Controlling electronic device functions and verifying age via speaker communication

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device or electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device may include a smoking article that generates an aerosol. The device may operate once authenticated. Authentication may include age verification before authentication allows operation of the device. Authentication may include communication of a control signal to the device. The control signal communication may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone, detected by a microphone or pressure sensor on the device. The control signal communication may include a visual, optical, or light signal detected by a light sensor or photodiode on the device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 828,222, filed April 2, 2019, and entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 16 / 441,903, filed June 14, 2019, and entitled "FUNCTIONAL CONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH SPEAKER COMMUNICATION," each of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application further claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 441,937, filed Jun. 14, 2019, and entitled “FUNCTIONAL CONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH VISUAL COMMUNICATION,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to age verification and control of aerosol delivery devices, such as electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices. The aerosol delivery devices are controlled by communication to the device based on age verification. The communication may include audio or visual / light signals that are provided to authenticate and unlock the device. [Background technology]

[0003] Many devices have been proposed over the years as an improvement or replacement for smoking articles that require the burning of tobacco for use. Some exemplary replacements include devices that burn solid or liquid fuels to transfer heat to the tobacco or use chemical reactions to provide such a heat source. Additional examples use electrical energy to heat tobacco and / or other aerosol-generating substrates, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,399,333 to Worm et al., incorporated herein by reference. In general, devices that use electrical energy to heat tobacco or other substances are sometimes referred to as aerosol delivery devices, and electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices are one example of such devices.

[0004] Many of these devices are said to be designed to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, but without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from tobacco combustion. For this reason, numerous alternative smoking articles, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances or attempt to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning significant amounts of tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources described in the background art described in U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Collet et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Sears et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent No. 6,333,432 to Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also see, for example, the various implementations of products and heating configurations described in the background sections of U.S. Patent No. 6,299,433 to Counts et al. and U.S. Patent No. 6,299,433 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] The smoking articles mentioned above may be subject to certain restrictions, including age restrictions. In some locations, the use of smoking articles, including cartridges for ENDS devices, is restricted based on the age of the user. Improved processes for authentication of devices by age-verified users may be required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096782 [Patent Document 7] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 222,615 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to the control of aerosol delivery devices, including electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices. An ENDS or aerosol delivery device may operate when authenticated. Authentication may first include age verification before authentication allows operation of the device. Authentication may include control signal communication to the device. Control signal communication may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone, detected by a microphone or pressure sensor on the device. Control signal communication may include a visual, optical, or light signal detected by a light sensor or photodiode on the device. The audio or visual signal may be sent by a host device (e.g., a smartphone), based on a help desk phone call, or may be from a point of sale.

[0008] In one embodiment, the system comprises an age verification system configured to verify the age of a user, a host device configured to communicate with the age verification system and configured to transmit an audio signal based on the verification of the user, and an aerosol delivery device configured to be authenticated in response to receiving and verifying the audio signal from the host device. The aerosol delivery device may further include an audio detector configured to detect the audio signal. The audio detector may include a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure change caused by the audio signal. In addition to detecting the audio signal, the pressure sensor may be configured to measure a pressure difference caused by a puff on the aerosol delivery device. The measurement of the pressure difference may be caused by the puff activating a heater in the aerosol delivery device that generates the aerosol for inhalation. The audio detector may further include a microphone configured to detect the audio signal. The microphone may include a MEMS electret microphone using a film diaphragm. The audio signal may be converted to determine whether the audio signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device. The host device may include a computing device with a speaker to transmit the audio signal. The host device may access a user profile of the user for authentication.

[0009] In another embodiment, a method for authenticating an aerosol delivery device includes receiving a request for age verification of a user of the aerosol delivery device, determining an age of the user, performing age verification based on the determined age of the user, and authenticating the aerosol delivery device for the user in response to the age verification. The authenticating step includes transmitting an audio signal for the aerosol delivery device. The receiving request may include receiving a telephone call from the user. The audio signal may be transmitted over a telephone call for detection by the aerosol delivery device. The telephone call may be received and answered by a help desk operator. The audio signal may include an authentication tone. The authenticating step may include unlocking the aerosol delivery device in response to detection of a correct audio signal.

[0010] In another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device includes a power source configured to provide power to generate the aerosol, a signal detector configured to detect an audio signal, and a signal detector circuit configured to receive the audio signal, convert the audio signal, and authenticate the aerosol delivery device if the audio signal is correct. The signal detector may include a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure change caused by the audio signal and further configured to measure a pressure difference caused by a puff on the aerosol delivery device used to activate a heater in the aerosol delivery device to generate the aerosol for inhalation. The signal detector may include a microphone configured to detect the audio signal. The audio signal may be converted to determine whether the audio signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device. The audio signal may be received from a speaker of the host device that plays the audio signal for the signal detector. The device may include an aerosol generating component, the aerosol generating component coupled to the power source for the aerosol generating component to receive power to generate the aerosol. The device may include a canal to the signal detector for the audio signal to travel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the system includes an age verification system configured to verify the age of a user, a host device configured to communicate with the age verification system and configured to transmit a light signal based on the verification of the user, and an aerosol delivery device configured to be authenticated in response to receiving and verifying the light signal from the host device. The aerosol delivery device may include a light detector configured to detect the light signal. The light detector may include a light sensor configured to detect the light signal. The light signal may include a series of pulses with one or more of varying wavelength, brightness, or pulse width detected by the light sensor. The light detector may include a photodiode configured to detect the light signal. The host device may be a computing device coupled to a network for communication with the age verification system. The light signal may include a sequence of light pulses. The light signal detected by the light detector may originate from a flashlight of the computing device or from a display screen of the computing device. The light signal may be converted to determine whether the light signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device. The host device may access a user profile of the user for authentication. The light from the light source may be modified with an authentication key to form the light signal.

[0012] In another embodiment, a method for authenticating an aerosol delivery device includes receiving an age verification request of a user of the aerosol delivery device, verifying the age of the user and providing the age verification, and providing instructions for generating a light signal that is communicated to the aerosol delivery device when the age of the user is verified. Generating the light signal includes authenticating the aerosol delivery device. The authenticating may include unlocking the aerosol delivery device in response to detecting a correct light signal. The light signal may be generated by a host device that communicates the light signal to the aerosol delivery device. The host device may communicate with an age verification system. The host device may access a user profile of the user for authentication. The age verification may include comparing identification documentation.

[0013] In another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device includes a power source configured to provide power to generate the aerosol, a signal detector configured to detect a light signal, and a signal detector circuit configured to receive a video signal, convert the light signal, and authenticate the aerosol delivery device if the light signal is correct. The signal detector may include a light sensor or photodiode configured to detect the light signal. The light signal may be converted by a converter from the signal detector circuit to determine if the light signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device. The light signal may be sent to the signal detector by the host device, which displays the light signal on a screen of the host device, or from a flashlight function of the host device.

[0014] It will be understood that this Summary of the Invention is provided only for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary implementations to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it will be understood that the exemplary implementations described above are merely illustrative and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. Other exemplary implementations, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating, by way of example, the principles of some described exemplary implementations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] Having thus described aspects of the present disclosure in the foregoing general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a regulator coupled together according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a partial cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1, with the cartridge and controller separated from each other, according to one exemplary implementation. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a regulator and an aerosol source member coupled to each other according to another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and an aerosol source member decoupled from one another according to another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a controller, according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a regulator, according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exemplary system diagram of device function control. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a signal detector circuit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a control signal. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an audio detector. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a photodetector. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an exemplary system diagram of device function control by audio signals. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an exemplary system diagram of device function control by optical signals. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control signal processing. [Figure 19] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of audio signal processing. [Figure 20] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of authentication with a host device. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an authentication key. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to exemplary implementations thereof. These exemplary implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein, but rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like, include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, although quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like may be referred to in this specification, unless otherwise specified, any one or more of these, but not all of them, may be absolute or may be approximate, taking into account acceptable variations that may occur due to engineering tolerances, and the like.

[0017] As described below, the present disclosure relates to requiring authentication of age-restricted devices, such as aerosol delivery devices or electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices. Authentication may include or require prior age verification so that the age-restricted device will not operate for users who have not been age-verified. Authentication may include the age-restricted device receiving a control signal to authenticate the device. The control signal may include an audio signal and / or a visual / optical signal to authenticate the device.

[0018] Aerosol delivery devices or ENDS are examples of such devices that may be associated with restrictions, such as age restrictions. Other examples include delivery devices for delivering cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or cannabidiol (CBD), botanicals, herbs, and / or other active ingredients. Thus, while aerosol delivery or ENDS devices are used throughout as examples of application of various embodiments, the examples are intended to be non-limiting, and thus it will be understood that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be used in devices other than aerosol delivery or ENDS devices, including aerosol delivery devices that may be used to deliver other medicinal and / or active ingredients to a user, or aerosol delivery devices that may include smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products.

[0019] Device authentication by control signals may be in addition to or may be required as a prerequisite for the user to perform age verification. A user who has not been age verified cannot authenticate the device. Authentication may be required periodically when using age-restricted products. There may be an age verification system to verify the user's age and / or to authenticate the appropriate user and / or device.

[0020] Functionality control and authentication may be applicable to any age-restricted device or substance, including nicotine, tobacco, alcohol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), CBD oil, cannabis / marijuana, botanicals, medicinal, and / or other age-restricted products. Authentication may also be applicable to age-restricted devices other than aerosol delivery devices. Similarly, while age is one example of a restriction on a device, there may be other types of restrictions on a device that are identified through authentication of the device.

[0021] An aerosol delivery device is an example of a device that may be restricted, and authentication may be accomplished by a control signal to the device. The aerosol delivery device is further described with respect to FIGS. 1-10. In other examples, the device may be a heat-not-burn device that uses an aerosol source member as a consumable, rather than a cartridge. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol (inhalable substance) from an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes referred to as an inhalable substance medium). The aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco material, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In some implementations, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat and generate an aerosol from a fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition). Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of the above-mentioned substances, including but not limited to botanicals, medicinals, alcohol, glycerin, and may include nicotine, and / or other active ingredients, including but not limited to botanicals (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca, tisane, etc.), stimulants (e.g., caffeine, guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan), and / or pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, C, and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD)). Such an aerosol delivery device may include a so-called electronic cigarette. In other implementations, the aerosol delivery device may include a heat-not-burn device. In yet other implementations, the aerosol delivery device may include a no-heat-no-burn device.

[0022] Liquid aerosol precursor compositions, also referred to as vapor precursor compositions or "e-liquids," are particularly useful for electronic cigarettes and no heat no burn devices. Liquid aerosol precursor compositions may include a variety of ingredients, including, by way of example, polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extracts, and / or flavorings. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition includes glycerin and nicotine. In other examples, the compositions additionally or alternatively include alcohol, botanicals (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca, tisane), stimulants (e.g., caffeine, guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan), pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, C, cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), etc.), or other active ingredients, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Some liquid aerosol precursor compositions that may be used with various implementations may include one or more acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, etc. Including an acid(s) in a liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in salt form. Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor components and formulations are described and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0020830 to Koller, as well as PCT Publication No. WO 2014 / 182736 to Bowen et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be employed include aerosol precursors that are incorporated into any of the several representative products identified above. Also desirable are so-called "smoke juices" for electronic cigarettes, available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.Further exemplary aerosol precursor compositions are sold under brand names such as BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR.CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILE E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELOS, PINUP VAPOR, SPACE JAM, MT.BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. Implementations of foamable materials that can be used with the aerosol precursors are described, by way of example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the use of foamable materials is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al., as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 to Brinkley et al., and PCT Publication No. WO 97 / 06786 to Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] Exemplary types of substrates, reservoirs or other components for supporting an aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0216232 to Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials and their construction and operation within certain types of electronic cigarettes are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0025] In other implementations, the aerosol delivery device may include a heat knot burn device configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a glycerin-loaded tobacco paste). The aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco-containing beads, tobacco shreds, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco materials, or combinations thereof, and / or finely ground tobacco, tobacco extract, a mixture of spray-dried tobacco extracts, or other tobacco forms mixed with optional inorganic materials (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavors, and aerosol-forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable (e.g., extrudable) substrate. Representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,538 to Thomas et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,726 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0083150 to Conner et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0157052 to Ademe et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0000188 to Nordskog et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and configurations include those found in NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source members for GLO™ products by British American Tobacco and HEETS™ consumable aerosol source members for IQOS™ products by Philip Morris International Inc.

[0026] In various implementations, the inhalable substance may specifically be a tobacco component or a tobacco-derived material (i.e., a material naturally occurring in tobacco that may be directly isolated from tobacco or synthetically prepared). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may include a tobacco extract or a fraction thereof in combination with an inert substrate. The aerosol precursor composition may further include unburned tobacco or a composition including unburned tobacco that releases an inhalable substance when heated to a temperature below combustion temperature. In some implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco condensate or a fraction thereof (i.e., a condensed component of smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco, leaving flavor and possibly nicotine).

[0027] In other implementations, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products may be examples of age-restricted products rather than aerosol delivery or ENDS devices. Representative smokeless tobacco products on the market include CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips, and CAMEL Sticks from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, GRIZZLY moist tobacco, KODIAK moist tobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco, and TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco from American Snuff Company, LLC, KAYAK moist snuff, CHATTANOOGA CHEW chewing tobacco from Swisher International, Inc., REDMAN chewing tobacco from Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP, and COPENHAGEN moist tobacco, COPENHAGEN Pouces, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, RED SEAL long cut, and REVEL Mint Tobacco from US Smokeless Tobacco Company. Packs, Philip Morris USA's MARLBORO Snus and Taboka. In Europe, particularly Sweden, companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Scandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S, and Rocker Production AB may manufacture representative types of snuff products commonly referred to as "snus."Snus products currently and formerly sold in the United States are marketed under trade names such as CAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original, CAMEL Snus Spice, CAMEL Snus Mint, CAMEL Snus Mellow, CAMEL Snus Winterchill, and CAMEL Snus Robust by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. Smokeless tobacco products are packaged in tins, "packs," or "pots." Other examples include REVEL nicotine lozenges (a product of RJ Reynolds Vapor Company) and tobacco-free nicotine pouch products such as Zyn and LYFT by Swedish Match.

[0028] Tobacco materials useful in the present disclosure may vary and include, for example, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire tobacco, and rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Tobacco materials may also include so-called "blend" forms, as well as processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut rolled stems or cut puffed stems), volume expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco such as dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET), preferably in cut filler form), reconstituted tobacco (e.g., reconstituted tobacco produced using a papermaking or cast sheet type process), and the like. Various representative tobacco types, processed types of tobacco, and tobacco blends are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,224 to Lawson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,537 to Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,930 to Gentry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,023 to Blakley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,023 to Shafer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,422 to Lawson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,422 to Perfetti ... No. 6,701,936, U.S. Patent No. 7,011,096 to Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,017,585 to Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 to Perfetti et al., PCT Publication No. WO 02 / 37990 to Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference. Further exemplary tobacco compositions that may be useful in smoking devices, including those according to the present disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] Additionally, the aerosol precursor composition may include an inert substrate having the inhalable substance or its precursor incorporated therein or deposited thereon. For example, a liquid containing the inhalable substance may be coated on or absorbed or adsorbed onto the inert substrate such that upon application of heat, the inhalable substance is released in a form that can be drawn from the present invention by application of positive or negative pressure. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include a flavorful, aromatic tobacco blend in cut filler form. In another embodiment, the aerosol precursor composition may include reconstituted tobacco material as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,814 to Pryor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For more information regarding suitable aerosol precursor compositions, see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., filed March 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

[0030] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol generating component configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. In the case of an e-cigarette or heat not burn device, for example, the aerosol generating component may be or may include a heating element. In the case of a no heat no burn device, in some examples, the aerosol generating component may be or may include a vibrating piezoelectric mesh or a piezoelectric magnetic mesh. In other words, there may be no heating element for aerosol generation. The aerosol delivery device of some embodiments may include a combination of elements to provide an aerosol generating component, which may include both a heating element and additional elements such as a vibrating aerosol generating component (e.g., a vibrating piezoceramic and / or other piezoelectric or piezoelectric material) that cooperate to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition.

[0031] An example of a suitable heating element is an induction heater. Such heaters often include an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is conducted therethrough. The induction receiver may be at least partially disposed or received within the induction transmitter and may include a conductive material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material or an aluminum-coated material). By conducting an alternating current through the induction transmitter, eddy currents may be generated in the induction receiver via induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the induction receiver may heat by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The induction receiver, which may define a nebulizer, may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition disposed proximate to the induction receiver. Various implementations of aerosol delivery devices with inductive heaters are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0127722 to Davis et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0202266 to Sur et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 352,153 to Sur et al., filed November 15, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 799,365 to Sebastian et al., filed October 31, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0032] In other implementations, including those described in more detail herein, the heating element is a conductive heater, such as in the case of an electrical resistance heater. These heaters may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is conducted through them. In various implementations, the conductive heater may be provided in various forms, such as in the form of a foil, foam, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, yarn, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heaters often include a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of the electrical resistance associated with passing an electric current through them. Such a resistive heater may be placed in proximity to an aerosol precursor composition, which can be heated to generate an aerosol. Various conductive substrates that can be used in the present disclosure are described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith et al.

[0033] In some implementations, the aerosol delivery device may include a regulator and a cartridge in the case of a so-called e-cigarette or no heat no burn device, or a regulator and an aerosol source member in the case of a no heat no burn device. The cartridge may be an example of a consumable for the device, and reference to a cartridge may include other consumables. Other examples of aerosol source members may include "sticks" that may contain tobacco, tobacco extracts, aerosol formers, nicotine, and / or other active ingredients that can be used in a heat not burn device. For example, NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source members for British American Tobacco's GLO™ products and HEETS™ consumable aerosol source members for Philip Morris International, Inc.'s IQOS™ products. In either the e-cigarette or heat not burn device, the regulator may be reusable, while the cartridge / aerosol source member may be configured for a limited number of uses and / or may be configured to be disposable. A variety of mechanisms may connect the cartridge / aerosol source member to the control body to provide threaded engagement, press-fit engagement, interference engagement, sliding engagement, magnetic engagement, and the like.

[0034] The regulator and cartridge / aerosol source member may include separate respective housings or outer bodies that may be formed from any of a number of different materials. The housings may be formed from any suitable, structurally sound material. In some examples, the housings may be formed from metals or alloys, such as stainless steel, aluminum, etc. Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal plating on plastic, ceramics, etc.

[0035] The cartridge (i.e., aerosol source member) may contain the aerosol precursor composition. To generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol generating component (e.g., a heating element, a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh) may be disposed in contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol precursor composition, such as between the control body and the cartridge, or within the control body in which the aerosol source member may be disposed. The control body may include a rechargeable or replaceable power source, such that the control body may be reused with multiple cartridges / aerosol source members.

[0036] The control may also include a means for activating the aerosol delivery device, such as a push button, a touch-sensitive surface, etc. for manual control of the device. Additionally or alternatively, the control may include a flow sensor for detecting when a user draws on the cartridge / aerosol source member, thereby activating the aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, the control may include a heating element, rather than the heating element being on the consumable or cartridge as in other embodiments.

[0037] In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure may have various overall shapes, including, but not limited to, those that may be defined as substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. In the implementations shown in and described with reference to the accompanying figures, the aerosol delivery device has a substantially round cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Such language describing the physical shape of the smoking article may also be applied to its individual components, including the control body and the cartridge / aerosol source member. In other implementations, the control body may take another hand-held shape, such as a packet shape.

[0038] In more specific implementations, one or both of the controller and the cartridge / aerosol source member may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the controller may have a power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, SSB, thin film SSB, capacitor, solar power, rechargeable supercapacitor, lithium ion or hybrid lithium ion supercapacitor. One example of a power source is the TKI-1550 rechargeable lithium ion battery manufactured by Tadiran Batteries GmbH, Germany. In another implementation, a useful power source may be the N50-AAA CADNICA nickel cadmium battery manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Japan. In other implementations, multiple such batteries may be connected in series, each providing a voltage of, for example, 1.2 volts. In some implementations, the power source is configured to provide an output voltage. The power source may provide power to an aerosol generating component that is capable of providing power to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. The power source may be connected to any type of charging technology, such as a charging accessory as discussed further below.

[0039] Examples of power supplies are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112191 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of suitable power supplies are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0283855 to Hawes et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0014125 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0243410 to Nichols et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0313901 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to flow sensors, representative current conditioning components and other current control components including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875, all to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,313 to Fleischhauer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,313 to Fleischhauer et al. No. 560, U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Patent Application No. 8,881,737 to Collet et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0257445 to Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] Further examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery smoking articles and which disclose materials or components that can be used in the present smoking articles include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White. , U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Patent No. 6,772 to Shayan ,756, U.S. Patent Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 to Monsees et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., and U.S. patent applications to Hon. No. 2006 / 0196518 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0188490, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang, PCT International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 to Hon, and PCT International Publication No. 2013 / 089551 to Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0099877 to Worm et al. discloses capsules that may be included in aerosol delivery devices and fob-shaped configurations for aerosol delivery devices, which are incorporated herein by reference.The various materials disclosed by the aforementioned documents may be incorporated into the devices of the present invention in a variety of implementations, and all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] Still other features, controls, or components that may be incorporated into the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Katase, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,623 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,623 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Katase, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,623 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,742 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 ... No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,427,022 to Leven et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0180553 to Kim et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] In another aspect, the present disclosure may be directed to a kit providing various components as described herein. For example, the kit may include one or more cartridges or a control having an aerosol source member. The kit may further include a charging accessory as described below, along with one or more batteries and a control with one or more cartridges. The kit may further include multiple cartridges and one or more batteries and / or charging accessories. In the above embodiments, the cartridge or control may include a heating member contained therein. The kit of the present invention may further include a case (or other packaging, carrying, or storage component) that houses one or more additional kit components. Alternatively, the charging accessory may be a case within one of the kits. The case may be a reusable rigid or flexible container. Additionally, the case may simply be a box or other packaging structure.

[0043] 1 and 2 show an implementation of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and a cartridge in the case of an electronic cigarette. In this regard, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body 102 (i.e., a battery portion) and a cartridge 104. As described below, operation of the device, such as when the cartridge 104 is attached, may require authentication along with age verification. The control body and the cartridge may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, while FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway side view of the aerosol delivery device in an uncoupled configuration. The aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical in some implementations, for example, with the control body and the cartridge in an assembled configuration.

[0044] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may be configured to engage with each other by various connections, such as a press-fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, and the like. Thus, the control body may include a first engagement element (e.g., a coupler) adapted to engage with a second engagement element (e.g., a connector) on the cartridge. The first engagement element and the second engagement element may be reversible. As an example, either the first engagement element or the second engagement element may be male threaded and the other may be female threaded. As a further example, either the first engagement element or the second engagement element may be a magnet and the other may be a metal or compatible magnet. In certain implementations, the engagement elements may be directly defined by existing components of the control body and the cartridge. For example, the housing of the control body may define a cavity at its end configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge (e.g., a reservoir tank or other shell-forming element of the cartridge). In particular, the reservoir of the cartridge may be at least partially received within the cavity of the regulator, while the mouthpiece of the cartridge may remain exposed outside the cavity of the regulator. The cartridge may be retained within the cavity formed by the regulator housing, such as by an interference fit (e.g., by use of detents and / or other features that form an interference engagement between an outer surface of the cartridge and an inner surface of a wall that forms the cavity of the regulator), magnetic engagement (e.g., by use of magnets and / or magnetic metals disposed within the cavity of the regulator and disposed on the cartridge), or other suitable technique.

[0045] As seen in the cutaway view illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 102 and cartridge 104 each include several respective components. The components illustrated in FIG. 2 are representative of components that may be present in the controller and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the controller 102 may be referred to as a battery section. As shown, for example, the controller 102 may be formed with a housing 206 (sometimes referred to as a controller shell) that may include a control component 208 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot-based LED), such components may be variably aligned. The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent (lock) access to the device depending on the authentication or age verification status. In one example, the device starts in a locked state that prevents use, but becomes usable once the device receives a correct control signal and is authenticated. In other words, the default state of the device is locked, and authentication (with age verification) can unlock the device.

[0046] The cartridge 104 may be formed to include a housing 216 (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell) that encloses a reservoir 218 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition, and a heating element 220 (an aerosol generating component). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank, and accordingly, the terms "cartridge," "tank," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing that encloses a reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition and includes a heating element.

[0047] As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 222 adapted to wick or otherwise transport the aerosol precursor composition stored within the reservoir housing to a heating element 220. In some examples, a valve may be disposed between the reservoir and the heating element and configured to control the amount of the aerosol precursor composition that is transferred or delivered from the reservoir to the heating element.

[0048] Various examples of materials configured to generate heat when an electric current is applied therethrough may be employed to form the heating element 220. These example heating elements may be resistive heating elements, such as wire coils, micro-heaters, etc. Examples of materials from which the heating element may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel, stainless steel, indium tin oxide, tungsten, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)2), titanium, platinum, silver, palladium, alloys of silver and palladium, graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and yarns), conductive inks, boron-doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with positive or negative temperature coefficients), etc. The heating element may be a resistive heating element or a heating element configured to generate heat by induction. The heating element may be coated with a thermally conductive ceramic, such as aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, alumina, silicon nitride, or composites thereof. Exemplary implementations of heating elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described further below and can be incorporated into devices such as those described herein.

[0049] An opening 224 may be present in the housing 216 (eg, at the mouth end) to allow for the exit of the aerosol formed from the cartridge 104 .

[0050] The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include integrated circuits, memory components (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), sensors, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and / or with external devices by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere within the cartridge or its base 228.

[0051] Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are illustrated separately, it is understood that the various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, may be combined on a circuit board (e.g., PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Furthermore, the circuit board may be disposed horizontally relative to the illustration of FIG. 1 in that it may be disposed longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control body. In some examples, the air flow sensor may include its own circuit board or other base element to which it may be attached. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured in a variety of shapes, including a substantially tubular shape. In some examples, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, laminated onto, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0052] The regulator 102 and cartridge 104 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid engagement therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the regulator may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The base 228 of the cartridge may be adapted to engage with the coupler and may include a protrusion 234 adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the regulator and the cartridge as well as establish an electrical connection between the power source 212 and control components 208 within the regulator and the heating element 220 within the cartridge. Additionally, the housing 206 may include an air intake 236, which may be a notch in the housing where it connects to the coupler, allowing ambient air to enter around the coupler and into the housing, which then passes through the coupler cavity 232 and into the cartridge via the protrusion 234.

[0053] Useful couplers and bases according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the coupler 230 as in FIG. 2 may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of the base 228. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Additionally, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 on the outer periphery that are configured to engage with one or more recesses 244 defined on the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes, and components may be employed to couple the base to the coupler. In some examples, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the regulator 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples, the connection therebetween may be releasable, for example, so that the regulator may be reused with one or more additional cartridges that are disposable and / or refillable.

[0054] The reservoir 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be a container or, as currently described, may be a fibrous reservoir. For example, the reservoir may comprise one or more layers of non-woven fibers formed substantially in the shape of a tube that, in this example, surrounds the interior of the housing 216. The aerosol precursor composition may be held within the reservoir. The liquid components may be, for example, sorptively held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 222. The liquid transport element may transport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir via capillary action or via a micropump to a heating element 220, which in this example is in the form of a metal wire coil. In this way, the heating element is disposed in a heating relationship with the liquid transport element.

[0055] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the reservoir 218, and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Other exemplary implementations of reservoirs and transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described further herein, and such reservoirs and / or transport elements may be incorporated into devices as described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating elements and transport elements as described further herein may be incorporated into devices as described herein.

[0056] In use, when a user inhales on the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 210 and the heating element 220 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. When the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device is inhaled, ambient air enters the air intake 236 and passes through the cavity 232 of the coupler 230 and the central opening of the protrusion 234 of the base 228. Within the cartridge 104, the drawn in air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is bubbled, aspirated, or otherwise drawn away from the heating element and out the opening 224 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0057] For further details regarding the implementation of aerosol delivery devices including controls and cartridges for electronic cigarettes, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur, cited above, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,696 to Sur, filed March 9, 2018, which are also incorporated by reference herein.

[0058] 3-6 show implementations of an aerosol delivery device including a regulator and an aerosol source member for a heat not burn device. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a regulator 302 and an aerosol source member 304. In various implementations, the aerosol source member and regulator may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 3 shows the aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, while FIG. 4 shows the aerosol delivery device in a decoupled configuration.

[0059] 4, in various implementations of the present disclosure, the aerosol source member 304 may include a heated end 406 configured to be inserted into the control body 302 and a mouth end 408 that a user inhales to generate an aerosol. In various implementations, at least a portion of the heated end may include an aerosol precursor composition 410.

[0060] In various implementations, the aerosol source member 304, or a portion thereof, may be wrapped with an outer overwrap material 412, which may be formed of any material useful for providing additional structure and / or support to the aerosol source member. In various implementations, the outer overwrap material may be constructed of a material that resists the transfer of heat, which may include paper or other fibrous materials, such as cellulosic materials. The outer overwrap material may also include at least one filler material embedded or dispersed within the fibrous material. In various implementations, the filler material may have the form of water-insoluble particles. Additionally, the filler material may include inorganic components. In various implementations, the outer overwrap may be formed of multiple layers, such as an underlying bulk layer and an upper layer, such as a typical cigarette wrapper. Such materials may include, for example, lightweight "rag fibers," such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto. The outer overwrap may also include materials typically used in the filter elements of conventional cigarettes, such as cellulose acetate.

[0061] Additionally, the excess length of overlap at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member may function simply to separate the aerosol precursor composition 410 from the consumer's mouth, or to provide space for positioning of a filter material as described below, or to affect puffing of the smoking article, or to affect the flow characteristics of the vapor or aerosol exiting the device during puffing. Further discussion of configurations of overlap material that may be used in the present disclosure is provided in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., supra.

[0062] In various implementations, other components may be present between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouth-end 408 of the aerosol source member 304, which may include a filter 414, which may be made of, for example, cellulose acetate or polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or alternatively include strands of tobacco-containing material as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various implementations, the filter may enhance the structural integrity of the mouth-end of the aerosol source member and / or provide filtering capacity as desired and / or provide resistance to suction. In some implementations, one or any combination of the following may be disposed between the aerosol precursor composition and the mouth-end: an air gap, a phase change material for cooling the air, a flavor releasing medium, ion exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption, aerogel particles as a filter medium, and other suitable materials.

[0063] In various implementations of the present disclosure, one or more conductive heating elements are used to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. In various implementations, the heating elements may be provided in various forms, such as in the form of foils, foams, meshes, hollow spheres, hemispheres, disks, spirals, fibers, wires, films, yarns, strips, ribbons, or cylinders. Such heating elements often include metallic materials and are configured to generate heat by electrical resistance when an electric current is passed through them. Such resistive heating elements may be disposed in direct contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol source member, particularly the aerosol precursor composition of the aerosol source member. The heating elements may be disposed in the regulator and / or the aerosol source member. In various implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may include components embedded in or otherwise part of the substrate portion that can function as or facilitate the function of the heating assembly (i.e., thermally conductive components). Some examples of various heating members and elements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.

[0064] Some non-limiting examples of various heating element configurations include configurations in which the heating element is disposed in close proximity to the aerosol source member 304. For example, in some examples, at least a portion of the heating element may surround at least a portion of the aerosol source member. In other examples, one or more heating elements may be disposed adjacent to the exterior of the aerosol source member when inserted into the control body 302. In other examples, at least a portion of the heating element may penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source member (e.g., one or more prongs and / or spikes that penetrate the aerosol source member, etc.) when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition may include a structure in contact with the aerosol precursor composition, or a plurality of beads or particles embedded in the aerosol precursor composition, or a portion of the aerosol precursor composition, which may function as a heating element or facilitate the function of the heating element.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a front view of an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 5. In particular, the control 302 of the depicted implementation may include a housing 516 including an opening 518 defined at its engagement end, a flow sensor 520 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), a control component 522 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a power source 524 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an end cap including an indicator 526 (e.g., an LED). The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent operation on the switch if age verification fails, as described further below. The default state of the device may be a state in which the switch is not connected, and authentication (which may be based on verification) causes the switch to be connected.

[0066] In one implementation, the indicator 526 may include one or more LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs, etc. The indicator may be in communication with the control component 522 and may be detected and illuminated by the flow sensor 520 when coupled to the control 302, for example, when a user inhales on the aerosol source member 304.

[0067] The controller 302 in the depicted implementation includes one or more heating assemblies 528 (individually or collectively referred to as heating assemblies) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. The heating assemblies in various implementations of the present disclosure can take a variety of forms, but in the particular implementation depicted in Figures 5 and 6, the heating assembly includes a barrel 530 and a heating element 532 (aerosol generating components), which in this implementation comprises a number of heater prongs extending from a receiving base 534 (in various configurations, the heating assembly or more specifically the heater prongs may be referred to as heaters). In the depicted implementation, the barrel comprises a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of stainless steel to maintain heat generated by the heater prongs within the barrel, and more specifically, to maintain heat generated by the heater prongs within the aerosol precursor composition. In various implementations, the heater prongs may be constructed of one or more electrically conductive materials, including but not limited to copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

[0068] As shown, the heating assembly 528 may extend proximate the engagement end of the housing 516 and may be configured to substantially surround a portion of the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 containing the aerosol precursor composition 410. In such an embodiment, the heating assembly may define a generally tubular configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heater prongs) is surrounded by the sheath 530 to form a receiving chamber 536. In such an embodiment, in various implementations, the sheath may comprise a non-conductive insulating material and / or structure, including, but not limited to, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combination thereof.

[0069] In some implementations, one or more portions or components of the heating assembly 528 may be combined, packaged, and / or integrated with (e.g., embedded within) the aerosol precursor composition 410. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may be formed of materials such as those described above and may include one or more electrically conductive materials mixed therein. In some of these implementations, the contacts may be directly connected to the aerosol precursor composition such that the contacts electrically connect with the electrical energy source when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the controller. Alternatively, the contacts may be integral with the electrical energy source and may extend into the receiving chamber such that the contacts electrically connect with the aerosol precursor composition when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the controller. Due to the presence of electrically conductive materials in the aerosol precursor composition, application of power from the electrical energy source to the aerosol precursor composition causes an electric current to flow, resulting in heat generation from the electrically conductive material. Thus, in some implementations, the heating element may be described as integral with the aerosol precursor composition. As a non-limiting example, graphite or other suitable conductive material may be mixed into, embedded in, or directly on or within the material forming the aerosol precursor composition to integrate the heating element with the medium.

[0070] As noted above, in the illustrated implementation, the sheath 530 may also serve to facilitate proper positioning of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member is inserted into the housing 516. In various implementations, the sheath of the heating assembly 528 may engage an interior surface of the housing to provide alignment of the heating assembly relative to the housing, such that, as a result of the fixed connection between the heating assemblies, the longitudinal axis of the heating assembly may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In particular, the support sheath may extend from the opening 518 of the housing to the receiving base 534 to form a receiving chamber 536.

[0071] The heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 is sized and shaped for insertion into the regulator 302. In various implementations, the regulator's receiving chamber 536 may be characterized as being defined by a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the illustrated implementation, the barrel 530 defines an inner surface that defines the interior volume of the receiving chamber. In the illustrated implementation, the inner diameter of the barrel may be slightly larger or approximately equal (e.g., to form a snug fit) to the outer diameter of the corresponding aerosol source member, such that the barrel is configured to guide the aerosol source member into an appropriate position (e.g., lateral position) relative to the regulator. Thus, the maximum outer diameter (or other dimension depending on the specific cross-sectional shape of the implementation) of the aerosol source member may be sized to be smaller than the inner diameter (or other dimension) of the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the receiving chamber in the regulator. In some implementations, the difference in their respective diameters may be small enough that the aerosol source member fits snugly into the receiving chamber and prevents frictional forces from moving the aerosol source member without the application of force, while the difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source member to slide in and out of the receiving chamber without the need for excessive force.

[0072] In the illustrated implementation, the control body 302 is configured such that when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the control body, the heating element 532 (e.g., heater prongs) are located approximately in the radial center of at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 at the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member. In such an embodiment, when used in conjunction with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition, the heater prongs may be in direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition. In other implementations, such as when used in conjunction with an extruded aerosol precursor composition that defines a tubular structure, the heater prongs may be located within a cavity defined by the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure and thus will not contact the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure.

[0073] During use, a consumer initiates heating of the heating assembly 528, particularly the heating element 532 adjacent to the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a particular layer thereof). Heating of the aerosol precursor composition results in the release of the inhalable substance within the aerosol source member 304. When the consumer inhales at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member, air is drawn into the aerosol source member through an air intake 538, such as an opening or aperture, in the control body 302. The combination of the drawn-in air and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer as the drawn-in substance exits the mouth end of the aerosol source member. In some implementations, to initiate heating, the consumer may manually activate a push button or similar component that causes the heating element of the heating assembly to receive electrical energy from a battery or other energy source. The electrical energy may be provided for a predetermined period of time or may be manually controlled.

[0074] In some implementations, the flow of electrical energy does not proceed substantially during a puff in the device 300 (although the flow of energy may proceed to maintain a baseline temperature above ambient temperature, e.g., a temperature that facilitates rapid heating to an active heating temperature). However, in the depicted implementations, heating is initiated by the consumer's puffing action through the use of one or more sensors, such as flow sensor 520. When the puff ceases, heating is stopped or reduced. Once the consumer has taken a sufficient number of puffs to release a sufficient amount of inhalable substance (e.g., a sufficient amount corresponding to a typical smoking experience), the aerosol source member 304 may be detached from the controller 302 and discarded. In some implementations, an additional sensing element may be used, such as a capacitive sensing element as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 707,461 to Phillips et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] In various implementations, the aerosol source member 304 may be formed of any material suitable for forming and maintaining a suitable fit, such as a tubular shape, and retaining the aerosol precursor composition 410 therein. In some implementations, the aerosol source member may be formed of a single wall, or in other implementations, may be formed of multiple walls, and may be formed of a material (natural or synthetic) that is heat resistant to retain its structural integrity (e.g., not degrade) at least at temperatures that are heating temperatures provided by the electric heating element, as discussed further herein. In some implementations, a heat resistant polymer may be used, while in other implementations, the aerosol source member may be formed of paper, such as a substantially straw-shaped paper. As discussed further herein, the aerosol source member may have one or more layers associated therewith that function to substantially prevent the transfer of vapor therethrough. In one example implementation, an aluminum foil layer may be laminated to one side of the aerosol source member. A ceramic material may also be used. In further implementations, an insulating material may be used to avoid unnecessarily removing heat from the aerosol precursor composition. Further exemplary types of components and materials that may be used to provide the above-described functionality or that may be used as substitutes for the above-described materials and components may be of the type described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 00186757 to Crooks et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 00186757 to Crooks et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0041861 to Sebastian et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] In the depicted implementation, the controller 302 includes a control component 522 that controls various functions of the aerosol delivery device 300, including providing power to the electrical heating element 532. For example, the control component may include a processing circuit (which may be connected to additional components, as further described herein) connected to a power source 524 by conductive wires (not shown). In various implementations, the processing circuit may control when and how the heating assembly 528, and in particular the heater prongs, receive electrical energy to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 for emission of an inhalable substance to be inhaled by the consumer. In some implementations, such control may be initiated by a flow sensor 520, as described in more detail above.

[0077] 5 and 6, the heating assembly 528 of the depicted implementation comprises a barrel 530 and a heating element 532 (e.g., a plurality of heater prongs) extending from a receiving base 534. In some implementations, such as where the aerosol precursor composition 410 comprises a tubular structure, the heater prongs may be configured to extend into a cavity defined by an inner surface of the aerosol precursor composition. In other implementations, such as the depicted implementations where the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid or semi-solid, the plurality of heater prongs are configured to penetrate into the aerosol precursor composition contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member is inserted into the regulator 302. In such implementations, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heater prongs and / or the receiving base, may be constructed of a non-sticky or sticky material, such as, for example, certain aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic materials. In other implementations, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heater prongs and / or the receiving base, may include a non-stick coating, including, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating such as Teflon (registered trademark), or other coatings such as a non-stick enamel coating, or a ceramic coating such as Glebron (registered trademark), or a ceramic coating such as Thermolon (trademark).

[0078] Further, it should be noted that while in the depicted implementation, there are multiple heater prongs 532 that are substantially evenly distributed around the receiving base 534, in other implementations, any number of heater prongs, including as few as one heater prong, may be used in any other suitable spatial configuration. Furthermore, in various implementations, the length of the heater prongs may vary. For example, in some implementations, the heater prongs may be comprised of small prongs, while in other implementations, the heater prongs may extend any portion of the length of the receiving chamber 536, including up to about 25%, up to about 50%, up to about 75%, and up to about the entire length of the receiving chamber. In still other implementations, the heating assembly 528 may take on other configurations. Examples of other heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present invention in accordance with the teachings provided above are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,894 to Deevi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel Jr. No. 5,228,460 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,498,850 to Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,659,656 to Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,692 to Das et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] In various implementations, the controller 302 may include an air intake 538 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) therein to allow for the introduction of ambient air into the interior of the receiving chamber 536. In such an embodiment, in some implementations, the receiving base 534 may also include an air intake. Thus, in some implementations, when a consumer inhales on the mouth-end of the aerosol source member 304, air may be drawn through the air intake and receiving base of the controller into the receiving chamber, pass through the aerosol source member, and through the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member for inhalation by the consumer. In some implementations, the drawn air carries the inhalable substance through the optional filter 414 and out the opening of the mouth-end 408 of the aerosol source member. With the heating element 532 disposed within the aerosol precursor composition, the heater prongs may be activated to heat the aerosol precursor composition and cause the release of the inhalable substance through the aerosol source member.

[0080] As described above, particularly with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, various implementations of the present disclosure use an electrically conductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410. Also, as noted above, various other implementations use an inductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some of these implementations, the heating assembly 528 may be configured as an inductive heater including a transformer with an inductive transmitter and an inductive receiver. In implementations in which the heating assembly is configured as an inductive heater, the barrel 530 may be configured as the inductive transmitter and the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heater prongs) extending from the receiving base 534 may be configured as the inductive receiver. In various implementations, one or both of the inductive transmitter and the inductive receiver may be located in the control body 302 and / or the aerosol source member 304.

[0081] In various implementations, the barrel 530 and heating element 532 as an inductive transmitter and receiver may be constructed of one or more conductive materials, and in further implementations, the inductive receiver may be constructed of ferromagnetic materials, including but not limited to cobalt, iron, nickel, and combinations thereof. In one example implementation, the foil material is constructed of a conductive material and the heater prongs are constructed of a ferromagnetic material. In various implementations, the receiving base may be constructed of a non-conductive and / or insulating material.

[0082] The outer tube 530 as an inductive transmitter may include a laminate of foil material surrounding the support tube. In some implementations, the foil material may include electrical traces printed thereon, such as one or more electrical traces that may form a helical coil pattern when the foil material is placed around the heating element 532 as an inductive receiver. The foil material and the support tube may each define a tubular configuration. The support tube may be configured to support the foil material such that the foil material does not contact the heater prongs and thereby short out. In such a manner, the support tube may be constructed of a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the foil material. In various implementations, the foil material may be embedded or otherwise coupled to the support cylinder. In the illustrated implementation, the foil material engages the outer surface of the support cylinder, but in other implementations, the foil material may be disposed on the inner surface of the support cylinder or may be fully embedded in the support cylinder.

[0083] The foil material of the barrel 530 may be configured to create an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is directed therethrough. The heater prongs of the heating element 532 are at least partially disposed or received within the barrel and may comprise an electrically conductive material. Directing an alternating current through the foil material may generate eddy currents in the heater prongs via induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heater prongs may heat them by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The heater prongs may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition 410 positioned proximate to the heater prongs.

[0084] Other implementations of aerosol delivery devices, regulators and aerosol source members are described in the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,696 to Sur, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur.

[0085] 7 and 8 show implementations of an aerosol delivery device including a regulator and a cartridge for a no heat no burn device. In this regard, FIG. 7 shows a side view of an aerosol delivery device 700 including a regulator 702 and a cartridge 704, according to various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 7 shows the regulator and cartridge coupled to one another. The regulator and cartridge may be removably aligned in a functional relationship.

[0086] FIG. 8 more specifically illustrates an aerosol delivery device 700 according to some exemplary implementations. As seen in the cutaway view illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol delivery device may also include a controller 702 and a cartridge 704, each including several respective components. The components illustrated in FIG. 8 are representative of components that may be present in the controller and cartridge, and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As illustrated, for example, the controller may be formed of a controller housing or shell 806 that may include control components 808 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), input devices 810, a power source 812, and indicators 814 (e.g., LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs), and such components may be arranged in a variety of ways. Here, specific examples of suitable control components include the Microchip Technology Inc. PIC16(L)F1713 / 6 microcontroller, which is described in Microchip Technology, Inc., AN2265, “Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Reference Design” (2016), which is incorporated by reference.

[0087] The cartridge 704 may be formed of a housing, sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell 816, that encloses a reservoir 818 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and includes a nozzle 820 having a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh (an aerosol generating component). As above, in various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank.

[0088] 8 may be a container or may be a fibrous reservoir as described herein. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a nozzle 820 to transport an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the nozzle. An opening 822 may be present in the cartridge shell 816 (e.g., at a mouth end) to allow for the exit of the aerosol formed from the cartridge 704.

[0089] In some examples, a transport element may be disposed between the reservoir 818 and the nozzle 820 and configured to control the amount of the aerosol precursor composition transferred or delivered from the reservoir to the nozzle. In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the cartridge 704 and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by one or more microfluidic components. One example of a microfluidic component is a micropump 824, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Examples of suitable micropumps include model MDP2205 micropumps from thinXXS Microtechnology AG, model mp5 and mp6 micropumps from Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH, and piezo micropumps from Takasago Fluidic Systems.

[0090] As further shown, in some examples, a microfilter 826 may be disposed between the micropump 824 and the nozzle 820 to filter the aerosol precursor composition delivered to the nozzle. Like the micropump, the microfilter is a microfluidic component. Examples of suitable microfilters include flow-through microfilters fabricated using lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

[0091] In use, when the input device 810 detects a user input to activate the aerosol delivery device, the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh is actuated to vibrate, thereby drawing the aerosol precursor composition through the mesh. This causes droplets of the aerosol precursor composition to form and combine with air to form an aerosol. The aerosol is bubbled, aspirated, or otherwise drawn through the mesh and out an opening 822 in the mouth of the aerosol delivery device.

[0092] The aerosol delivery device 700 can incorporate an input device 810, such as a switch, sensor, or detector, for controlling the supply of power to the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820 when aerosol generation is desired (e.g., during inhalation during use). Thus, for example, aspects or methods are provided for turning off the power to the mesh when the aerosol delivery device is not being inhaled during use, and turning on the power to activate or trigger the generation and ejection of aerosol from the nozzle during inhalation. Additional representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their construction and configuration, their components, and their general methods of operation are described above and in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and PCT Publication WO 2010 / 003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0093] For more details regarding these and other implementations of the aerosol delivery device for no heat, no burn devices, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 651,548 to Sur, filed July 17, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0094] As discussed above, the aerosol delivery device of the exemplary implementations may include various electronic components in the context of an e-cigarette, a heat not burn device, or a no heat no burn device, or even in the case of a device that includes one or more of the functionality of an e-cigarette, a heat not burn device, or a no heat no burn device. Figure 9 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device 900 that may be or incorporate the functionality of any one or more of the aerosol delivery devices 100, 300, 700 according to various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0095] 9, the aerosol delivery device 900 includes a controller 902 having a power source 904 and a control component 906 that may correspond to or include the functionality of the controller 102, 302, 702, the power source 212, 524, 812, and the control component 208, 522, 808, respectively. The aerosol delivery device also includes an aerosol generation component 916 that may correspond to or include the functionality of the heating element 220, 532, or the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820. The controller 902 may include a terminal 918 configured to connect the aerosol generation component 916 or the aerosol generation component to the controller.

[0096] In some implementations, the controller 902 includes a sensor 908 configured to generate a measurement of airflow. The sensor 908 may correspond to or include functionality of the flow sensor 210, 520 or the input device 810. In these implementations, the control component 906 includes a switch 910 coupled between the power source 904 and the aerosol generation component 916. The control component also includes a processing circuit 912 coupled to the sensor and the switch. The switch may be a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switch. The sensor may be connected to an inter-integrated circuit (I2C), Vcc, and / or ground of the processing circuit.

[0097] The sensor 908 may further include an audio detector 1402 or a light detector 1502 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 11-15. The sensor 908 may detect a control signal used for authentication. Upon authentication, the switch 910 may be triggered to allow operation of the device. In some implementations, the processing circuit 912 is configured to process the control signal and determine whether it matches a correct signal stored in a memory chip. In other embodiments, the processing circuit 912 may be configured to authenticate and / or verify the age of the user and may be configured to output a signal (as shown by arrow 922) to the switch 910 to switchably connect and disconnect an output voltage from the power source 904 to the aerosol generation component 916 to power the aerosol generation component during an aerosol generation period or based on a usage situation (e.g., inserting a cartridge, charging the device, etc.). In some implementations, the processing circuit 912 is configured to output a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is adjustable to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect an output voltage to the aerosol generation component. The processing circuitry 912 may include the signal detector circuitry 1202 described with respect to FIG.

[0098] In some implementations, the control component 906 further includes a signal conditioning circuit 914 coupled to the sensor 908 and the processing circuit 912. The signal conditioning circuit in such implementations may be configured to manipulate the operation of the switch 910. The signal conditioning circuit is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0099] Although not shown, the processing circuit 912 and / or the signal conditioning circuit 914 may be coupled to or receive a control signal used for authentication or verification. The control signal may be received by the sensor 908. If the control signal is received and is correct, the processing circuit 912 may turn on the switch 910 to allow operation of the aerosol delivery device. Alternatively or additionally, if the verification signal is not received or is incorrect, the processing circuit 912 may shut off the switch 910 to prevent operation of the aerosol delivery device 900. The switch 910 may be controlled by the processing circuit 912, including based on detection of the control signal by the sensor 908. The control signal at the sensor 908 may be analyzed by the processing circuit 912. The age verification and authentication process may be used to determine when to make a connection. If the user has not been verified or authenticated, the switch may be disconnected so that no voltage is provided to the aerosol generation components. Alternatively, if the switch is in the disconnected state, the switch remains in the disconnected state if the user has not been verified or authenticated. Similarly, if the user is identified or authenticated, the switch establishes a connection and allows current to flow for use of the device, in other words, if the user is identified or authenticated, the aerosol generation component is permitted to provide an output voltage.

[0100] 10 is a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit 1000 that may correspond to signal conditioning circuit 914 according to an example implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, in some implementations, signal conditioning circuit 1000 includes a signal conditioning chip 1001 and a bidirectional voltage level translator 1002. An example of a suitable signal conditioning chip is model ZAP3456 from Zap-Tech corporation. Also, an example of a suitable bidirectional voltage level translator is model NVT2003 bidirectional voltage level translator from NXP Semiconductors.

[0101] In one example, as shown in Figure 10, a signal conditioning chip 1001 may be connected to a bidirectional voltage-to-level converter 1002, which may be connected to a 5V input and ground of processing circuitry 912. Note that the values ​​(e.g., voltages, resistances, and capacitances) shown in Figure 10 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in this disclosure unless otherwise stated.

[0102] Figure 11 shows an exemplary system diagram of device functionality control. Figure 11 shows device 1106 communicating with age verification system 1102 via network 1103 and host device 1104 to verify the age of the user, which may also be used to periodically authenticate device 1106. Age verification system 1102 is coupled to host device 1104 via network 1103. Although not shown, age verification system 1102 may also be coupled to device 1106 via network 1103.

[0103] The device 1106 may be any aerosol delivery device, including, for example, an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device according to the various embodiments described above. In one embodiment, the device 1106 may be or include a charging accessory, such as the accessories described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 415,460, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 282,222, filed April 2, 2019, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other exemplary chargers or charging accessories that may be used in combination with various embodiments are further described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0089180 to Rajesh Sur, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0224268 to Henry et al., and U.S. Patent No. 10,206,431 to Sur et al., each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0104] As described, the age verification system 1102 may not only verify age (e.g., for age-restricted products), but may also provide authentication or user identification (e.g., for actual purchases or to prevent theft). Authentication and age verification by the age verification system 1102 is further described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 415,460, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 282,222, filed April 2, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The authentication described below may rely on age verification being performed first and then referenced for subsequent authentication using a control signal 1105 sent to the device 1106. However, there may be other verification mechanisms, not just with respect to age. For example, in some embodiments, user identification may be performed instead of age verification. The cartridges or consumables may be registered as part of an age verification or authentication process, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 415,444, entitled "AGE VERIFICATION WITH REGISTERED CARTRIDGES FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," filed May 17, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for smoking devices, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] The age verification system 1102 may include a database that tracks users with their age and may also maintain a record of devices and components (e.g., cartridges) with authorizations, which may be encrypted and / or may use an anonymous identifier for each user (e.g., numbers, letters, or any alphanumeric identifier).

[0106] An initial age verification may be performed and stored in a database, e.g., maintained in the age verification system 1102 and / or accessible via the network 1103. In some embodiments, the age verification records may be maintained using blockchain technology. Future age verification requests by that user may be verified by calling the database. Specifically, once a user has been initially age verified as verified in the age verification system's database, future verifications (i.e., "authentication") may simply be a call to this database to unlock the device 1106. In other words, the user may perform an initial age verification and subsequent uses may require authentication without the full initial age verification requirement. The frequency with which the device 1106 must be unlocked or authenticated may vary. Similarly, the timing at which the user is required to re-verify their age may also vary. For example, the user may be required to re-verify or re-authenticate every time a cartridge is replaced. In some embodiments, re-authentication may be required after a certain number of puffs from the device 1106 or may be based on the passage of time (e.g., once an hour, day, week, month, etc.). The online database may track requests for authorization and set limits per user. This may prevent potential fraudulent activity where one user unlocks devices belonging to other minor users. This may also prevent redistribution of unlocked (i.e., verified / authenticated) devices and accessories. Having reasonable limits on the number of devices, chargers, consumables, and / or authorizations may prevent such potential fraud.

[0107] A user profile may be stored (e.g., on the device 1106 or from an application or app on the host device 1104) that includes age verification as described with respect to FIG. 20. The app on the host device 1104 may access the user profile over a network, such as network 1103. Once a user has been verified with the age verification system database and an initial age verification has been performed, a user profile for that user may be generated and stored, such that future verifications (i.e., "authentication") may simply be calls to this database. In one embodiment, age verification may be a prerequisite for the host device 1104 to be able to generate and submit control signals 1105 to the device 1106.

[0108] The host device 1104 may be any computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The host device 1104 may communicate with or provide control signals 1105 to the device 1106 for authentication. As described with respect to FIGS. 13-15, the control signals 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be audio signals or light / optical signals. In some embodiments, the host device 1104 may directly couple to the device 1106, such as to provide power or to communicate. The host device 1104 may already be configured to communicate over a network, such as the network 1103, and the device 1106 may not require the same level of communication capabilities since the host device 1104 provides that capability. In one embodiment, the host device 1104 may provide control signals 1105 to authenticate and unlock the device 1106 when communicating with the age verification system 1102.

[0109] Authentication may be the process of verifying a user's identity after that user has already verified their age. If the user does not verify their age, the authentication process fails. As described, the authentication process may include the device 1106 receiving and authenticating a control signal 1105 to unlock the device 1106. The age verification process may occur less frequently than the authentication process (e.g., upon device purchase) and based on usage such as puff frequency, puff length, time of use, and / or each time a cartridge is replaced. In alternative examples, there may be authentication processes that are required more frequently. A failure of the authentication process may cause the device 1106 to not operate. For example, if the control signal 1105 is not approved for use with the device 1106, the device 1106 may be prevented from receiving electricity needed for heat.

[0110] Age verification system 1102 provides an indication as to whether a user is of appropriate age for use of a particular product, such as an aerosol delivery device or an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device including an aerosol delivery device, both of which are examples of device 1106. At least some components or functionality of age verification system 1102 may be part of device 1106 or host device 1104. For example, processing and determinations from age verification system 1102 may be performed locally after accessing a remote database. In alternative embodiments, age verification system 1102 may be located remotely and accessible over a network, such as network 1103.

[0111] The present disclosure contemplates computer readable media that contain instructions or receive and execute instructions in response to a propagated signal such that a device connected to a network can communicate voice, video, audio, images, or any other data over the network. The device 1106, the host device 1104, or the age verification system 1102 may provide instructions over the network through one or more communication ports. The communication ports may be created in software or may be physical connections in hardware. The connection with the network may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection, or may be established wirelessly as described below. Similarly, the connections with other components may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The device 1106 or the host device 1104 may communicate over a network, including but not limited to the network 1103. For example, the signal detector circuit 1202 (described with respect to FIG. 12) may include network functionality to be coupled with the host device 1104 or the age verification system 1102. These components may include communication ports configured to connect with a network, such as the network 1103.

[0112] A network (e.g., network 1103) may couple devices such that communications are exchanged between device 1106, host device 1104, and / or age verification system 1102, including between other wireless devices coupled via a wireless network. As described, a cluster of machines storing data to be analyzed may be connected via one or more networks, such as network 1103. A network may also include mass storage devices, such as network attached storage (NAS), storage area networks (SAN), or other forms of computer or machine readable media. A network may include the Internet, one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), wired type connections, wireless type connections, or combinations thereof. Similarly, sub-networks that may employ different architectures or conform to or be compatible with different protocols may interoperate within a larger network. For example, various types of devices may be available to provide interoperability for different architectures and protocols. As an example, a router may provide links between separate and independent LANs. The communications links or channels may include, for example, analog telephone lines such as twisted wire pairs, coaxial cables, full or fractional digital lines including T1, T2, T3, or T4 type lines, integrated services digital networks (ISDN), digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless links including satellite links, or other communications links or channels as known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, computing devices or other associated electronic devices may be remotely coupled to the network, such as via telephone lines or links.

[0113] The wireless network may couple devices such as device 1106, host device 1104, and age verification system 1102. Network 1103 may include a wireless network, and may employ a standalone ad-hoc network, a mesh network, a wireless LAN (WLAN) network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a cellular network, and the like. The wireless network may further include a system of terminals, gateways, routers, and the like coupled by wireless links, and the like, and these terminals may move freely, randomly, or be organized arbitrarily, resulting in a topology of the network that may change, sometimes rapidly. The wireless network may further employ multiple network access technologies, such as long-term evolution (LTE), WLAN, wireless router (WR) mesh, or second, third, or fourth generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or future iterations) cellular technologies. The network may enable RF or wireless communication via one or more network access technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio System (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b / g / n, Zigbee, Z Wave, IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMax), and / or other WWAN / WMAN technologies, including any future iterations of the foregoing technologies. The wireless network may include virtually any type of wireless communication mechanism by which signals may be communicated with devices, etc. In some embodiments, the above communication protocols may be used for communication between the device 1106 and the host device 1104, where the host device 1104 communicates with the age verification system 1102 via the same or different communication protocols.

[0114] Signal packets communicated over a network, such as network 1103 or a network of participating digital communications networks, may be compatible with or compliant with one or more protocols. Signaling formats or protocols employed may include, for example, TCP / IP, UDP, DECnet, NetBEUI, IPX, Appletalk, etc. Internet Protocol (IP) versions may include IPv4 or IPv6. The Internet is a decentralized global network. The Internet includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, or long-distance public networks that allow, for example, communication of signal packets between LANs. Signal packets may be communicated between nodes of a network, such as, for example, communication to one or more sites employing local network addresses. Signal packets may be communicated over the Internet from a user site, for example, via an access node connected to the Internet. Similarly, signal packets may be forwarded through a network node, for example, via a network access node, to a target site coupled to the network. Signal packets communicated over the Internet may be routed through paths such as gateways, servers, etc. that may route the signal packets depending on the target address and the availability of a network path to the target address. This signal packet communication may apply to data communication between the device 1106, the host device 1104, and / or the age verification system 1102.

[0115] The device 1106 includes a signal detector 1107 that detects a signal. As shown, the control signal 1105 is communicated to the signal detector 1107 from the host device 1104, although the control signal 1105 may come from sources other than the host device 1104, including being sent directly to the device 1106 via the network 1103. The signal detector 1107 may be one example of the sensor 908 shown in FIG. An exemplary signal detector 1107 is described with respect to FIGS. 14-15.

[0116] 12 illustrates one embodiment of a signal detector circuit 1202 that may be located on or coupled to the signal detector 1107. The signal detector circuit 1202 may be used by the device 1106 to verify that any received control signals 1105 are correct for authentication. In addition to receiving and analyzing the control signals 1105, the signal detector circuit 1202 may also operate to perform authentication or may be used for initial age verification. The signal detector circuit 1202 may also be referred to as an authentication circuit and may include a processor 1204, a memory 1206, a converter 1207, and a switch 1208.

[0117] The processor 1204 of the signal detector circuit 1202 may be on one or more chips and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other types of processing devices. The processor 1204 may be one or more general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analyzing and processing data. The processor 1204 may operate in conjunction with a software program, such as manually generated (i.e., programmed) code.

[0118] The processor 1204 may be coupled with the memory 1206, or the memory 1206 may be a separate component. The memory 1206 may include computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media including, but not limited to, random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media, and the like. The memory 1206 may include the random access memory of the processor 1204. Alternatively, the memory 1206 may be memory separate from the processor 1204, such as a cache memory of the processor, a system memory, and the like. The memory 1206 may be an external storage device or database for storing recorded advertisements or user data. Examples include hard drives, compact discs ("CDs"), digital video discs ("DVDs"), memory cards, memory sticks, floppy disks, universal serial bus ("USB") memory devices, or other devices operable to store data, including authentication or signal detection data. The memory 1206 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 1204 .

[0119] The functions, acts, or tasks illustrated in the figures or described herein may be performed by a programmed processor executing instructions stored in memory 1206. In particular, the act of detecting the control signal 1105 and determining whether the control signal 1105 can authenticate the device 1106 may be performed by the processor 1204 based on instructions from memory 1206. In other embodiments, authentication and / or age verification, such as from the system 1102, may be performed by the processor 1204 based on instructions from memory 1206. The functions, acts, or tasks are independent of the particular type of instruction set, storage medium, processor, or processing strategy, and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firmware, microcode, etc. operating alone or in combination. Similarly, the processing strategy may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing, etc.

[0120] The processor 1204 may be configured to execute software including instructions for receiving / analyzing the control signal 1105, authenticating the device 1106, and / or verifying the age of the user or subsequent authentication operations for the age verification system 1102. Specifically, if the processor 1204 is unable to authenticate the control signal 1105, it may activate the switch 1208 to prevent power from being provided, thereby stopping or preventing operation of the device 1106. Specifically, the device 1106 may include a battery for providing power to the device that is activated only when the device 1106 receives an authenticated control signal 1105. In other words, if the authentication by age verification is successful, the flow of electricity is permitted. Alternatively, if the authentication or age verification fails, the flow of electricity may be stopped. Specifically, when the switch 1208 is turned off, no electricity is provided to the device 1106. The switch 1208 may be the switch 910 described with respect to FIG. 9. Although the switch 1208 is illustrated as part of the signal detector circuit 1202, in alternative embodiments, the switch 1208 may be a separate component on the device 1106.

[0121] The signal detector circuit 1202 may include a converter 1207 for converting the control signal 1105. The conversion of the control signal 1105 may be part of an authentication process in which the control signal 1105 is authenticated. The converter 1207 may vary depending on the type of control signal 1105, as further described below with respect to Figures 13-15.

[0122] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a control signal 1105. The control signal 1105 is provided for authentication of the device 1106. The control signal 1105 may correspond to a serial number of the device 1106 or a component of the device (e.g., a cartridge). To be authenticated, the control signal 1105 must match the serial number. In an alternative embodiment, there may be another identification or authentication code of the device 1106 rather than a serial number. The code may be unique for each device 1106, for each user, or for each type of device in an alternative embodiment. The age verification system 1102 may include a database for storing the code or control signal 1105 provided for authentication. The database may associate users, profiles, and / or devices with a specific code that can unlock the device 1106. In one embodiment, the database may be a distributed network storage using blockchain technology, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 415,477, entitled “DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS,” filed May 17, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 838,272, entitled “DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS,” filed April 24, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0123] The control signal 1105 may be encrypted to reduce the possibility of hacking by an unauthenticated user. In one embodiment, the serial number or other identifier of the device 1106 may be randomly assigned a hash code during manufacture that is stored in a memory chip (e.g., memory 1206) of the device 1106. The value may be updated and stored in a database that is accessed for authentication. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, a help desk operator may have access to this database. In that embodiment, when the operator receives a call from a purchaser of the device 1106 to unlock their device, the operator looks up the serial number and transmits the assigned hash code. In another embodiment, the host device 1104 may access a database of specific entries once the user has been identified and / or age verified. In another encryption example, the serial number or identifier may utilize a specific code operator that converts all numbers the same. For example, a set amount may be added or subtracted to all serial integers and serial alphabetical characters. In this example, if the set amount is +5, the identifier S189A4R is encrypted to X634F9W. For added security and complexity, the code may vary based on the manufacturing date / time of the device 1106 .

[0124] The device 1106 may be sold in a locked position that does not allow use of the device until authentication, which may include registration with age verification. In one embodiment, a kiosk located at the retail point of sale may make it easier for a consumer to register the device and age verify at the time of purchase. Once the consumer has been age verified, periodic authentication of the device may be used to verify the consumer. In other embodiments, retail store personnel may assist in the registration and age verification process by scanning identification documentation, prompting the device purchaser with visual or audio inputs that are used for authentication, etc.

[0125] The device 1106 may incorporate a pseudorandom number generator that is synchronized with a network version such as from the age verification system 1102 or associated with a help desk operator. This pseudorandom number generator may be rolling and change over a predefined period of time. The control signal 1105 may not need to be linked to the device's serial number. Other exemplary forms of encryption may include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), Twofish, or RSA techniques that may be used to encrypt the control signal 1105 to prevent unauthorized users from unlocking the device. These techniques may encrypt the control signal 1105 before sending it to the device 1106. The device 1106 may then decrypt the signal using an assigned key stored in the memory 1206 of the device 1106.

[0126] The control signal 1105 may be the same for all devices manufactured, or may be specific to a user, a profile, or a particular device. During the device manufacturing process, the device software may be encoded with a specific unlock sequence (i.e., the control signal 1105 including the audio signal 1302 and / or the light signal 1304) that corresponds to its serial number or another identifier. In one example, the control signal 1105 may be an unlock tone sequence that is the device's serial number rewritten according to a character encoding scheme such as Morse code or tap code.

[0127] The control signal 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be an audio signal 1302. The audio signal 1302 may include a tone sequence. The audio signal 1302 or tone sequence may be a series of pulses, such as long and short, similar to Morse code. In alternative embodiments, different types of sequences having increasing and / or decreasing amplitude and / or frequency may be used. The serial number or identifier may be converted to an authentication tone via software used in the age verification system 1102 or by an operator (e.g., a help desk operator). This conversion may be via software. An example of such software may include a conversion to Morse code, such as the free online software found at https: / / morsecode.scphillips.com / translator.html. The conversion of the serial number or identifier is a conversion to a series of dots and dashes in the Morse code example. Thus, the identifier S189A4R would be ... .---- ---... ----. .- ....- .-. This Morse code may be audibly played to the device 1106, which detects the code in signal detector 1107 and converts the code in converter 1207. The control signal 1105 may refer to the converted signal, which is then converted back into an identifier by the device 1106.

[0128] The control signal 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be a light / optical / scanned signal 1304, which may be referred to as a light signal. The light signal 1304 may be a series of light pulses or light sequences. Light signals or communication with light sources are further described in UK Patent Application No. 1906243.9, filed in the UK on March 5, 2019, entitled "ELECTRONIC VAPOUR PROVISION SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS," which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0129] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an audio detector 1402. The audio detector 1402 is one embodiment of the signal detector 1107. The audio detector 1402 may include a pressure sensor 1407 and / or a microphone 1408. In some embodiments where the device is a puff-activated aerosol delivery device, the pressure sensor 1407 may include an existing pressure sensor (e.g., sensor 908) in the device 1107 that can be used to measure the change in pressure when the user puffs or inhales on the device 1107 to activate the device (e.g., turn on the heater). There may be another pressure sensor that measures the inhalation to activate the device, or there may only be one pressure sensor that is used to activate the device upon inhalation and detect the audio signal 1302. In other words, the pressure sensor 1407 may be the same one that is used to sense the puff and activate the heater, or a secondary pressure sensor may be used only for authentication.

[0130] The pressure sensor 1407 may be exposed on the exterior of the device 1107, such as by an orifice, port, or canal, to improve detection of the audio signal 1302. In embodiments where the audio signal 1302 is provided by a help desk employee (e.g., FIG. 19), the help desk employee may instruct the device purchaser to hold the phone speaker in the correct position, such as an orifice, port, or canal, on the exterior of the device 1107 so that the pressure sensor 1407 is in the optimal position to sense the audio signal 1302 (i.e., the authentication tone). In other embodiments where the audio signal 1302 is provided by an app or software on the host 1104 (e.g., a computing device, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.), the app may instruct the user on how to hold the smartphone speaker in the optimal position relative to the device 1107. This ensures that the pressure sensor 1407 can detect the audio signal 1302.

[0131] The audio signal 1302 may be referred to as an authentication tone and may be a low frequency pressure wave. In one embodiment, the wave may be on the lower end of a basic telephone speaker used in most smart phones or mobile phones. In one example, the frequency may be on the order of 10 Hz to 20 Hz so that the pressure sensor 1407 detects the tone with a reduced signal to noise ratio.

[0132] There may be many different embodiments of the pressure sensor 1407 that can detect the audio signal 1302. One example is a sealed differential pressure sensor, which allows for comparing changes in the surrounding pressure (due to pressure or sound waves) to a standard reference pressure. A sealed differential pressure sensor may detect sound waves emitted from a speaker. Alternatively, the pressure sensor 1407 may be a non-sealed differential pressure sensor, which includes a flow sensor that compares the pressure resulting from the flow of a fluid through two openings of different diameters. A non-sealed differential pressure sensor may need to be positioned to better detect sound waves.

[0133] In another embodiment, the device 1107 may include a microphone 1408. The microphone 1408 is an additional component, although it may be capable of sensing a wider range of tones (e.g., audible as well as inaudible) that may be emitted from a cell phone speaker. Specifically, an audible tone may be in the frequency range audible to humans, but the tones may also include a wider range including inaudible tones. The microphone 1408 may be used to sense the puff and activate the heater, or there may be a secondary microphone to detect only the audio signal 1302 or the authentication tone. In this embodiment, the frequency may be at the upper limit of the capabilities of a smartphone, cell phone, tablet, or other common speaker, for example, in the range of 20 kHz to 25 kHz. Such frequencies may be inaudible to the user or device purchaser, but would still be sensed by the microphone 1408. The microphone 1408 may sense tones based on the limits of its functionality, including any audible frequency in the range between about 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

[0134] There may be many different embodiments of the microphone 1408 that may detect the audio signal 1302. One example is a MEMS electret microphone that uses a PTFE-based film diaphragm. This example may be of a suitable size with a long life span. In other examples, other electret microphones may be used. There are also other microphones in the condenser microphone family. Other examples include quartz and piezo microphones. These examples may sense noise or vibrations through solid objects and may be located internally to the outer shell of the device, which may eliminate the need for an orifice, canal, or port that would allow sound waves to travel to the interior of the device 1107.

[0135] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a light detector 1502. The light detector 1502 is an embodiment of the signal detector 1107. The light detector 1502 may also be referred to as a vision detector or a light detector. The light detector 1502 may include a light sensor 1507, a photodiode 1508, a reader 1509, and / or an infrared detector 1510. The light sensor 1507 may include any light-dependent resistive element. These sensors may change resistance depending on the presence or absence of light. This may require a current to flow through the resistive element when the light signal 1304 (i.e., the authentication light sequence) is being transmitted. The photodiode 1508 may include a sensor that generates a weak current when exposed to a light source. It may function as a switch and may have a fast response time.

[0136] The light detector 1502 may include a reader 1509, such as a camera, barcode reader, or other detector. In one example, a user may take a picture (e.g., with a host 1104, including a mobile device or smartphone) of a unique code (e.g., a barcode) associated with a particular device. In alternative examples, the reader 1509 may read barcodes, radio frequency (RF) identification, near field communication (NFC) communication, magnetic stripe reader, chip reader (e.g., similar to a credit card reader), wired communication, or wireless communication. Exemplary barcodes may include any type of scannable identifier, such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), a Data Matrix code, and / or a Quick Response (QR) code. The code may include any one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), or other type of code. Exemplary communication and authentication using RFID is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,015,987 to Henry et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0020191 to Lamb et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary communication and authentication via NFC is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,864,947 to Sur et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The code, such as a barcode, may be printed on the product packaging, a label, the product itself, or an insert within the product packaging. In one embodiment, there may be a unique barcode for each specific device. An application or website linked from the barcode may use software to convert the identification information extracted from the unique barcode into a corresponding authentication light sequence. In other words, scanning the barcode may trigger the emission of the light signal 1304 by the host 1104. Alternatively, the application or website may look up the identification information extracted from the unique barcode in a database to determine the appropriate light signal 1304 for that particular device 1106.In another embodiment, the device 1106 (or the packaging / insert of the device 1106) may carry an RFID tag that can be read by a host 1104 (e.g., a mobile device or smartphone) running an application or having access to a website. The RFID tag may carry a unique identifier for the device 1106 that may result in the generation of a light signal 1304 that can authenticate or unlock that particular device 1106.

[0137] In an example of the photodetector 1502 sensor, the wavelength range of light may be approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. The photodetector 1502 may be tuned to receive a smaller range or wavelengths, or any / all (i.e., white light). As opposed to a series of pulses, the optical signal 1304 may include a pattern of wavelengths. In one example, the optical signal 1304 may rise from 400 nm to 500 nm in 3 seconds, remain black for 5 seconds, and then rise from 400 nm to 700 nm in 1 second. Such variations in wavelength and time may be used to create a unique optical signal 1304. Other patterns and variations in wavelength may also be used.

[0138] If the host 1104 is a mobile device or smartphone, the light signal 1304 may be generated by a display (e.g., an arrangement of lights / colors on a screen or a pulse from a display) or a flashlight (e.g., a rear-facing flashlight on a mobile device or other computing device). An example of a display may include a portion where the display is mostly black but is placed near a photodetector 1502 of the device 1106 to detect any color / pulse / pattern displayed on the display screen. In an example of a host 1104 that includes a flashlight application, the app may be programmed such that the flashlight transmits light according to a particular pattern or sequence that provides the light signal 1304. The intensity of the light may be greater for a flashlight which may reduce the chance of signal loss during transmission. Prior to transmitting the light signal 1304, the app may prompt the user to position their device correctly so that the photodetector 1502 aligns with the flashlight on the host 1104 or mobile device. The light detector 1502 may include a reader 1510 for scanning a QR code or other barcode displayed on an app or web page that supports age verification with the age verification system 1102. The reader 1510 in such an embodiment scans the QR code, which allows the device to be unlocked.

[0139] The light sensor on the device may be an infrared (IR) sensor 1510 in one embodiment. The host 1104 may be a cell phone or other IR-enabled device that communicates the light signal 1304 via IR. In some embodiments, there may be a combination of visible light spectrum and IR, which may rely on different light detectors 1502 (e.g., light sensor 1507 and IR 1510) or a single sensor may measure both. Having a combination of optical types may provide a larger set of code combinations for the light signal 1304. A user may be able to see the visible light spectrum but not detect IR, which may also improve security by preventing the reproduction of the light signal. In the case of IR or a non-visible signal, the user may be provided with an indication (e.g., a visual spectrum pulse) or confirmation that the light signal 1304 is being communicated to control / unlock the device.

[0140] FIG. 16 shows an exemplary system diagram of device function control by audio signals. Similar to FIG. 11, FIG. 16 shows a system for voice detection. A host 1104 can access an age verification system 1102 via a network 1103. Upon verification, the host 1104 can be used to authenticate the device 1106. Specifically, the host 1104 can provide an audio signal 1302 to the device 1106 for detection by an audio detector such as a pressure sensor 1407 and / or a microphone 1408. The audio signal 1302 is a control signal or authentication signal for unlocking the device 1106. In other embodiments, the audio signal 1302 may be provided by a help desk call rather than a user's smartphone or mobile device. In such an embodiment, the host 1104 may be considered to be a help desk accessed by voice communication (e.g., VoIP or telephone call).

[0141] FIG. 17 is a system diagram showing an example of controlling device functionality with optical signals. Similar to FIG. 11, FIG. 17 shows a system for optical / visual detection. A host 1104 can access an age verification system 1102 via a network 1103. Upon verification, the host 1104 can be used to authenticate the device 1106. Specifically, the host 1104 can provide an optical signal 1304 to the device 1106 for detection by an optical detector 1502. The optical signal 1304 is a control signal or authentication signal for unlocking the device 1106. An example of an optical detector 1502 is shown in and described with respect to FIG. 15.

[0142] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an example of control signal processing. In block 1802, a user / consumer purchases a device, such as device 1106. The purchase may be made online or in person at a retail store or kiosk. The device may operate until authentication is requested in block 1804. In one embodiment, the device may be locked or in an inoperative state until authentication is completed. In another embodiment, the device 1106 may be sold unlocked for limited use (limited time or limited puffs) after which authentication is required. Authentication may first require age verification, such as block 1806, which may be performed by the age verification system 1102. Age verification may be performed once or require periodic updates, while authentication may be required more frequently (e.g., each time a cartridge or other aerosol source member is replaced). The age verification system 1102 provides functionality for verifying the age of a user. Age verification may be for a particular user, such that the verification applies to multiple devices used by that user, or authentication may be required for each individual device. In some embodiments, each device may require an age verification process in addition to subsequent authentication.

[0143] For initial age verification, the age verification system 1102 may require some identifying documentation to establish the user's age. For example, a driver's license or passport may be uploaded to establish the user's age. An image from that documentation can be used for future age verifications by performing facial recognition. Facial recognition technology can analyze the two images to confirm an identity match, deny identity verification, or flag the verification and request additional identifying information. This age verification may also include comparing the image to a live self-image ("selfie") or video taken by the user on a mobile device or webcam. This prevents fraudsters who simply show a photo of someone. Specifically, this reduces the possibility of using a hard-copied photo (e.g., holding a driver's license up to a webcam) to fool facial recognition software. A selfie uploaded by a user may be checked to see if it is live by recording a short video and checking for frame changes. In another embodiment, the verification step may include voice input by the user, such as repeating a number, sequence, or code to verify liveness. Other examples of age verification may include some form of fingerprint reader to authenticate the user after the user has been age verified. In one embodiment, the host 1104 may receive a fingerprint as part of the verification process. There may also be other biometrics used to verify the user, such as DNA, blood, or other biological indicators.

[0144] The device 1106 may require more frequent authentication so that the device is age verified and not distributed to other users. Authentication may include providing a control signal to the device 1106, as in block 1808. As described, the control signal may be either an audio signal 1302 or a light signal 1304. The signal may originate from the host device 1104 or from another source (e.g., a help desk call). The control signal is received at the device 1106 in block 1810, and if the control signal is correct, the device is authenticated and use of the device may continue until authentication is requested again in block 1812. If the control signal received at the device 1106 in block 1810 is incorrect, the device 1106 is not authenticated and remains locked until a correct authentication control signal is sent in block 1808.

[0145] In some embodiments, authenticating the device with the control signal unlocks the device for a particular user, and future authentications that may be required again may be performed on the device 1106 itself. For example, the biometrics described above, a fingerprint reader, or other biological indicators may be used on the device for authentication. In this regard, in some embodiments, the device 1106 may be tied (e.g., during the initial authentication) to the particular user biometric(s) used for the initial authentication to prevent a second user from using the device 1106. If re-authentication is required in the future, the user may unlock and / or continue to use the device 1106 by providing the user biometric(s) to re-authenticate. As a further example, the user may set a code, such as a pin code, that may be entered via a user interface of the device 1106 (e.g., via a touch screen, input buttons, a particular pattern of puffs that may be provided by the user puffing the device, etc.) and / or via a computing device that may be communicatively coupled to the device 1106 when the device 1106 is initially authenticated, and the pin code may be entered later to re-authenticate the user to unlock and / or continue using the device 1106.

[0146] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of audio signal processing. The example shown in FIG. 19 is the use of a help desk for verification and authentication of the device 1106. Specifically, a user can call a help desk line for verification and / or authentication. In block 1902, the user calls the help desk for age verification. The help desk call can be used to verify identity by providing or verifying user information. The help desk employee takes the device purchaser's information, which may include the device's serial number, purchase date, driver's license number, last four digits of social security number, or other personal information that can be used to verify the purchaser's identity. In one embodiment, the help desk can be used to verify the user's age by verifying information provided in the identification documentation in block 1904. The help desk operator can then transmit the audio signal 1302 that the user provides to the device 1106. Specifically, the user's telephone receiver, which may be the host device 1104, has a speaker through which the audio signal 1302 or authentication tone is transmitted in block 1906.

[0147] In some embodiments, the help desk phone call at block 1902, the help desk confirmation at block 1904, and the authentication tone at block 1906 may all be from different devices or from the same device. For example, the confirmation phone call at blocks 1902-1904 may be from a different phone than the source of the authentication tone. Specifically, the help desk may send or provide approval for the authentication tone to be sent from a different device or from a different source than the phone call with the help desk. In one example, based on the help desk confirming / authenticating the user, the authentication tone may be played in an app on the phone (rather than playing through the speaker during the call). In another example, the help desk may send a one-time use link to an audio file along with the authentication tone via email, text message, notification, etc. The link may only be valid for a limited time to prevent fraudulent activity.

[0148] The generation of the tone can be from software that may be embedded in a mobile or web app that the device purchaser uses himself (e.g., via an app with a profile on the mobile device, as in FIG. 20). The authentication tone is generated and played through the speaker of the user's computer, phone, or mobile phone, and detected by the audio detector 1402 of the device 1106, as in block 1908. If the authentication tone is incorrect at block 1908, the device remains locked or unauthenticated and waits for the correct authentication tone from block 1906. If the authentication tone is correct, the device 1106 can be used until authentication is required again, as in block 1910. In addition to the re-authentication process, there may be a requirement for the device purchaser to re-verify the verification before every use, before every charge, after a predetermined length of time, after a predetermined amount of puff seconds or puffs, before a predetermined number of cartridge insertions, or only once after the device is purchased. In such an example, if authentication is required again at block 1910, in addition to the authentication at block 1906, the user's age may need to be re-verified at block 1904.

[0149] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of authentication with a host device. The embodiment of FIG. 20 authenticates the device 1106 in part based on an age-verified user profile, rather than access for authentication. In block 2002, the device 1106 is purchased by a user. The user provides identification information to the age verification system in block 2004. As described above, the identification information may include information used to verify the identity and age of the user. This may be by showing identification (such as a driver's license) to a retailer, or by scanning the identification with a kiosk or the user's personal device, such as a computer or mobile device. The user may also upload identification information themselves using an internet-connected age verification system (such as a computer, cell phone, etc.). Once identified and age-verified, in block 2006, the user may create a user profile with the age verification system 1102. The age verification system 1102 may be connected via a network 1103, such as the internet, or may require the user to create the profile in an application, or may be created in a web-based application. The user profile may be stored in a database of the age verification system 1102 for quick access during future authentication requests. Based on the request and confirmation that the user (or the user's profile) confirms the user's age, the host device 1104 may send a control signal 1105 to the device 1106, as in block 2008. The control signal 1105 may be stored in association with the user profile stored in the database. Alternatively, there may be an application that generates the correct control signal based on information stored in the user profile, which includes information about the device 1106 (e.g., serial number). The control signal 1105 may be an audio signal 1302 or a light signal 1304 sent by the host device 1104. If the control signal is incorrect in block 2010, the device 1106 is not authenticated and must wait for the correct control signal.If the control signal is correct at block 2010, the device 1106 may be used until authentication is again requested at block 2012. When authentication is again required, the host device may again send a control signal to the device at block 2008.

[0150] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary authentication key 2102. The authentication key 2102 may be sold as part of a package with the device. The authentication key 2102 may be used with the light signal 1304 by easily aligning with the light detector 1502 (e.g., light sensor 1507) on the device 1106 to block the amount of light or block a particular segment of light distinguishable by the detector or sensor. The authentication key 2102 may incorporate a rotation mechanism that changes the amount of light allowed to the detector / sensor or changes the segment of light that can pass through the detector / sensor. In one embodiment, a range of numbers (e.g., from 0 to 12) is inscribed on the circumference of the key. When the rotation mechanism is activated, the numbers rotate relative to the arrows to assist the device user in identifying which number the key is set to. In this embodiment, the user can unlock the device 1106 without access to a network or the Internet. As described above, the user may first perform age verification (e.g., the user calls the help desk to perform age verification). After age verification, a number or series of numbers may be provided for use with the authentication key 2012. The number or series of numbers is for a rotation of the authentication key 2012. In one embodiment, the number or series of numbers may correspond to the serial number of the device 1106. The corresponding sequence of lights generated from a user rotating the key may be programmed into the memory of the device 1106 (e.g., in memory 1206), such as during chip manufacture. This allows a processor (e.g., processor 1204) to compare an expected value stored in memory with a received value from a single or multiple rotations of the authentication key 2102 and compare the two to determine authentication.

[0151] The above description of the use of the smoking article(s) may be applied to the various implementations described herein through minor modifications that may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the above description of use is not intended to limit the use of the smoking article(s) but is provided to fulfill all necessary requirements of the disclosure of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the smoking article(s) illustrated in Figures 1-21 or otherwise described above may be included in an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

[0152] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular implementations disclosed, and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also contemplated as being set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms have been employed herein, these terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 301 Control Body 528 Heating Assembly 904 Power supply 906 Control Components 908 Sensor 910 Switch 912 Processing circuit 914, 1000 signal conditioning circuit 916 Control Components 1001 Signal Conditioning Chip 1002 Bidirectional Voltage Level Translator 1102 Age Verification System 1104 Host Device 1103 Network 1105 Control Signal 1106 Devices 1107 Signal Detector 1204 Processor 1206 Memory 1207 Converter 1208 Switch 1302 Audio Signal 1304 Optical / Optical Signal 1402 Audio Detector 1407 Pressure Sensor 1408 Microphone 1502 Photodetector 1507 Optical Sensor 1508 Photodiode 1509 Leader 1510 Infrared

Claims

1. an age verification system configured to verify an age of a user; a host device configured to communicate with the age verification system and configured to transmit an audio signal from a speaker based on the verification of the age of the user; an aerosol delivery device configured to be authenticated in response to receiving the audio signal from the host device; The aerosol delivery device comprises: A processing circuit; an audio detector configured to detect a pressure signal caused by a user's puff or an audio signal transmitted by the host device and provide a communication of the pressure signal to the processing circuit; The processing circuitry includes: receiving the communication of the pressure signal from the audio detector; determining, based on the communication of the pressure signal, whether the pressure signal was caused by the user's puff or by the audio signal transmitted by the host device; responsive to determining that the pressure signal is caused by the audio signal transmitted by the host device, transforming the communication of the pressure signal and determining whether the transformation is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device; in response to determining that the pressure signal was caused by the puff by the user, activating a heater of the aerosol delivery device if the aerosol delivery device is authenticated; system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio detector further comprises a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure changes caused by the audio signal.

3. The system described in claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure the pressure difference caused by a puff of the aerosol delivery device in addition to detecting the audio signal.

4. The system described in claim 3, wherein measurement of the pressure difference caused by the puff activates a heater in the aerosol delivery device, which generates an aerosol for inhalation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio detector further comprises a microphone configured to detect the audio signal.

6. The system described in claim 5, wherein the microphone comprises a MEMS electret microphone using a film diaphragm.

7. The system described in claim 1, wherein the audio signal is converted to determine whether the audio signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the host device comprises a computing device having the speaker that transmits the audio signal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the host device accesses a user profile of the user for the authentication.

10. A method for authenticating an aerosol delivery device, comprising: receiving a request from a user by the aerosol delivery device for verification of the user's age; determining an age of the user; performing an age verification based on the determined age of the user; authenticating the aerosol delivery device to the user in response to the age verification, the authenticating step comprising: transmitting an audio authentication signal; receiving the audio authentication signal at a detector of the aerosol delivery device, the detector sensing a pressure change caused by the audio authentication signal and providing a signal based on the pressure change caused by the audio authentication signal to a signal detector circuit of the aerosol delivery device; determining, by said signal detector circuitry, a measurement of a pressure differential and a frequency indicated by said signal from said detector; determining whether the measurements of the pressure differential and the frequency indicate receipt of the audio authentication signal or the occurrence of a puff by the user as sensed by the detector of the aerosol delivery device; in response to determining that the signal from the detector is indicative of the audio authentication signal, transforming the signal and determining whether the transformation is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device, and in response to the audio authentication signal being correct, authenticating the aerosol delivery device; in response to determining that the signal from the detector indicates generation of the puff by the user, activating a heater of the aerosol delivery device if the aerosol delivery device is authenticated; The method includes:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of receiving the request includes receiving a telephone call from the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the audio authentication signal is transmitted via the telephone call for detection by the aerosol delivery device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the telephone call is received and answered by a help desk operator.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the audio authentication signal includes an authentication tone.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the authenticating step includes a step of unlocking the aerosol delivery device in response to detection of a correct audio authentication signal.

16. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a power source configured to provide power to generate the aerosol; a detector configured to sense a pressure change caused by receiving an audio authentication signal and a pressure change caused by a user generating a puff into the aerosol delivery device; 1. A signal detector circuit, comprising: receiving a signal from the detector related to the pressure change sensed by the detector; determining a measurement of the pressure differential and frequency indicated by the signal from the detector; determining whether the measurements of the pressure differential and the frequency are indicative of receipt of the audio authentication signal or of the generation of the puff by the user; in response to determining that the measurements of the pressure differential and the frequency are indicative of the audio authentication signal, transforming the signal and determining whether the transformation is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device; and in response to the audio authentication signal being correct, authenticating the aerosol delivery device. a signal detector circuit configured to, in response to determining that the measurements of the pressure differential and the frequency are indicative of the generation of the puff by the user, activate a heater of the aerosol delivery device if the aerosol delivery device is authenticated; An aerosol delivery device comprising:

17. The device described in claim 16, wherein the detector comprises a microphone configured to detect the audio authentication signal and the puff of the aerosol delivery device.

18. The device described in claim 16, wherein the audio authentication signal is converted to determine whether the audio authentication signal is correct to authenticate the aerosol delivery device.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the audio authentication signal is received from a speaker of a host device that reproduces the audio authentication signal for reception by the detector.

20. The device of claim 16, further comprising an aerosol generating component coupled to the power source to receive power for generating an aerosol.

21. The device of claim 16, further comprising a canal to the detector for transmitting the audio authentication signal.

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