Interactive aerosol delivery system

Abstract

The aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol delivery device, a wireless signal receiver configured to receive wireless communication signals, an identification processor configured to store characterization data for identifying the received return wireless communication signals, a correlation processor configured to correlate user behavior with identified return wireless communication signals received within a predetermined time window for the user behavior, and a control processor configured to alter one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device related to the user behavior when one or more wireless communication signals previously correlated with a particular user behavior by the correlation processor are subsequently received by the wireless signal receiver and identified by the identification processor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interactive aerosol delivery system.

[0002] The "Background" description provided herein is intended to present the contents of this disclosure as a whole, and the work of the inventors named herein to the extent described in this Background section, as well as aspects of this description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are not admitted explicitly or impliedly as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0003] Aerosol delivery systems are popular among users because they allow convenient, on-demand delivery of an active ingredient (such as nicotine) to the user.

[0004] As an example of an aerosol delivery system, an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) generally contains a reservoir of feedstock liquid, typically containing a formulation including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g., by thermal evaporation. Thus, an aerosol source for an aerosol delivery system may include a heater having a heating element positioned to receive the feedstock liquid from the reservoir, e.g., by wicking / capillary action. Similarly, other raw materials, such as botanicals or gels containing active ingredients and / or flavorings, may be heated to produce an aerosol. Thus, more generally, an e-cigarette may be considered to contain or receive a payload for thermal evaporation.

[0005] When a user inhales on the device, power is applied to a heating element, vaporizing an aerosol source (a portion of the payload) adjacent the heating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Such devices typically include one or more air inlet holes located away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When a user inhales on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source. A flow path connects the aerosol source to an opening in the mouthpiece, such that air drawn past the aerosol source travels along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, entraining a portion of the aerosol from the aerosol source. The aerosol-laden air exits the aerosol delivery system through the mouthpiece opening and is inhaled by the user.

[0006] Typically, when a user inhales / puffs on the device, current is supplied to the heater, e.g., a resistive heating element. Typically, current is supplied to the heater, e.g., in response to activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path when the user inhales / puffs / puffs, or in response to activation of a button by the user. Heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporize the formulation. The released vapor mixes with air drawn through the device by the puffing consumer to form an aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element is used to heat, typically non-combustibly, botanical material such as tobacco to release its active ingredient as a vapor / aerosol.

[0007] Reliable, efficient, and / or timely operation of such aerosol delivery systems can benefit from appropriately responding to the manner in which users interact with such systems.

[0008] It is from this context that the present invention emerges. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Various aspects and features of the present invention are defined in the appended claims and the accompanying description.

[0010] In a first aspect, an aerosol delivery system according to claim 1 is provided.

[0011] In another aspect, a method of operating an aerosol delivery system according to claim 14 is provided.

[0012] A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cartomizer of a delivery device according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery ecosystem according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device according to an embodiment of the present description. [Figure 7] 1 is a flow diagram of a method of operating an aerosol delivery system according to an embodiment of the present description. Description of the embodiment

[0014] An interactive aerosol delivery system is disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the embodiments of the present disclosure. Conversely, for the sake of clarity, specific details known to those skilled in the art are omitted where appropriate.

[0015] The term "interactive aerosol delivery system" or, equivalently, "delivery device" can encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, including non-combustion aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosol-forming materials without burning them, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and combination systems that generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, as well as non-aerosol delivery systems that deliver at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise, without forming an aerosol, including, but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral tobacco products, including snus or snuff, where the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

[0016] The substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material not intended to be aerosolized, either of which may include one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials, as appropriate.

[0017] Currently, the most common example of such a delivery device or aerosol delivery system (e.g., a non-combustion aerosol delivery system) is an electronic vapor delivery system (EVPS), such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" is sometimes used, but this term can be used interchangeably with delivery device or aerosol delivery system unless otherwise stated or the context indicates otherwise. Similarly, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" are also referred to interchangeably herein.

[0018] Generally, the electronic vapor / aerosol delivery system can be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery device (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating (e.g., aerosolizable) material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a combined system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials can be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the combined system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material can include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system generates vapor / aerosol from one or more such aerosol-generating materials.

[0019] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system can include a non-combustion aerosol delivery device and articles (otherwise referred to as consumables) for use with the non-combustion aerosol delivery system. However, it is envisioned that an article, including a means for powering an aerosol generating component (e.g., an aerosol generator, such as a heater or a vibrating mesh), can itself form the non-combustion aerosol delivery system. In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol delivery device can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be an electrical source or a heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate, and the carbon substrate can be energized to dissipate power in the form of heat to an aerosolizable or heat-transfer material proximate to the heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, a power source, such as a heat-generating power source, is provided within the article to form the non-combustion aerosol delivery. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustion aerosol delivery device can include an aerosolizable material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to liberate one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat. For example, the aerosol-generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, e.g., via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means.

[0021] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can include an active material, an aerosol-forming material, and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material can include nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory bioactive materials. Non-olfactory bioactive materials are materials included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception. The aerosol-forming material can include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials may include one or more of a fragrance, a carrier, a pH adjuster, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0022] In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-burning aerosol delivery device can include an aerosolizable material or an area for receiving an aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-burning aerosol delivery device can include a mouthpiece. The area for receiving an aerosolizable material can be a storage area for storing the aerosolizable material. For example, the storage area can be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the area for receiving an aerosolizable material can be separate from the aerosol-generation area or can be combined with the aerosol-generation area.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapor / aerosol delivery system, such as an e-cigarette 10 (not to scale), providing a non-limiting example of a delivery device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extends along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components: a body 20 and a cartomizer 30. The cartomizer includes an internal chamber containing a reservoir of payload, such as a liquid containing nicotine, a vaporizer (e.g., a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. Hereinafter, references to "nicotine" will be understood to be merely exemplary and can be substituted with any suitable active ingredient. Hereinafter, references to "liquid" as the payload will be understood to be merely exemplary and can be substituted with any suitable payload, such as botanical matter (e.g., tobacco heated without combustion) or a gel containing an active ingredient and / or flavoring. The reservoir can be a foam matrix or any other structure for holding the liquid until it is needed for delivery to the vaporizer. In the case of a liquid / fluid payload, the vaporizer is for vaporizing the liquid, and the cartomizer 30 can further include a wick or similar mechanism for transporting a small amount of liquid from the reservoir to the vaporizer or a nearby evaporation point. Below, a heater will be used as a specific example of a vaporizer, but it will be understood that other forms of vaporizers (e.g., those that utilize ultrasound) can also be used, and that the type of vaporizer used may depend on the type of payload to be vaporized.

[0025] The main body 20 includes a rechargeable cell or battery for providing power to the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette. Controlled by the circuit board, when the heater receives power from the battery, it vaporizes the liquid, and this vapor is then inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 35. In some specific embodiments, the main body further includes a manual activation device 265, such as a button, switch, or touch sensor, located on the outside of the main body.

[0026] Although the body 20 and the cartomizer 30 can be detachable from one another by separating them in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA shown in FIG. 1 , when the device 10 is in use, they are joined together by connections shown schematically as 25A and 25B in FIG. 1 to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30. The electrical connector 25B of the body 20, which is used to connect to the cartomizer 30, also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is detached from the cartomizer 30. The other end of the charging device can be plugged into a USB socket to recharge the battery in the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other implementations, a cable can be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector 25B of the body 20 and the USB socket.

[0027] The e-cigarette 10 includes one or more holes (not shown in FIG. 1 ) for air inlet. These holes connect to an air passageway that passes through the e-cigarette 10 and leads to the mouthpiece 35. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into this air passageway through one or more air inlet holes, suitably located on the exterior of the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporize the nicotine from the cartridge, an airflow passes through and mixes with the generated vapor, and the combination of airflow and generated vapor then exits the mouthpiece 35 and is inhaled by the user. Except for single-use devices, when the liquid supply is exhausted, the cartomizer 30 can be removed from the body 20 and disposed of (or replaced with another cartomizer, if desired).

[0028] 1 is provided by way of example, and it will be understood that various other implementations may be employed. For example, in some embodiments, the cartomizer 30 is provided as two separable components: a cartridge with a liquid reservoir and a mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is depleted), and a vaporizer with a heater (which is generally retained). As another example, the charging mechanism may be connected to an additional or alternative power source, such as a car cigarette lighter.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic (simplified) diagram of the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 can generally be considered to be a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. It should be noted that various components and details of the body, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from Figure 2 for reasons of clarity.

[0030] The main body 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for powering the e-cigarette 10 in response to activation by a user of the device. In addition, the main body 20 includes a control unit 205, e.g., a chip such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller, for controlling the e-cigarette 10. The microcontroller or ASIC includes a CPU or microprocessor. The operation of the CPU and other electronic components is generally controlled, at least in part, by a software program running on the CPU (or other component). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which may be integrated into the microcontroller itself or may be provided as a separate component. The CPU can access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as needed. The microcontroller also contains appropriate communication interfaces (and control software) for communicating with other devices within the main body 10 as appropriate.

[0031] The main body 20 further includes a cap 225 for sealing and protecting the distal end of the e-cigarette 10. Typically, an air inlet hole is provided in or near the cap 225 to allow air to enter the main body 20 when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. A control unit or ASIC may be located at or near one end of the battery 210. In some embodiments, the ASIC is attached to a sensor unit 215 (or alternatively, the ASIC itself may include the sensor unit 215) to detect inhalations on the mouthpiece 35. An air path is provided from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the airflow sensor 215 and heater (in the vaporizer or cartomizer 30), and to the mouthpiece 35. Thus, when a user inhales on the e-cigarette's mouthpiece, the CPU detects such inhalations based on information from the airflow sensor 215.

[0032] A connector 25B is provided on the end of the body 20 opposite the cap 225 for joining the body 20 to the cartomizer 30. The connector 25B provides mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30. The connector 25B includes a metallic (in some embodiments, silver-plated) body connector 240 that serves as one terminal for an electrical connection (positive or negative) to the cartomizer 30. The connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 that provides a second terminal for electrical connection to the cartomizer 30 having an opposite polarity to the first terminal, i.e., the body connector 240. The electrical contact 250 is attached to a coil spring 255. When the body 20 is attached to the cartomizer 30, the connector 25A on the cartomizer 30 presses against the electrical contact 250 in a manner that compresses the coil spring axially, i.e., parallel to (aligned with) the longitudinal axis LA. Given the resilience of spring 255, this compression biases spring 255 to expand, which has the effect of firmly pressing electrical contact 250 against connector 25A of cartomizer 30, thereby helping to ensure good electrical connectivity between body 20 and cartomizer 30. Body connector 240 and electrical contact 250 are separated by trestle 260, which is made of a non-conductor (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between these two electrical terminals. Trestle 260 is shaped to aid in the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.

[0033] As mentioned above, a button 265, representing some form of manual activation device 265, can be located on the outer housing of body 20. Button 265 can be implemented using any suitable mechanism operable to be manually activated by a user, such as, for example, a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, etc. It will also be appreciated that manual activation device 265 can be located on the outer housing of cartomizer 30 rather than on the outer housing of body 20, in which case manual activation device 265 can be attached to the ASIC via connections 25A, 25B. Button 265 can also be located on the end of body 20 instead of (or in addition to) cap 225.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cartomizer 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 can generally be considered a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. It should be noted that various components and details of the cartomizer 30, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from Figure 3 for reasons of clarity.

[0035] The cartomizer 30 includes an air passageway 355 extending from the mouthpiece 35 to the connector 25A along the central (longitudinal) axis of the cartomizer 30 for joining the cartomizer 30 to the main body 20. A liquid reservoir 360 is provided around the air passageway 355. The reservoir 360 may be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam soaked in a liquid. The cartomizer 30 also includes a heater 365 that heats liquid from the reservoir 360 to produce vapor that flows through the air passageway 355 and out of the mouthpiece 35 in response to a user drawing on the e-cigarette 10. The heater 365 is powered through lines 366 and 367, which are connected via connector 25A to opposite polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) of the battery 210 in the main body 20 (details of the wiring between the power lines 366 and 367 and the connector 25A are omitted from FIG. 3 ).

[0036] Connector 25A includes an inner electrode 375, which may be silver plated or made from any other suitable metal or conductive material. When cartomizer 30 is connected to body 20, inner electrode 375 contacts electrical contact 250 on body 20, providing a first electrical path between cartomizer 30 and body 20. In particular, when connectors 25A and 25B are mated, inner electrode 375 presses against electrical contact 250, compressing coil spring 255 and thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between inner electrode 375 and electrical contact 250.

[0037] The inner electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which can be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. The insulating ring is surrounded by a cartomizer connector 370, which can be silver-plated or made of any other suitable metal or conductive material. When the cartomizer 30 is connected to the main body 20, the cartomizer connector 370 contacts the main body connector 240 of the main body 20, providing a second electrical path between the cartomizer 30 and the main body 20. In other words, the inner electrode 375 and the cartomizer connector 370 serve as positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for appropriately supplying power from the battery 210 in the main body 20 to the heater 365 in the cartomizer 30 via the supply lines 366 and 367.

[0038] The cartomizer connector 370 includes two lugs or tabs 380A, 380B extending in opposite directions away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet fit with the body connector 240 for connecting the cartomizer 30 to the body 20. This bayonet fit provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20, such that the cartomizer and body are held in a fixed position relative to each other with minimal rocking or flexing, and the possibility of any accidental disconnection is greatly reduced. At the same time, the bayonet fit provides for easy and rapid connection and disconnection by insertion followed by rotation to connect, and rotation (in the opposite direction) followed by removal to disconnect. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, different forms of connection may be used between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30, such as a snap fit or a threaded connection.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of certain details of connector 25B at the end of body 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure (although for clarity, most of the internal structure of the connector shown in FIG. 2, such as trestle 260, is omitted). In particular, FIG. 4 shows outer housing 201 of body 20 having a generally cylindrical tube form. This outer housing 201 may comprise, for example, a metal inner tube and may have an outer covering, such as paper. Outer housing 201 may also comprise manual activation device 265 (not shown in FIG. 4), so that manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to a user.

[0040] A body connector 240 extends from this outer housing 201 of the body 20. The body connector 240 shown in Figure 4 comprises two main parts: a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube sized to fit snugly inside the outer housing 201 of the body 20, and a lip portion 242 oriented radially outward, away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e-cigarette. Where the shaft portion does not overlap the outer housing 201, a collar or sleeve 290 is provided to surround the shaft portion 241 of the body connector 240, the collar or sleeve 290 also being in the shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is held between the lip portion 242 of the body connector 240 and the outer housing 201 of the body, which together prevent movement of the collar 290 in the axial direction (i.e., parallel to the axis LA). However, the collar 290 is free to rotate about the shaft portion 241 (and therefore about the axis LA).

[0041] As mentioned above, cap 225 includes an air inlet hole that allows air to flow when a user inhales into mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments, the majority of the air that enters the device when a user inhales flows through collar 290 and body connector 240, as shown by the two arrows in FIG.

[0042] 5, an e-cigarette 10 (or more generally, any delivery device described elsewhere herein) can operate within a broader delivery ecosystem 1. Within the broader delivery ecosystem, multiple devices can communicate with each other directly (as indicated by solid arrows) or indirectly (as indicated by dashed arrows).

[0043] 5, as an exemplary delivery device, an e-cigarette 10 can communicate directly (e.g., using Bluetooth® or Wifi Direct®) with one or more other classes of devices, including, but not limited to, a smartphone 100, a dock 200 (e.g., a home refueling and / or charging station), a vending machine 300, or a wearable 400. As noted above, these devices can cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, a delivery device, such as e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with one or more of these classes of devices via a network such as the Internet 500, using, for example, Wifi, near field communications, a wired link, or a comprehensive mobile data scheme. Again, as noted above, these devices may thus cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, a delivery device, such as e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with server 1000 via a network such as the Internet 500, by itself using, for example, Wi-Fi, or may communicate indirectly with server 1000 via another device in the delivery ecosystem, for example, by using Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi Direct® to communicate with smartphone 100, dock 200, vending machine 300, or wearable 400, which then communicates with the server to relay the e-cigarette's communications or report its communications with e-cigarette 10. Optionally, therefore, other devices in the delivery ecosystem, such as smartphones, docks, or point-of-sale systems / vending machines, can act as hubs for one or more delivery devices that only have short-range transmission capabilities. Such hubs can therefore extend the battery life of delivery devices that do not need to maintain an ongoing Wi-Fi or mobile data link. It will also be appreciated that different types of data may be transmitted at different levels of priority, for example, data related to a user feedback system (such as the user factor data or feedback behavior data discussed herein) may be transmitted at a higher priority than more general usage statistics, or similarly, some user factor data related to shorter term variables (such as current physiological data) may be transmitted at a higher priority than user factor data related to longer term variables (such as the current weather or day of the week). A non-limiting example transmission scheme that allows for higher and lower priority transmission is LoRaWAN.

[0046] However, other classes of devices in the ecosystem, such as smartphones, docks, vending machines (or any other point of sale systems), and / or wearables, may also communicate indirectly with server 1000 via a network such as the Internet 500 to fulfill aspects of their own functionality or in place of a delivery system (e.g., as a relay or simultaneous processing unit). These devices may also communicate directly or indirectly with each other.

[0047] It will be appreciated that a delivery ecosystem may comprise multiple delivery devices (10), at least in part because, for example, a single user may own multiple devices (e.g., to easily switch between different active ingredients or fragrances) or because multiple users share the same delivery ecosystem (e.g., multiple users living in the same household may share a charging dock but each have their own phone or wearable). Optionally, such devices may also communicate, directly or indirectly, with each other and / or with devices in a shared delivery ecosystem and / or server.

[0048] 6, in which features similar to those in FIG. 1 are similarly labeled, the aerosol delivery device may then comprise at least one wireless receiver 610 configured to receive wireless communication signals. This may comprise a Bluetooth® or Wifi® receiver operable to communicate with a companion device, e.g., a closely associated device in the delivery ecosystem, such as a charging hub or indeed the user's phone or smartwatch.

[0049] Alternatively, the receiver may be the same receiver as above operating in a different mode, or may be a separate receiver.

[0050] As an alternative or in addition to the at least one wireless receiver 610 in the aerosol delivery device, optionally at least one such wireless receiver 610 can be provided in a companion device within the delivery ecosystem, typically a device that would also accompany the user, such as a phone or smartwatch.

[0051] It will therefore be appreciated that an aerosol delivery system (e.g., an aerosol delivery device, optionally together with one or more other devices in the delivery ecosystem, such as a phone or smartwatch, operating in conjunction therewith) can receive wireless communication signals for use as follows:

[0052] Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present description, the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises an aerosol delivery device 10 and a wireless signal receiver 610 configured to receive wireless communication signals.

[0053] The aerosol delivery system 1 also includes an identification processor (eg, control unit 205) configured (eg, by suitable software instructions) to store characterization data for identifying received return wireless communication signals.

[0054] Similarly, the aerosol delivery system 1 also includes a correlation processor (e.g., control unit 205) configured (e.g., by suitable software instructions) to correlate user behavior with identified recurrent wireless communication signals received within a predetermined time window for that user behavior, and a control processor (e.g., control unit 205) configured (e.g., by suitable software instructions) to modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device related to that user behavior when one or more wireless communication signals previously correlated with a particular user behavior by the correlation processor are then received by the wireless signal receiver and identified by the identification processor.

[0055] It will therefore be appreciated that the aerosol delivery system correlates recurrent signals in the wireless environment with user behavior (e.g., in terms of interaction with and / or use of the delivery device), and thus, when one or more such signals are encountered again, the system can modify one or more aspects of its functionality in preparation for the expected correlated user behavior, thereby making the system more responsive to the user and more intuitive to use.

[0056] Optionally, in addition to the aerosol delivery device itself, the aerosol delivery system may include a companion device, such as the user's mobile phone or smartwatch, or any other device in the wider delivery ecosystem, such as a docking port.

[0057] In this case, the companion device may then optionally be equipped with a wireless signal receiver (in this case in addition to the wireless transceiver typically used to communicate with the aerosol delivery device itself, or such a transceiver operating in an alternative mode).

[0058] Similarly, the companion device may comprise one or more of the identification processor, correlation processor, and control processor, or any of these roles may be shared to any suitable extent between the aerosol delivery device and the companion device.

[0059] Thus, for example, a correlation processor that may have to perform cross-correlations between stored samples of the radio signal and the received radio signal, or the access identification or other metadata within the radio signal, may be based on the user's mobile phone, which is likely to have a larger battery and more powerful processor than the delivery device itself.

[0060] Similarly, the radio signal receiver (which in fact may comprise a series of different radio signal receivers) may be capable of receiving a wider number of types of radio signals than the delivery device on the mobile phone, or in other words the delivery device may be simpler (for example, using only low energy Bluetooth) if it is able to take advantage of the existing wide range of radio reception capabilities of a companion device such as a mobile phone.

[0061] In either case, the wireless capability range may include, for example, one or more of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, short-range transmission (such as used in contactless payment systems, card keys, etc.), inductive chargers (such as used for wireless charging), radio frequency identification transmission (such as found in security barriers in stores), digitally enhanced cordless telecommunications (e.g., cordless telephone signals), and picocells (e.g., indoor mobile cells).

[0062] Similarly, the wireless capabilities may optionally include conventional cellular signals, which may be readily detected by a companion device such as a telephone, but may also be detected by a suitable delivery device, e.g., a device equipped with a wireless data modem, for purposes of communicating with one or more remote services (such as may be provided by server 1000).

[0063] For a given wireless communication signal, the characterization data may include address data extracted from the received wireless communication signal (e.g., Wi-Fi access point data, Bluetooth beacon data, or handshake data, etc.) Similarly, the characterization data may include a transmission protocol of one or more received wireless communication signals (e.g., from a DECT phone or an inductive charger), a frequency of one or more received wireless communication signals (e.g., a carrier frequency such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), and a variant of one or more received wireless communication signals.

[0064] Similarly, environmental effects on the wireless signals themselves can form characterization data; for example, the relative signal strength of one or more received wireless communication signals can indicate the layout of the current wireless environment and the user's location within it. Similarly, one or more delay propagation characteristics received within the communication signals (e.g., multiple reception paths due to reflections) can also be indicative of this environment. In particular, such reflections can indicate whether the device is indoors or outdoors (as well as any other characterization data, such as the presence of a particular device, such as a wireless printer, that can be expected to be indoors); therefore, the control processor can optionally be configured to estimate whether the aerosol delivery device is indoors or outdoors based on the received wireless communication signals, and to modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device in response.

[0065] Optionally, the identification processor and / or correlation processor may ignore characterization signals that are common throughout the day or across multiple locations, as these are unlikely to be strongly correlated with distinctive behavior. For example, during detection, an inductive charger may indicate that a user is preparing to stop using the delivery device and therefore behave in a particular way, while a Bluetooth signal itself may be ubiquitous and therefore not strongly correlated with a particular user behavior. In contrast, distinctive devices identified by Bluetooth signals may actually have a strong correlation with behavior; for example, a wireless speaker at home may be strongly correlated with a user who is relaxing and preparing to use the delivery device, and a wireless printer at work may be strongly correlated with a user who does not interact with the delivery device at all.

[0066] As a result, the wireless communication signal may therefore include a signal from a pre-associated device (e.g., a device that broadcasts identifying information as part of the wireless communication signal and can therefore be re-identified), and the control processor may be configured to modify the operation of the aerosol delivery device in either the presence or absence of one or more such pre-associated devices. It will be apparent that this may be implemented as described above, i.e., using a correlation processor, with a clear and strong correlation between associated devices and user behavior. Alternatively or additionally, when an associated device is detected, rules may be recorded by or for the control processor to simply implement the associated change(s) to one or more operating parameters.

[0067] Such rules can be recorded when a correlation between the presence of an associated device and user behavior reaches a threshold level. The control processor can then refer first to its list of rules to determine whether and how to make any changes in response to detected wireless communication signals, and only revert to using the correlation processor if no rules are available.

[0068] The correlation processor itself can include any suitable correlation scheme. A common example of a correlation scheme is a machine learning system such as a neural network. Generally, a suitable correlation scheme would take as input characterization data, described below, for identifying received return wireless communication signals and target user behavior, either sensed directly by the delivery device or other devices in the delivery ecosystem (e.g., detecting contact or changes in device orientation, which may be pre-use actions), or sensed vicariously in terms of changes in the operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device caused by those user behaviors (e.g., when puffing on the delivery device, changing its settings, interacting with a UI, or the like).

[0069] In practice, the input and target can occur contemporaneously or can be separated by a predetermined period of time, such as ±1, 5, or 10 minutes.

[0070] The wireless communication signal characteristic data is then input into a correlation system which outputs values ​​corresponding to the expected target, which can be used directly to vary one or more operating parameters (if the correlation system has been trained on such operating parameters as described above), or can be used to classify user behavior and vary one or more operating parameters in response to the classified user behavior.

[0071] As described elsewhere herein, the location of the wireless signal may optionally be important for correlation with user behavior, either in terms of absolute location or whether the wireless signal is associated with a location.

[0072] Accordingly, the aerosol delivery system may optionally be equipped with a location determination unit, such as a GPS location unit, which may be found in a companion device such as a mobile phone, but may also be incorporated within the aerosol delivery device.

[0073] As described elsewhere herein, the resulting location information can be used to determine whether a given characterization data of a wireless communication signal is ubiquitous or rare, and therefore whether the correlation is of low or high significance for the purpose of determining whether to change the operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device if that characterization data occurs again.

[0074] It will also be apparent that the resulting location information, optionally in conjunction with the characterization data, can be used to make correlation of wireless communication signals at that location substantially more significant.

[0075] Also optionally, the control processor can be configured to associate the received wireless communication signals with one or more determined locations, and thus only associate one or more user behaviors / uses of the aerosol delivery device with the determined locations. Thus, for example, if a user activates a wireless speaker at home periodically but not all the time, the system can associate the user's particular behavior with powering on the wireless speaker, but optionally associate those particular user behaviors with the same location as the wireless speaker even if the wireless speaker is not powered on.

[0076] It will be appreciated that similar multiple correlations can be implemented between wireless communication signal characterization data and time and / or date.

[0077] If the position determining unit is available, optionally the aerosol delivery system is configured to modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to the newly determined position.

[0078] In this case, the operational parameters may relate to entering a general default dormant or standby mode, or a default ready mode, provided that no uncorrelated wireless communication signals can be expected to be present at the new location. Alternatively or additionally, the operational parameters may relate to the aerosol delivery system's situational awareness, particularly reception of wireless communication signals, for example, optionally increasing gain for one or more wireless reception modes to increase sensitivity to wireless signals, or transmitting polling signals to prompt transmission of signals from nearby devices.

[0079] Similarly, the aerosol delivery system can be configured to modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to a newly encountered wireless environment. In other words, if a wireless signal or combination of wireless signals is new and there is no apparent pre-existing correlation between one or more signals and, for example, user behavior or changing parameters above a predetermined threshold (e.g., if the correlator output does not strongly indicate user behavior or parameter changes in response to the detected signals), the system can similarly return to a default dormant or standby mode or a default ready mode, and / or similarly modify the aerosol delivery system's situational awareness, for example, to query for new wireless communication signals (e.g., respond to polling or handshake signals to obtain identification information, or increase gain to improve wireless communication signals when received).

[0080] In response to one or more received return wireless communication signals, or one or more sets thereof, the control processor can optionally be operable to set a first activity state or a second activity state. The first activity state can be associated with a current or anticipated release of the aerosol delivery device by a user, and the second activity state can be associated with a current or anticipated engagement of the aerosol delivery device by a user, the aerosol delivery device optionally being of a specific type. These states can be considered to be respective classifications of one or more settings for one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system.

[0081] Thus, generally, when compared to a second activity state, a first activity state has one or more of lower power requirements, fewer enabled functions, lower power settings for one or more functions, and alternative functions (e.g., typically lower alternative power and / or less intrusive functions, e.g., quieter alerts) compared to those for the second activity state.

[0082] For example, the first activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of displaying a first set of information, displaying a first level of information detail, lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission, lower duty cycle or lower power preheating, lower duty cycle or lower power lighting, and lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness, where "lower" is lower than the second state. In contrast, for example, the second activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of displaying a second set of information (distinct from or a superset of the first set of information), displaying a second, higher level of information detail, higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission, higher duty cycle or higher power heating, higher duty cycle or higher power lighting, and higher duty cycle or higher power situational awareness, where "higher" is higher than the first state.

[0083] Thus, optionally, the first activity state may be characterized as one or more of a lower power state, a lower situational awareness state, a lower notification state (e.g., notification to a user or companion device), a lower wakefulness state, a lower UI information state, a quieter state, a cooler state, etc., compared to the second state.

[0084] In the above example, lower situational awareness may mean a slower duty cycle for radio scanning, or less complex data analysis for the discrimination process or correlation processor, etc.

[0085] Meanwhile, the first and second sets of information and levels of information detail may relate to information related to different states and likely levels of user involvement with the device at that time.

[0086] Thus, for example, in a first state, the delivery device may appear to be completely off, or may only display (or periodically report to a companion device) its battery and payload status (e.g., e-liquid level), e.g., without a backlight. Meanwhile, in a second state, the delivery device may backlight the display and include other, more detailed information in the UI, such as the current payload flavor or strength, the current operating mode, and may optionally preheat the heater to a pre-vaporization temperature and indicate that this has been achieved. Alternatively, operations such as preheating the heater (which uses a relatively large amount of power) may be performed only as part of a third state initiated by a user to directly physically interact with the delivery device, optionally in a manner specific to immediate use. Optionally, if such a third state is included, functionality in the second state may include active sensing for indicators of the third state.

[0087] Thus, optionally, a first state may be characterized as an inactive or standby state, a second state as an awake or ready state, and an optional third state as a ready or pre-use state.

[0088] The functionality distinguished by the first and second states may vary depending on the particular delivery device and / or any companion devices, the strength of the correlation between the received wireless communication signal and the user behavior and / or operational parameters, the type of user behavior and / or operational parameters associated with the received wireless communication signal, etc.

[0089] Thus, for example, user behavior corresponding to playing with the aerosol delivery device may prompt one type of second activity state in which the user interface of the delivery device is backlit to provide more information, and user behavior including use of the aerosol delivery device may prompt another type of second activity state that involves pre-heating the heater.

[0090] Referring now also to FIG. 7, a corresponding method of operating an aerosol delivery system includes: a step s710 of receiving a wireless communication signal; a step s720 of storing characterization data for identifying the received return wireless communication signal; a step s730 of correlating the user behavior with identified recurring wireless communication signals received within a predetermined time window for the user behavior (e.g., use); and step s740, when one or more wireless communication signals previously correlated with a particular user behavior are then received and identified by the wireless signal receiver, modifying one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device related to that user behavior.

[0091] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations of the above methods corresponding to the operation of the various embodiments of the apparatus described and claimed herein are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0092] Conversely, it will be appreciated that such methods may be implemented in suitably configured conventional hardware, either by software instructions or by the inclusion or substitution of dedicated hardware, an example of which is the delivery device of Figures 2 and 6, in which control unit 205 (alternatively or additionally, one or more processors within a broader delivery ecosystem) operates under suitable software instructions.

[0093] Thus, the required configuration of existing portions of conventional equivalent devices may be implemented in the form of a computer program product including processor-implementable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, solid-state disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory, or any combination of these or other storage media, or may be realized in hardware as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or other configurable circuitry suitable for use in configuring conventional equivalent devices. Alternatively, such a computer program may be transmitted via data signals over a network, such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.

[0094] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the present invention and other claims. The disclosure, including all readily discernible variations of the teachings herein, will, in part, define the scope of the claim language so as not to make inventive subject matter available to the public.

Claims

1. an aerosol delivery device; a wireless signal receiver configured to receive a wireless communication signal including the characterization data; an identification processor configured to store the characterization data for identifying recurring wireless communication signals received by the wireless signal receiver; a correlation processor configured to correlate user behavior with identified recurring wireless communication signals received within a predetermined time period for said user behavior; a control processor configured to, when one or more wireless communication signals pre-correlated with a particular user behavior by the correlation processor are subsequently received by the wireless signal receiver and identified by the identification processor, alter one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device related to the user behavior; An aerosol delivery system comprising:

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising a companion device that operates in conjunction with the aerosol delivery device.

3. the companion device: i. the radio signal receiver; ii. the identification processor; iii. The correlation processor; and iv. said control processor 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2, comprising one or more selected from the list consisting of:

4. The wireless communication signal i. Wi-Fi®, ii. Bluetooth®; iii. Short-distance transmission; iv. inductive charger, v. Radio frequency identification transmission; vi. Digitally enhanced cordless telecommunications; and vii. Picocell 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising one or more short-range signals selected from the list consisting of:

5. the wireless communication signal comprises a cellular signal; 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1.

6. The characterization data is i. identification or address data extracted from received wireless communication signals; ii. a transmission protocol for one or more received wireless communication signals; iii. The frequency of one or more received wireless communication signals; and iv. Variations of one or more received wireless communication signals 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising one or more selected from the list consisting of:

7. the wireless communication signals include signals from pre-associated devices; the control processor is configured to modify operation of the aerosol delivery device in one of the presence or absence of one or more such pre-associated devices.

10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1.

8. The characterization data is i. the relative signal strength of one or more received wireless communication signals; and ii. delay or propagation characteristics of one or more received wireless communication signals; 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising one or more selected from the list consisting of:

9. a position determination unit; the control processor is configured to associate the received wireless communication signals with one or more determined locations and to associate one or more user behaviors of the aerosol delivery device with the determined locations.

10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1.

10. the control processor is configured to modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to the newly determined position.

10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 9.

11. the control processor is configured to estimate whether the aerosol delivery device is indoors or outdoors based on the received wireless communication signal and, in response, modify one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device.

10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control processor, in response to one or more recursive wireless communication signals received by the wireless signal receiver, or one or more sets of recursive wireless communication signals received by the wireless signal receiver, i. a representation of the first set of information; ii. Displaying a first level of information detail; iii. Lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission; iv. Lower duty cycle or lower power preheat; v. Lower duty cycle or lower power lighting, and vi. Lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, operable to set a first activity state, which may include one or more selected from the list consisting of:

13. The method of claim 12, wherein in response to one or more recursive wireless communication signals received by the wireless signal receiver, or one or more sets of recursive wireless communication signals received by the wireless signal receiver, the control processor: i. a representation of a second set of information (distinct from or a superset of the first set of information); ii. Displaying a second, higher level of information detail; iii. Higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission; iv. Higher duty cycle or higher power heating; v. Higher duty cycle or higher power lighting, and vi. Higher duty cycle or higher power situational awareness 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, operable to set a second activity state, which may include one or more selected from the list consisting of:

14. the user behavior includes using the aerosol delivery device; 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1.

15. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery system, comprising: receiving a wireless communication signal including characterization data; storing said characterization data for identifying recurring wireless communication signals received at a wireless signal receiver; correlating user behavior with identified recurring wireless communication signals received within a predetermined time period for said user behavior; and when one or more wireless communication signals pre-correlated with a particular user behavior are then received and identified by a wireless signal receiver, modifying one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery device related to the user behavior.

16. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer system to perform the method of claim 15.

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