Aerosol Delivery Device

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device is provided, comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion and a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion, the communication element being arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding usage characteristics and / or the status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device, an aerosol generating system, a method for delivering an aerosol for inhalation by a user, and an aerosol delivery means. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating systems are known. In a typical system, an aerosol is generated by an aerosol delivery device from an aerosol-generating substance using a user-activated heater, which is then delivered for inhalation by the user. The device can be activated by the user pressing a button, or it can be activated by simply inhaling. Modern systems can use a consumable element that contains the aerosol-generating substance. There are many aspects of a device that a user would like to track throughout its lifespan. Being able to easily understand and track these aspects would improve the user experience with the device.

[0003] Modern electronic aerosol generating systems and aerosol delivery devices have been introduced as replacements for other older systems, such as those that utilize the combustion of materials to generate aerosols, and users of older systems have been known to experience decreased confidence when trying newer systems.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve some of the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

[0006] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol delivery device is provided comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion and a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion, the communication element being arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding the usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

[0007] Such a system may provide a user with an indication of relevant operational concerns. This may include visual, tactile, and / or auditory indications. While any indication may be possible, these have been found to be very user-friendly for handheld devices and to integrate well into such devices.

[0008] The usage characteristics may be at least one of power supply status, charging status, consumables status, heater activation status, boost status, session status, and operating time. The electrical component status may be at least one of power supply status, charging status, heater status, heater status, boost status, and control circuit status. Each of these statuses is highly important to a user of such an aerosol delivery device. The user may be notified of normal, everyday concerns, such as the level of the power supply (i.e., the battery's state of charge), as well as rarer, but more urgent, concerns, such as whether the power supply has some kind of fault and needs to be repaired or replaced. This information allows the user to be fully informed about the device's status from a mechanical, electrical, and overall functionality level. Thus, the user can be fully prepared for any actions that may be required (such as charging the power supply, replacing components, removing and replenishing consumables or aerosol generating material, etc.).

[0009] The communication element may be an interactive screen. The interactive screen may provide a human machine interface (HMI) or the like for interacting with the device. The human machine interface may provide information to a user through a visual display. The user may interact with this visual display by touching the interactive screen.

[0010] The communication element may be elongated. This may increase the familiarity of the device to users of older or more traditional systems by mimicking existing habits or routines that are familiar when using these products. In particular, the communication element may display a diagram showing the consumables burning off. The remaining usage time of the device's consumables may be displayed on the communication element. As the remaining usage time decreases, a visual indication of the burnout may be shown. This may increase the familiarity of newer aerosol delivery device systems to users of older or more traditional combustible systems. Therefore, providing this information increases the confidence of these users. This system may be beneficial to users of older or more traditional systems, who may not be accustomed to checking e-liquid levels (for example).

[0011] In one example, the communication element is arranged to provide a plurality of visual indications, a plurality of tactile indications, and at least one auditory indication to the user. This can be a particularly advantageous arrangement, as one auditory indication can be used for an emergency warning indication. Thus, a visual indication can be used to indicate general device usage (e.g., indicating that the device is running out of aerosol-generating material and is about to burn out), while a tactile indication can be used to indicate that the device will likely need to be charged within the next (e.g.,) 10 sessions, and an auditory indication can be used to indicate that the device has malfunctioned and the user should take the device to a repair center for inspection by the manufacturer or a qualified technician.

[0012] In this way, these displays are used to clearly present vast amounts of data to the user and process it accordingly, allowing the user to proactively respond when repairs are needed, improving user confidence in the device and extending its lifespan.

[0013] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol generation system for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user is provided, comprising an aerosol delivery device comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion and a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion, the communication element being arranged to provide at least one indication to the user regarding usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

[0014] According to some embodiments described herein, a method for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user is provided, the method comprising: providing an aerosol delivery device having a housing with an elongated longitudinal portion in which a communication element is disposed; and providing at least one indication to the user via the communication element regarding usage characteristics and / or the status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

[0015] The methods described herein are for providing at least one indication to a user regarding the usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of an aerosol delivery device.

[0016] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol delivery means is provided, comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion and a communication means disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion, the communication means being arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding the usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] The present teachings will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to an example. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to an example. [Figure 3] 1 is a flow diagram by way of example. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed / described in detail. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail can be implemented in accordance with any conventional technique for implementing such aspects and features.

[0019] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, sometimes referred to as aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used, but it should be understood that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems / devices and electronic aerosol delivery systems / devices. Additionally, 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.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example aerosol delivery device 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol delivery device 100 includes an aerosol delivery device housing 110 having an elongated longitudinal portion 112. The housing 110 may be generally cylindrical, with the longitudinal portion 112 longer than the corresponding transverse portion. The housing 110 may have a non-circular cross-section and may have any cross-section while maintaining the elongated longitudinal portion 112. The elongated longitudinal portion 112 may have a communication element 115 disposed therein. The communication element 115 may be a series of elements or may be a single continuous element having multiple operating portions. The communication element 115 is arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding the operational characteristics and / or the status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0021] This arrangement can provide very useful information to the user in an unobtrusive manner. Communications from communication element 115 can increase familiarity for users accustomed to older or more traditional flammable systems, potentially increasing confidence in using newer systems.

[0022] The elongated communicating element 115 may provide a visual indication, reminiscent of a cigarette burning out, when the aerosol-generating material in the device 100 is depleted. A linear visual communication along the length of the device 100 may indicate depletion, similar to that seen in typical disposable, combustible products. Encouraging users of such older or more traditional systems to use newer, reusable systems may further reduce the overall number of discarded devices, providing environmental benefits.

[0023] Providing the data along the elongated portion of the housing also provides a user-friendly location for providing the information because the user is much more likely to see it. Location along another portion of the device may make the information less visible to the user. Therefore, the use of a visual indicator and its location along the elongated portion of the device are synergistic in that it provides the data easily to the user and increases the confidence of users of older systems because the indicator mimics the effects associated with flammable products.

[0024] The communication element can provide visual (as described above), tactile, and / or audible indications to the user. Each of these indications has advantages. The use of visual elements has been described and discussed above. Tactile indications are helpful for users in low-light conditions where visual indications may be less effective. Additionally, tactile indications are helpful for users who are visually impaired and for whom visual communication is not a viable data transmission mechanism. Tactile indications may occur along the length of the device from the distal end to the proximal end to create a tactile burnout effect. This may provide the user with a clear indication of the number of sessions remaining, as the user will know the location of the indication relative to the proximal end. Other tactile indications may also be possible, such as the entire device vibrating when the battery level is particularly low, e.g., below 10%. A series of tactile indications, such as a series of five short vibrations, may be used to indicate that the device needs servicing because a particular component has reached its estimated end of life and may require replacement or repair.

[0025] Auditory cues may also be helpful to users in dark places or with limited visibility. Auditory cues may also be helpful to users in cold weather, where the user may be wearing layers of clothing, such as on their hands, which may weaken tactile cues. Therefore, auditory cues are very useful. Emergency indications can be provided by auditory cues, as they may be the most reliable indication method. The user may not be in the same room as the device and may therefore not notice tactile or visual cues, but may receive an auditory cu. Therefore, auditory cues are very useful for indications that may occur during periods of non-use, such as the end of a component's life, the need for urgent repair, or other similar urgent issues.

[0026] In general, the communication element can provide different display formats for different aspects or aspects of data. Tactile indications can be used to indicate electrical usage status (since the user is likely holding the device while in use and therefore more responsive to tactile indications). Audible indications can be used during power-up (related to situations where the device accidentally starts to power up when the user is not holding it, thus improving safety), and visual indications can be used to indicate operating status such as heater temperature, consumable status and life. By combining tactile, visual, and audible indications, the communication arrangement can be a very effective and reliable system for communicating issues to the user.

[0027] Issues, problems, or usage characteristics that the user may be notified of include battery status (the level of charge the battery has, the remaining battery life), charging status (whether the device is charging normally), consumable status (the remaining number of uses of consumables that are being used in the device), heater activation status (whether the heater is on or off), boost status (whether the boost state is on or off), session status (whether the session is at the beginning, middle, or end), operating time (the amount of active time remaining on the battery, or the amount of time the device has been active so that the user can track and control usage).

[0028] Similarly, the status of the electrical components comprises at least one of the following: power supply status (battery status, working, not working, faulty, etc.), charging status (high efficiency charging, low efficiency charging, intermittent charging due to error, no charging due to error), heater status (working as expected, working unexpectedly, not working as expected, not working unexpectedly), heater status (on or off), boost status (on or off), and control circuit status (functioning as expected or not). These may primarily indicate to the user whether the device is working as expected, i.e., working, or not working as expected, i.e., faulty or damaged. The component status may indicate an error to the user, indicating whether a component needs to be replaced or repaired. The power source may be a battery, a capacitor, or any other suitable power source.

[0029] The communication element, in one example, can be an interactive screen. The screen may provide a display that a user can interact with by interacting with the screen. For example, the screen may show a burnt-out portion of a flammable product in use, and the user can brush off the burnt-out portion of the flammable product displayed on the screen by flicking the screen. The screen detects the user's interaction and recreates the user's interaction within the image displayed on the screen. This makes the newer, reusable system more familiar to users of older or more traditional flammable systems by mimicking existing habits or routines that users are familiar with when using these products.

[0030] The communication element may be a human machine interface or the like that allows a user to interact with a data feed in the device. The human machine interface may provide a variety of data to the user in a user-friendly manner.

[0031] The communicating element 115 in FIG. 1 has an elongated shape. The communicating element 115 conforms to a certain extent to the portion of the housing 110 in which it is placed. The elongated nature of the communicating element 115 enhances its resemblance to the older combustible mechanisms that the communicating element 115 is attempting to mimic to some extent. The engineering consideration for this is to increase the trust of new devices. A linear visual communication can provide a high level of familiarity, and therefore trust, to new users of modern devices.

[0032] The communication element may be a single extended communication element or may comprise a series of communication elements. Examples of communication elements are shown in Figure 2. Device 200 has a housing 210 with an elongated portion 212. The communication elements are shown at portions 215a, 215b, 215c, and 215d along portion 212.

[0033] When the consumables are full, each one may light up. When the consumables are 25% depleted, the last of the communication elements 215d may not light up. In this way, the user is notified of the end of the consumable life in a manner similar to a cigarette burning out. This makes the newer, reusable systems more familiar to users of older or more traditional combustible systems by mimicking existing habits or routines that are familiar when using these products.

[0034] The device may have LED tins along the length of the device that light up according to various technical considerations. For example, the entire device may light up when the battery is fully charged, and as the battery becomes more depleted, the LEDs may light up accordingly. This provides a clear visual indication to the user as to how soon the battery will need to be recharged. When 75% of the LEDs are lit, there is plenty of battery life remaining. When 10% is lit, the user may begin looking for an opportunity to charge. The color of the LEDs may also change accordingly; when the battery is fully charged, the light may be white, when at 80% charge the LED may be blue, when at 40% the LED may be green, and when at 10% the LED may be red, further indicating that the battery needs to be charged.

[0035] Any combination of visual, tactile, and auditory indications can be used as is convenient for the user. As noted above, one (e.g., an auditory indication) may be reserved for emergency notifications to the user. In this way, the user will always associate one type of indication as requiring immediate action. This improves user interaction with the alarm features disclosed herein, making the user less likely to ignore an indication (e.g., a tactile indication) if it is used regularly and a slightly different form of that indication (e.g., five vibrations) indicates a serious or critical problem.

[0036] When the consumable is inserted into the device, the display screen displays a heat-sensitive pigment along the length of the consumable that changes to a used color as the consumable is depleted. This may mean that the consumable initially appears white and may change color to black or clear as it is depleted during use in the device. Alternatively (or additionally), the display screen's representation of the consumable may change to brown during use to mimic the representation of older flammable products.

[0037] The system may record usage characteristics and / or electrical component status using a combination of control circuitry in communication with various aspects that are communicated to the user along with associated detectors. The detectors may be any of a timer, gyroscope, magnetometer, capacitor located in the housing, thermal sensor, accelerometer, altimeter, photogate, and pressure sensor. Each of these detectors may serve to provide an assessment of the associated aspect that is communicated to the user.

[0038] In one example, the device has a display screen that can provide visual indications to the user during use. The display screen can display the display status of the device. The control circuitry can control the display on the display screen. The device can also, or additionally, have an auditory element for providing an auditory indication to the user. The screen can be an OLED, LED, or the like. This provides a more user-friendly device and improves the overall safety of the device.

[0039] A user may be able to physically interact with the display. For example, the display may show smoke when the device is activated. A user may be able to swipe through the smoke using movements detected by a detector.

[0040] In one example, the display screen may be a display screen with a full wraparound display. The device may be generally cylindrical in shape, and the screen may wrap partially or completely around a portion of the housing. Such a configuration improves the view provided by the screen by making the screen more visible to the user, thereby increasing the likelihood that the view will be seen.

[0041] 3 illustrates a method 300 of using an aerosol delivery device. Method 300 is illustrated as a flowchart. In method 300, the device may start up in a default state 302, which may be a fully charged and fully operational configuration, such as in the case of a brand new device. Alternatively, the default operational state may be the operating state of a previously used device, such as in the case of a user's device that has been used at least once. The battery may or may not be fully charged, and the lifespan of components within the device will be shortened, at least in part, by use.

[0042] When a user attempts to use the device, when it is in use, or when it is not in use, the device detects usage characteristics or the status of electrical components. This may be as described above. The device detects the characteristics and / or status using a detector (which may include multiple individual sensors / detectors). The detector may detect the status and / or characteristics via any standard mechanism (404).

[0043] The detectors send signals to the control circuitry 406 in response. The control circuitry may receive periodic signals from one or more detectors regarding usage characteristics or status, but may provide an indication to the user only when deemed relevant. The user does not need to be permanently informed that the battery is operating efficiently; rather, it would be preferable to notify the user when the battery is no longer operating efficiently. However, the user may be continuously (or semi-continuously, i.e., at regular short intervals) informed of the consumable life and number of sessions remaining, so that the user is kept up to date with the remaining usage of the device.

[0044] If such an indication is deemed appropriate for communication to the user, the control circuitry may provide an indication to the user via the communication element (308), which itself may be any or all of a visual, tactile, or auditory indication, in accordance with the description above.

[0045] This method provides the user with a user-friendly display process that does not overload the user with information, but periodically informs the user about relevant matters throughout the life of the device. This method achieves a balance between overloading the user and providing the user with little or no warning before a relevant usage event (such as low battery power or aerosol-generating material, or a component failure within the device). With clear indications to the user of various situations, the user can be well-informed and prepared while using the device. This method further enhances user familiarity for users of older or more traditional flammable products.

[0046] The detectors described above may be a series of detectors. The detectors may be one device or multiple devices. The detectors disclosed herein may include a series of devices that operate simultaneously or together to provide an accurate and informed assessment of the status of various usage characteristics and electrical components within the device at any given moment. These are used to ensure that accurate and relevant indications are provided to the user.

[0047] The aerosol delivery device may include a heating element or the like for providing an aerosol from a consumable, which may include an aerosol generating substance or the like. A control circuit may control the heating element (or the like) in response to a usage request from a user. The activation and lifespan of the various components is detected by a detector in the device and provided to the control circuit, which links to one or more communication elements in the device, for notification to the user.

[0048] The devices and systems herein are described as comprising several components that enable several advantages. The components may be disclosed as being on-board the device or disposed within the system. The components may be distributed and not necessarily on-board the device. The functionality of the device may be provided by communicatively connected components, and such communication may be wireless, enabling such distribution. At this point, it is reasonable to expect that an arrangement of distributed components will operate similarly to the devices and systems disclosed herein. The components of the device or system may be included in another device, such as a smartphone, computer, or remote server.

[0049] The methods and devices disclosed herein allow for appropriate information to be communicated to the user about conditions within the device, thereby improving the user experience, the longevity of the device, and the safety of general use of the device.

[0050] The devices and systems disclosed herein can be used with consumables that include an aerosol-generating substance, such as a solid or liquid, cartridge, or the like.

[0051] In certain examples, the devices disclosed herein can operate with replaceable flavor pods in the device, sometimes referred to as consumables. The flavors can be either tobacco or glycolic, and can include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, peppermint, anise, 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, konjac, etc.). The compositions may contain other additives such as spices, spice blends, 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), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners, which may be imitation, synthetic, natural, or mixtures thereof.

[0052] When combined with an aerosol-generating medium, the aerosol delivery device disclosed herein may be referred to as an aerosol delivery system.

[0053] Thus, an aerosol delivery device has been described, comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion and a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion, the communication element being arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding the usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

[0054] The aerosol delivery system can be used in tobacco industry products, for example, as a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

[0055] In one embodiment, a tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

[0056] In one embodiment, the aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device.

[0057] In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of powering the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing, and optionally a mouthpiece.

[0058] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained within or on a substrate container, hi one embodiment, the substrate container is combined with or includes a heater.

[0059] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product that releases one or more compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an aerosolizable material, such as tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

[0060] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

[0061] In one embodiment, a tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of powering the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material.

[0062] In one embodiment, the heating product is a non-electronic device.

[0063] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source capable of providing thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by burning a combustible material, such as charcoal.

[0064] In one embodiment, the heating product also comprises a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

[0065] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material may comprise an aerosol or aerosol-generating agent, or a humectant such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0066] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise, 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 substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco product, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

[0067] To address various challenges and advance the art, this entire disclosure illustrates various exemplary embodiments that may embody the claimed invention(s) and provide an improved electronic aerosol delivery system. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered limitations on the present disclosure, as defined by the claims, or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion; a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion; Equipped with An aerosol delivery device, wherein the communication element is arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the communication element is configured to provide at least one of a visual indication, a tactile indication, and / or an audio indication to the user.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the usage characteristics include at least one of power status, charging status, consumable status, heater activation status, boost status, session status, and operating time.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the status of the electrical components comprises at least one of a power supply status, a charging status, a heater status, a heater status, a boost status, and a control circuit status.

5. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication element is an interactive screen.

6. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication element is elongated.

7. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication element comprises a series of communication elements disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion.

8. The communication element: a plurality of visual displays; a plurality of tactile displays; at least one auditory indication; 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, arranged to provide the aerosol to the user.

9. 1. An aerosol generating system for supplying an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion; a communication element disposed in the elongated longitudinal portion; an aerosol delivery device comprising: An aerosol generation system, wherein the communication element is arranged to provide at least one indication to the user regarding usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device.

10. 10. The aerosol generation system of claim 9, wherein the communication element is arranged to provide at least one of a visual indication, a tactile indication, and / or an audio indication to the user.

11. 11. The aerosol generation system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the usage characteristics include at least one of power status, charging status, consumable status, heater activation status, boost status, session status, and operating time.

12. 12. The aerosol generation system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the status of the electrical components comprises at least one of a power supply status, a charging status, a heater status, a heater status, a boost status, and a control circuit status.

13. 13. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the communication element is an interactive screen.

14. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the communication element is elongated.

15. 15. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the communication element comprises a series of communication elements arranged in the elongated longitudinal portion.

16. The communication element: a plurality of visual displays; a plurality of tactile displays; at least one auditory indication; 16. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, arranged to provide the aerosol to the user.

17. 1. A method of delivering an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion with a communication element disposed therein; providing a user with at least one indication regarding usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery device via the communication element; A method of providing the same.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein providing at least one indication comprises at least one of providing a visual indication, providing a tactile indication, and providing an auditory indication.

19. the usage characteristics comprise at least one of a power status, a charging status, a consumable status, a heater activation status, a boost status, a session status, and an operating time; 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the electrical component status comprises at least one of a power status, a charge status, a heater status, a heater status, a boost status, and a control circuit status.

20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the communication element is an interactive screen and the communication element is elongated.

21. The step of providing at least one indication comprises: providing a plurality of visual displays; providing a plurality of tactile indications; providing an auditory indication; The method of any one of claims 17 to 20, comprising:

22. a housing having an elongated longitudinal portion; communication means disposed in said elongated longitudinal portion; Equipped with An aerosol delivery means wherein the communication means is arranged to provide at least one indication to a user regarding the usage characteristics and / or status of electrical components of the aerosol delivery means.

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