Aerosol delivery device with grip-based age verification

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material includes a user input element configured to receive a gripping input from a user and a processor configured to determine gripping information of the gripping input, the processor configured to release the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the gripping information indicating that the user is of an age greater than an age threshold.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device and an aerosol delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products include heating devices that release compounds by heating rather than burning a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a user input element configured to receive a gripping input from a user; and a processor configured to determine gripping information of the gripping input, wherein the processor is configured to release the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the gripping information indicating that the user is of an age greater than an age threshold.

[0004] The grip information may include a grip strength parameter. The grip strength parameter may include a grip force.

[0005] The grip information may include a grip size parameter. The grip size parameter may include a handspan.

[0006] The grip information may include a grip temperature parameter.

[0007] The user input element may comprise a pressure sensor.

[0008] The user input element may comprise a capacitance sensor.

[0009] The user input element may include first and second contact sensors. The first and second contact sensors may be separated by an inter-finger distance threshold. A user having fingers spaced apart greater than the inter-finger distance threshold (e.g., the distance between the pinky and thumb or the pinky and index finger) is likely to be older than the age threshold.

[0010] The user input element may include a temperature sensor.

[0011] The processor may be configured to implement an age algorithm to determine the age or approximate age of the user from the grip information.

[0012] The age algorithm may include using a look-up table to determine the user's age or approximate age from the grip information.

[0013] The age algorithm may include a machine learning algorithm, which may be configured to learn in response to the grip information.

[0014] The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol delivery device in the unlocked state for a predetermined period of time in response to an unlock user input being received by the user input element, and to return the aerosol delivery device to the locked state after the predetermined period of time.

[0015] The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol delivery device in the unlocked state for a predetermined number of uses in response to an unlock user input being received by the user input element, and to return the aerosol delivery device to the locked state after the predetermined number of uses.

[0016] The predetermined number of uses may be a predetermined number of puffs.

[0017] The predetermined number of uses may be a predetermined number of use sessions. The predetermined number of use sessions may be one use session. The processor may be configured to return the aerosol delivery device to a locked state in response to the use session ending.

[0018] The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol delivery device in an unlocked state indefinitely in response to an unlock user input being received by the user input element.

[0019] The processor may be configured to initiate a use session of the aerosol delivery device after releasing the aerosol delivery device from the locked state.

[0020] The processor may be configured to prevent the aerosol generator from being energized when the aerosol delivery device is in a locked state.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device as described above and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material. The system may comprise any of the features described in relation to the first aspect.

[0022] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol delivery device, the method comprising the steps of receiving a gripping input from a user, determining a gripping characteristic of the gripping input, and unlocking the aerosol delivery device in response to the gripping characteristic indicating that the user is above an age threshold. The method may include any of the features and / or functional steps described in relation to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a front view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a method of operating an aerosol delivery device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view of an aerosol delivery device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material capable of generating an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or excited in any other manner. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-forming materials may include any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing materials, including one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, wax, etc. Aerosol-forming materials may also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. Aerosol-forming materials are also sometimes known as "smoking materials."

[0025] The aerosol-forming material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0026] The aerosol-generating material may include or be an "amorphous solid." The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid." In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, about 50%, 60%, or 70% by weight of the amorphous solid to about 90%, 95%, or 100% by weight of the amorphous solid.

[0027] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include or be a sheet, optionally shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which the component aerosol-generating materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0029] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, and one or more of the aerosol-forming materials may be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0033] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system may include a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and a consumable item for use with the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0034] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include aerosol-generating materials and are configured for use with non-combustible aerosol delivery devices. Throughout this disclosure, these consumables may also be referred to as articles.

[0035] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system, e.g., the non-combustion aerosol delivery device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source can include a carbon substrate that, when energized, can dissipate energy in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the heat-generating power source.

[0036] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system may include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0037] In some embodiments, consumables for use with non-combustible aerosol delivery devices may include an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a paper wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0038] The aerosol-generating device can receive an article comprising an aerosol-generating material for heating. In this context, an "article" is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material during use, and when heated, volatilizes the aerosol-generating material and optionally other components during use. A user can insert the article into the aerosol-generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, and then inhale the aerosol. The article can be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0039] 1, an aerosol delivery system 10 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol delivery system 10 further includes a replaceable article 110 that includes the aerosol-generating material. Broadly speaking, the aerosol-forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0040] The aerosol-forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing structure surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article opening 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which an article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 116.

[0041] Device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, that, when pressed, operates device 100. For example, a user may power on device 100 by operating switch 150.

[0042] The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110 .

[0043] During use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 116 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 116 .

[0044] The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating an aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol-generating assembly, a controller (control circuitry), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol-generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article opening 104, thereby generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The power source provides electrical power to the aerosol-generating assembly, which converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries.

[0045] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly to provide power under the control of the controller when needed to heat the aerosol-generating material. The control circuitry may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generation assembly based on user input. User input may be provided by pressing a button or opening a door on the device (e.g., a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuitry may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example, upon insertion of an item.

[0046] The aerosol-generating assembly may include various components for heating the aerosol-generating material via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process in which an electrically conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) is heated by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an induction element, such as one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned relative to the induction element and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and therefore, the flow of eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor by Joule heating. If the susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat may be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses within the susceptor, i.e., by the changing orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. Inductive heating generates heat inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating compared to, for example, conduction heating, and does not require any physical contact between the induction element and the susceptor, allowing for greater flexibility in construction and application.

[0047] 2, aerosol delivery device 100 includes a user input element 106, a processor 108, an energy storage unit 110 (the power source described above), and an aerosol generator 116. User input element 106 allows a user to provide a gripping input. Exemplary user input elements 106a-c are described below in conjunction with FIGS. 4a-4c.

[0048] 3, there is shown a method 200 of operating the aerosol delivery device 100. The method includes a user input step 202, an unlock step 204, an aerosol generation step 206, and a lock step 208.

[0049] The aerosol delivery device 100 begins in a locked state. In the locked state, the device processor 108 does not transfer energy from the device energy storage 114 to the aerosol generator 116. The aerosol generator 116 does not generate aerosol.

[0050] In a user input step 202, a user input element receives a grip input from a user. The processor determines grip information for the grip input. The grip information includes a grip strength parameter (e.g., force), a grip size parameter (e.g., handspan), and / or a grip temperature parameter.

[0051] In some examples, processor 108 may determine the user's age or approximate age from the gripping information. Processor 108 may implement an age algorithm to determine the user's age or approximate age from the gripping information. The age algorithm may include using a lookup table to determine the user's age or approximate age (e.g., based on the gripping information including several parameters). The age algorithm may include a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm may learn from the gripping information. Thus, the machine learning algorithm may be tailored to the particular user. In response to the gripping information not indicating that the user is above the age threshold, processor 108 maintains aerosol delivery device 100 in a locked state. If an approximate age is determined, the gripping information may indicate that the user is unlikely to be above the age threshold or is significantly younger than the age threshold.

[0052] In response to the grip information indicating that the user is above the age threshold, processor 108 is configured to unlock aerosol delivery device 100 in unlock step 204. Aerosol delivery device 100 enters an unlocked state, and activation of aerosol generator 116 is permitted.

[0053] In some examples, the processor 108 does not determine the age of the user from the gripping information, but instead may directly compare a parameter of the gripping information to a threshold to determine whether the user is older than the age threshold.

[0054] In an aerosol generating step 206, the processor 108 controls the aerosol generator 116 to generate the aerosol. The processor 108 controls the energy storage unit 110 to provide power to the aerosol generator 116 to generate the aerosol.

[0055] In this example, processor 108 is configured to initiate a use session (in which the aerosol-generating material is heated and may be inhaled multiple times by the user) in response to aerosol delivery device 100 entering the unlocked state. In other examples, additional user input (e.g., a button press) is required to trigger aerosol generation.

[0056] At lockstep 208, processor 108 returns aerosol delivery device 100 to the locked state. In this example, processor 108 returns aerosol delivery device 100 to the locked state after a predetermined number of uses, which is the end of a use session (i.e., the predetermined number of uses is a single use session). In other examples, the device processor may return the aerosol delivery device to the locked state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In other examples, lockstep 210 may not be performed, and aerosol delivery device 100 may remain in the unlocked state.

[0057] 4a, an aerosol delivery device 100 is shown having a first user input element 106a. The first user input element 106a includes a pressure sensor 120.

[0058] The pressure sensor 120 is configured to receive a grip input and can determine a grip strength parameter from the grip input. The grip strength parameter is a grip force. The pressure sensor 120 is located on one side of the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0059] Processor 108 determines the grip force from the signal from pressure sensor 120. As described above, processor 108 may determine the user's age or approximate age from the grip force, or may directly compare the grip force to a threshold to determine whether the user is older than the age threshold.

[0060] 4b, an aerosol delivery device 100 is shown having a second user input element 106b, which includes the pressure sensor 120 described above.

[0061] Second user input element 106b further comprises a temperature sensor 122. Temperature sensor 122 is located on one side of aerosol delivery device 100. Temperature sensor 122 is located on an opposite side of aerosol delivery device 100 from pressure sensor 120.

[0062] The temperature sensor 122 is configured to receive a grip input and is capable of determining a grip strength parameter from the grip input, the grip strength parameter being a grip temperature.

[0063] The processor 108 determines the grip temperature from the signal from the temperature sensor 122. The processor 108 implements an age algorithm to determine the user's age from the grip force and grip temperature. The age algorithm includes using a lookup table to determine the user's age from the grip information.

[0064] 4c, aerosol delivery device 100 is shown having a third user input element 106c. Third user input element 106c includes first contact sensor 124a and second contact sensor 124b. Third user input element 106c is configured to receive a grip input from which a grip size parameter can be determined.

[0065] First contact sensor 124a is on one side of aerosol delivery device 100. Second contact sensor 124b is on one end of aerosol delivery device 100. First contact sensor 124a and second contact sensor 124b are spaced apart from each other by a finger distance threshold (in this example, one contact sensor is on the side and the other is on the end, the distance between the little finger and the thumb).

[0066] The third user input element 106c provides a signal to the processor 108 when the user covers both the first contact sensor 124a and the second contact sensor 124b with their hand, completing a circuit between the first contact sensor 124a and the second contact sensor 124b. Due to the spacing between the first contact sensor 124a and the second contact sensor 124b, the hand only completes the circuit between the sensors if it is of sufficient size. This means that the signal sent to the processor 108 provides grip information related to a grip size parameter that indicates the user is likely to be older than the age threshold.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the aerosol delivery device includes a heating element, which is an induction heating element. In some embodiments, other types of heating elements, such as resistive heating, are also used. The device configuration is generally as described above and will not be described in detail. In such an arrangement, the aerosol generation assembly includes a resistive heating generator including components for heating a heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electric current is applied directly to the resistive heating element, and the resulting current flow in the heating element heats the heating element by Joule heating. The resistive heating element includes a resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electric current passes through it, and the heating assembly includes electrical contacts for supplying the electric current to the resistive material.

[0068] In an embodiment, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself, hi an embodiment, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

[0069] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims, or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising: a user input element configured to receive a gripping input from a user; and a processor configured to determine gripping information of the gripping input, wherein the processor is configured to release the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the gripping information indicating that the user is older than an age threshold.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the gripping information includes a gripping strength parameter.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the grip strength parameter is force.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the grip information includes a grip size parameter.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 , wherein the grip size parameter is a handspan.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the gripping information includes a gripping temperature parameter.

7. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user input element comprises a pressure sensor.

8. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the user input element comprises a capacitance sensor.

9. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the user input element comprises a temperature sensor.

10. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processor is configured to implement an age algorithm to determine the age of the user from the gripping information.

11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10 , wherein the age algorithm includes using a lookup table to determine the age of the user from the grip information.

12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the age algorithm comprises a machine learning algorithm.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the aerosol delivery device in an unlocked state for a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of uses in response to the unlock user input being received by the user input element.

14. 14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to return the aerosol delivery device to the locked state after the predetermined period of time or the predetermined number of uses.

15. 13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the aerosol delivery device in an unlocked state indefinitely in response to the unlock user input being received by the user input element.

16. 16. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate a use session of the aerosol delivery device after releasing the aerosol delivery device from the locked state.

17. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 16 and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

18. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery device, comprising: receiving a grip input from a user; determining a grasp characteristic of the grasp input; and releasing the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the grip characteristic indicating that the user is above an age threshold.

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