Aerosol Delivery System

Abstract

The aerosol delivery device (500) includes a noise generator (580) configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, a controller (520), and a control interface (530). The controller (520) is configured to receive input data from the control interface (530) corresponding to received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device (500), 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 (500), and cause the noise generator (580) to generate a deterrent noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of the predetermined usage patterns.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system, an aerosol delivery device, and a method for generating a 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 the 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 within the delivery system or by a controller of an additional device with which the communication circuitry of the control interface of the delivery system is connected and configured to communicate data. For example, the additional device may send data including instructions for performing control actions to the communication circuitry of the delivery system. The operation of the delivery system may also be controlled by a distributed system including the delivery system and one or more additional devices, such as an external power source device and / or 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 noise generator configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users; a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; and 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; in response to receiving the input data, determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; and in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device, cause the noise generator to generate the deterrent noise.

[0004] In an embodiment, the control interface includes one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device, the one or more sensors configured to provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected one or more characteristics, and the controller 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0007] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature related to the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected temperature.

[0008] In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include heating one or more components of the aerosol delivery device above a threshold temperature.

[0009] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material detection sensor configured to detect when an aerosol-generating material is provided to the aerosol delivery device and to provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected provision of the aerosol-generating material.

[0010] In embodiments, one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device include providing an aerosol-generating material to the aerosol delivery device.

[0011] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material identification sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected characteristic.

[0012] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device using an aerosol-generating material having one or more predetermined characteristics.

[0013] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined characteristics include the aerosol-forming material containing one or more components above a threshold amount.

[0014] In an embodiment, one or more of the ingredients comprises one or more active agents.

[0015] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a condition sensor configured to detect conditions associated with the environment of the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected conditions.

[0016] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device in one or more predetermined situations.

[0017] In an embodiment, the condition sensor includes a position sensor configured to detect a location associated with the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected location.

[0018] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device at one or more predetermined locations.

[0019] In embodiments, the aerosol delivery device comprises an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.

[0020] In embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol-forming material.

[0021] In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol generator.

[0022] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device that indicate that the user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user.

[0023] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device that are not authorized for unintended users within the jurisdiction of the aerosol delivery device.

[0024] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device according to a first mode, and while the controller is controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode, the controller is configured to: receive input data from the control interface corresponding to received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; in response to receiving the input data, determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; and in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device, cause the noise generator to generate an inhibitory noise.

[0025] In embodiments, the control interface is configured to receive input indicating that the user is the intended user, and to provide input data to the controller corresponding to the input indicating that the user is the intended user; The controller is configured to switch from controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the second mode in response to receiving input data from the control interface corresponding to input received by the control interface indicating that the user is the intended user.

[0026] In an embodiment, in the second mode, the controller is not configured to cause the noise generator to generate an inhibitory noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0027] In an embodiment, the control interface comprises communications circuitry configured to communicate data with one or more further devices, and the input received by the communications circuitry corresponds to data received from the one or more further devices.

[0028] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

[0029] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency above 16 kHz.

[0030] In an embodiment, the noise generator is arranged to direct a deterrent noise towards a user using the aerosol delivery device according to one or more of the one or more predetermined use patterns.

[0031] According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device according to any of the above and a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material.

[0032] According to one aspect, a method for an aerosol delivery device is provided, comprising: providing an aerosol delivery device and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device by a control interface of the aerosol delivery device; providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller by the control interface; receiving the input data by the controller; in response to receiving the input data, determining by the controller whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; and in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device, generating a deterrent noise by a noise generator to deter unintended users.

[0033] In any of the above embodiments, the control interface includes one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device, receiving input related to a user of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting one or more characteristics 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 characteristics 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 any of the above embodiments, 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 any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0036] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature related to the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input related to use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting a temperature related to the aerosol delivery device by the temperature sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected temperature by the control interface to the controller.

[0037] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include heating one or more components of the aerosol delivery device above a threshold temperature.

[0038] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material detection sensor configured to detect when aerosol-generating material is provided to the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting, by the aerosol-generating material detection sensor, the provision of aerosol-generating material to the aerosol delivery device, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing, by the control interface, input data corresponding to the detected provision of the aerosol-generating material to the controller.

[0039] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include engaging a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material with the aerosol delivery device.

[0040] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material identification sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting a characteristic of the aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device by the aerosol-generating material identification sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected characteristic by the control interface to the controller.

[0041] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device using an aerosol-generating material having one or more predetermined characteristics.

[0042] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined characteristics include the aerosol-forming material containing one or more components above a threshold amount.

[0043] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more ingredients include one or more active agents.

[0044] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more sensors include a condition sensor configured to detect a condition associated with an environment of the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input related to use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting a condition associated with an environment of the aerosol delivery device by the condition sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected condition by the control interface to the controller.

[0045] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device in one or more predetermined situations.

[0046] In any of the above embodiments, the situation sensor includes a position sensor configured to detect a location associated with the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting a location associated with the environment of the aerosol delivery device by the position sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected location by the control interface to the controller.

[0047] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device at one or more predetermined locations.

[0048] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol delivery device includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, and receiving input related to use of the aerosol delivery device includes receiving, by the control interface, input corresponding to an instruction to cause the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing, by the control interface, input data corresponding to an instruction to cause the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material to the controller.

[0049] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator includes a heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol-forming material.

[0050] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material with an aerosol generator.

[0051] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device that indicate a user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user.

[0052] In any of the above embodiments, the one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device that are not authorized for unintended users within the jurisdiction of the aerosol delivery device.

[0053] In any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device according to a first mode, and while the controller is controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode: receiving, by a controller, input data; determining, by the controller, 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 generating, by a noise generator, a deterrent noise to deter unintended users in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device. is executed.

[0054] In any of the above embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the control interface, input indicating that the user is the intended user; providing, by the control interface, input data to the controller corresponding to an input indicating that the user is the intended user; in response to receipt by the controller of input data corresponding to input received by the control interface indicating that the user is the intended user, switching by the controller from controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the second mode; Includes.

[0055] In any of the above embodiments, while the controller is controlling the operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the second mode, the controller does not cause the noise generator to generate an inhibitory noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0056] In any of the above embodiments, the control interface includes communications circuitry configured to communicate data with one or more further devices, and the input received by the communications circuitry corresponds to data received from the one or more further devices.

[0057] In any of the above embodiments, the deterrent noise has a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

[0058] In any of the above embodiments, the deterrent noise has a frequency greater than 16 kHz.

[0059] In any of the above embodiments, generating the deterrent noise generator includes generating a deterrent noise directed toward the user using the aerosol delivery device according to one or more of the one or more predetermined usage patterns.

[0060] According to one aspect, there is provided a controller configured to control operation of an aerosol delivery device, the controller comprising: receiving, from the control interface, input data corresponding to input received by the control interface regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; In response to receiving the input data, determining whether the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; causing a noise generator to generate a deterrent noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; A controller is provided that is configured to:

[0061] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0062] In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include heating one or more components of the aerosol delivery device above a threshold temperature.

[0063] In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include engaging a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material with the aerosol delivery device.

[0064] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device using a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material having one or more predetermined characteristics.

[0065] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined characteristics include the aerosol-forming material containing one or more components above a threshold amount.

[0066] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device in one or more predetermined situations.

[0067] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device at one or more predetermined locations.

[0068] In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol generator.

[0069] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device that indicate that the user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user.

[0070] In an embodiment, the one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined forms of use of the aerosol delivery device that are not authorized for unintended users within the jurisdiction of the aerosol delivery device.

[0071] In embodiments, the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device according to a first mode, and while the controller is controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode, the controller: receiving input data from the control interface corresponding to the received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; In response to receiving the input data, determining whether the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; causing a noise generator to generate a deterrent noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; The device is configured to:

[0072] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to switch from controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the second mode in response to receiving input data from the control interface corresponding to input received by the control interface indicating that the user is the intended user.

[0073] In an embodiment, while the controller is controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device according to the second mode, the controller is not configured to cause the noise generator to generate an inhibiting noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

[0074] Any embodiment may include any feature or functional step described with respect to another embodiment.

[0075] Aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0076] [Figure 1]1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system comprising an aerosol delivery device, a consumable, an external power source device, a local computing device, and a remote computing device, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 5] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 shows a flowchart diagram of a method for an aerosol delivery system, according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0077] Aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments are explained or described herein. Some aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner and will not be explained / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods described herein but not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0078] 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 include components that impart a physiological effect to the user, a sensory effect to the user, or both. In this context, the substance will generally be present in an aerosol-generating material or another material not intended to be aerosolized. The material itself (whether for aerosolization or not) will typically contain a range of ingredients. These are generally categorized as actives, flavors, aerosol-former materials, and other functional materials such as fillers. The actives, when delivered to the user, may provide some form of psychological effect to the user.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Exemplary combustion aerosol delivery systems include cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or hand-rolled or homemade cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smokable materials). Exemplary non-combustion aerosol delivery systems include non-combustion heated aerosol delivery systems in which a solid material is heated to produce 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 produce an aerosol (commonly known as "electronic cigarettes" or "e-cigarettes"), and hybrid aerosol delivery systems, which are similar to vapor aerosol delivery systems except that the aerosol produced from the liquid material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to receive additional components before reaching the user. Exemplary aerosol-free delivery systems include, but are not limited to, oral products such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral tobacco products, including snus or moist snuff, that deliver at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or in another manner that does not form an aerosol, and the at least one substance may or may not contain nicotine.

[0081] Although various techniques are described herein with respect to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, these may be readily applied in the context of any of the delivery systems described above, for example, by implementing them within the delivery system where feasible, or by implementing them in a "smart" container for the delivery system, for example, for storing the delivery system. The delivery systems described herein may be implemented as combustion aerosol delivery systems, non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, or aerosol-free delivery systems.

[0082] 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 vaping 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 be an aerosol-generating material heating system, such as a non-combustion heating system. One 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.

[0083] An aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when energized, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. The aerosol-generating material can be in solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel) form, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. The aerosol-generating material can include one or more active substances and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials. The aerosol-generating material can include a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol-former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or a filler material can 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.

[0084] 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 material 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 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. An aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-forming agent, and one or more other ingredients, such as 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 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, or 90 wt% of the solvent.

[0085] 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 can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise, for example, about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of plant material. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0086] 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 of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0087] 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 sequence of inhalations may be considered a "session." The sequence may correspond to a characteristic pattern of inhalations. The sequence may correspond to a predetermined number, range, or number of inhalations by a user on the aerosol delivery system. For example, a session may be defined as 10 inhalations, or 8-12 inhalations. Additionally or alternatively, a session may be defined by a predetermined time from the first inhalation on the aerosol delivery system (e.g., involving heating the aerosol-generating material to a target temperature for a predetermined time). For example, the predetermined time may be 4, less than 4 minutes, less than 6 minutes, or less than 10 minutes. Thus, a session may 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 predetermined number of inhalations and predetermined time values ​​are given purely by way of example, and that other numbers and times may be used in other embodiments as appropriate.

[0088] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, a session corresponds to a sequence of inhalations, with the sequences separated from another session by a pause exceeding a threshold duration. The threshold duration may be selected for ease of understanding by the user (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55 minutes, or more preferably, a period ranging from 5 to 45 minutes, or more preferably, a period ranging from 10 to 30 minutes, or even more preferably, a period ranging from 15 to 20 minutes), or the threshold duration 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 also be individualized based on, for example, gender, body type (size, weight, etc.), and ethnicity. A lookup table of half-life values, and / or scaling values ​​of one or more physiological factors of the user may be used to refine otherwise generic half-life values. Thus, an inhalation session may contain a characteristic pattern and / or may be separated from another session by a threshold duration of non-use.

[0089] 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. Often, the consumable component is sold separately from the device, often in multipacks. The terms "consumable component" and "article" may generally be used interchangeably. Often, the consumable component will comprise an aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol delivery device will comprise a power source, a controller, a control interface, and a memory (each of which is described in more detail herein) at least partially enclosed within an outer housing, which may be formed from any suitable material, e.g., a plastic material or metal. During use, the consumable component may be engaged 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 the removed consumable, and replace the removed consumable with a (new) consumable. Devices that conform to this type of two-piece modular configuration may be generally referred to as two-piece aerosol delivery devices, which, together with the consumable, may be generally referred to as two-piece aerosol delivery systems.

[0090] 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 can be mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the aerosol delivery device using an engagement interface of the aerosol delivery device and a corresponding engagement interface of the consumable. The engagement interface of the aerosol delivery device can include mechanical engagement means for mechanically coupling with the consumable, e.g., with a corresponding mechanical engagement means of the consumable. The engagement interface can include an electrical engagement interface for electrically connecting with the consumable, e.g., with a corresponding electrical engagement interface of the consumable. The electrical engagement interface of the aerosol delivery device can be configured to provide power to the consumable, e.g., an aerosol generator of the consumable (as described in more detail herein).

[0091] While a consumable typically comprises a single portion of aerosol-generating material, in some cases, a consumable may comprise 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 one or more of the multiple portions of aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol independently from each of the portions of aerosol-generating material. Each portion of aerosol-generating material may be an individual portion, with the multiple individual portions being separate from one another such that each individual portion may be individually energized (e.g., heated) and / or independently energized (e.g., heated) to generate an aerosol.

[0092] In some cases, an aerosol delivery device may be configured to receive multiple consumables, each of which may comprise a different aerosol-generating material. In use, the multiple consumables are received by the aerosol delivery device, which is configured to generate an aerosol from one or more of the aerosol-generating materials in the consumables, each of which may be generated independently. Devices conforming to this type of configuration may generally be referred to as multi-consumable devices, and together with the multiple consumables, may generally be 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, including, but not limited to, aerosol-generating materials, aerosol generators, power sources, control interfaces, controllers, and memory (as described in more detail herein). 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.

[0093] Embodiments are also contemplated in which the aerosol delivery device is a one-piece aerosol delivery device that is not configured to receive a removable consumable, but instead includes 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 used up. Alternatively, the one-piece aerosol delivery device may be a disposable one-piece aerosol delivery device that can be disposed of by a user once the aerosol-generating material is used up (e.g., after a predetermined number of inhalations), e.g., not configured to be refillable by a 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. One-piece aerosol delivery devices such as these (either refillable or disposable) may use any of the features used in two-piece (and / or multi-consumable) aerosol delivery systems, including, but not limited to, an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol generator, a power source, a control interface, a controller, and a memory (as described in more detail herein). 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.

[0094] 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 the air combines 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, which may be positioned 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 the air drawn through the one or more air inlets continues along the flow path to the opening, carrying the aerosol with the air. The aerosol then exits the aerosol delivery system through the mouthpiece, e.g., an opening in the mouthpiece, for inhalation by the user. The mouthpiece may be part of the consumable, 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.

[0095] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) may be elongated and extend along a longitudinal axis. The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) has a proximal end that is closest to a user (e.g., a 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.

[0096] The proximal end may also be referred to as the "mouth end." Thus, an aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of an aerosol delivery system) defines a proximal direction along a longitudinal axis that is oriented toward a user during use, e.g., from the distal end to the proximal end. Additionally, an aerosol delivery system similarly defines a distal direction along a longitudinal axis that is oriented away from a user during use, e.g., 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 with reference to the relative positioning of such features relative to one another in the proximal or distal direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0097] The structure of the aerosol delivery system (and the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) 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 different forms of aerosol-generating material and corresponding different aerosol-delivery device structures, the techniques described herein may be applied to all forms of aerosol-generating material.

[0098] An aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of an aerosol delivery system) 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 and volatilize the aerosol-generating material, 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.

[0099] Aerosol delivery systems (e.g., aerosol delivery devices of the aerosol delivery system) often include a heating chamber, where the heating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material within the heating chamber. In such configurations, 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 within the consumable. Aerosol delivery systems (e.g., aerosol delivery devices of the aerosol delivery system) 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 configurations where the heating chamber is included within 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 within the consumable chamber when connected to the aerosol delivery device during use. The consumable may be configured to be partially or fully inserted into the aerosol delivery device by inserting the consumable into the consumable chamber through an opening in the outer housing of the aerosol delivery device.

[0100] The heating assembly may include a heating element 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, where the heating assembly may be configured to heat independently, for example, so that they can be heated individually or in combination. In the case of a system including multiple portions of aerosol-generating material (whether the multiple portions are within 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.

[0101] In some configurations, the heating assembly is configured to heat the heating element by resistive heating, where an electric current is passed through the heating element to cause 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 a 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 may surround at least a portion of the heating chamber.

[0102] The heating element may be heated by penetration by a varying magnetic field because the susceptor material comprises a 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 conductive and magnetic.

[0103] The heating element, e.g., the susceptor material of the heating element (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.

[0104] Configurations are contemplated in which the heating assembly includes a radiative 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 enabled by the heating assembly being configured to independently heat different regions of the heating chamber.

[0105] 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.

[0106] In configurations where the aerosol-generating material is a liquid, the aerosol can be stored in a reservoir included within 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 it 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.

[0107] A reservoir may have the form of a storage tank, a container or vessel in which an aerosol-generating material can be stored so that the liquid moves and flows freely within the tank's boundaries. In configurations in which the reservoir is included within 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 within 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, replacing it with new aerosol-generating material from the reservoir that is transferred to the heating element by the wick transfer arrangement. The transfer arrangement may be thought of as a conduit between the reservoir and the heating element that transfers the aerosol-generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. While described in the context of the reservoir and heating element being contained within 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.

[0108] In configurations in which the aerosol-generating material is a solid or gel, the aerosol-generating material can be provided within 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 packaging material at least partially enclosing other components of the consumable, including one or more of the filter, cooling element, mouthpiece, and aerosol-generating material. In some cases, the packaging material may include a paper layer. In some cases, the packaging material may include a non-combustible layer (e.g., a layer resistant to combustion), such as metal foil. Preferably, the packaging material may include an aluminum foil layer. The packaging material may include a laminate structure, which in some cases may include at least one paper layer and at least one non-combustible layer.

[0109] 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 on or within 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.

[0110] The heating element, if present, 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. Alternatively, the heating element may be part of the consumable. This may be the case for configurations in which the aerosol-generating material is a liquid, solid, or gel.

[0111] 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 positioned 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 within an aerosol modifier-releasing component operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. 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.

[0112] 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, a 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 distribute 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 power the heating assembly, such that the power source powers the heating assembly and the heating assembly heats the aerosol-generating material using the power provided by the power source.

[0113] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) includes a controller configured to control the operation of the aerosol delivery system. It will be appreciated that the functionality of the controller can 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 appreciated that the controller can include a microcontroller (MCU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU), and / or a microprocessor. The controller can 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 some configurations, a consumable may include the controller.

[0114] The controller can be configured to control the operation of the aerosol generator, for example, the heating assembly of the aerosol generator. While numerous configurations are described 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 can be configured to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material by the heating assembly.

[0115] 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 duration of a use session may be referred to as the heating profile of that heating element (or the heating profile of a heating assembly unit that includes that 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 an aerosol-generating material, for example, disposed near the heating element.

[0116] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) 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 with the controller. The memory may additionally or alternatively include external memory external to the controller and connected 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 to be executed by the controller may be stored in the memory.

[0117] The aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) 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.

[0118] 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 rotary 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 indicative of a property of the aerosol delivery system, such as a property of the aerosol-generating material or the remaining power of the power source.

[0119] The control interface may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system), and the control interface may be configured to provide input data to the controller, including sensor data related to the detected one or more characteristics. 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, the heating element, the consumable, the aerosol-generating material, or the environment surrounding the aerosol delivery system. The one or more sensors may include a consumable detection sensor configured to detect when a consumable is engaged with the aerosol delivery device, such as when at least partially accepted by the aerosol delivery device. The one or more sensors may include a consumable identification sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the consumable, such as a characteristic of the consumable aerosol-generating material. The one or more sensors may include a biometric sensor configured to detect a biometric characteristic related to the user, such as a fingerprint, heart rate, or respiratory characteristics.

[0120] The control interface may include communications circuitry configured to connect to and / or communicate data with one or more additional devices. Communications 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 may be understood to mean transmission of data from a device, while the term "transfer" may be understood to mean transmission of data from a device and reception of data by another device. For example, the communications circuitry may be configured to establish a data connection with one or more additional devices. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry is integrated into the controller, while in other embodiments, the communications circuitry is implemented separately (e.g., comprising a separate application-specific integrated circuit, circuit, chip, and / or chipset). The data connection may be non-permanent or otherwise temporary in the sense that the data connection may be established for the period of time necessary to perform a particular functionality, but may be disconnected when not needed. In this context, the further device to the aerosol delivery device may be another aerosol delivery device, a consumable item, or (as further described herein) an external power source device or computing device.

[0121] The communications circuitry may be configured to receive inputs including data from the additional device and to 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., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system), and the controller may transmit (via the communications circuitry) data from the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) to the additional device. The data received from the additional device may include instructions for the controller of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) 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 the corresponding input data to the further device is then received from the control circuitry of the further device by the controller of the further device.

[0122] The communication circuit 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 in principle any wireless protocol can be used for the wireless data connection.

[0123] The communications circuitry may also, or alternatively, include a wired communications 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 communications 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. As a result, 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 a 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 also include a pin or contact pad arrangement configured to engage with cooperating pins or contact pads on a further device that may be connected to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system).

[0124] 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 communications circuitry corresponding to data received from additional devices. 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 functionality 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 communications circuitry to provide an output to an additional device), changing a parameter associated with functionality of a component of the aerosol delivery system, enabling or disabling functionality of a component of the aerosol delivery system, etc.

[0125] The controller may be configured to execute a control action in response to an event, where the controller determines whether and how to execute a control action in response to the occurrence of the event and, for example, the characteristics of the event. For example, the controller may cause the heating assembly to heat the aerosol-generating material in response to a detected characteristic of the consumable, such that a particular heating profile is used for a particular detected characteristic of the consumable when heating is initiated by the controller, but not for another particular detected characteristic of the consumable. However, while this control action may be executed immediately after the event, i.e., as 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 the 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 inhalation is detected.

[0126] The controller may also be configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) according to a selected mode (or multiple selected modes). Each mode is associated with predetermined rules regarding the functionality of one or more components of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system). For example, operational parameters and / or logic may vary between modes. These components may include, but are not limited to, a memory, a control interface, an aerosol generator, and a power source. In some modes, particular functionality of one or more components may be enabled such that the controller can cause the functionality to be performed by the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) when, for example, input data including instructions to perform the functionality is received by the controller. However, in some modes, particular functionality of one or more components may be disabled, and such a controller will not cause the functionality to be performed by the aerosol delivery system (e.g., the aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) when, for example, input data including instructions to perform the functionality is received by the controller.

[0127] 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 features of the control interface described above with respect to the aerosol delivery system. For example, the control interface may include communications circuitry configured to connect to and enable the establishment of a data connection with one or more additional devices. In this context, the additional device for the consumable may be an aerosol delivery device, another consumable, or an external power source device or computing device (as further described herein).

[0128] 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 the external power source including a charging cable. Also, as part of a system including the aerosol delivery system, an external power source device configured to connect to the aerosol delivery device, e.g., the charging interface of the aerosol delivery device, and to power the aerosol delivery device may be provided. The external power source 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 source device may be configured to provide power for charging the power source of the aerosol delivery device. The external power source device may be a "charging case" including a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device, where the external power source device is configured to connect to the charging interface when the aerosol delivery device is received in the recess.

[0129] The external power source device may include either or both a controller and a memory. The controller and memory of the external power source 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 source device may be configured to control the supply of power to the aerosol delivery device. The external power source 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 communications circuitry configured to connect to and enable the establishment of a data connection with one or more additional devices. In this context, the additional device to the external power source device may be the aerosol delivery device, a consumable, another external power source device, or a computing device (as further described herein).

[0130] The charging interface of the external power source 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., of the communication circuitry of the external power source device) configured to communicate data using a wired data connection. The charging interface 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 interface.

[0131] A system comprising an aerosol delivery system may also include one or more computing devices configured to connect to the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) and communicate with the aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system) 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, such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer (PC), wearable device (e.g., smartwatch), a 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.

[0132] 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 for the controller and memory above with respect to 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 with respect to the aerosol delivery system. The control interface may include communications circuitry configured to connect to and communicate data with additional devices. In this context, the additional devices for the computing device may be the aerosol delivery device, a consumable, an external power source device, or another computing device.

[0133] An aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device of an aerosol delivery system) 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., an aerosol delivery device of an aerosol delivery system) may establish communication with the remote computing device via a local computing device, for example, using a wired or wireless communications protocol, and then communicate 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), either fulfilling an aspect of the functionality of the local computing device itself or communicating on behalf of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., as a relay or co-processing unit).

[0134] The 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 an embodiment, a given first device and a second device (e.g., any of the aerosol delivery device, the consumable, the external power source device, and the computing device) may generally be in either a connected state or an unconnected state with respect to each other. The unconnected state may also be referred to as an idle state, in which the given first device may not be detectable by other second devices (i.e., the first device does not transmit any signaling that allows its presence and / or identity to be determined), or the given first device may be available to establish a data connection with a second device (i.e., the given first device may notify the second device of its presence and / or identity using notification signaling). In a connected state, the first and second devices are configured so that data can be transferred from the first to the second device (e.g., "uplink" transmission) and / or from the second to the first device (e.g., "downlink" transmission). Thus, establishment of a data connection between a first and second device may be considered to include establishment of any state in which the two devices can exchange data, regardless of the direction of data transfer. Non-limiting examples of connected states are 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.

[0135] 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 inquiry step, the first device (which may be any of the aforementioned devices, e.g., an aerosol delivery device or a consumable) establishes the presence of the second device (which may be any of the aforementioned devices, e.g., a computing device) 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 may be bidirectional or unidirectional. The data communication process for wired communication may be generally similar, except that data is transmitted over the wired interface rather than the wireless interface.

[0136] As further described herein, any aerosol delivery system and system comprising any combination of external power source devices and computing devices may be used to support the functions of the aerosol delivery system. These functions may be referred to as "connected" functions in that they involve 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 suitable for improving aspects of the operation of the aerosol delivery system. For example, an aerosol delivery device enabled to receive data from an additional device may be enabled to receive software updates or updated parameters (e.g., related to the generation of aerosol by the aerosol generator) from the computing device. While determining suitable parameters may involve significant processing overhead, this is more efficiently performed on a computing device with higher processing power than that typically provided on an aerosol delivery system, where lower energy consumption (for extended battery life) and reduced complexity (for reduced cost) are generally considered preferred.

[0137] 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 preferred 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 (e.g., data based on sensor data received by the aerosol delivery system controller regarding the usage of the aerosol delivery system) to the computing device via the aerosol delivery system's communications circuitry, and the computing device may provide the user with information about the aerosol delivery system via the app. Alternatively or additionally, the user may select a control action via the app, and data regarding 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.

[0138] Various methods of operating an aerosol delivery system are now described. 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., an aerosol delivery device of the aerosol delivery system), 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 source devices, and one or more computing devices, or by a combination of any of these controllers. In particular, each of these controllers may be capable of communicating 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 either 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 source devices, and computing devices described above, e.g., executed by any one or more of these controllers. Thus, even though particular method steps may be described in the context of a controller of a particular device, it is expected that such control actions may be performed in alternative configurations by other ones of these controllers, if practicable, and that the various method steps may be performed by a variety of corresponding different controllers.

[0139] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0140] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 1 according to certain embodiments.

[0141] Aerosol delivery system 1 is a two-piece aerosol delivery system including aerosol delivery device 100 and consumable 150 including aerosol-generating material 170. Aerosol delivery device 100 includes outer housing 105, memory 110, controller 120 configured to control operation of aerosol delivery system 1, control interface 130 for receiving inputs to aerosol delivery device 100 and providing outputs from aerosol delivery device 100, and power source 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 source 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.

[0142] 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 mating means for mechanically coupling to one another. Each mating interface 101, 151 also includes an electrical mating interface such that the aerosol-delivery device 100 can be electrically connected to the consumable 150. The electrical mating interface 101 of the aerosol-delivery device is configured to provide electrical 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 electrical 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.

[0143] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a one-piece aerosol delivery system 2 according to certain embodiments.

[0144] 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 source 240 configured to provide electrical power for operation of aerosol delivery device 200, a reservoir containing 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 source 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 the aerosol generated from aerosol-generating material 270 .

[0145] 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 discarded by the user once the aerosol-generating material 180 is depleted, is not configured to accept consumables, and is not configured to be refillable by the user.

[0146] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 3 according to certain embodiments.

[0147] The aerosol delivery system 3 is a two-piece aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device 300 and a consumable 350 including 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 source 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 source 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.

[0148] 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 thus heat aerosol-generating material 370 of consumable 350 within heating chamber 315. To accomplish this, a heating assembly includes a heating element 365 within the consumable, the heating element 365 having a susceptor material susceptible to heating by penetration by a 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 chamber 315 and heating element 365 of consumable 350, resulting in heating of aerosol-generating material 370.

[0149] 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 the aerosol-delivery device 300 and the consumable 350 is not used to heat the aerosol-generating material 370.

[0150] 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system comprising an aerosol delivery system 4, which comprises an aerosol delivery device 400 and a consumable 450, an external power source 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 characteristics of the aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300 and consumables 150, 350 described above.

[0151] 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 each additional device. Various data connections 40 between each of these devices are shown, illustrating how data may be transmitted between any given first and second device.

[0152] In use, when these data connections 40 are established (using either 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.

[0153] 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 source device 460 via a wired data connection. The external power source 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 source device 460 is a Bluetooth connection established using a Bluetooth module of smartphone 471 and a Bluetooth module of external power source device 460.

[0154] 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.

[0155] A user may also use this network of data connection 40 to cause its controller to perform control actions on aerosol delivery device 400. Using an app on a second local computing device 472, such as a smartphone or personal computer, the user can select a control action, which then transmits data related to 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.

[0156] Smartphone 471 then transmits data regarding the control action to external power source 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 source 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.

[0157] For aerosol delivery devices such as aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300, and 400, it may be desirable to deter unintended users, such as individuals who are not intended to use the aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol for inhalation, from using the aerosol delivery device. In particular, it may be desirable to provide functionality in the aerosol delivery device that deters unintended users, but does not deter intended users who are intended to use the aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol for inhalation, for example.

[0158] 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 use of aerosol delivery devices by individuals under the threshold age. An individual may be an unintended user of all forms of aerosol delivery devices, or may be 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.

[0159] The present application attempts to provide an aerosol delivery device that may allow for deterrence of use by unintended users, but not 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 system, such as aerosol delivery devices 100, 200, 300 and aerosol delivery systems 1, 2, and 3.

[0160] 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 source 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 source 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.

[0161] The aerosol delivery device 500 may be a disposable, one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 that is not configured to be refillable with aerosol-generating material by a user. 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 be refillable with aerosol-generating material by a user. The one-piece aerosol delivery device 500 may also be rechargeable and have 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.

[0162] The aerosol delivery device 500 also includes a noise generator 580 configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users. The noise generator 580 is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency within the human hearing range, e.g., 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Furthermore, if the 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 generate a deterrent noise that is audible to unintended users, e.g., those who are unintended users because they are younger than a certain threshold age as defined by the laws of the jurisdiction. Preferably, this high-frequency deterrent noise may be inaudible to individuals who are intended users because they are older than the threshold age.

[0163] 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 may be particularly preferred because deterrent noises generated in this range may be audible to individuals under the age of 18 but not to individuals over the age of 18, thereby allowing the deterrent noise to be heard by individuals younger than the threshold age of 18 and therefore unintended users. Note, however, that approaches are contemplated in which the deterrent noise exceeds these ranges, e.g., the deterrent noise is at a frequency audible to individuals of all ages. In such approaches, the deterrent noise may be generated until the user verifies that they are the intended user, for example, during one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device, as described in more detail below.

[0164] 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), 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 an inhalation of 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 a proximal direction of the aerosol delivery device 500.

[0165] 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 that corresponds to the input received by control interface 530, so as to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise in response to 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 at an appropriate time to deter unintended users. This first mode can 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.

[0166] 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 a deterrent noise, e.g., the functionality of noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise may be disabled. Thus, after the user indicates that they are the intended user, aerosol delivery device 500 may stop generating the deterrent noise.

[0167] 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 pressing one or more buttons, one or more switches configured to receive input comprising the user pressing one or more switches, one or more dials configured to receive input comprising the user rotating 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.

[0168] 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 comprise 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 acoustic signals provided to aerosol delivery device 500 by the additional device. In such an approach, 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.

[0169] The control interface 530 may include communications circuitry configured to communicate data with the additional device and, for example, to establish a data connection with the additional device. The communications circuitry may include a wireless communications module configured to establish a wireless data connection with the additional device or a wired communications module configured to establish a wired data connection with the additional device. The additional device may send input including data, for example, via the data connection, to the communications circuitry of the control interface 530, the data including information that can be evaluated by the controller 520.

[0170] 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.

[0171] Controller 520 may determine whether the input passes a predetermined test by being configured to determine whether information within the input (e.g., encoded or included within the input as described above) is associated with an identifier of aerosol delivery device 500. In other words, this may determine whether aerosol delivery device 500 is the intended recipient of the input, or whether the input is for a different aerosol delivery device. This identifier of 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 of 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.

[0172] 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 operating with or on behalf of the manufacturer to verify the user 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 that can cause controller 520 to switch from controlling operation of the aerosol delivery device in a first mode to a second mode.

[0173] Controller 520 may determine whether the information in the input was generated by an authorized computing device by, for example, determining whether the information is cryptographically associated with a cryptographic first key of aerosol delivery device 500 stored in memory 510. For example, the information may have been generated by an 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.

[0174] Whichever 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 may be considered a “one-time” indication that the user is the intended user.

[0175] However, in other approaches, controller 520 may be configured to switch 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 specific time event), the number of inhalations of aerosol delivery device 500 detected by a puff sensor reaching a threshold, the device arriving at a predetermined location, or loss of a wired or wireless data connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection) established with an additional device. Controller 520 may also be configured to switch 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 switch from the first mode back to the second mode.

[0176] When in the first mode, controller 520 may be configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise as a result of one or more predetermined usage patterns (e.g., as a result of only one or more predetermined usage patterns). This may allow unintended users to easily know which usage patterns are not permitted and may reduce the processing and energy demands of aerosol delivery device 500. This may also deter unintended users from performing the one or more predetermined usage patterns.

[0177] Control interface 530 may receive inputs related to the use of the aerosol delivery device and is configured to provide input data corresponding to these inputs to controller 520. Controller 520 is then configured to receive this input data corresponding to the received inputs related to the use of aerosol delivery device 500 from control interface 530 and, in response to receiving the input data, determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500. This may be determined, for example, by comparing information in the input with predetermined parameters, and from the results of the comparison, it can be concluded whether one particular predetermined usage pattern is occurring.

[0178] These one or more predetermined usage patterns may correspond to unauthorized usage patterns for unintended users. Controller 520 is then 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.

[0179] In particular, control interface 530 of aerosol delivery device 500 may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to aerosol delivery device 500 (e.g., use of aerosol delivery device 500), with the one or more sensors configured to provide input data to controller 520, including sensor data corresponding to the detected one or more characteristics. In response to this sensor data, controller 520 can then determine whether the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500, which one or more predetermined usage patterns are not permitted for unintended users, as described above. In response to determining that the sensor data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500, controller 520 is then configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users from using aerosol delivery device 500 in such a manner.

[0180] In embodiments, 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 mouthpiece of a consumable or aerosol delivery system in configurations where the aerosol delivery device is not a one-piece aerosol delivery device). The puff sensor may include a pressure sensor or a microphone. In such an approach, one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device, and thus, 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.

[0181] Thus, in such an embodiment, the noise generator 580 is caused to generate the deterrent noise whenever inhalation of the aerosol delivery device 500 is detected. As a result, the deterrent noise may be generated when the aerosol delivery device 500 is in close proximity to the user's head (and thus the ear), and thus the deterrent noise may be particularly impactful. Furthermore, the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device 500 may include a use session of the aerosol delivery device 500, such that the controller 520 is configured to cause the noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise when the controller 520 receives input data from the control interface 530 corresponding to the use session, for example, as detected by a puff sensor or determined by the controller 520's control of the heating assembly 560.

[0182] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the aerosol delivery device 500. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of an aerosol-generating material being heated by the heating assembly 560 or the temperature of a heating element of the heating assembly 560 configured to heat the aerosol-generating material. In such an approach, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 include heating one or more components of the aerosol delivery device 500 above a threshold temperature. For example, the threshold temperature may be a temperature at which the aerosol-generating material being heated by the heating assembly 560 begins to volatilize and generate an aerosol for inhalation. Thus, when the controller 520 receives input data from the control interface 530 corresponding to heating of one or more components of the aerosol delivery device above the threshold temperature detected by the puff sensor, the controller 520 is configured to cause the noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise.

[0183] Thus, in such an embodiment, noise generator 580 is caused to generate a deterrent noise whenever heating above a threshold temperature is detected. This may therefore mean that the deterrent noise is generated upon heating of the aerosol-generating material to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol delivery device 500 to generate an aerosol. Thus, unintended users may be deterred from using heating assembly 560 to generate aerosol.

[0184] In an embodiment, the one or more temperature sensors include an aerosol-generating material detection sensor configured to detect when aerosol-generating material is provided to aerosol delivery device 500. For example, in the case of a one-piece aerosol delivery device 500, this may occur when a user refills aerosol delivery device 500 with aerosol-generating material. In a two-piece aerosol delivery system, this may occur when a consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device, such as by being inserted into a consumable chamber of the aerosol delivery device. In such an approach, one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device include providing aerosol-generating material to aerosol delivery device 500. Thus, when controller 520 receives input data from control interface 530 corresponding to providing aerosol-generating material to aerosol delivery device 500, controller 520 is configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise.

[0185] Thus, in such an embodiment, noise generator 580 is caused to generate a deterrent noise each time aerosol-generating material is provided to aerosol delivery device 500. This may therefore deter unintended users from inserting consumable items into the aerosol delivery device (in a two-piece aerosol delivery system) or from refilling a refillable one-piece aerosol delivery device 500.

[0186] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material identification sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device 500. For example, the aerosol-generating material identification sensor may detect a characteristic of the aerosol-generating material in the reservoir of the aerosol delivery device 500 by some type of direct inspection. In another example, the aerosol-generating material identification sensor may detect a characteristic of a consumable comprising the aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device (in a two-piece aerosol delivery system), from which the characteristic of the consumable aerosol-generating material can be determined. In such an approach, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device with an aerosol-generating material having one or more predetermined characteristics (e.g., inhalation, heating, providing the aerosol-generating material, etc., as described above). Thus, when controller 520 receives input data from control interface 530 corresponding to a predetermined mode of use of aerosol delivery device 500, controller 520 is also configured to determine whether the aerosol-generating material received by aerosol delivery device 500, i.e., in use, has one or more of the one or more predetermined characteristics. In response to determining that the aerosol-generating material has one or more of the one or more predetermined characteristics, controller 520 is configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise.

[0187] Thus, in such an embodiment, noise generator 580 generates a noise when the aerosol-generating material received by aerosol delivery device 500 has one or more predetermined characteristics. For example, these one or more predetermined characteristics may include aerosol-generating material containing one or more components, such as an active substance (e.g., nicotine) above a threshold amount. Thus, generation of a deterrent noise can be avoided when an individual is simply an unintended user of a particular aerosol-generating material (e.g., one containing a restricted component) when these particular aerosol-generating materials are present.

[0188] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a situation sensor configured to detect a situation associated with the environment of aerosol delivery device 500. For example, the situation sensor may include a location sensor, such as a global positioning system (GPS), configured to detect the (geographical) location of aerosol delivery device 500. The situation sensor may include a microphone configured to detect sounds in the environment of aerosol delivery device 500. The situation sensor may include an accelerometer configured to detect movement of aerosol delivery device 500. The situation sensor then provides input data corresponding to the detected situation to controller 520. In such an approach, the one or more predetermined usage forms of aerosol delivery device 500 include one or more predetermined usage forms of the aerosol delivery device (e.g., inhalation, heating, provision of aerosol-generating material, etc., as described above) in one or more predetermined situations. Thus, when controller 520 receives input data from control interface 530 corresponding to predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500, controller 520 is also configured to determine whether the status, i.e., the status during use, of aerosol delivery device 500 is one or more of the predetermined conditions. In response to determining that the status of aerosol delivery device 500 is one or more of the predetermined conditions, controller 520 is configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise.

[0189] Thus, in such an embodiment, noise generator 580 generates a deterrent noise when aerosol delivery device 500 is in one of one or more predetermined situations. For example, the one or more predetermined situations may include aerosol delivery device 500 being outdoors or away from public transportation. Using input data including the detected situation, controller 520 can determine, for example, whether the aerosol delivery device is indoors (e.g., when the device is stationary and in a quiet location) or on public transportation (e.g., when the device is moving in a characteristic manner and in a noisy location), and thus can avoid generating a deterrent noise in potentially problematic situations.

[0190] As described above, aerosol delivery device 500 includes heating assembly 560. More broadly, aerosol delivery device 500 may be considered to include an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol generator including heating assembly 560. Generally, the aerosol generator is controlled by controller 520, e.g., in response to input data received from control interface 530. In embodiments, one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material with the aerosol generator. Thus, controller 520 may be configured to cause noise generator 580 to generate an inhibiting noise when causing the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.

[0191] Thus, in such an embodiment, noise generator 580 generates noise while the aerosol generator generates an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. Control interface 530 may receive input corresponding to instructions to cause the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material and provide input data corresponding to instructions to cause the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material to controller 520. In response to receiving this input data, controller 530 may cause the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material and cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise. Thus, unintended users may be deterred from using aerosol delivery device 500 to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.

[0192] Controller 520 may be configured such that one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500 include one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500 that indicate the user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user. Thus, when controller 520 determines that one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500 have occurred, it can be concluded that the user using aerosol delivery device 500 during the occurrence of use is an unintended user, and thus controller 520 causes noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise if there is an indication that the use is by an unintended user. For example, this may be because one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500 are use of aerosol delivery device 500 in a location associated with an unintended user, such as a school. Thus, when aerosol delivery device 500 is used by an intended user, the use is not a predetermined usage pattern that indicates the user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user, and therefore may cause noise generator 580 not to generate a deterrent noise.

[0193] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 include one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 that are not permitted to unintended users in the jurisdiction of the aerosol delivery device 500. For example, as described above, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 may include using the aerosol delivery device 500 to generate an aerosol for inhalation that should not be permitted to unintended users, who are users under a threshold age. Furthermore, as also described above, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device 500 may include using the aerosol delivery device 500 to generate an aerosol for inhalation that includes one or more components that exceed a threshold amount, e.g., one or more components that are restricted from being provided to unintended users in the jurisdiction.

[0194] 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 6. The method is applicable to aerosol delivery device 500 and will be described in the context of that 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.

[0195] In step S1, an aerosol delivery device, such as aerosol delivery device 500, and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device are provided. The controller may be controller 510 of aerosol delivery device 500 or a controller of a further device configured to communicate data with aerosol delivery device 500 to control operation of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0196] In step S2, inputs related to use of the aerosol delivery device are received by control interface 530 of aerosol delivery device 500. As described above, receiving these inputs may include detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device via one or more sensors in control interface 530. For example, this may include detecting a user inhalation via a puff sensor, detecting temperature via a temperature sensor, detecting provision of aerosol-generating material to aerosol delivery device 500 via an aerosol-generating material detection sensor, detecting a characteristic of the aerosol-generating material via an aerosol-generating material identification sensor, detecting a condition associated with the environment of aerosol delivery device 500 via a condition sensor, or receiving inputs including instructions to cause an aerosol generator to generate an aerosol.

[0197] In step S3, input data corresponding to the received input is provided by control interface 530 to controller 520, and in step S4, the input data is received by controller 520. Then, in step S5, in response to receiving the input data, controller 520 determines whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of aerosol delivery device 500. The controller may determine this by comparing the input data to a set of predetermined parameters for the one or more predetermined usage patterns stored in memory 510 of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0198] In step S6, in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device, noise generator 580 then generates a deterrent noise to deter unintended users. Controller 520 may cause noise generator 580 to generate the deterrent noise.

[0199] 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. Additionally, 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 noise generator configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users; a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; 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; Equipped with The controller: receiving the input data from the control interface corresponding to the received input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; responsive to said receiving said input data, determining whether said input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of said aerosol delivery device; causing the noise generator to generate the deterrent noise in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; configured to: Aerosol delivery device.

2. 2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the control interface comprises one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device, the one or more sensors being configured to provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected one or more characteristics, and the controller being 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 the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein 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, and the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature related to the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected temperature, and the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include heating one or more components of the aerosol delivery device above a threshold temperature.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material detection sensor configured to detect when an aerosol-generating material is provided to the aerosol delivery device and to provide input data to the controller, the input data including sensor data corresponding to the detected provision of the aerosol-generating material, and wherein the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include providing an aerosol-generating material to the aerosol delivery device.

6. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors include an aerosol-generating material identification sensor configured to detect characteristics of an aerosol-generating material received by the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected characteristics, and the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device using an aerosol-generating material having one or more predetermined characteristics.

7. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the one or more sensors include a situation sensor configured to detect a situation associated with the environment of the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected situation, and the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device in one or more predetermined situations.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the situation sensor includes a position sensor configured to detect a location associated with the aerosol delivery device and provide input data to the controller including sensor data corresponding to the detected location, and the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device at one or more predetermined locations.

9. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, comprising an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, and wherein the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material by the aerosol generator.

10. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device include one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device that indicate a user of the aerosol delivery device is an unintended user.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device that are not authorized for unintended users within the jurisdiction of the aerosol delivery device.

12. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the noise generator is configured to generate the deterrent noise having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12, wherein the noise generator is configured to generate the deterrent noise having a frequency greater than 16 kHz.

14. providing an aerosol delivery device and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; receiving, by a control interface of the aerosol delivery device, input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; providing, by the control interface, input data to the controller corresponding to the received input; receiving, by the controller, the input data; determining, by the controller, in response to receiving the input data, whether the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device; generating, by a noise generator, a deterrent noise to deter unintended users in response to determining that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of the one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device; 10. A method for an aerosol delivery device, comprising:

15. 1. A controller configured to control operation of an aerosol delivery device, the controller comprising: receiving, from a control interface, input data corresponding to input received by the control interface regarding use of the aerosol delivery device; responsive to said receiving said input data, determining whether said input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of said aerosol delivery device; causing a noise generator 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 the aerosol delivery device; A controller configured to:

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