Aerosol delivery system with a token having a communicator

Abstract

The aerosol delivery system includes an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device including a processor and a device communicator, the aerosol delivery system including a token, the token including a token communicator, the token communicator configured to transmit an unlock signal to the device communicator, and the processor configured to release the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the unlock signal.

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 system comprising an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a processor and a device communicator, the aerosol delivery system comprises a token, the token comprises a token communicator, the token communicator is configured to transmit an unlock signal to the device communicator, and the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the unlock signal.

[0004] The token may be a wearable component.

[0005] The wearable component may be a ring. The wearable component may be a bracelet. The wearable component may be a watch.

[0006] The token may be a key. The token may be a key ring. The token may be a card.

[0007] The device communicator may be a first NFC communicator, and the token communicator may be a second NFC communicator.

[0008] The token communicator may be an active NFC communicator, and the device communicator may be a passive NFC communicator.

[0009] The token may comprise a memory for storing an identifier of the token.

[0010] The unlocking signal may include an identifier configured to identify the token. The unlocking signal may be encrypted.

[0011] The unlock signal may include a passcode, and the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from the locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the passcode.

[0012] The token communicator may be configured to transmit the unlock signal periodically. The token communicator may be configured to transmit the unlock signal with an unlock signal period, the unlock signal period being less than 30 seconds.

[0013] The unlock signal may be receivable by the device communicator when the token is within detection distance of the aerosol delivery device.

[0014] The detection distance may be less than 20 cm. The detection distance may be less than 15 cm. The detection distance may be less than 12 cm. The detection distance may be less than 11 cm. The detection distance may be substantially 10 cm.

[0015] The token may be reusable across multiple aerosol delivery devices.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The predetermined number of uses may be a predetermined number of puffs.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The processor may be configured to prevent the aerosol generator from being energized when the aerosol delivery device is in a locked state.

[0023] The aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol-generating material.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a token for an aerosol delivery system, the token comprising a token communicator configured to transmit an unlock signal to a device communicator of an aerosol delivery device to unlock the aerosol delivery device, The token may comprise any of the features described in relation to the first aspect.

[0025] According to a third aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a processor; and a device communicator configured to receive an unlock signal from a token communicator of a token, the processor configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the unlock signal. The aerosol delivery device may comprise any of the features described in relation to the first aspect.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising the steps of transmitting an unlock signal from a token to an aerosol delivery device, and unlocking the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the unlock signal being received. The method may include any of the features and / or functional steps described in relation to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of operating the aerosol delivery system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] 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."

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 1, an aerosol delivery system 1 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol delivery system 1 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.

[0044] The aerosol delivery system 1 includes a token 10. The token 10 is a wearable component. In this example, the token 10 is a ring and can be worn on a user's finger. In other examples, the token 10 can be a different wearable component, such as a bracelet for wearing on a user's wrist. In other examples, the token 10 is not wearable but is a card or other key that the user may carry. The token 10 is a separate component from the aerosol delivery device 100. The token 10 is not contained within the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110 .

[0048] 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 .

[0049] The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating an aerosol-forming material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generator, a controller (control circuitry), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the main body 102. The aerosol generator is configured to heat the aerosol-forming material of an article 110 inserted through the article opening 104, thereby generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming material. The power source provides electrical power to the aerosol generator, which converts the provided electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-forming 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.

[0050] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generator 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 generator 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.

[0051] The aerosol generator 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. An 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 produces 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.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device 100 and a token 10 is shown.

[0053] The aerosol delivery device 100 further comprises a device processor 106, a first device communicator 108, a second device communicator 112, a device energy store 114, and an aerosol generator 116. The device energy store 114 is the power source described above.

[0054] The token 10 comprises a token communicator 12, a memory 14, a token processor 16, and a token energy store 18. The token energy store 18 is a battery.

[0055] The token communicator 12 is configured to communicate with the first device communicator 108. The token communicator 12 is a near field communication (NFC) communicator. The first device communicator 108 is an NFC communicator.

[0056] The first device communicator 108 is a passive NFC communicator (i.e., configured to harvest energy from signals received from the token communicator 12 and use that energy to transmit return signals to the first device communicator). The token communicator 12 is an active NFC communicator (i.e., configured to use energy from the token energy store 18 to transmit signals to the token communicator). In some examples, the first device communicator and the token communicator may be reversed, with the token communicator 12 becoming the passive NFC communicator and the first device communicator becoming the active NFC communicator.

[0057] The second device communicator 112 is configured to communicate with an external device (not shown), for example, a mobile device. The second device communicator 112 is a Bluetooth® communicator.

[0058] The memory 14 is configured to store an identifier that identifies the token 10. The memory 14 is further configured to store an unlock signal, as described below.

[0059] 2, there is shown a method 200 for operating the aerosol delivery system 1. The method 200 includes a user registration step 202, an unlock signal transmission step 204, an unlock signal reception step 206, an aerosol generation step 208, and a locking step 210.

[0060] In user registration step 202, a user purchases an aerosol delivery device 100. The user goes through a registration process to verify that the user meets the age requirements. The registration process may be a web registration process. During user registration step 202, a token 10 identifier is assigned to the user's profile.

[0061] During user registration step 202, aerosol delivery device 100 is assigned to a user profile. Aerosol delivery device 100 may be configured to transmit a device identifier to an external device (e.g., a mobile device, a point-of-sale terminal, or another computer) via second device communicator 112.

[0062] During user registration step 202, a passcode is transmitted to token 10. The passcode is stored in memory 14. The passcode is unique to aerosol delivery device 100. The passcode is determined during the registration process in response to a device identifier. The passcode is transmitted to token 10 via token communicator 12.

[0063] The aerosol delivery device 100 is in a locked state. In the locked state, the device processor 106 does not transfer energy from the device energy storage 114 to the aerosol generator 116. The aerosol generator 116 does not generate an aerosol.

[0064] In an unlock signal transmission step 204, the token communicator 12 transmits an unlock signal including a passcode. The token communicator 12 transmits the unlock signal periodically at an unlock signal period. The unlock signal period is less than 30 seconds. More specifically, the unlock signal period is less than 1 second, or substantially 10 milliseconds.

[0065] When aerosol delivery device 100 is farther from token 10 than the detection distance, the unlock signal is not received by aerosol delivery device 100, and aerosol delivery device 100 remains locked. The detection distance is less than 20 cm, more specifically less than 15 cm, more specifically less than 12 cm, more specifically less than 11 cm, and more specifically substantially 10 cm. In some examples, the detection distance may be longer than 10 cm, which may be easier for the user. However, a longer detection distance may increase power consumption.

[0066] When the token 10 is brought within detection distance of the aerosol delivery device 100, the first device communicator 108 receives an unlock signal in an unlock signal receive step 206. In response to receiving the unlock signal including the passcode, the device processor 106 unlocks the aerosol delivery device 100 from the locked state. The aerosol delivery device 100 enters the unlocked state, and activation of the aerosol generator 116 is permitted.

[0067] In an aerosol generation step 208, the device processor 106 controls the aerosol generator 116 to generate the aerosol. The device processor 106 controls the device energy storage 114 to provide power to the aerosol generator 116 to generate the aerosol.

[0068] In this example, the device processor 106 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 receiving the unlock signal. In other examples, further user input (e.g., a button press) is required to trigger aerosol generation.

[0069] At lockstep 210, device processor 106 returns aerosol delivery device 100 to the locked state. In this example, device processor 106 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, device processor 106 may return aerosol delivery device 100 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.

[0070] The token 10 may be reusable for multiple aerosol delivery devices by repeating the method 200 and storing a new passcode in the token memory 14 in a further user registration step 202. This may be particularly advantageous where the aerosol delivery device is a disposable device (e.g., a disposable vaping device) designed to function for a predetermined number of sessions before being disposed of.

[0071] 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 generator 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 system comprising an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a processor; a device communicator; the aerosol delivery system comprises a token, the token comprising a token communicator; the token communicator is configured to transmit an unlock signal to the device communicator; The aerosol delivery system, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the unlock signal.

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the token is a wearable component.

3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the wearable component is a ring.

4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the token is a key and / or a card.

5. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device communicator and the token communicator comprise NFC communicators.

6. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5 , wherein the token communicator is an active NFC communicator.

7. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unlock signal includes a passcode, and the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the passcode.

8. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the unlocking signal is encrypted.

9. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the token communicator is configured to periodically transmit the unlock signal.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 9, wherein the token communicator is configured to transmit the unlock signal with an unlock signal period, the unlock signal period being less than 30 seconds.

11. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the unlock signal is receivable by the device communicator when the token is within detection distance of the aerosol delivery device.

12. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the token is reusable for multiple aerosol delivery devices.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery system 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 system 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 system 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. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 15, 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. 17. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising an article, the article comprising the aerosol-forming material.

18. A token for an aerosol delivery system, comprising a token communicator configured to transmit an unlock signal to a device communicator of an aerosol delivery device to release the aerosol delivery device from a locked state.

19. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising: a processor; a device communicator configured to receive an unlock signal from the token communicator of the token; The aerosol delivery device, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the device communicator receiving the unlock signal.

20. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery system, comprising: transmitting an unlock signal from the token to the aerosol delivery device; and releasing the aerosol delivery device from a locked state in response to the unlock signal being received.

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