Aerosol Delivery System

Abstract

The aerosol delivery device (500) comprises a controller (520) and a noise generator (580), the noise generator (580) including one or more ultrasonic transducers and controllable by the controller (520) and configured to generate an ultrasonic beam directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device (500) so that an audible deterrent noise is generated at the expected location.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system, an aerosol delivery device, and a method for generating vapor. [Background technology]

[0002] The operation of a delivery system, such as an aerosol delivery system, may be controlled by a controller. The delivery system may include an outer housing, a memory, a controller configured to control the operation of the delivery system, a control interface for receiving inputs to and providing outputs from the delivery system, and a power source configured to provide power for operation of the delivery system. The delivery system may also include an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, which may be in liquid, solid, or gel form. The operation of the delivery system may be controlled by a controller included in the delivery system or by a controller of an additional device to which the communication circuitry of the control interface of the delivery system is configured to connect and communicate data. For example, the additional device may send data including instructions for executing control actions to the communication circuitry of the delivery system. The operation of the delivery system may be controlled by a distributed system including the delivery system and one or more additional devices, such as an external power supply device and / or a computing device, that together control the operation of the delivery system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, an aerosol delivery device is provided, comprising: a controller; and a noise generator including one or more ultrasonic transducers, controllable by the controller, and configured to generate an ultrasonic beam directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device so that an audible deterrent noise is generated at the expected location.

[0004] In an embodiment, the device is configured to modulate an audio signal with an ultrasonic carrier signal to generate the output signal, and the noise generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic beam in response to the output signal.

[0005] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a modulator, the modulator configured to modulate the audio signal with the ultrasonic carrier signal.

[0006] In an embodiment, the modulator is a digital modulator.

[0007] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers.

[0008] In an embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers comprises a first ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a first ultrasonic beam and a second ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a second ultrasonic beam, the first ultrasonic beam configured to generate a first audible sound signal at an expected location, the second ultrasonic beam configured to generate a second audible sound signal at an expected location, and the audible suppression noise is generated by constructive interference between the first audible sound signal and the second audible sound signal.

[0009] In an embodiment, the first ultrasound beam comprises a first ultrasound signal, the second ultrasound beam comprises a second ultrasound signal, and the first ultrasound signal comprises a different waveform or a different frequency than the second ultrasound signal.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first audible signal and the second audible signal comprise the same waveform and / or frequency.

[0011] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 10 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0012] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 15 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0013] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 16 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0014] In an embodiment, the expected position is the position that the user's head is expected to assume when the user inhales the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device further includes a control interface configured to receive input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device and provide input data corresponding to the received input to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive input data from the control interface corresponding to the received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device, determine in response to receiving the input data whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device, and cause the noise generator to generate an ultrasonic beam in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0016] In an embodiment, the control interface includes one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties related to the aerosol delivery device, the one or more sensors are configured to provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected one or more properties, and the controller is configured to determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device by determining whether the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0017] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a puff sensor configured to detect a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected user inhalation.

[0018] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling onto the aerosol delivery device.

[0019] According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system including any of the aerosol delivery devices described above and a consumable containing an aerosol-generating material.

[0020] According to one aspect, a method for an aerosol delivery device is provided, comprising: providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a noise generator configured to generate an audible deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the noise generator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers; and generating an ultrasonic beam by the noise generator to generate the audible deterrent noise to deter unintended users.

[0021] In an embodiment, the method further includes modulating an audio signal with an ultrasonic carrier signal to generate an output signal, and generating, by a noise generator, an ultrasonic beam in response to the output signal.

[0022] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a modulator and the step of modulating the audio signal with the ultrasonic carrier signal is performed by the modulator.

[0023] In an embodiment, the modulator is a digital modulator.

[0024] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers.

[0025] In an embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers comprises a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer, and the step of generating an ultrasonic beam includes the steps of generating a first ultrasonic beam by the first ultrasonic transducer to generate a first audible sound signal at an expected location of the user, and generating a second ultrasonic beam by the second ultrasonic transducer to generate a second audible sound signal at the expected location, and the audible suppression noise is generated by constructive interference between the first audible sound signal and the second audible sound signal.

[0026] In an embodiment, the first ultrasound beam comprises a first ultrasound signal, the second ultrasound beam comprises a second ultrasound signal, and the first ultrasound signal comprises a different waveform or a different frequency than the second ultrasound signal.

[0027] In an embodiment, the first audible signal and the second audible signal comprise the same waveform and / or frequency.

[0028] In an embodiment, the expected position is the position that the user's head is expected to assume when the user inhales the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator.

[0029] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 10 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0030] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 15 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0031] In an embodiment, the audible deterrent noise includes frequencies between 16 kHz and 20 kHz.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method further includes receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device by the control interface; providing input data corresponding to the received input by the control interface to a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; receiving the input data by the controller; determining, in response to receiving the input data, by the controller whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; and generating an ultrasonic beam by the noise generator in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0033] In an embodiment, the control interface includes one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties related to the aerosol delivery device, receiving input related to a user of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting one or more properties related to the aerosol delivery device by the one or more sensors, providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected one or more properties by the control interface to the controller, and determining whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device includes determining whether the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0034] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a puff sensor configured to detect user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device by the puff sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected user inhalation to the controller by the control interface.

[0035] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling onto the aerosol delivery device.

[0036] Any embodiment may include any feature or functional step described with respect to another embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] Aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including an aerosol delivery device, a consumable, an external power supply device, a local computing device, and a remote computing device, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 9] 1 shows a flowchart representation of a method for an aerosol delivery system, according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented and will not be described / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein but not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0039] This application generally relates to the field of "delivery systems," i.e., systems that deliver at least one substance to a user. Generally, the purpose of delivering the substance to the user is to satisfy a particular "consumer moment." To this end, the substance may contain ingredients that impart a physiological effect to the user, a sensory effect to the user, or both. In this context, the substance is generally present in an aerosol-generating material or another material that is not intended to be aerosolized. The material itself (whether for aerosolization or not) typically contains a range of ingredients. These are generally classified as active substances, flavorings, aerosol-forming materials, and other functional materials such as fillers. The active substance, when delivered to the user, may provide some form of psychological effect to the user.

[0040] Delivery systems take many forms. According to the present disclosure, a "combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are combusted or burned during use to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0041] Exemplary combustible aerosol delivery systems include cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and pipe tobacco, or hand-rolled or handmade cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smokable substances). Exemplary non-combustion aerosol delivery systems include non-combustion heated aerosol delivery systems in which a solid material is heated to generate an aerosol without burning the material (such as tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs)), vapor aerosol delivery systems in which a liquid material is heated to generate an aerosol (commonly known as "electronic cigarettes" or "e-cigarettes"), and hybrid aerosol delivery systems that are similar to vapor aerosol delivery systems, except that the aerosol generated from the liquid material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to pick up additional components before reaching the user. Exemplary delivery systems are aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, and include, but are not limited to, oral products such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral tobacco, including snus or moist snuff, where the at least one substance may or may not contain nicotine.

[0042] Various techniques are described herein with respect to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, which may be readily applied in connection with any of the delivery systems described above, such as by implementation within a viable delivery system, or within a "smart" container for the delivery system, such as for storing the delivery system. The delivery systems described herein may be implemented as combustible aerosol delivery systems, non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, or aerosol-free delivery systems.

[0043] In particular, although not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems. A "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating material (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system is not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. The delivery system may be a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol delivery system. The non-combustion aerosol delivery system may be a vaporization device or an electronic cigarette, also known as an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. The non-combustion aerosol delivery system may also be an aerosol-generating material heating system, such as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In particular, although not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol delivery system, which may (or may not) be an electronic non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0044] An aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials. The aerosol-generating material may also include a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or a bulking agent may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0045] The aerosol-generating material may include or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or a filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free of plant material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco. The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be within a range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise a continuous sheet of material or may be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, gathered to form a gathered sheet, or shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may include one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating film may also be discontinuous. For example, an aerosol-generating film may include one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes, or lines, that may be supported on a substrate. In such embodiments, the substrate may be planar or non-planar. The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with one or more other ingredients, such as a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-forming agent, and one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry, and then heating the slurry to volatilize at least a portion of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, or 90% by weight of the solvent.

[0046] The aerosol-generating material may include or be an "amorphous solid." In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material includes an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid." The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise, for example, about 50%, 60%, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid to about 90%, 95%, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of plant material. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0047] The aerosol former material may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more other functional materials may include one or more pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0048] As is common in the art, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol," as well as related terms such as "vaporize," "volatilize," and "aerosolize," may generally be used interchangeably. During use, an inhalation on an aerosol delivery system occurs when a user inhales an aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating material. A series of inhalations can be considered a "session." A sequence can correspond to a characteristic pattern of inhalations. A sequence can correspond to a predetermined number, range, or number of inhalations by a user on the aerosol delivery system. For example, a session can be defined as 10 inhalations, or 8-12 inhalations. Additionally or alternatively, a session can be defined by a predetermined time from the first inhalation on the aerosol delivery system (e.g., by heating the aerosol-generating material to a target temperature for a predetermined time). For example, the predetermined time can be less than 4 minutes, less than 6 minutes, or less than 10 minutes. Thus, a session can be defined when the total number of inhalations reaches a predetermined number or range of inhalations and / or when the time elapsed since the first inhalation reaches a predetermined time. It will be understood that the values ​​for the predetermined number of inhalations and the predetermined time period are given purely by way of example, and that other numbers and times may be used in other embodiments as appropriate.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, a session corresponds to a sequence of inhalations, with the sequence separated from another by a pause exceeding a threshold duration. The threshold duration may be selected for ease of comprehension by the user (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55 minutes, or more preferably, a duration ranging from 5 to 45 minutes, or more preferably, a duration ranging from 10 to 30 minutes, or even more preferably, a duration ranging from 15 to 20 minutes), or it may be selected on a pharmacokinetic basis, such as the so-called half-life of nicotine in the body (approximately 2 hours), or on a physiological basis, such as the perceived decline in nicotine brain stimulation (e.g., on the order of 15 to 25 minutes, with an average of 18 to 20 minutes). Optionally, this half-life may be individualized based on, for example, gender, body type (size, weight, etc.), ethnicity, etc. A look-up table of half-life values ​​and / or scaling values ​​of one or more physiological factors of the user may be used to refine an otherwise generic half-life value. Thus, an inhalation session may include a characteristic pattern and / or may be separated from another session by a threshold duration of non-use.

[0050] Typically, an aerosol delivery system may include an aerosol delivery device (e.g., a reusable component) and a consumable component (e.g., a disposable component) for use with the aerosol delivery device. The consumable component is often sold separately from the device, often in multipacks. The terms "consumable" and "article" may generally be used interchangeably. Often, the consumable component includes an aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol delivery device includes a power source, a controller, a control interface, and a memory (each of which is described in more detail herein) at least partially contained within an outer housing that may be formed from any suitable material, e.g., a plastic material or metal. During use, the consumable component may engage with the aerosol delivery device. For example, at least a portion of the consumable component may be received by the aerosol delivery device, e.g., within a consumable component chamber of the aerosol delivery device configured to receive at least a portion of the consumable component. The aerosol delivery device is configured to generate an aerosol from the consumable aerosol-generating material. When the consumable aerosol-generating material is depleted, the user can remove the consumable, for example by disengaging the aerosol delivery device from the consumable, dispose of it, and replace it with a (new) consumable. A device that conforms to this type of two-piece modular configuration may be generally referred to as a two-piece aerosol delivery device, which, together with the consumable, may be generally referred to as a two-piece aerosol delivery system.

[0051] In such a two-piece aerosol delivery system, the consumable and the aerosol delivery device can be engaged with each other. For example, the consumable may be mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the aerosol delivery device using an engagement interface on the aerosol delivery device and a corresponding engagement interface on the consumable. The engagement interface on the aerosol delivery device may comprise a mechanical engagement means for mechanically coupling with the consumable, e.g., with a corresponding mechanical engagement means on the consumable. The engagement interface may comprise an electrical engagement interface for electrically connecting with the consumable, e.g., with a corresponding electrical engagement interface on the consumable. The electrical engagement interface on the aerosol delivery device may be configured to provide power (as described in more detail herein) to the consumable, e.g., an aerosol generator of the consumable.

[0052] While a consumable typically includes a single portion of aerosol-generating material, in some cases, a consumable may include multiple portions of aerosol-generating material, each of which may be different. In such cases, the consumable may be received by an aerosol delivery device configured to generate an aerosol from the multiple portions of one or more aerosol-generating materials. For example, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol independently from each portion of the aerosol-generating material. Each portion of the aerosol-generating material may be an individual portion, and the multiple individual portions may be separate from one another so that each of the individual portions may be individually energized (e.g., heated) to generate an aerosol and / or may be independently energized (e.g., heated).

[0053] In some cases, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to accept multiple consumables, each of which may contain a different aerosol-generating material. During use, the multiple consumables are received by the aerosol delivery device, which is configured to generate an aerosol from one or more of the consumable aerosol-generating materials, each of which may be generated independently. Devices compatible with this type of configuration may be generally referred to as multi-consumable devices, and together with the multiple consumables, may be generally referred to as multi-consumable systems. Multi-consumable devices and systems such as these may use any of the features used in two-piece aerosol delivery devices and systems (described in more detail herein), including, but not limited to, the aerosol-generating material, aerosol generator, power source, control interface, controller, and memory. Similarly, these components may be at least partially enclosed within an outer housing, which may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material or metal.

[0054] Embodiments are also contemplated in which the aerosol delivery device is a one-piece aerosol delivery device that is not configured to accept removable consumables, but instead contains the aerosol-generating material itself. The one-piece aerosol delivery device may be configured to be refillable, such that it can be refilled with (new) aerosol-generating material when at least a portion of the (initial) aerosol-generating material in the aerosol delivery device is depleted. Alternatively, the one-piece aerosol delivery device may be a disposable one-piece aerosol delivery device that can be disposed of by the user once the aerosol-generating material is depleted (e.g., after a predetermined number of inhalations) and is not configured to be refillable by the user. Furthermore, the one-piece aerosol delivery device may be a non-rechargeable one-piece aerosol delivery device that does not include a charging interface (as described in more detail herein) for receiving power from an external power source. Such one-piece aerosol delivery devices (either refillable or disposable) may use any of the features used in two-piece (and / or multi-consumable) aerosol delivery systems, such as, but not limited to, the aerosol-generating material, aerosol generator, power source, control interface, controller, and memory (as described in more detail herein). Likewise, these components may be at least partially enclosed within an outer housing, which may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material or metal.

[0055] The aerosol delivery system includes a mouthpiece through which a user can inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material. The mouthpiece may include a material that feels comfortable on the user's lips, such as a plastic or rubber material. When a user inhales on the mouthpiece, air is drawn through the aerosol delivery system and combined with the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material. The user can then inhale this combination of air and aerosol so that the aerosol substance can be delivered to the user. The aerosol delivery system may include one or more air inlets that can be located away from the mouthpiece of the system. When a user inhales on the mouthpiece, air is drawn through the one or more air inlets and passes through a location where the aerosol is generated. There may be a flow path connecting this location to an opening in the mouthpiece, such that air drawn through the one or more air inlets continues along the flow path to the opening, carrying the aerosol with it. The aerosol then exits the aerosol delivery system through the mouthpiece, e.g., through its opening, for inhalation by the user. The mouthpiece may be part of the consumable, may be part of the aerosol delivery device, or may be a separate component that forms part of the aerosol delivery system in addition to the aerosol delivery device and consumable.

[0056] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) may be elongated along a longitudinal axis and have a proximal end that is closest to a user (e.g., the user's mouth) when in use by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol delivery system, and a distal end that is furthest from the user when in use, i.e., at the end opposite the proximal end.

[0057] The proximal end is sometimes referred to as the "oral end." Thus, an aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) defines a proximal direction that is directed toward a user in use, e.g., along the longitudinal axis from the distal end to the proximal end. Additionally, an aerosol delivery system similarly defines a distal direction that is directed away from a user in use, e.g., along the longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end. The terms "proximal" and "distal" as applied to features of an aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device) are described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to one another in the proximal or distal direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0058] The configuration of the aerosol delivery system (and its aerosol delivery device) may vary depending on the form of the aerosol-generating material that is configured to generate the aerosol. However, although examples are described below with respect to various forms of aerosol-generating material and various corresponding aerosol-delivery device configurations, the techniques described herein may be applied to all forms of aerosol-generating material.

[0059] An aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device thereof) includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol being generated in an aerosol-generation area of ​​the aerosol delivery system. The aerosol generator often, but not always, includes a heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating material to volatilize it, thereby generating an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user. While many features are described herein with respect to aerosol generators that include a heating assembly, it should be noted that these features may equally apply to aerosol generators that do not necessarily include a heating assembly.

[0060] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) often includes a heating chamber, and the heating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material within the heating chamber. In such a configuration, the heating chamber may correspond to the aerosol-generation area. The heating chamber is configured to receive the aerosol-generating material. The heating chamber may be included in the consumable. The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) may include a consumable chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the consumable. While the heating chamber may correspond to the consumable chamber, such as in a configuration in which the heating chamber is included in the consumable, the heating chamber does not necessarily have to correspond to the consumable chamber, but rather may correspond to an area within the consumable that is received in the consumable chamber when connected to the aerosol delivery device in use. The consumable may be configured to be partially or fully inserted into the aerosol delivery device by inserting it into the consumable chamber through an opening in the outer housing of the aerosol delivery device.

[0061] The heating assembly may include a heating element, and the heating assembly may be configured to heat the heating element. The heating element is for heating the aerosol-generating material, for example, by being configured to heat the heating chamber. The heating element may be part of the aerosol delivery device, part of the consumable, or a separate component that is part of the aerosol delivery system in addition to the aerosol delivery device and the consumable. Multiple corresponding heating elements may be used, and the heating assembly may be configured to heat independently, for example, to allow for individual or combined heating. In the case of a system including multiple portions of aerosol-generating material (whether the multiple portions are in the same consumable, multiple consumables, or aerosol delivery device), multiple corresponding heating elements may be used, each configured to heat a corresponding portion of the aerosol-generating material. Multiple heating elements may also be configured to heat different regions of the same portion of aerosol-generating material.

[0062] In some configurations, the heating assembly is configured to heat the heating element by resistive heating, where an electric current flows through the heating element to generate heating as a result of the electrical resistance of the heating element. In some configurations, the heating assembly is configured to heat the heating element by inductive heating, where the magnetic field generator of the heating assembly is configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating element and heats the susceptor material within the heating element. In other words, the susceptor material is configured to be heated by penetration by the varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generator may include a coil, such as a helical coil, that can surround at least a portion of the heating chamber.

[0063] The heating element may be heated by penetration by a varying magnetic field because the susceptor material comprises an electrically conductive material and the varying magnetic field causes induction of eddy currents in the susceptor material, which causes heating. Alternatively or additionally, this may be because the susceptor material comprises a magnetic material and the varying magnetic field causes heating of the susceptor material by the mechanism of magnetic hysteresis. In embodiments, the susceptor material may comprise a material that is both electrically conductive and magnetic.

[0064] The heating element, e.g., its susceptor material (if present), may comprise one or more materials selected from the group including metallic materials such as aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze, or non-metallic materials such as conductive carbon or graphite.

[0065] Configurations are contemplated in which the heating assembly includes a radiant heating component configured to generate radiation for heating the aerosol-generating material, e.g., for heating the heating chamber. The radiation may include electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared radiation or microwave radiation, or sonic radiation, such as ultrasonic radiation. In such configurations, similar to the configurations described above with respect to the heating element, the heating assembly may be configured to independently heat different portions of the aerosol-generating material or different regions of the same portion of the aerosol-generating material. Generally, this may be possible by configuring the heating assembly to independently heat different regions of the heating chamber.

[0066] Each of these heating techniques may be applied to any of the aerosol-generating materials described above and may be applied in the context of one-piece aerosol delivery systems, two-piece aerosol delivery systems, and multi-consumable aerosol delivery systems, or any other form of delivery system that uses heating to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.

[0067] In configurations where the aerosol-generating material is a liquid, the aerosol may be stored in a reservoir included in the aerosol delivery system. The reservoir may be part of the aerosol delivery device, particularly if the aerosol delivery device is a one-piece aerosol delivery device, or may be part of the consumable (if present). In configurations where the reservoir that stores the aerosol-generating material is part of the consumable, the consumable may also include a heating element that can be heated using resistive or inductive heating. In such configurations where the consumable includes a reservoir that stores the aerosol-generating material, the consumable may be referred to as a cartridge.

[0068] The reservoir may take the form of a storage tank, a container or receptacle capable of storing aerosol-generating material such that the liquid moves and flows freely within the tank. In configurations in which the reservoir is included in a consumable product, the reservoir may be filled and then sealed during manufacturing so that it is disposable after the aerosol-generating material is consumed, or it may have an inlet port through which a user can add new aerosol-generating material. In such configurations, a heating element may be included in the consumable product and positioned outside the reservoir tank to generate an aerosol by vaporizing the aerosol-generating material through heating. A transfer arrangement, which may include a wick or other porous element, may be provided to deliver the aerosol-generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. The transfer arrangement may have one or more portions positioned within the reservoir or otherwise in fluid communication with the aerosol-generating material in the reservoir so as to absorb the aerosol-generating material and transfer it to another portion of the transfer arrangement adjacent to or in contact with the heating element, for example, by wicking or capillary action. This aerosol-generating material is then heated and vaporized, and replaced with new aerosol-generating material from the reservoir for transport to the heating element by the wick transport arrangement. The transport arrangement may be thought of as a conduit between the reservoir and the heating element, transporting the aerosol-generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. While described in the context of a reservoir and heating element included in a consumable product, these features may equally apply to aerosol delivery devices, for example, when the aerosol delivery device is a one-piece aerosol delivery device.

[0069] In configurations in which the aerosol-generating material is a solid or gel, the aerosol-generating material can be provided in a consumable. The consumable may be in a rod format, which may be interchangeably referred to as a "stick" format, or may have a cylindrical shape. In some cases, the consumable further includes a filter and / or a cooling element. In such cases, the consumable may include a mouthpiece. The consumable may include a wrapper that at least partially surrounds other components of the consumable, including one or more filters, a cooling element, a mouthpiece, and the aerosol-generating material. In some cases, the wrapper may include a paper layer. In some cases, the wrapper may include a non-flammable layer (e.g., a layer that resists combustion), such as metal foil. Preferably, the wrapper may include an aluminum foil layer. The wrapper may include a laminate structure, which in some cases may include at least one paper layer and at least one non-flammable layer.

[0070] The consumable may be provided in different geometric formats, such as a flat format, in which case the consumable comprises a sheet. The aerosol-generating material may be present on or in a support to form a substrate. The support may be or comprise, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy.

[0071] If present, the heating element may be part of the aerosol delivery device such that it is in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device. In addition, the heating element may be part of the consumable. This may be the case in configurations where the aerosol-generating material is a liquid, solid, or gel.

[0072] The non-combustion aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device or a consumable thereof) may include an aerosol modifier. The aerosol modifier is a substance typically disposed downstream of the aerosol-generation area and configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example, by changing the taste, flavor, acidity, or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be provided in an aerosol modifier-releasing component operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol modifier may include, for example, one or more of a flavoring, a colorant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, a string, or granules. The aerosol modifier may not include a filtration material.

[0073] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system, e.g., the non-combustion aerosol delivery device, can include a power source. The power source can include, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to deliver power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat-transfer material proximate the heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the power source includes a battery, such as a 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. The power source is connected to the heating assembly and configured to provide power to the heating assembly, the power source configured to provide power to the heating assembly, and the heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating material using the power provided by the power source.

[0074] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device thereof) includes a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery system. It will be understood that the functionality of the controller may be provided in a variety of different ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computers and / or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chipsets configured to provide the desired functionality. It will be understood that the controller may comprise a microcontroller (MCU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU), and / or a microprocessor. The controller may also be considered to be a processing circuit. The operation of the controller is generally controlled at least in part by a software program executed on the controller. Typically, the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system includes the controller, but this is not necessarily the case; in configurations, a consumable may include the controller.

[0075] The controller may be configured to control the operation of the aerosol generator, e.g., its heating assembly. While numerous configurations are discussed for a controller configured to control the operation of the heating assembly of the aerosol generator, these may be more generally applicable to aerosol generators that may or may not include a heating assembly. The controller is connected to the power source and the aerosol generator and configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the aerosol generator. Thus, the controller may be configured to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material by the heating assembly.

[0076] The controller may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating material according to a heating profile, for example, by causing the heating assembly to heat the aerosol-generating material according to the heating profile. A heating profile refers to the change in temperature of a material over time. For example, the changing temperature of a heating element measured at the heating element over the course of a use session may be referred to as the heating profile of that heating element (or equivalently, the heating profile of the heating assembly unit that includes the heating element). The heating element provides heat to the aerosol-generating material during use to generate an aerosol. Thus, the heating profile of the heating element induces the heating profile of, for example, an aerosol-generating material located near the heating element.

[0077] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) may also include memory. The memory may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or flash memory, and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable read-only memory (EEROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In embodiments, the memory includes controller memory, which may be part of and integrated into the controller. The memory may additionally or alternatively include external memory connected to and external to the controller. The external memory may be removable from the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) and may include an SD card or a microSD card. Software programs executed by the controller may be stored in the memory.

[0078] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) may also include a control interface for receiving input and / or providing output. For example, the control interface may be configured to receive input and provide input data corresponding to the received input to the controller. The control interface may be configured to receive output data from the controller and provide output corresponding to the output data received from the controller.

[0079] The control interface may comprise a user interface including one or more input components for receiving input from a user and one or more output components for providing output to the user. The one or more input components are configured to receive input from the user and provide corresponding input data to the controller. The one or more input components may be configured to receive input from the user in the form of physical manipulation by the user. The one or more input components may include a button (such as a rolling button), a switch, a dial, a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer, a touchscreen, or any multiple or combination thereof. The one or more input components may be assigned to functions such as turning the aerosol delivery device on and off and selecting an operating mode of the aerosol delivery system (as described in more detail herein). The one or more output components are configured to receive output data from the controller and provide corresponding output to the user. The one or more output components may include a light such as an LED, a speaker, a tactile component, a display such as a screen, or any multiple or combination thereof. The controller may be configured to cause the one or more output components to provide an output indicating a property of the aerosol delivery system, such as a property of the aerosol-generating material or the remaining power of a power source.

[0080] The control interface may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties related to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device), which may be configured to provide input data to the controller including sensor data related to the detected one or more properties. The one or more sensors may include a puff sensor configured to detect a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery system. The one or more sensors may include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature related to the aerosol delivery system, such as the temperature of the heating assembly, heating element, consumable, aerosol-generating material, or environment surrounding the aerosol delivery system. The one or more sensors may include a consumable detection sensor configured to detect when a consumable engages with the aerosol delivery device, e.g., when it is at least partially received by the aerosol delivery device. The one or more sensors may include a consumable identification sensor configured to detect a property of the consumable, such as a property of the consumable aerosol-generating material. The one or more sensors may include a biometric sensor configured to detect a biometric property related to the user, such as a fingerprint, heart rate, or respiratory profile.

[0081] The control interface may include communication circuitry configured to connect to and / or communicate data with one or more additional devices. Communication circuitry for communicating data with one or more additional devices may include transmitting data to one or more additional devices (e.g., to transfer data from the aerosol delivery device to one or more additional devices), receiving data from one or more additional devices (e.g., to transfer data from one or more additional devices to the aerosol delivery device), or both transmitting data to one or more additional devices and receiving data from one or more additional devices. The term "transmit" with respect to data can be understood as the transmission of data from a device, and the term "transfer" can be understood as the transmission of data from a device and the reception of data by another device. For example, the communication circuitry may be configured to establish a data connection with one or more additional devices. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry is integrated into the controller, while in other embodiments it is implemented separately (e.g., comprising a separate application-specific integrated circuit, circuit, chip, and / or chipset). The data connection may be permanent or otherwise temporary, in the sense that the data connection may be established for the period of time necessary to perform a particular function, but may be disconnected when not needed. In this regard, the additional device of the aerosol delivery device may be another aerosol delivery device, a consumable item, or (as further described herein) an external power device, or a computing device.

[0082] The communications circuitry may be configured to receive inputs including data from the additional device and provide (e.g., transmit) outputs including data to the additional device. The communications circuitry may be configured to provide input data to the controller corresponding to inputs including data received from the additional device, and to provide (e.g., transmit) outputs including data to the additional device corresponding to output data provided by the controller. Thus, the controller may receive (via the communications circuitry) data transmitted by the additional device to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device), and the controller may transmit (via the communications circuitry) data from the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) to the additional device. The data received from the additional device may include instructions for the controller of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) to perform one or more control actions. The data provided (e.g., transmitted) to the additional device may include instructions for the additional device to perform one or more control actions. References to a device transmitting data to a further device may be understood to correspond to a controller of the device causing communication circuitry of the device to transmit data to be received by control circuitry of the further device, and corresponding input data being subsequently received from the control circuitry of the further device by the controller of the further device.

[0083] The communication circuitry may include a wireless communication module configured to establish a wireless data connection with one or more additional devices and / or communicate data with one or more additional devices using the wireless data connection. For example, the wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth® module (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy® module), a ZigBee® module, a WiFi module (e.g., a Wifi Direct module), a 2G module, a 3G module, a 4G module, a 5G module, an LTE module, an NFC module, an RFID module, an optical communication module configured to communicate data using an optical signal, an audio communication module configured to communicate data using an audio signal, or other wireless communication module. As a result, the wireless data connection may be a Bluetooth connection (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy connection), a ZigBee connection, a WiFi connection (e.g., a Wifi Direct connection), a 2G connection, a 3G connection, a 4G connection, a 5G connection, an LTE connection, and an NFC connection, as well as an RFID connection, an optical data connection, and an audio data connection, or other wireless data connection. More generally, it will be understood that any wireless protocol can in principle be used for the wireless data connection.

[0084] The communication circuitry may also, or alternatively, include a wired communication module configured to establish a wired data connection with one or more additional devices and / or communicate data with one or more additional devices using the wired data connection. For example, the wired communication module may include a wired interface such as a USB interface (e.g., a USB-A interface, a USB-B interface, a mini-USB interface, a micro-USB interface, a USB-C interface, or a USB-3 interface), a Thunderbolt interface, or other wired data interface. Consequently, the wired data connection may correspondingly be a USB connection (e.g., a USB-A connection, a USB-B connection, a mini-USB connection, a micro-USB connection, a USB-C connection, or a USB-3 connection), a Thunderbolt connection, or other wired data connection. More generally, it will be understood that the wired module may include any wired interface that uses a wired protocol that enables the transfer of data, for example, according to a packet data transfer protocol, and may include a pin or contact pad arrangement configured to engage with a cooperating pin or contact pad on an additional device (e.g., the aerosol delivery device) that can be connected to the aerosol delivery system.

[0085] The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery system in response to input data received from the control interface. This input data may include input data provided from one or more input components of the user interface, input data provided from one or more sensors including sensor data, and input data provided from the communication circuitry corresponding to data received from the additional device. In response to an event (e.g., in response to an event) such as receiving the input data, the controller may be configured to perform a control action such as initiating a function of a component of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., causing a heating assembly to begin heating, causing one or more output components to provide an output to a user, or causing the communication circuitry to provide an output to an additional device), changing a parameter associated with the function of a component of the aerosol delivery system, enabling or disabling the function of a component of the aerosol delivery system, etc.

[0086] The controller may be configured to execute a control action in response to an event, where the controller determines whether and how to execute the control action in response to the occurrence or non-occurrence of the event, e.g., the nature of the event. For example, the controller may cause the heating assembly to heat the aerosol-generating material in response to a detected property of the consumable, such that a particular heating profile is used for a particular detected property of the consumable when heating is initiated by the controller, and no heating is used for another particular detected property of the consumable. However, while this control action may be executed immediately after the event, i.e., triggered by the event, this need not be the case, and the control action may be executed at a later time. The controller may be configured to execute a control action in response to an event, where the controller executes an action (immediately or later), i.e., the execution of the action is triggered by the event. For example, the controller may cause the heating assembly to heat the aerosol-generating material in response to the puff sensor detecting a user's inhalation, immediately after the inhalation is detected.

[0087] The controller may also be configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) according to a selected mode (or multiple selected modes). Each mode is associated with predetermined rules regarding the function of one or more components of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device). For example, operating parameters and / or logic may differ between modes. These components may include, but are not limited to, a memory, a control interface, an aerosol generator, and a power supply. In some modes, a particular function of one or more components may be enabled such that the controller can cause the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) to perform a function when, for example, input data including instructions to perform the function is received by the controller. However, in some modes, a particular function of one or more components may be disabled, and such a controller will not cause the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) to perform a function when, for example, input data including instructions to perform the function is received by the controller.

[0088] The consumable itself may include either or both a controller and a memory. The consumable's controller and memory may use any of those described above with respect to the aerosol delivery system. The consumable may also include a control interface for receiving input and / or providing output, which may similarly use any of the control interface features described above with respect to the aerosol delivery system. For example, the control interface may include communications circuitry configured to connect to one or more additional devices and enable the establishment of a data connection with the one or more additional devices. In this regard, the additional device for the consumable may be an aerosol delivery device, another consumable, or (as further described herein) an external power device or a computing device.

[0089] The aerosol delivery device may include a charging interface for receiving power from an external power source. For example, the charging interface may be for receiving power from an external power source including a charging cable. As part of a system including the aerosol delivery system, an external power device configured to connect to the aerosol delivery device, e.g., its charging interface, and supply power to the aerosol delivery device may also be provided. The external power device may include a power source including a battery, such as a 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. The external power device may be configured to supply power for charging the power source of the aerosol delivery device. The external power device may be a "charging case" including a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device, the external power device configured to connect to the charging interface when the aerosol delivery device is received in the recess.

[0090] The external power device may include either or both a controller and a memory. The controller and memory of the external power device may use any of the features described for the controller and memory above with respect to the aerosol delivery system. The controller of the external power device may be configured to control the supply of power to the aerosol delivery device. The external power device may also include a control interface for receiving input and / or providing output, which may similarly use any of the features of the control interface described above with respect to the aerosol delivery system. For example, the control interface may include communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more additional devices and enable the establishment of a data connection with the one or more additional devices. In this regard, the additional device to the external power device may be the aerosol delivery device, a consumable, another external power device, or a computing device (as further described herein).

[0091] The charging interface of the external power device may also be configured to communicate data with the external power source when connected. In such a configuration, the charging interface corresponds to a wired communication component (i.e., communication circuitry of the external power device) configured to communicate data using a wired data connection. The charging interface may comprise a wired interface such as a USB interface (e.g., a USB-A interface, a USB-B interface, a mini-USB interface, a micro-USB interface, a USB-C interface, or a USB-3 interface), a Thunderbolt interface, or other wired interface.

[0092] A system including an aerosol delivery system may also include one or more computing devices configured to connect to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) and communicate with the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) using a data connection (e.g., wired or wireless). The one or more computing devices may include a local computing device that may be controlled or owned by a user, which may include a smartphone, tablet, personal computer (PC), wearable device (e.g., smartwatch), refill device for refilling the aerosol delivery device, or consumables with aerosol-generating material, or a connection hub. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more computing devices may include a remote computing device that may not be controlled or owned by a user, such as a server.

[0093] The computing device may include either or both a controller and a memory. The controller and memory of the computing device may use any of the features described with respect to the controller and memory described above for the aerosol delivery system. The computing device may also include a control interface for receiving input (e.g., from a user) and / or providing output (e.g., to a user), which may similarly use any of the features of the control interface described above for the aerosol delivery system. The control interface may include communication circuitry configured to connect to and communicate data with additional devices. In this regard, the additional devices to the computing device may be the aerosol delivery device, a consumable, an external power device, or another computing device.

[0094] An aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) may establish communication directly with a remote computing device using one of the wireless protocols described above, for example, by connecting with a communications node (such as a telecommunications "base station") that provides connectivity with the remote computing device. Alternatively or additionally, an aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device) may establish communication with a remote computing device via a local computing device, for example, using a wired or wireless communication protocol to communicate with the local computing device and then with the remote computing device. A local computing device may also indirectly communicate with a remote computing device via an intermediary device (which may be a further computing device) to fulfill an aspect of its own functionality or to communicate on behalf of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., as a relay or co-processing unit).

[0095] Computing devices may also transmit data to each other directly or indirectly via any of the above-mentioned wired or wireless communication protocols. Thus, in embodiments, a given first device and a second device (e.g., any of the aerosol delivery device, consumables, external power supply device, and computing device) may generally be in either a connected state or a disconnected state with respect to each other. The disconnected state may also be referred to as an idle state, and in such a state, a given first device may not be detectable by other second devices (i.e., the first device is not transmitting signaling that allows its presence and / or identity to be determined), or may be available to establish a data connection with the second device (i.e., it may advertise its presence and / or identity using advertising signaling). In the connected state, the first device and the second device are configured so that data can be transferred from the first device to the second device (e.g., "uplink" transmission) and / or from the second device to the first device (e.g., "downlink" transmission). Thus, the establishment of a data connection between a first device and a second device may be considered to include the establishment of any state in which the two devices can exchange data, regardless of the direction of data transfer. Non-limiting examples of connection states are the establishment of an RRC connected state according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard or a connected state according to the Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) standard.

[0096] When a first and second device are configured to communicate wirelessly, the transition from an unconnected state to a connected state generally follows the following procedure: In an initial interrogation step, a first device (e.g., an aerosol delivery device or a consumable, but this may apply to any of the aforementioned devices) establishes the presence of a second device (e.g., a computing device, but this may apply to any of the aforementioned devices) by receiving a beacon signal or other identification signal from the second device. In an authentication step, the first and second devices exchange messaging to establish information regarding the data transfer protocol to be used to exchange data (e.g., including coding and encryption parameters to be used when exchanging data). In a data transfer step, the first and second devices transfer data over the established wireless interface according to the agreed-upon data transfer protocol. This data transmission can be bidirectional or unidirectional. The data communication process for wired communication can be broadly similar, with the difference that data is transmitted over a wired interface rather than a wireless interface.

[0097] As further described herein, a system including any aerosol delivery system and any combination of external power devices and computing devices may be used to support aerosol delivery system functions. These functions may be referred to as "connectivity" functions in that they relate to the transmission of data between the aerosol delivery system and other connected devices (e.g., one or more computing devices). Such configurations may be considered advantageous for improving aspects of the operation of the aerosol delivery system. For example, an aerosol delivery device capable of receiving data from an additional device may be able to receive software updates or updated parameters (e.g., related to the generation of aerosol by the aerosol generator) from the computing device. Determining appropriate parameters may involve significant processing overhead that is more efficiently performed on a computing device with greater processing power than typically provided in the aerosol delivery system, and lower energy consumption (extended battery life) and reduced complexity (reduced cost) are generally considered advantageous.

[0098] A computing device (such as a smartphone) may also be used by a user to provide input to the control interface of the aerosol delivery system, which may be particularly advantageous when there is an incentive to keep input or output components on the aerosol delivery system to a minimum, e.g., to reduce complexity and cost. Thus, an application ("app") running on the computing device may support the actual offloaded or relayed functionality of the aerosol delivery device with a direct or indirect (e.g., relayed) data connection with the computing device in the manner described above. Thus, the aerosol delivery system may transmit data via its communication circuitry to the computing device (e.g., data based on sensor data received by the aerosol delivery system controller regarding use of the aerosol delivery system), and the computing device may provide information about the aerosol delivery system to the user via the app. Alternatively or additionally, the user may select a control action via the app, and data related to the control action may be transmitted by the computing device to the aerosol delivery system, after which the aerosol delivery system controller executes the control action.

[0099] Various methods of operating an aerosol delivery system are described herein. While these methods may be described in the context of control of the aerosol delivery system by a controller of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., its aerosol delivery device), it will be recognized that these methods may be performed by any of the controllers of a broader system including any combination of one or more aerosol delivery devices, one or more consumables, one or more external power devices, and one or more computing devices, or by any of these controllers in combination. In particular, each of these controllers may communicate with some or any of the other controllers in the system including any of the aerosol delivery devices, consumables, external power sources, and computing devices, such that data, such as instructions for performing one or more control actions, may be communicated directly or indirectly between any of them. Thus, the methods of operating an aerosol delivery system may be performed by a “distributed” aerosol delivery system including any combination of the aerosol delivery devices, consumables, external power devices, and computing devices described above, e.g., executed by any one or more of these controllers. Thus, although particular method steps may be described in the context of a particular device's controller, it is anticipated that such control actions may be performed in alternative configurations by other ones of these controllers, if practicable, and that various method steps may be performed by a variety of corresponding different controllers.

[0100] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0101] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 1 according to certain embodiments.

[0102] Aerosol delivery system 1 is a two-piece aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device 100 and a consumable 150 containing an aerosol-generating material 170. Aerosol delivery device 100 includes an outer housing 105, a memory 110, a controller 120 configured to control operation of aerosol delivery system 1, a control interface 130 for receiving inputs to and providing outputs from aerosol delivery device 100, and a power supply 140 configured to provide power for operation of aerosol delivery device 100. Outer housing 160 may also at least partially enclose other components of aerosol delivery device 100, namely, memory 110, controller 120, control interface 130, and power supply 140. Aerosol delivery device 100 is a handheld electronic vapor device, meaning that outer housing 160, which encloses the other components, is sized and configured to be held in a user's hand. In other words, the device is portable.

[0103] The consumable 150 includes a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol-generating material 170 and a mouthpiece 190 through which a user can inhale an aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 180. The consumable also includes a heating assembly 160 configured to heat the aerosol-generating material 170. During use, the mating interface 101 of the aerosol-delivery device 100 engages with the mating interface 151 of the consumable, each of which includes a mechanical engagement means for mechanically coupling to one another. Each mating interface 101, 151 also includes an electrical engagement interface such that the aerosol-delivery device 100 can be electrically connected to the consumable 150. The electrical engagement interface 101 of the aerosol-delivery device is configured to provide power from the power source 140 to the consumable, particularly to the heating assembly 160 of the consumable. The controller 120 is configured to control the supply of power from the power source 140 to the heating assembly 160 to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material 170 by the heating assembly 160.

[0104] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a one-piece aerosol delivery system 2 according to certain embodiments.

[0105] Aerosol delivery system 2 is a one-piece aerosol delivery device 200. Aerosol delivery device 200 includes an outer housing 205, a memory 210, a controller 220 configured to control operation of aerosol delivery device 200, a control interface 230 for receiving inputs to and providing outputs from aerosol delivery device 200, a power supply 240 configured to provide power for operation of aerosol delivery device 200, a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol-generating material 270, and a heating assembly 260 configured to heat aerosol-generating material 270. Outer housing 205 may also at least partially enclose other components of aerosol delivery device 200, namely, memory 210, controller 220, control interface 230, power supply 240, the reservoir containing liquid aerosol-generating material 270, and heating assembly 260. Aerosol delivery device 200 also includes a mouthpiece 290 through which a user can inhale aerosol generated from aerosol-generating material 270.

[0106] Aerosol delivery device 200 is a handheld electronic vapor device, meaning that outer housing 205, which encloses the other components, is sized and configured to be held in a user's hand. In other words, the device is portable. Aerosol delivery device 200 is a disposable, one-piece aerosol delivery device that can be disposed of by the user once the aerosol-generating material 180 is depleted; it is not configured to accept consumables and is not configured to be user-refillable.

[0107] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 3 according to certain embodiments.

[0108] The aerosol delivery system 3 is a two-piece aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device 300 and a consumable 350 containing an aerosol-generating material 370. The aerosol delivery device 300 includes an outer housing 305, a memory 310, a controller 320 configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery system 3, a control interface 330 for receiving inputs to the aerosol delivery device and providing outputs from the aerosol delivery device 300, a heating assembly including a magnetic field generator 360 configured to generate a varying magnetic field, and a power supply 340 configured to provide power for operation of the aerosol delivery device 300. The outer housing 305 may also at least partially enclose the other components of the aerosol delivery device 300, namely, the controller 320, the control interface 330, the magnetic field generator 360, and the power supply 340. The aerosol delivery device 300 is a handheld electronic vapor device, meaning that the outer housing 305, which encloses the other components, is sized and configured to be held in a user's hand. In other words, the device is portable.

[0109] Consumable 350 includes aerosol-generating material 370 in solid or gel form. Consumable 350 is in rod form and is received by heating chamber 315 of aerosol delivery device 300. Magnetic field generator 360 is configured to heat heating chamber 315 and heat aerosol-generating material 370 of consumable 350 within heating chamber 315. To do so, the heating assembly includes a heating element 365 within the consumable having a susceptor material susceptible to heating by penetration by the varying magnetic field generated by magnetic field generator 360. Magnetic field generator 360 is configured to generate this varying magnetic field that penetrates heating chamber 315 and heating element 365 of consumable 350, heating it and, in turn, heating aerosol-generating material 370.

[0110] In this configuration, the consumable includes a mouthpiece 390 through which a user can inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 370. The aerosol-delivery device 300 and the consumable 350 do not require respective mating interfaces configured to allow the aerosol-delivery device 300 and the consumable 350 to be electrically connected to one another, because the electrical connection between them is not used to heat the aerosol-generating material 370.

[0111] 4 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system 4 including an aerosol delivery device 400 and a consumable 450, an external power supply device 460, local computing devices 471, 472, 473, and a remote computing device 480. The aerosol delivery device 400 and the consumable 450 may have any of the properties of the aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300 and consumables 150, 350 described above.

[0112] In this configuration, remote computing device 480 is a server residing on cloud 490. Aerosol delivery system 4 may correspond to any of aerosol delivery systems 1, 2, or 3 described above, or any other aerosol delivery system. Each of local computing devices 471, 472, 471 is connected to each other and to additional devices. Various data connections 40 between each of these devices are shown, illustrating how data may be transmitted between any given first and second device.

[0113] In use, once these data connections 40 are established (using wired or wireless protocols), data can be transmitted from a first device, such as aerosol delivery device 400, to a second device, such as remote computing device 480, either directly via a direct data connection between the two devices (if one exists), or indirectly relayed by another device or devices.

[0114] In the case of aerosol delivery device 400 and remote computing device 480, data such as usage data collected by the aerosol delivery device may be transmitted to remote computing device 480 by transmitting the data to external power supply device 460 via a wired data connection. The external power supply device then transmits the data to a first local computing device 471, which is a smartphone 471, via a wireless data connection. The wireless data connection between smartphone 471 and external power supply device 460 is a Bluetooth connection established using a Bluetooth module of smartphone 471 and a Bluetooth module of external power supply device 460.

[0115] Smartphone 471 then transmits the data over a wireless data connection to remote computing device 480. The wireless data connection between smartphone 471 and remote computing device 480 is a 3G wireless connection established using a 3G module in the local computing device connected to a corresponding communications node (such as a telecommunications "base station") that provides connectivity with remote computing device 480.

[0116] A user may also use this network of data connection 40 to cause its controller to perform a control action on aerosol delivery device 400. Using an app on a second local computing device 472, such as a smartphone or personal computer, a user can select a control action, which then transmits data regarding the control action to remote computing device 480 via a wired data connection. Remote computing device 480 then transmits data related to the control action to smartphone 471 using the 3G wireless connection described above.

[0117] Smartphone 471 then transmits the data regarding the control action to external power supply device 460 using the Bluetooth connection described above, which then transmits the data regarding the control action to aerosol delivery device 400 via a wired data connection between aerosol delivery device 400 and external power supply device 460. The data regarding the control action is received by a controller of aerosol delivery device 400, which causes aerosol delivery device 400 to perform the control action.

[0118] For aerosol delivery devices such as aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300, and 400, it may be desirable to prevent unintended users from using the aerosol delivery device, where an unintended user is an individual who is not intended to use the aerosol delivery device, for example, by generating aerosols for inhalation. In particular, it may be desirable to provide a feature in the aerosol delivery device that prevents unintended users but not intended users, for whom the aerosol delivery device is intended to be used, for example, to generate aerosols for inhalation.

[0119] An unintended user may be an individual under a threshold age who may not be considered an appropriate user of an aerosol delivery device because, for example, laws in a particular jurisdiction do not permit aerosol delivery devices to be used by individuals under the threshold age. An individual may be an unintended user of all forms of aerosol delivery devices, or an unintended user of an aerosol delivery device that produces an aerosol containing a specific regulated component, such as an active substance, e.g., nicotine.

[0120] The present application seeks to provide an aerosol delivery device that can deter use by unintended users but not by intended users. An aerosol delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 5. Aerosol delivery system 5 is a one-piece aerosol delivery device 500, although these techniques may be equally applied to any aerosol delivery device or aerosol delivery system, such as aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300 and aerosol delivery systems 1, 2, 3.

[0121] As described above, aerosol delivery device 500 includes outer housing 505, memory 510, controller 520 configured to control operation of aerosol delivery device 500, control interface 530 for receiving inputs to and providing outputs from aerosol delivery device 500, power supply 540 configured to provide power for operation of aerosol delivery device 500, a reservoir for storing liquid aerosol-generating material 570, and heating assembly 560 configured to heat aerosol-generating material 570. Outer housing 505 may also at least partially enclose other components of aerosol delivery device 500, namely, memory 510, controller 520, control interface 530, power supply 540, the reservoir containing liquid aerosol-generating material 570, and heating assembly 560. Aerosol delivery device 500 also includes mouthpiece 590 through which a user can inhale aerosol generated from aerosol-generating material 570.

[0122] The aerosol delivery device 500 may be a disposable, one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 that is not configured to allow a user to refill it with aerosol-generating material. Thus, a user can discard the aerosol delivery device 500 once the aerosol-generating material is depleted (e.g., after a predetermined number of inhalations). Furthermore, the one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 may be a non-rechargeable, one-piece aerosol delivery device that does not include a charging interface for receiving power from an external power source. However, other configurations are contemplated in which the one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 is configured to allow a user to refill it with aerosol-generating material. The one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 may also be rechargeable, including a charging interface for receiving power from an external source. The one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 may include any or all of the features of the aerosol delivery device 200, and a repeated description of some features will be omitted.

[0123] Aerosol delivery device 500 also includes a noise generator 580 configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users. The deterrent noise may be generated, for example, during one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device until the user confirms that they are the intended user, as described in more detail below.

[0124] It will be understood that the term "noise" is used herein to mean an acoustic signal that may include acoustic frequencies generally audible to humans (approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz) and / or may include ultrasonic frequencies inaudible to humans (above 20 kHz). Sound waves at sonic frequencies are sometimes referred to as "audible noise," and sound waves at ultrasonic frequencies are sometimes referred to as "inaudible noise."

[0125] The noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise generated by the noise generator 580 is directed in a particular direction. In particular, the noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise is directed toward a user, e.g., the head of a user of the aerosol delivery device 500 (specifically, the user's ears), for example, when the user is using the aerosol delivery device 500 according to one or more predetermined usage patterns. For example, the noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise is directed toward a user when the user is using the aerosol delivery device 500 by performing inhalation on the aerosol generated by the aerosol delivery device 500, e.g., by drawing on the mouthpiece 590 of the aerosol delivery device (or the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system in an approach where the mouthpiece is part of a consumable or is a separate component from the consumable and / or device). For example, the noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise is directed in a direction that is not opposite the proximal direction of the aerosol delivery device 500.

[0126] Controller 520 is configured to control the operation of noise generator 580. In particular, controller 520 may be configured to control the operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to a first mode, and in the first mode (i.e., when controller 520 is controlling the operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the first mode), controller 520 is configured to control the operation of noise generator 580 in response to input data received by controller 520 from control interface 530, corresponding to input received by controller 520, to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise in response to the input data received by controller 520 from control interface 530. Thus, in the first mode, controller 520 can cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise when appropriate to deter unintended users. This first mode may be understood to be used when it may be difficult or impractical to determine whether a user is an intended or unintended user, for example, because aerosol delivery device 500 has not yet received an input indicating that the user is the intended user.

[0127] Controller 520 may also be configured to switch from controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the first mode to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode when control interface 530 receives input indicating that the user of aerosol delivery device 500 is the intended user. Control interface 530 is configured to receive the input indicating that the user of aerosol delivery device 500 is the intended user and to provide input data to control interface 530 corresponding to the input indicating that the user of aerosol delivery device 500 is the intended user. Control interface 530 is configured to provide input data to controller 530 corresponding to the received input indicating that the user is the intended user, and controller 520 is configured to switch to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode in response to receiving the input (optionally after performing a predetermined test to determine the authenticity of the input). In the second mode, controller 520 is not configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise, e.g., the functionality of noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise may be disabled. Thus, upon indicating that the user is the intended user, aerosol delivery device 500 may cease generating the deterrent noise.

[0128] This input indicating that the user is the intended user may be provided by a variety of different mechanisms. In one approach, control interface 530 includes one or more input components configured to receive input, and the input indicating that the user is the intended user may be provided to these one or more input components. The one or more input components may be configured to be operated by the user to provide input comprising the user's physical manipulation of the one or more input components. For example, the one or more input components may include one or more buttons configured to receive input comprising the user's depression of one or more buttons, one or more switches configured to receive input comprising the user's depression of one or more switches, one or more dials configured to receive input comprising the user's rotation of one or more dials, and / or an accelerometer configured to receive input comprising the user's movement of aerosol delivery device 500. In such an approach, the input provided by the user to one or more input components is encoded with information that can be evaluated by controller 520.

[0129] In one approach, control interface 530 comprises one or more input components configured to receive input generated by an additional device, such as a local computing device. For example, the one or more input components may include a light-sensitive component configured to receive input including (e.g., visible) light generated by the additional device, a vibration-sensitive component configured to receive input including vibrations provided to aerosol delivery device 500 by the additional device, and / or an acoustic wave-sensitive component configured to receive input including an acoustic signal provided to aerosol delivery device 500 by the additional device. In such an approach, the input provided to control interface 530 of aerosol delivery device 500 by the additional device is encoded with information that can also be evaluated by controller 520.

[0130] The control interface 530 may include communication circuitry configured to communicate data with the additional device, e.g., to establish a data connection with the additional device. The communication circuitry may include a wireless communication module configured to establish a wireless data connection with the additional device, or a wired communication module configured to establish a wired data connection with the additional device. The additional device may send input including data, e.g., via the data connection, to the communication circuitry of the control interface 530, the data including information that may be evaluated by the controller 520.

[0131] Regardless of which of the above techniques is used to provide input to control interface 530, control interface 530 provides input data corresponding to the input to controller 520. Controller 520 is then configured to evaluate the authenticity of the input by determining whether the input passes predetermined tests, where passing the predetermined tests indicates that the user is the intended user and the input is authentic.

[0132] Controller 520 may be configured to determine whether information in the input (e.g., encoded or included in the input as described above) is associated with an identifier for aerosol delivery device 500, thereby determining whether the input passes a predetermined test. In other words, this may determine whether aerosol delivery device 500 is the intended recipient of the input, or whether the input is intended for a different aerosol delivery device. This identifier for aerosol delivery device 500 may be a unique identifier for aerosol delivery device 500 and may be stored in memory 510. To determine whether the input passes a predetermined test in this manner, controller 520 may be configured to determine whether the information was generated using the identifier for aerosol delivery device 500. For example, controller 520 may be configured to determine whether the information was generated by applying a predetermined software function to the identifier.

[0133] Controller 520 may additionally or alternatively be configured to determine whether the information in the input was generated by an authorized computing device, thereby determining whether the input passes a predetermined test. An authorized computing device may be a remote computing device, such as remote computing device 480 on cloud 490. An authorized computing device may include multiple computing devices, such as a network of computing devices, in configuration. An authorized computing device is controlled by the manufacturer of aerosol delivery device 500 or an entity acting with or on behalf of the manufacturer to perform user verification as an appropriate user. An authorized computing device has the authority to generate the necessary input to be provided to aerosol delivery device 500 that indicates the user is the intended user and can cause controller 520 to switch from controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device in a first mode to a second mode.

[0134] Controller 520 may determine whether the information in the input was generated by an authorized computing device, for example, by being configured to determine whether the information has a cryptographic association with a cryptographic first key of aerosol delivery device 500 stored in memory 510. For example, the information may have been generated by the authorized computing device using a cryptographic second key that is cryptographically associated with the first key of aerosol delivery device 500. In an approach known as "asymmetric encryption," controller 520 is configured to determine whether the information was generated by an authorized computing device by using a first key of aerosol delivery device 500 that is a public key to test whether a corresponding second key of the authorized computing device, which is a private key, was used to generate the information. In an approach known as "symmetric encryption," controller 520 is configured to determine whether the information was generated by an authorized computing device by using a first key of aerosol delivery device 500 that is a private key to test whether the information includes a corresponding second key of the authorized computing device that matches the first key.

[0135] Regardless of which approach is used, after controller 520 receives input data from control interface 530 corresponding to an input indicating that the user is the intended user (and, optionally, after evaluating the authenticity of the input by determining whether the information in the input passes a predetermined test), controller 520 switches to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode. After controller 520 switches to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode, controller 520 may be configured to continue controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode, for example, indefinitely. In such an approach, switching from the first mode to the second mode can be considered a “one-time” indication that the user is the intended user.

[0136] However, in other approaches, controller 520 may be configured to transition from controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode back to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the first mode in response to an event, such as the passage of a period of time (e.g., a predetermined period of time or the arrival of a particular time event), the reaching of a threshold number of inhalations of aerosol delivery device 500 detected by a puff sensor, the device arriving at a predetermined location, or the loss of an established wired or wireless data connection with an additional device (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). Controller 520 may also be configured to transition from controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the second mode back to controlling operation of aerosol delivery device 500 according to the first mode in response to receiving input data from control interface 530 corresponding to an instruction to transition back from the first mode to the second mode.

[0137] It may be advantageous to control where (e.g., relative to aerosol delivery device 500) the deterrent noise generated by noise generator 580 is directed toward a particular location. In this regard, deterrent noise that is "directed" toward a particular location may be understood to correspond to noise that is generated at the particular location such that the noise is more audible at that location than at most, e.g., all, other locations. Thus, by generating deterrent noise in this manner to be directed toward a particular location, the deterrent noise can provoke a stronger response at that location than at other locations, thereby maximizing the impact of the deterrent noise without incurring the generation of additional deterrent noise in all other directions, which may be power-intensive and disruptive.

[0138] During use, a user may be expected to assume a particular position (referred to as an expected position) with respect to aerosol delivery device 500. Accordingly, noise generator 580 may be configured such that the deterrent noise generated by noise generator 580 is directed toward the expected position of the user of aerosol delivery device 500. In particular, noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise is directed toward the user, e.g., the head (specifically, the user's ears) of a user of aerosol delivery device 500, for example, when the user is using aerosol delivery device 500 according to one or more predetermined usage patterns.

[0139] For example, noise generator 580 may be configured such that a deterrent noise is directed toward a user when the user is using aerosol delivery device 500 by performing inhalation of the aerosol generated by aerosol delivery device 500, such as by drawing on mouthpiece 590 of the aerosol delivery device (or on the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system in approaches where the mouthpiece is part of a consumable or is a separate component from the consumable and / or device). For example, noise generator 580 may be configured such that the deterrent noise is directed in a direction that is not opposite the proximal direction of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0140] To direct the deterrent noise, the noise generator may generate an acoustic beam that includes an ultrasonic signal, which is an acoustic signal that includes ultrasonic frequencies (frequencies above 20 kHz). This type of acoustic beam is sometimes referred to as an ultrasonic beam.

[0141] Although ultrasonic frequencies are inaudible to humans, acoustic beams with ultrasonic frequencies can be used to generate signals containing audible sound frequencies (frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz). The generation of sonic frequencies from ultrasonic frequencies results from the nonlinear interaction of the acoustic signal with the medium (e.g., air) through which it passes. The acoustic signal travels through the medium as a pressure change, propagating at the local speed of sound. Pressure changes in the medium cause changes in temperature, resulting in changes in the local speed of sound and changes in the signal's characteristics. At sound frequencies in the normal decibel range, the effect of such nonlinear interactions on signal characteristics is negligible. However, at ultrasonic frequencies, where the amplitude-to-wavelength ratio is much larger, nonlinear behavior can have a significant impact on the signal's characteristics.

[0142] When an acoustic signal contains two waves of different frequencies that exhibit nonlinear behavior (e.g., two ultrasonic frequencies), each affects the other through a nonlinear interaction with the medium. When two waves propagate together in the same direction along an acoustic beam, this interaction generates a wave with a frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of the two original waves, a phenomenon known as difference frequency generation. The amplitude of the difference frequency wave increases as the signal travels further through the medium. Therefore, an acoustic signal containing ultrasonic frequencies can be used to generate a signal with an audible sound frequency equal to the difference between the ultrasonic frequencies.

[0143] This behavior can be exploited to deliver a directional deterrent noise audible at the expected location of unintended users using an acoustic beam containing ultrasonic frequencies. Because the distortion of ultrasonic signals through air can be predicted to some extent (e.g., by empirical study or by modeling), an acoustic beam containing an ultrasonic signal intended to distort into an audible sound signal at a specific location can be generated, thereby directing the deterrent noise (in the form of an audible sound signal) to that specific location. The specific location can be selected to be or include the expected location of unintended users so that the deterrent noise is audible to the unintended users.

[0144] The use of ultrasonic frequencies for the acoustic beam can result in particularly narrow beam widths due to the relatively short wavelengths of ultrasonic frequencies compared to sonic frequencies, which may make it easier to direct the acoustic beam and deterrent noise at unintended users.

[0145] Additionally, the deterrent noise delivered using ultrasound signals may not be audible or may be less audible at locations along the acoustic beam between the noise generator and the specific location targeted for delivery of the deterrent noise due to the gradual growth of difference frequency waves along the acoustic beam. This may also contribute to the ease with which the acoustic beam can be directed only to specific locations; for example, a person positioned along the beam path between the noise generator and an unintended user may not experience the deterrent noise or may only experience a reduced amplitude of the noise.

[0146] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a device 600 including a noise generator 680. The device may be, for example, the device and noise generator described above in relation to Figure 5 and may include any of the features described in relation thereto.

[0147] The noise generator 680 is configured to generate an audible sound signal 630 at a specific location 640 by emitting an ultrasonic acoustic signal 610, which is an acoustic signal including an ultrasonic frequency. The noise generator 680 includes at least one ultrasonic transducer 682 configured to emit the ultrasonic acoustic signal 610. The ultrasonic transducer 682 is, for example, an acoustic signal transmitter that converts an input electrical signal into the ultrasonic acoustic signal 610.

[0148] An ultrasonic acoustic signal 610 generated by a noise generator 680 is directed along a beam path 620 to a specific location 640. As it passes along the beam path 620, the ultrasonic acoustic signal 610 is distorted as described above to result in an audible sound signal 630 at the specific location 640. The audible sound signal 630 comprises a deterrent noise to be directed to an unintended user, and the specific location 640 may be selected as a location at or near the head or ear of the unintended user, as described above.

[0149] The particular location can include any point, area, or volume in space that is within the acoustic beam path. In one example, the particular location can include multiple distinct points, areas, and / or volumes along the beam path at which the noise generator is configured to generate an audible sound signal or distinct audible sound signals.

[0150] The above-described configurations may function to deliver some form of audible noise to unintended users, for example, by simply using a pure ultrasonic tone to generate an audible noise that increases in amplitude along the path of the ultrasonic beam. However, it may also be desirable to control the form of audible noise perceptible at a particular location by controlling the audible signal characteristics, such as frequency and amplitude. Controlling the characteristics of the audible noise signal may be desirable to generate a particularly effective deterrent noise for unintended users, for example, due to the perceived amount or type of noise.

[0151] Thus, in certain embodiments, the characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude) of the audible sound signal at a particular location can be controlled by controlling the characteristics of the emitted ultrasonic acoustic signal. Because distortion of ultrasonic acoustic signals is somewhat predictable, the signal characteristics can be selected so that the emitted ultrasonic acoustic signal distorts the audible sound signal at a particular location to have desired characteristics. Thus, by controlling the characteristics of the ultrasonic acoustic signal, the form of the suppression noise can be controlled, for example, to control the perceived amount or type of noise.

[0152] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a device 700 including a noise generator 780. The device may be, for example, any of the devices and noise generators described above in connection with Figures 5 and 6 and may include any of the features described in connection therewith.

[0153] The noise generator 780 is configured to generate an ultrasonic acoustic signal 710 having controlled characteristics, thereby generating a controlled audible sound signal 730 having controlled characteristics at a specific location 740. The noise generator 780 comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer 782 configured to emit the ultrasonic acoustic signal 710.

[0154] In the illustrated example, the noise generator 780 includes a modulator 784 configured to modulate an audio signal 786 with an ultrasonic carrier signal 788. The modulator 784 uses the ultrasonic carrier signal 788 to generate an output signal that is based on the audio signal 786 (i.e., a function of the audio signal 786). The noise generator 780 is configured to activate the ultrasonic transducer 782 in response to the output signal of the modulator 784, such that the ultrasonic beam is based on the output signal of the modulator and thereby includes an ultrasonic acoustic signal 710 that is based on the audio signal 786 and the ultrasonic carrier signal 788.

[0155] After being emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 782, the ultrasonic acoustic signal 710 passes along a beam path 720. The ultrasonic acoustic signal 710 is distorted in the same manner as described above, resulting in a controlled audible noise signal 730 at a specific location 740. The distortion of the ultrasonic acoustic signal 710 as it passes along the beam path 720 effectively acts to demodulate the signal to produce a controlled audible noise signal 730 at a specific location 740.

[0156] The modulator 784 is configured to generate an output signal such that the ultrasound signal 710 is demodulated by the medium through which the beam path passes and a controlled audible noise signal 730 is generated at a specific location 740 having one or more characteristics, e.g., the same frequency and / or waveform, of the audio signal 786. The audible noise signal 730 may include a combination of the audio signal 786 and the noise effect generated by the demodulation.

[0157] The modulation performed by the modulator 784 to generate the output may include any one or combination of modulation techniques that result in the ultrasonic signal 710 demodulating into a controlled audible sound signal 730 as it passes from the noise generator 780 to a particular location 740. The modulation may include amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, or any of a combination of modulation techniques.

[0158] The modulator 784 may be an analog modulator forming part of an electronic circuit controlled by a controller, or the modulator may be a digital modulator, which may form part of the signal generator of the noise generator 780, as described further below.

[0159] Although an embodiment is shown in which the modulator 784 is a separate component, in other embodiments, the modulation may be performed by other digital components of the device, such as the device's controller, as described further below.

[0160] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a device 800 including a noise generator 880. The device may be, for example, any of the devices and noise generators described above in connection with Figures 5, 6 and 7 and may include any of the features described in connection therewith.

[0161] The noise generator 880 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each configured to emit an ultrasonic signal. In the illustrated example, the noise generator 880 includes a first ultrasonic transducer 882 and a second ultrasonic transducer 884 configured to emit respective first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814.

[0162] The first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814 travel along respective first and second beam paths 822, 824 toward a specific location 840. As they pass along the beam paths, each of the first and second ultrasonic signals is distorted to produce respective first and second audible signals 832, 834 at the specific location 840. The first and second audible signals 832, 834 intercept and combine via constructive interference at the specific location 840 to produce a combined audible signal 830 that includes the suppressive noise.

[0163] The first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814 may be substantially the same signals generated separately by each of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 882, 884. In one embodiment, the first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814 may comprise different signals selected to generate a specific combined audible sound signal 830 at a specific location 840.

[0164] If the first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814 are different, then the first and second audible signals 832, 834 produced by distortion of the respective ultrasonic signals may also be different. In another embodiment, different first and second ultrasonic signals 812, 814 may be used to produce substantially similar first and second audible signals 832, 834 that have the same waveform and frequency and combine via constructive interference to form a combined audible signal 830. The combined audible signal 830 produced by constructive interference may also be similar to both the first and second audible signals 832, 834, but may have a larger amplitude than either.

[0165] The use of multiple ultrasonic transducers that are spatially separated from one another can provide improved control over the characteristics of the suppression noise.

[0166] Further embodiments may combine certain aspects of the above-described embodiments. In certain examples, a device may include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and a noise generator including one or more modulators configured to generate outputs, wherein the one or more ultrasonic transducers may emit an ultrasonic signal based on the one or more outputs.

[0167] Although not specifically described above, it will be appreciated that any of the above devices and noise generators may include additional features, such as amplifiers, power supplies, electronic controllers, etc., that can assist the noise generator in generating the ultrasonic signal.

[0168] In each of the above examples, the noise generator is configured to generate an audible deterrent noise at a specific location having a frequency in the range of human hearing, i.e., 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Furthermore, if the audible deterrent noise is at a higher frequency within this range, the deterrent noise may only be audible to individuals below a threshold age. By selecting the frequency of the deterrent noise with this in mind, it may be possible to use ultrasonic acoustic signals such as those described above to generate a deterrent noise that is audible to unintended users who are younger than a certain threshold age, as defined by the laws of the jurisdiction, for example. Preferably, this high-frequency deterrent noise is inaudible to individuals who are intended users because they are older than the threshold age.

[0169] Thus, noise generator 580 may be configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency between 10 kHz and 20 kHz, e.g., between 15 kHz and 20 kHz, or between 16 kHz and 20 kHz. The 16 kHz to 20 kHz range in particular may be advantageous because deterrent noise generated in this range may be audible down to those under 18 years of age, but not to individuals over 18 years of age. This may therefore allow the deterrent noise to be heard by individuals who are not intended users because they are below the threshold age of 18. However, it should be noted that approaches in which the deterrent noise exceeds these ranges are also contemplated, for example, if the deterrent noise is at a frequency audible to individuals of all ages.

[0170] 5, noise generator 580 may be controlled by device controller 520. Controller 520 may set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise (e.g., first noise signal and / or second noise signal) depending on how aerosol delivery device 500 is being used. Control interface 580 is configured to receive input regarding the use of aerosol delivery device 500 and provide input data corresponding to the received input to controller 520. The input may be used to ensure that the deterrent noise is generated by noise generator 580 in an appropriate manner that may be optimized for the use of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0171] Controller 520 is configured to receive input data from control interface 530 corresponding to the received input regarding use of aerosol delivery device 500, to inform how to generate the deterrent noise by noise generator 580 using these inputs. Controller 520 is then configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise to be generated by noise generator 580. To set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise to be generated, controller 520 first determines values ​​of the one or more characteristics of the noise to be generated.

[0172] This determination of values ​​may be accomplished by controller 520 applying a predetermined function to the information in the input to determine values ​​for setting one or more characteristics. In applying the predetermined function to the information in the input, controller 520 may compare the information in the input with predetermined parameters and select values ​​for setting one or more characteristics depending on the results of the comparison. These values ​​may be predetermined values ​​selected from a plurality of predetermined values ​​for one or more characteristics for suppressing noise, stored, for example, in memory 510. In another approach, in applying the predetermined function to the information in the input, for example, where applying the predetermined function to the information includes applying a predetermined mathematical function to the information, controller 520 may calculate (e.g., new) values ​​for one or more characteristics, which generates values ​​of the one or more characteristics as output.

[0173] Regardless of which technique is used to determine the values ​​of the one or more characteristics, once these values ​​are determined, controller 520 can be configured to store these values ​​in memory (e.g., memory 510) for subsequent use for one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise the next time the deterrent noise is generated. Thus, when controller 520 subsequently causes noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise (e.g., in response to control interface 530 receiving an input corresponding to a command to generate the deterrent noise or in response to control interface 530 receiving an input that passes a predetermined test), controller 520 is configured to cause the noise generator to generate the deterrent noise having one or more characteristics, e.g., having values ​​stored in memory for those one or more characteristics. In other words, causing noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise having one or more characteristics includes retrieving the determined values ​​for the one or more characteristics by the controller.

[0174] Controller 520 may further be configured to determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device. These one or more predetermined usage patterns may correspond to unauthorized usage patterns for unintended users. Controller 520 may then be further configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0175] In particular, control interface 530 of aerosol delivery device 500 may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties related to aerosol delivery device 500 (e.g., its use), where the one or more sensors are configured to provide input data to controller 520, including sensor data corresponding to the detected one or more properties. In response to this sensor data, controller 520 can determine whether the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined uses of aerosol delivery device 500, which, as described above, are not permitted for unintended users. In response to determining that the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined uses of aerosol delivery device 500, controller 520 is configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise to prevent unintended users from using aerosol delivery device 500 in such a manner.

[0176] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a puff sensor configured to detect a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device 500. For example, the puff sensor may be configured to detect when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 590 of the aerosol delivery device 500 (or on the consumable mouthpiece or the aerosol delivery system mouthpiece in configurations where the aerosol delivery device is not a one-piece aerosol delivery device). The puff sensor may comprise a pressure sensor or a microphone. In such an approach, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device; therefore, when the controller 520 receives input data from the control interface 530 corresponding to an inhalation detected by the puff sensor, the controller 520 is configured to cause the noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise.

[0177] These inputs regarding use of aerosol delivery device 500 may also indicate an expected location of a user of aerosol delivery device 500. Accordingly, the controller may be configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise (e.g., the first noise signal and / or the second noise signal) in response to input data received from control interface 530 corresponding to input received by control interface 520 indicating the expected location of the user. The controller may be configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise such that a region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device during the predetermined usage pattern determined to be occurring.

[0178] For example, if the controller 520 determines that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device, the controller may set one or more characteristics of the inhibitory noise (e.g., the first noise signal and / or the second noise signal) so that the constructive interference region encompasses the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device during the user's inhalation on the aerosol delivery device.

[0179] Noise generator 580 may also include a signal generator configured to generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated. Noise generator 580 may be configured, for example, to receive instructions from controller 520 to generate a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics, the signal generator configured to receive the instructions to generate a deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics) and, in response to the instructions, generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics) to be generated. In other words, having noise generator 580 generate a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics by controller 520 may include providing instructions by controller 520 to noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics, the instructions being received by a signal generator of noise generator 580, and, in response, the signal generator generating an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated.

[0180] The signal generator is configured to generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and to provide the electronic signal to a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive the electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and to provide an analog signal corresponding to the deterrent noise to be generated to one or more ultrasonic transducers. The noise generator 580 may also include an amplifier configured to amplify the analog signal, which passes through the amplifier and is provided to the ultrasonic transducers. The digital-to-analog converter and amplifier may be integrated on a printed circuit board ("PCB"). As described above, the signal generator can include a digital modulator, and the signal generator is configured to generate the electronic signal based on an output signal of the modulator.

[0181] Although the signal generator is described above as part of the noise generator 580, this component may be omitted, and instead the functionality of this component may be provided by the controller 520. In other words, upon providing instructions by the controller 520 to the noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics), the controller 520 may generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and provide this electronic signal to the noise generator 580 (e.g., a digital-to-analog converter of the noise generator 580). In such a configuration, a modulator within the noise generator may be controlled by the controller. Alternatively, the functionality of the digital modulator may be performed by the controller, which provides an output to the noise generator to modulate the ultrasonic acoustic signal.

[0182] A flowchart diagram of a method for an aerosol delivery system (e.g., aerosol delivery device thereof) according to certain embodiments is shown in Figure 9. The method is applicable to aerosol delivery device 500 and will be described in the context of this device. However, these techniques may be equally applied to any aerosol delivery device or aerosol delivery system, such as aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300 and aerosol delivery systems 1, 2, 3.

[0183] In step S1, an aerosol delivery device, such as aerosol delivery device 500, is provided. As described above, aerosol delivery device 500 includes noise generator 580 configured to generate an audible noise using an ultrasonic beam. Note that noise generator 580 is described as generating a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, but it will be recognized that noise generator 580 may be more broadly applicable to generating other types of noise. Noise generator 580 comprises one or more ultrasonic transducers, such as those described above.

[0184] In step S2, an ultrasound beam is generated by noise generator 580, and an audible noise is generated by one or more ultrasound transducers of noise generator 580. The audible noise may be directed toward an expected location of a user of aerosol delivery device 500. Again, this audible noise generated by noise generator 580 may be a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, although other types of noise may be generated. As described above, controller 520 may control the operation of aerosol delivery device 500 and may be the controller 520 of aerosol delivery device 500 or a controller of a further device configured to communicate data with aerosol delivery device 500 to control the operation of aerosol delivery device 500. This controller 520 may cause noise generator 580 to generate the ultrasound beam and the audible noise.

[0185] 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. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. 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. Furthermore, 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 comprising: A controller; a noise generator including one or more ultrasonic transducers, the noise generator being controllable by the controller and configured to generate an ultrasonic beam directed toward the anticipated location of a user of the aerosol delivery device such that an audible deterrent noise is generated at the anticipated location; An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. the device is configured to modulate an audio signal with an ultrasonic carrier signal to generate an output signal; The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the noise generator is configured to generate the ultrasonic beam in response to the output signal.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the noise generator comprises a modulator configured to modulate the audio signal with the ultrasonic carrier signal.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the modulator is a digital modulator.

5. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the noise generator comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers.

6. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers a first ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a first ultrasonic beam; a second ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a second ultrasonic beam; Equipped with the first ultrasonic beam is configured to generate a first audible sound signal at the expected location; the second ultrasonic beam is configured to generate a second audible sound signal at the expected location; 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the audible deterrent noise is generated by constructive interference of the first audible sound signal and the second audible sound signal.

7. the first ultrasound beam includes a first ultrasound signal; the second ultrasound beam includes a second ultrasound signal; 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6, wherein the first ultrasonic signal comprises a different waveform or a different frequency than the second ultrasonic signal.

8. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first audible signal and the second audible signal comprise the same waveform and / or frequency.

9. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the audible deterrent noise comprises a frequency between 10 kHz and 20 kHz.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9, wherein the audible deterrent noise comprises a frequency between 15 kHz and 20 kHz.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10, wherein the audible deterrent noise comprises a frequency between 16 kHz and 20 kHz.

12. An aerosol delivery device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the expected position is the position the user's head is expected to take when the user inhales the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator.

13. a control interface configured to receive inputs related to use of the aerosol delivery device and to provide input data corresponding to the received inputs to the controller, the controller further comprising: receiving the input data from the control interface corresponding to the received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; Responsive to the receipt of the input data, determining whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; and causing the noise generator to generate the ultrasonic beam in response to determining that the input data corresponds to an occurrence of the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, configured to:

14. the control interface comprising one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties related to the aerosol delivery device; the one or more sensors are configured to provide input data to the controller, the input data including sensor data corresponding to the one or more detected properties; 14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device by determining whether the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

15. 1. A method for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a noise generator configured to generate an audible deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the noise generator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers; generating an ultrasonic beam with the noise generator to generate an audible deterrent noise to deter unintended users; A method comprising:

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