding inhalation session generating an aerosol greater than a threshold amount, an increase in user demand for at least a portion of the next inhalation session is estimated based on at least the first inhalation.

[0105] In response to a first sequence of the user's inhalation behavior in at least a first portion of the preceding inhalation session corresponding to the next portion of the current inhalation session generating more aerosol than a combined threshold amount, a pattern of user requests for at least a portion of the next inhalation sequence by the user is estimated based on the first sequence.

[0106] In response to the fact that the characteristics of at least one first inhalation action by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session are less than a second threshold, a reduction in the user's request for the next inhalation is estimated based on at least one inhalation.

[0107] Based on at least the first inhalation by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session, which resulted in the generation of an aerosol below a threshold amount, a reduction in user demand for at least a portion of the next inhalation session is estimated.

[0108] In response to the estimated user request for at least a portion of the following aspiration sequence, an aerosol is generated that satisfies the estimated user request within the range of a predetermined sequence, either partially or entirely.

[0109] The estimation of user demand for the active ingredient is in response to the estimated blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body, which is thought to result from one or more inhalations by the user during the most recent inhalation session.

[0110] Adjustments to one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to estimated user demands are in response to estimations of the current blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body.

[0111] Adjustments to one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to estimated user demands are made in response to the current blood concentration limits of the active ingredient in the user's body.

[0112] Some or all of the estimated operations are located on one or more selected from a list consisting of an aerosol generation unit, a remote server capable of communicating with an aerosol supply system, a mobile computing device capable of communicating with an aerosol supply system, and a remote server capable of communicating with the mobile computing device capable of communicating with an aerosol supply system.

[0113] It will be understood that the above methods may be implemented in conventional hardware preferably configured by software instructions, where applicable, or by incorporating or replacing dedicated hardware.

[0114] Therefore, the requirements for adapting existing components of a conventional equivalent device can be implemented in the form of a computer program product containing processor-executable instructions stored on a non-temporary machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, solid-state disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory, or any combination thereof or other storage media, or they can be implemented in hardware as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other configurable circuit suitable for use when adapting a conventional equivalent device. Separately, such computer programs can be transmitted via data signals over a network such as Ethernet, wireless network, internet, or any combination thereof or other networks.

[0115] In a modified embodiment of the present disclosure, a user's first EVPS can communicate some or all of its user settings to another EVPS. The user settings may include settings related to embodiments of the methods disclosed above, such as data characteristic of user behavior and / or data relating to modifications of EVPS operation.

[0116] Such data can be relayed directly between devices (for example, via Bluetooth® or near-field communication), or through one or more intermediary devices such as mobile phones owned by the users of the two devices or servers on which the users have accounts.

[0117] In this way, for example, if a user has two EVPS devices, or if a user wants to exchange one EVPS for another without losing the stored personal data, the user can easily share data from one device to another.

[0118] Optionally, in this embodiment, if the second EVPS is of a different type from the first EVPS (for example, by having a different default power level or heating efficiency), a conversion coefficient or lookup table may be used to convert the operating parameters from the first EVPS to the second EVPS. This can be provided in the software or firmware of the second EVPS, which identifies the first EVPS and therefore the appropriate conversion when communicating directly (or when data is relayed without modification via an intermediary such as a telephone). Alternatively, or in addition to this, the conversion may be provided by a telephone app, which optionally downloads the relevant conversion in response to the identification information of the first and second EVPS. In this case, or alternatively, or in addition to this, a remote server may provide the conversion in response to the identification information of the first and second EVPS associated with the user's account.

[0119] The above discussion discloses and describes only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art will understand, the present disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to be descriptive, not limiting, the scope of the present disclosure and the other claims. The present disclosure partially defines the scope of the terms of the above claims so as not to make the subject matter of the invention available exclusively to the public, including any readily recognizable variations of the teachings herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply system configured to generate aerosols from an aerosol-generating material for inhalation by a user, Based on one or more inhalations by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session lasting less than one hour, the user's demand for the active ingredient in the generated aerosol is estimated. In response to the estimated user request, one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system are adjusted to adapt the aerosol supply to the following inhalation action. A system comprising a computer configured in such a way.

2. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein a suction session corresponds to a suction sequence, and the sequence corresponds to a characteristic pattern.

3. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a suction session corresponds to a suction sequence, and the sequence is separated from another session by a pause longer than a threshold duration.

4. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user request is presumed to be for subsequent inhalation by the user.

5. In response to the user's characteristics of at least one first suctioning action during the immediately preceding suctioning session exceeding a threshold, The aerosol supply system according to claim 4, wherein the computer is configured to estimate an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation based on the at least first inhalation.

6. In response to the user's first inhalation action during the immediately preceding inhalation session generating an aerosol greater than a threshold amount, The aerosol supply system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the computer is configured to estimate an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation based on the at least first inhalation.

7. In response to the first inhalation action by the user at a first point in time during the inhalation session immediately preceding the next inhalation by the user during the current inhalation session, which generated an amount of aerosol greater than the threshold, The aerosol supply system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the computer is configured to estimate an increase in the user's request for the next inhalation based on the first inhalation.

8. In response to the fact that the characteristics of at least the first suctioning action of the user during the immediately preceding suctioning session are less than the second threshold, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the computer is configured to estimate, based on the at least first inhalation, a reduction in the user's request for the subsequent inhalation by the user.

9. In response to the fact that at least one first inhalation action by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session generated an aerosol less than a second threshold amount, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the computer is configured to estimate, based on the at least first inhalation, a reduction in the user's request for the subsequent inhalation by the user.

10. In response to the presumed user request for the next aspiration, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the computer is configured to generate an aerosol that satisfies the estimated user requirement within a predetermined range of suction profiles.

11. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the threshold is adjustable in response to the concentration of the active ingredient in the aerosol.

12. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user request is estimated for at least a portion of the next inhalation session by the user.

13. In response to the fact that the characteristics of at least one of the user's first inhalation actions during the most recent inhalation exceeded a threshold, The aerosol supply system according to claim 12, wherein the computer is configured to estimate an increase in user demand for at least a portion of the next suction session based on the at least first suction.

14. In response to the user's first inhalation action during the immediately preceding inhalation session generating an aerosol greater than a threshold amount, The aerosol supply system according to claim 12, wherein the computer is configured to estimate an increase in user demand for at least a portion of the next suction session based on the at least first suction.

15. In response to a first sequence of the user's inhalation actions in at least a first portion of the preceding inhalation session corresponding to the next portion of the current inhalation session, generating an aerosol greater than the combined threshold amount, The computer is configured to estimate, based on the first sequence, a pattern of user requests for at least a portion of the next sucking sequence by the user. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. In response to the fact that the characteristics of at least the first suctioning action of the user during the immediately preceding suctioning session are less than the second threshold, The computer is configured to estimate, based on the at least first suction, a reduction in user requests for at least a portion of the next suction session. The aerosol supply system according to claim 12.

17. In response to the fact that at least one of the user's first inhalation actions during the immediately preceding inhalation session generated an aerosol below a threshold amount, The computer is configured to estimate, based on the at least first suction, a reduction in user requests for at least a portion of the next suction session. The aerosol supply system according to claim 12.

18. In response to an estimated user request for at least a portion of the following suction sequence, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the computer is configured to generate an aerosol that satisfies the estimated user request within the range of a part or all of a predetermined sequence.

19. The threshold can be adjusted in response to the concentration of the active ingredient in the aerosol. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the estimation of user demand for the active ingredient responds to the blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body, which is estimated to result from one or more inhalations by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session.

21. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system in response to the estimated user request is in response to the estimation of the current blood concentration of the active ingredient in the user's body.

22. The aerosol supply system according to claim 21, wherein the adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system in response to the estimated user request is in response to the current blood concentration limit of the active ingredient in the user's body.

23. Some or all of the aforementioned computer operations, i. Aerosol generation unit, ii. A remote server capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system, iii. A mobile computing device capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system, and iv. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the aerosol supply system is located on one or more remote servers selected from a list of mobile computing devices capable of communicating with the aerosol supply system.

24. A method for supplying an aerosol for an aerosol supply system configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material for inhalation by a user, A step of estimating the user's demand for the active ingredient in the generated aerosol based on one or more inhalations by the user during the immediately preceding inhalation session lasting one hour or less; A method comprising the step of adjusting one or more operating parameters of the aerosol supply system to adapt the aerosol supply to the subsequent inhalation action in response to the presumed user request.

25. The suction session i. Suction sequences corresponding to characteristic patterns, and ii. Corresponding to one selected from a list of suction sequences separated from another session by a pause longer than the threshold duration, The method according to claim 24.

26. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer system to perform the method described in claim 24 or 26.

Images