Aerosol Delivery System

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device (500) comprising: a noise generator (580) configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the noise generator (580) comprising one or more acoustic transducers (581, 582); and a controller (520) configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device (500), wherein the noise generator (580) is configured such that the deterrent noise is directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device (500).

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, the noise generator comprising one or more acoustic transducers; and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device, wherein the noise generator is configured such that the deterrent noise is directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0004] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers, the plurality of acoustic transducers comprising a first acoustic transducer configured to generate a first noise signal and a second acoustic transducer configured to generate a second noise signal, such that when the inhibitive noise comprising the first noise signal and the second noise signal is generated, the inhibitive noise comprises a region of constructive interference.

[0005] In an embodiment, the multiple acoustic transducers are positioned such that when the suppression noise is generated, the region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0006] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the first acoustic transducer to generate a first noise signal having one or more first characteristics and to cause the second acoustic transducer to generate a second noise signal having one or more second characteristics.

[0007] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set the one or more first features and the one or more second features such that the region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0008] In embodiments, the aerosol delivery device comprises a directing channel configured to direct the suppression noise.

[0009] In an embodiment, the noise generator is arranged to generate a suppression noise in the steering channel.

[0010] In an embodiment, the directing channel has an open end and extends from the noise generator to the open end.

[0011] In an embodiment, the directing channel is configured to direct the suppression noise towards an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0012] In embodiments, the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device is the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device when the user is performing an inhalation.

[0013] In embodiments, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control interface configured to receive inputs related to use of the aerosol delivery device and to provide input data corresponding to the received inputs to the controller; The controller 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:

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0017] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

[0018] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency above 16 kHz.

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

[0020] According to one aspect, providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a noise generator configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the noise generator comprising one or more acoustic transducers; generating, by a noise generator, a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the deterrent noise being directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device; A method for an aerosol delivery device is provided, comprising:

[0021] In an embodiment, the noise generator comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers, the plurality of acoustic transducers comprising a first acoustic transducer configured to generate a first noise signal and a second acoustic transducer configured to generate a second noise signal; Generating the suppressive noise includes generating the first noise signal and the second noise signal such that the suppressive noise includes a region of constructive interference.

[0022] In an embodiment, multiple acoustic transducers are positioned such that the region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0023] In an embodiment, the first noise signal has one or more first characteristics and the second noise signal has one or more second characteristics.

[0024] In an embodiment, the method includes setting, by a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device, one or more first features and one or more second features such that the area of ​​constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0025] In an embodiment, the method includes steering the suppression noise by a steering channel.

[0026] In an embodiment, the suppression noise is generated in the steering channel.

[0027] In an embodiment, the directing channel has an open end and extends from the noise generator to the open end.

[0028] In an embodiment, the directing channel directs the suppression noise towards the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0029] In embodiments, the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device is the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device when the user is performing an inhalation.

[0030] In an embodiment, the method comprises: 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 corresponding to the received input to a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; receiving, by a controller, 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 one or more predetermined uses of the aerosol delivery device; Includes:

[0031] In an embodiment, the control interface comprises one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input related to a user of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting, by the one or more sensors, one or more characteristics related to the aerosol delivery device, and the method further comprises: Providing input data to the controller corresponding to the received input includes providing, by the control interface, input data to the controller corresponding to the detected one or more characteristics; and Determining whether the input data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device includes determining whether the sensor data corresponds to an occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device. This includes:

[0032] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a puff sensor configured to detect user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device, and receiving input regarding use of the aerosol delivery device includes detecting user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device by the puff sensor, and providing input data corresponding to the received input to the controller includes providing input data corresponding to the detected user inhalation to the controller by the control interface.

[0033] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined modes of use of the aerosol delivery device include a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0034] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

[0035] In an embodiment, the noise generator is configured to generate a deterrent noise having a frequency above 16 kHz.

[0036] Any embodiment may include any feature or functional step described with respect to another embodiment.

[0037] 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]

[0038] [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

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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).

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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, an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol generator, a power source, a control interface, a controller, 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 a heating assembly, a heating element, a consumable, an aerosol-generating material, or an 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 aerosol-generating material of the consumable. 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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).

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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).

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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).

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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).

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0102] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 1 according to certain embodiments.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a one-piece aerosol delivery system 2 according to certain embodiments.

[0106] 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 .

[0107] 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.

[0108] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a two-piece aerosol delivery system 3 according to certain embodiments.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] It may be preferable to control the location to which the deterrent noise generated by noise generator 580 is directed toward a particular location (e.g., relative to aerosol delivery device 500). In this regard, a deterrent noise that is "directed" toward a particular location may be understood to correspond to noise that is generated at the particular location such that the noise is more audible there than at most, e.g., all, other locations. Thus, by generating a deterrent noise that is directed toward a particular location in this manner, the deterrent noise may provoke a stronger response at that location than at other locations, thereby maximizing the impact of the deterrent noise without incurring the generation of additional deterrent noise in all other directions, which may be power-intensive and potentially disruptive.

[0139] During use, a user may be expected to assume a particular position (referred to as an expected position) relative to aerosol delivery device 500. Accordingly, noise generator 580 may be configured such that the deterrent noise generated by noise generator 580 is directed toward the expected position of the user of aerosol delivery device 500. In particular, noise generator 580 may be positioned such that the deterrent noise is directed toward the user, e.g., the head (specifically, the user's ears) of a user of aerosol delivery device 500, when the user is using aerosol delivery device 500 according to one or more predetermined usage patterns.

[0140] For example, noise generator 580 may be configured such that a deterrent noise is directed toward a user when the user is using aerosol delivery device 500 by performing an inhalation of the aerosol generated by aerosol delivery device 500, such as by drawing on mouthpiece 590 of the aerosol delivery device (or mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system in approaches where the mouthpiece is part of the consumable or is a separate component from the consumable and / or device). For example, noise generator 580 may be configured such that the deterrent noise is directed in a direction that is not opposite a proximal direction of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0141] To direct the suppression noise, the aerosol delivery device may include a directing channel 595 configured to direct the suppression noise generated by the noise generator 580. The noise generator 580 may be positioned to generate the suppression noise within the directing channel 595 such that the directing channel 595 at least partially defines the spatial structure of the suppression noise. The directing channel 595 may ensure that the suppression noise signal is directed toward a specific location by redirecting toward the specific location a portion of the suppression noise that would otherwise travel away from this specific location. The directing channel 595 may include an open end and extend from the noise generator 580 to the open end. The directing channel 595 may be formed within the housing 505 of the aerosol delivery device 500. The directing channel 595 may include one or more tubes extending from the noise generator 580 to multiple open ends.

[0142] Noise generator 580 includes one or more acoustic transducers configured to generate a noise signal, each having one or more characteristics, such as frequency and amplitude. While configurations in which noise generator 580 includes a single acoustic transducer are possible, in this embodiment of aerosol delivery device 500, noise generator 580 includes multiple acoustic transducers, including first acoustic transducer 581 and second acoustic transducer 582. Thus, generating the deterrent noise may include causing each of the multiple acoustic transducers (or selected ones of the multiple acoustic transducers) to generate a respective noise signal, such that the deterrent noise includes one or more noise signals from one or more of the acoustic transducers.

[0143] The first and second acoustic transducers 581 and 582 may be positioned such that when a destructive noise is generated that includes a first noise signal (generated by the first acoustic transducer 581) and a second noise signal (generated by the second acoustic transducer 582), the destructive noise includes a region of constructive interference. The region of constructive interference corresponds to a region where one or more noise signals interact with each other constructively rather than destructively, such that the resulting noise experienced by a user at that location is greater than the noise experienced by a user as a result of either the first or second noise signal alone. This may be aided by the first and second acoustic transducers 581 and 582 being spatially separated from each other. For example, this region of constructive interference may include locations that are equidistant from the first and second acoustic transducers 581 and 582. Furthermore, this region of constructive interference may include locations where the first noise signal from first acoustic transducer 581 and the second noise signal from second acoustic transducer 582 take equal times to arrive. First acoustic transducer 581 and second acoustic transducer 582 may be positioned such that the first and second noise signals are directed by directing channel 595, or in other approaches, multiple directing channels may be provided such that the first and second noise signals are directed by a respective directing channel (each of which may have any of the directing channel characteristics described with respect to directing channel 595).

[0144] The controller 520 is configured to cause the first acoustic transducer 581 to generate a first noise signal having one or more first characteristics and the second acoustic transducer 582 to generate a second noise signal having one or more second characteristics. As described above, these characteristics may include amplitude and frequency. The controller 520 can set the one or more first characteristics and the one or more second characteristics to control the region of constructive interference. For example, by setting the amplitude of the first noise signal to be greater than the amplitude of the second noise signal, the region of constructive interference may be closer to the first acoustic transducer 518 than when the amplitudes are equal. Furthermore, the controller 520 may set the frequency of the first noise signal to be different from the frequency of the second noise signal to control the spatial structure of the region of constructive interference. The controller 520 may also set a time delay between the first noise signal and the second noise signal, for example, so that one is generated after the other. This time delay can be less than 1 second, such as less than 0.5 seconds, and can be a phase difference between the first and second noise signals to control the spatial structure of the region of constructive interference.

[0145] Controller 520 may set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise (e.g., of the first noise signal and / or the second noise signal) depending on how aerosol delivery device 500 is being used. Control interface 580 is configured to receive inputs related to the use of aerosol delivery device 500 and to provide input data corresponding to the received inputs to controller 520. The inputs may be used to ensure that the deterrent noise is generated by noise generator 580 in an appropriate manner that may be optimized for the use of aerosol delivery device 500.

[0146] Controller 520 is configured to receive input data from control interface 530 corresponding to received inputs regarding use of aerosol delivery device 500, to inform the manner in which deterrent noise is generated by noise generator 580 using these inputs. Controller 520 is then configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise to be generated by noise generator 580. To set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise to be generated, controller 520 first determines values ​​of the one or more characteristics of the noise to be generated.

[0147] This determination of values ​​may be accomplished by controller 520 applying a predetermined function to the information in the input to determine values ​​for setting one or more features. In applying the predetermined function to the information in the input, controller 520 may compare the information in the input to predetermined parameters and then select values ​​for setting one or more features depending on the results of the comparison. These values ​​may be predetermined values ​​selected from a plurality of predetermined values ​​for one or more features for suppressing noise, stored, for example, in memory 510. In another approach, in applying the predetermined function to the information in the input, for example, if applying the predetermined function to the information includes applying a predetermined mathematical function to the information, controller 520 may calculate (e.g., new) values ​​for one or more features, thereby generating values ​​of the one or more features as output.

[0148] Regardless of which approach is used to determine the values ​​for the one or more features, once these values ​​are determined, controller 520 may be configured to store these values ​​in memory (e.g., memory 510) and then use them for one or more features of the deterrent noise the next time a deterrent noise is generated. Thus, when controller 520 subsequently causes noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise (e.g., in response to control interface 530 receiving an input corresponding to a command to generate a deterrent noise or in response to control interface 530 receiving an input that passes a predetermined test), controller 520 is configured to cause the noise generator to generate a deterrent noise having one or more features, e.g., having the values ​​stored in memory for those one or more features. In other words, causing noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise having one or more features includes retrieving the values ​​determined for one or more features by the controller.

[0149] Controller 520 may further be configured to determine whether the input data corresponds to the occurrence of one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device. These one or more predetermined usage patterns may correspond to unauthorized usage patterns for unintended users. Controller 520 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] These inputs regarding use of aerosol delivery device 500 may also indicate an expected location of a user of aerosol delivery device 500. Thus, the controller may be configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise (e.g., the first noise signal and / or the second noise signal) in response to input data received from control interface 530 corresponding to input received by control interface 520 indicating the expected location of the user. The controller may be configured to set one or more characteristics of the deterrent noise such that a region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device during the predetermined usage pattern determined to be occurring.

[0153] For example, if the controller 520 determines that the input data corresponds to the occurrence of a user inhalation on the aerosol delivery device, the controller may set one or more features of the inhibitory noise (e.g., the first noise signal and / or the second noise signal) so that the area of ​​constructive interference encompasses the expected position of the user of the aerosol delivery device during the user's inhalation on the aerosol delivery device.

[0154] Noise generator 580 may also include a signal generator 583 configured to generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated. Noise generator 580 may be configured to receive instructions from controller 520 to generate, for example, a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics, with signal generator 583 configured to receive the instruction to generate the deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics) and, in response to the instruction, generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics). In other words, causing noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics by controller 520 may include providing, by controller 520, an instruction to cause noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise having one or more characteristics, the instruction being received by signal generator 583 of noise generator 580, in response to which signal generator 583 generates an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated.

[0155] The signal generator 583 is configured to generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and provide the electronic signal to the digital-to-analog converter 584, which is configured to receive the electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and provide an analog signal corresponding to the deterrent noise to the first acoustic transducer 581 and the second acoustic transducer 582 to cause the first acoustic transducer 581 and the second acoustic transducer 582 to generate the deterrent noise. The noise generator 580 may also include an amplifier configured to amplify the analog signal, which is passed through the amplifier and provided to the first acoustic transducer 581 and the second acoustic transducer 582. The digital-to-analog converter 584 and the amplifier may be integrated on a printed circuit board ("PCB").

[0156] Although signal generator 583 is described above as part of noise generator 580, this component may be excluded, and instead the functionality of this component may be provided by controller 520. In other words, upon providing instructions by controller 520 to noise generator 580 to generate a deterrent noise (having one or more characteristics), controller 520 may generate an electronic signal defining the deterrent noise to be generated and provide this electronic signal to noise generator 580 (e.g., digital-to-analog converter 584 of noise generator 580).

[0157] 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.

[0158] In step S1, an aerosol delivery device, such as aerosol delivery device 500, is provided. As described above, aerosol delivery device 500 includes noise generator 580 configured to generate a noise. Note that noise generator 580 is described as generating a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, but it will be recognized that noise generator 580 may be more broadly applied to generating other types of noise. Noise generator 580 includes one or more acoustic transducers, such as first acoustic transducer 581 and second acoustic transducer 582 described above.

[0159] In step S2, noise generator 580 generates noise by one or more acoustic transducers of noise generator 580. The noise may be directed toward the expected location of a user of aerosol delivery device 500. Again, this noise generated by noise generator 580 may be a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, although other types of noise may be generated. As described above, controller 520 may control the operation of aerosol delivery device 500, which may be controller 520 of aerosol delivery device 500 or a controller of an additional device configured to communicate data with aerosol delivery device 500 to control the operation of aerosol delivery device 500. Controller 520 may cause noise generator 580 to generate the noise.

[0160] 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, the noise generator comprising one or more acoustic transducers; a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device; Equipped with the noise generator is configured to direct the deterrent noise toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device. Aerosol delivery device.

2. the noise generator comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers, the plurality of acoustic transducers including a first acoustic transducer configured to generate a first noise signal and a second acoustic transducer configured to generate a second noise signal; The suppression noise including the first noise signal and the second noise signal is generated so that the suppression noise includes a region of constructive interference. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 .

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers are positioned such that the region of constructive interference encompasses the expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device when the deterrent noise is generated.

4. The controller: causing the first acoustic transducer to generate the first noise signal having one or more first characteristics; causing the second acoustic transducer to generate the second noise signal having one or more second characteristics; 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 or 3, configured to:

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to set the one or more first features and the one or more second features so that the area of ​​constructive interference encompasses the expected position of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

6. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a directing channel configured to direct the suppression noise.

7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the noise generator is positioned to generate the suppression noise within the directing channel.

8. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the directing channel has an open end and extends from the noise generator to the open end.

9. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the directing channel is configured to direct the deterrent noise towards an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the expected position of a user of the aerosol delivery device is the expected position of a user of the aerosol delivery device when the user is performing an inhalation.

11. a control interface configured to receive inputs related to use of the aerosol delivery device and to provide input data corresponding to the received inputs to the controller; The controller: 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: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 11, 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 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 the one or more predetermined usage patterns of the aerosol delivery device.

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

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

15. providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a noise generator configured to generate a deterrent noise to deter unintended users, the noise generator comprising one or more acoustic transducers; generating a deterrent noise with the noise generator to deter unintended users, the deterrent noise being directed toward an expected location of a user of the aerosol delivery device; 10. A method for an aerosol delivery device, comprising:

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