Interactive aerosol supply system

Abstract

The aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol delivery device, at least one proximity sensor configured to detect a person without the person physically contacting the sensor and configured to output a detection signal when the person is detected, and an activity state processor configured to receive the detection signal and determine whether to change an operating state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state based at least in part on the received detection signal.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The description of "Background Art" provided in this specification is intended to present the content of the present disclosure as a whole. The efforts of the inventors named in this specification within the scope described in this background chapter, as well as aspects of this description that may not be suitable as prior art at the time of filing in other respects, are not expressly or implicitly recognized as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0003] Aerosol supply systems are popular among users because they conveniently enable the delivery of active ingredients (such as nicotine) to the user according to requirements.

[0004] As an example of an aerosol supply system, an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) generally contains a reservoir of a raw material liquid that contains a formulation typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, for example, by thermal evaporation. Thus, an aerosol source for an aerosol supply system can comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive the raw material liquid from the reservoir, for example, by wicking / capillary action. Similarly, other raw materials such as plant substances or gels containing active ingredients and / or fragrances can be heated to produce an aerosol. Thus, more generally, an e-cigarette can be considered to contain or receive a payload for thermal evaporation.

[0005] When a user inhales into the device, power is supplied to a heating element, which vaporizes the aerosol source (part of the payload) near the heating element to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale. Such devices typically have one or more air inlet holes located away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When a user inhales into the mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes, over the aerosol source. A flow path connects the aerosol source and the opening in the mouthpiece, and therefore the air drawn in over the aerosol source travels along this flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source. The air carrying the aerosol exits the aerosol supply system through the mouthpiece opening and is inhaled by the user.

[0006] Typically, when a user inhales / exhales through the device, current is supplied to the heater. Usually, current is supplied to the heater, such as a resistive heating element, in response to the activation of an airflow sensor along the path as the user inhales / exhales, or in response to the activation of a button by the user. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporize the formulation. The released vapor mixes with the air inhaled through the device by the exhaling consumer, forming an aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may be used to heat plant-based materials, such as tobacco, typically in a non-combustion manner, releasing their active ingredients as vapor / aerosol.

[0007] The reliable, efficient, and / or timely operation of such aerosol supply systems can benefit from appropriately responding to the way in which the user interacts with such systems.

[0008] The present invention is derived from this context. [Overview of the Initiative]

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

[0010] In a first embodiment, the aerosol delivery system described in claim 1 is provided.

[0011] In another embodiment, the activity status determination method described in claim 19 is provided.

[0012] A more complete understanding of this disclosure, and many of its associated benefits, can be readily obtained by referring to the detailed description below and considering it in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the delivery device according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the main body of the delivery device according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the cartomizer of the delivery device according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the main body of the delivery device according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the delivery ecosystem according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the delivery device according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the method according to the embodiment described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An interactive aerosol delivery system is disclosed. The following description provides several specific details to give a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not necessary to carry out the embodiments of this disclosure. Conversely, for the sake of clarity, specific details known to those skilled in the art are omitted where appropriate.

[0015] The terms “interactive aerosol delivery system” or similarly “delivery device” can encompass systems for delivering at least one substance to a user, including non-combustible aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosol-generating materials without burning the materials, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and composite systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, and 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, articles containing lozenges, gums, patches, inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco containing snus or snuff, wherein the at least one substance may orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise.

[0016] The substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-forming material or a material not intended to be aerosolized. Where appropriate, either material may contain one or more active ingredients, one or more fragrances, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0017] Currently, the most common example of such delivery devices or aerosol supply systems (e.g., non-flammable aerosol supply systems) is an electronic vapor supply system (EVPS), such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term “e-cigarette” is used at times, but this term can be used interchangeably with delivery devices or aerosol supply systems unless otherwise specified or indicated in context. Similarly, the terms “vapor” and “aerosol” are used interchangeably herein.

[0018] In general, an electronic vapor / aerosol supply system can be an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery device (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating (e.g., aerosolizable) material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a non-combustible heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is a composite 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 the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the composite 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. On the other hand, in some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system generates vapor / aerosol from one or more such aerosol-generating materials.

[0019] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and articles (otherwise referred to as consumables) for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply system. However, it is conceivable that an article itself, equipped with means for powering aerosol generating components (e.g., aerosol generators such as heaters and vibrating meshes), may also form a non-combustible aerosol supply system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be a power source or a heat source. In one embodiment, the heat source comprises a carbon substrate, and by energizing the carbon substrate, power can be distributed in the form of heat to an aerosolizable material or heat transfer material adjacent to the heat source. In one embodiment, the power source, such as a heat source, is provided within the article to form a non-combustible aerosol supply device. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosolizable material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with an aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material and form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component can generate an aerosol from an aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may generate an aerosol from an aerosolizable material without applying heat to the material, for example, via one or more of the following means: vibration, 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 included in tobacco or tobacco derivatives), or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material included in the aerosolizable material to effect a physiological response other than perception by olfaction. 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, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials can include one or more of a flavor, a carrier, a pH adjuster, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0022] In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device can include an aerosolizable material or an area for receiving the aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device can comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving the 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 the 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 the same or corresponding parts throughout several views, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vapor / aerosol supply 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 and extends along a longitudinal axis indicated by the dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body 20 and an atomizer 30. The atomizer includes an internal chamber for accommodating a reservoir of payload, such as a liquid containing nicotine, a vaporizer (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. Hereinafter, the reference to "nicotine" is understood to be merely an example and can be replaced with any suitable active ingredient. Hereinafter, the reference to "liquid" as the payload is understood to be merely an example and can be replaced with any suitable payload, such as a plant substance (such as tobacco heated in a non-combustion manner), or a gel containing an active ingredient and / or a fragrance. The reservoir can be a foam matrix or any other structure for holding the liquid until the time required to deliver it to the vaporizer. In the case of a liquid / flowing payload, the vaporizer is for evaporating the liquid, and the atomizer 30 can further include a wick or a similar mechanism for transporting a small amount of the liquid from the reservoir to an evaporation location near or in the vaporizer. Hereinafter, a heater is used as a specific example of the vaporizer. However, it is understood that other forms of vaporizers (such as those utilizing ultrasonic waves) can also be used, and it is also understood that the type of vaporizer used may depend on the type of payload to be vaporized.

[0025] The body 20 includes a rechargeable battery 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, the heater vaporizes the liquid, and then this vapor is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 35. In some specific embodiments, the body further comprises a manual activation device 265 located outside the body, such as a button, a switch, or a touch sensor.

[0026] The main body 20 and the cartomizer 30 can be detached from each other by separating them in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA shown in Figure 1, but when the device 10 is in use, they are joined together by connectors schematically shown as 25A and 25B in Figure 1, providing mechanical and electrical connectivity between the main body 20 and the cartomizer 30. The electrical connector 25B of the main body 20 used to connect to the cartomizer 30 also functions as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the main 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 main body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other implementation examples, a cable can be provided for a direct connection between the electrical connector 25B of the main body 20 and a USB socket.

[0027] The e-cigarette 10 is equipped with one or more holes (not shown in Figure 1) for air inlets. These holes connect to an air passage that runs through the e-cigarette 10 to the mouthpiece 35. When the user inhales from the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into this air passage through one or more air inlet holes preferably located on the outside of the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporize the nicotine from the cartridge, the airflow passes through the generated vapor and mixes with the generated vapor, and this 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 depleted, the cartomizer 30 can be removed from the body 20 and disposed of (and replaced with another cartomizer if desired).

[0028] The e-cigarette 10 shown in Figure 1 is presented as an example, and it will be understood that various other implementations can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the atomizer 30 is provided as two separable components: a cartridge with a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is depleted), and a vaporizer with a heater (which is generally retained). In another example, the charging mechanism can 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 as a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the body, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from Figure 2 for the sake of clarity.

[0030] The main unit 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for supplying power to the e-cigarette 10 in response to activation by the device user. In addition, the main unit 20 includes a control unit 205 for controlling the e-cigarette 10, such as a chip including an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller. 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 software programs running on the CPU (or other components). Such software programs can be stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM, and such memory can be integrated into the microcontroller itself or provided as a separate component. The CPU can access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as needed. The microcontroller also houses appropriate communication interfaces (and control software) for communicating with other devices in the main unit 20 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 the user inhales through 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 mounted on a sensor unit 215 (or alternatively, the sensor unit 215 may be located on the ASIC itself) to detect inhalation through the mouthpiece 35. An air path is provided that runs from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the airflow sensor 215 and the heater (in the vaporizer or cartomizer 30) to the mouthpiece 35. Thus, when the user inhales through the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette, the CPU detects such inhalation based on information from the airflow sensor 215.

[0032] A connector 25B is provided at the end of the body 20 opposite to 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 body connector 240 made of metal (in some embodiments, silver-plated) to act 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 an electrical connection to the cartomizer 30 having the opposite polarity to 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 is pressed against the electrical contact 250 in such a way that the coil spring is compressed axially, i.e., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA (aligned with the longitudinal axis LA). Considering the elasticity of the spring 255, this compression biases and expands the spring 255, which has the effect of firmly pressing the electrical contact 250 against the connector 25A of the cartomizer 30, thereby helping to ensure good electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30. The body connector 240 and the electrical contact 250 are separated by a trestle 260 made of an insulator (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between these two electrical terminals. The trestle 260 is shaped to facilitate the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.

[0033] As described above, a button 265, representing the form of the manual activation device 265, can be located on the outer housing of the main body 20. The button 265 can be implemented using any suitable mechanism that can be operated to be manually activated by the user, such as a mechanical button or switch, or a capacitive or resistive touch sensor. The manual activation device 265 can also be located on the outer housing of the cartomizer 30 instead of the outer housing of the main body 20, in which case it will be understood that the manual activation device 265 can be attached to the ASIC via connectors 25A, 25B. The button 265 can also be located on the end of the main body 20 instead of (or in addition to) the cap 225.

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

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

[0036] Connector 25A includes an inner electrode 375, which can be silver-plated or made from some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the cartomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the inner electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20, providing a first electrical path between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20. In particular, when connectors 25A and 25B are engaged, the inner electrode 375 is pressed against the electrical contact 250, compressing the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the inner electrode 375 and the 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 some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the cartomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the cartomizer connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20 to provide a second electrical path between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20. In other words, the inner electrode 375 and the cartomizer connector 370 act as positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for supplying power from the battery 210 in the body 20 to the heater 365 in the cartomizer 30 via supply lines 366 and 367.

[0038] The cartomizer connector 370 comprises two lugs or tabs 380A, 380B extending away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10 in opposite directions. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet mating with the body connector 240 for connecting the cartomizer 30 to the body 20. This bayonet mating provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomizer 30 and the body 20, so that the cartomizer and body are held in a fixed position relative to each other with minimal shaking or bending, and the possibility of any accidental breakage is very small. At the same time, the bayonet mating provides easy and rapid connection and disconnection by rotation after insertion in the case of connection, and by removal after rotation (in the reverse direction) in the case of disconnection. In other embodiments, it will be understood that different forms of connection may be used between the body 20 and the cartomizer 30, such as snap-fit ​​or screw connection.

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of specific details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure (although most of the internal structure of the connector shown in Figure 2, such as the trestle 260, is omitted for clarity). In particular, Figure 4 shows an external housing 201 of the body 20, which generally has the form of a cylindrical tube. This external housing 201 may have, for example, an inner tube of metal and an outer cover of paper or the like. The external housing 201 may also include a manual activation device 265 (not shown in Figure 4), so that the user can easily access the manual activation device 265.

[0040] The main body connector 240 extends from this external housing 201 of the main body 20. The main 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 inside the external housing 201 of the main body 20, and a lip portion 242 oriented radially outward away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e-cigarette. If the shaft portion does not overlap the external housing 201, a collar or sleeve 290 is provided to surround the shaft portion 241 of the main body connector 240, and the collar or collar 290 is also in the shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is held between the lip portion 242 of the main body connector 240 and the external housing 201 of the main body, and together they prevent the collar 290 from moving axially (i.e., parallel to the axis LA). However, the collar 290 can rotate freely around the shaft portion 241 (and therefore around the axis LA).

[0041] As described above, the cap 225 has an air inlet hole that allows air to flow when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments, the majority of the air that enters the device when the user inhales flows through the collar 290 and the body connector 240, as shown by the two arrows in Figure 4.

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

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

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, a delivery device such as the e-cigarette 10 may communicate indirectly with one or more devices of this class via a network such as the Internet 500, using, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), near-field communication, wired link, or integrated mobile data scheme. In this case as well, as described above, these devices may thus cooperate in any preferred configuration to form a delivery system.

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

[0046] On the other hand, other classes of devices in the ecosystem, such as smartphones, docks, vending machines (or any other point-of-sale information management systems), and / or wearables, can also communicate indirectly with the server 1000 via a network such as the Internet 500 to fulfill their own functional aspects or in place of a delivery system (for example, as a relay or simultaneous processing unit). These devices can also communicate with each other directly or indirectly.

[0047] A delivery ecosystem may comprise multiple delivery devices (10) because, at least in part, one user may own multiple devices (for example, to easily switch between different active ingredients or fragrances), or multiple users may share the same delivery ecosystem (for example, multiple users living together may share one charging dock while each owning their own phone or wearable). Optionally, such devices may also communicate directly or indirectly with each other, and / or with devices in the shared delivery ecosystem and / or server.

[0048] Referring next to Figure 6, which similarly labels features to those in Figure 1, then, as an alternative to or (as shown) addition to the manual activation device 265, the aerosol delivery device may include at least one proximity sensor 610 configured to detect a person without the user having physical contact with the sensor and to output a detection signal when a person is detected.

[0049] Alternatively or in addition to the at least one proximity sensor 610 of the aerosol delivery device, at least one proximity sensor 610 may optionally be provided on a companion device, such as a closely associated device within the delivery ecosystem, such as a charging hub or, in fact, the user's phone or smartwatch.

[0050] Therefore, it will be understood that an aerosol delivery system (for example, an aerosol delivery device operating in conjunction with one or more other devices in the delivery ecosystem, such as a phone or smartwatch, as optional) can detect a person (who may or may not be the normal user of the device) without the user (or, in fact, the person being detected, if different) making physical contact.

[0051] Exemplary proximity sensors include, but are not limited to, capacitive sensors, active and / or passive voice sensors, and electromagnetic sensors, as described elsewhere herein.

[0052] The aerosol delivery system also includes an activity state processor configured to receive a detection signal and, at least in part, determine whether to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state based on the received detection signal. These states can be thought of as classifications of one or more settings for one or more operating parameters of the aerosol delivery system.

[0053] The activity state processor may be, for example, a control unit 205 operating under preferred software instructions, or a processor in a charging hub, phone, smartwatch, or other device within the delivery ecosystem, or any combination thereof.

[0054] The second activity state reflects the desired activity level, indicating when a person (typically assumed to be the user) is in close proximity to the device or system. The first activity state, on the other hand, is for when the person is not in close proximity.

[0055] Therefore, generally speaking, compared to the second activity state, the first activity state has lower power requirements, fewer active functions, lower power settings for one or more functions, and one or more alternative functions (e.g., typically lower alternative power, and / or less intrusive functions, such as quieter warnings) compared to the second activity state.

[0056] For example, the first activity state may include one or more selected from a list consisting of displaying a first information set, displaying a first level of information detail, data transmission with a lower duty cycle or lower power, preheating with a lower duty cycle or lower power, lighting with a lower duty cycle or lower power, and situational awareness with a lower duty cycle or lower power, where "lower" means lower than the second state. In contrast, for example, the second activity state may include one or more selected from a list consisting of displaying a second information set (separate from the first information set, or a higher set of the first information set), displaying a second, higher level of information detail, data transmission with a higher duty cycle or higher power, heating with a higher duty cycle or higher power, lighting with a higher duty cycle or higher power, and situational awareness with a higher duty cycle or higher power, where "higher" means higher than the first state.

[0057] Therefore, the first activity state can be optionally characterized as one or more of the following compared to the second state: a lower power state, a lower situational awareness state, a lower notification (e.g., notification to the user or companion device) state, a lower alert state, a lower UI information state, a quieter state, a lower temperature state, etc.

[0058] In the above example, in one instance, a lower contextual awareness state could mean a slower duty cycle for the active proximity sensor, less complex data analysis by the activity state processor, or the reception of less contextual data for data fusion activity. Alternatively, lower contextual awareness may limit the recognition of other information such as wireless environment or biometric updates from the smartwatch, or calendar or other contextual information, while maintaining or even increasing the sensitivity or duty cycle of at least one form of proximity detection. Thus, the first state is still expected to have lower overall complexity / lower overall power consumption, but the proximity detection mode can remain the same as in the second state, or optionally be higher (for at least one proximity sensor).

[0059] On the other hand, the first and second information sets and information detail levels may relate to information relating to different states and the possible levels of user involvement with the device at that time.

[0060] Therefore, for example, in the first state, the delivery device may appear completely off, or, for example, without a backlight, and may only display (or periodically report to a companion device) the status of its battery and payload (e.g., e-liquid level). On the other hand, in the second state, the delivery device may backlight its display and include other more detailed information within the UI, such as the current payload fragrance or intensity, the current operating mode, and optionally preheat the heater to the pre-evaporation temperature and indicate that this has been achieved. Alternatively, operations such as preheating the heater (which uses a relatively large amount of power) may optionally be performed in a manner specific to the immediate use, only as part of a third state initiated by the user to directly and physically interact with the delivery device. Optionally, if such a third state is included, the functions in the second state may include active sensing of indicators of the third state.

[0061] Therefore, the first state can be characterized as inactive or standby, the second state as awakened or ready, and the optional third state as ready or pre-use.

[0062] The functions distinguished by the first and second states may vary depending on both the specific delivery device and the specific proximity sensor(s) used to detect the proximity of a person and / or the confidence that a person has been detected (or specifically detected as its user).

[0063] With respect to the proximity sensor 610, optionally the proximity sensor 610 comprises a capacitive sensor, which comprises, for example, a first sensor electrode and an insulating layer, and generates parasitic capacitance with the environment on the insulating layer and proximity capacitance with a person acting as a conductor when in the vicinity of the electric field of the capacitive sensor.

[0064] This allows the aerosol delivery system to detect when a person is in close proximity to the device or system without physical contact, for example, when a person places their hand outside a pocket or bag containing the aerosol delivery device, or when they reach to pick it up from a table, actions that may occur before using the aerosol delivery system.

[0065] Therefore, the aerosol delivery system or device can transition from a first state to a second state, for example, as otherwise described herein, which can cause the UI to be activated and / or the evaporative heater of the delivery device to a ready temperature, such as a temperature slightly below the evaporation temperature of the payload, thus the required temperature rise is smaller and the device becomes more responsive when first used.

[0066] The same principle applies when detection is performed via any other suitable proximity sensor.

[0067] Therefore, for example, a proximity sensor may include a sound sensor that can operate to detect sounds specific to proximity to a person.

[0068] Such audio sensors may comprise one or more microphones, which can be located in one or more devices within the delivery ecosystem.

[0069] In one example, a voice sensor is passive and can be configured to detect one or more distinctive biometric features of a nearby person, typically such as the user, such as heart rate or respiratory rate (e.g., if the delivery device is in a pocket), or actually the type of breathing (shallow, deep, irregular, etc.). A high heart rate or respiratory rate may indicate stress or a state of arousal, suggesting an increased likelihood of immediate use of the delivery device.

[0070] Similarly, passive voice sensors can be configured to detect the user's voice, and optionally, signs of stress or calmness in the user's voice pattern, and / or other indicators of the user's vocabulary, or specific predetermined keywords or phrases, indicating a desire or intention to interact with the delivery device.

[0071] By deriving an empirical correlation between these unique biometric features and the likelihood that the user will interact with the delivery device immediately afterward (for example, within a given period), it is possible to determine whether the activity state processor should change its operating state, for example, based on the presence of one or more unique biometric features of the user and what they currently exhibit.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, in this case, the sound sensor is active, meaning it relies on a predetermined emitted sound source rather than ambient sound. Therefore, in this case, the sound sensor can function more like a SONAR or acoustic tape measure. This can be achieved by a proximity sensor capable of detecting a correlation in the delay between the detected sound and the emitted sound, which typically corresponds to the propagation time from the emitter to the sound sensor via reflection from a target object. Thus, the propagation time (along with the known speed of sound) indicates the distance to that target object.

[0073] Sound can be emitted by a transmission device or by a companion device such as the user's mobile phone. When the same device comprises an emitter and a sound sensor, the detected delay corresponds to the outgoing and returning journey (the journey to the unknown object), but if the estimated distance is specific to the user's behavior (e.g., approaching the device), the activity state processor can be configured to change, for example, from a first state to a second state. On the other hand, when different devices comprise emitters and sound sensors, the detected delay corresponds to the direct path distance between them. Therefore, for example, if the user's phone emits sound (e.g., as a high-pitched or ultrasonic chirp), the distance to the user can be assumed to be similar to the direct path. In this case, relative timing can be achieved, for example, by using Bluetooth® or other radio synchronization signals transmitted by the device emitting sound.

[0074] In this case as well, the activity state processor can be configured to change its state according to the viewing distance. If the distance is quite short (around 50-100 cm) but lasts for a long period of time, this can be assumed to be because the user is carrying both devices. In this case, the activity state processor can change to the first activity state, or, for example, optionally, maintain the delivery device in the first activity state until the distance changes significantly beyond a threshold amount indicating a change in the user's state.

[0075] Optionally, proximity sensors can use the correlation of the delay between emitted sound and detected sound to detect specific events, such as an aerosol delivery device being removed or about to be removed from its storage location (e.g., a bag, pocket, sleeve / pouch, or similar), or being at a specific distance from the user (particularly the user's face). In the latter case, optionally, data fusion between the proximity sensor and other sensor data, such as the orientation of the delivery device obtained from an accelerometer, can be used to infer this event with greater confidence. For example, a combination of specific distance and orientation, or a recent or current change in specific orientation (e.g., substantially vertical to horizontal, typically in an arc with a radius similar to the radius of the user's forearm), can distinguish, for example, immediate use from storage in a swinging handbag.

[0076] Optionally, proximity sensors can use the correlation of the delay between emitted sound and detected sound to provide other situational awareness, such as whether the delivery device is considered to be indoors or outdoors, based on, for example, the number of detected path reflections and path times. In this case, data fusion can also be optionally used to determine the significance of being indoors or outdoors, and while location via Wi-Fi or GPS may not be able to detect that the user is still on-site but outdoors, a combination of acoustic indicators of being outdoors at a specific time can switch the activity state processor to a second state.

[0077] As otherwise described herein, a voice sensor (either an active or passive voice sensor) may comprise multiple microphones. Optionally, these may be configured (in conjunction with, for example, a proximity sensor and / or an activity state processor) to detect the direction of a relevant sound (whether ambient or emitted) based, for example, on the difference timing of corresponding voice features between the microphones. The direction relative to the microphones can provide useful information, for example, enabling the device to determine its directional relationship to the user's mouth when the user speaks, and such a directional relationship can indicate the reason for immediate use and therefore for the activity state processor to change its operating state as appropriate.

[0078] Alternatively or additionally, such a microphone array can optionally be used to estimate the attenuation distance of sound (e.g., spoken sound), and thus the distance from the user's mouth to the device. In this case as well, the distance can indicate the immediate use and therefore the reason why the activity state processor should change its operating state accordingly.

[0079] Other proximity sensors include, for example, electromagnetic sensors (e.g., infrared or microwave sensors, whether active or passive, in a sense similar to acoustic sensors as described elsewhere herein). Such sensors can detect the presence of a person (e.g., via infrared emission by the person) and / or optionally detect one or more distinctive biometric features of that person. Similar to acoustic sensors, infrared or microwave sensors can be used, for example, to pick up a nearby heartbeat.

[0080] The reference to data fusion in this specification acknowledges that the activity state processor may be configured to receive a detection signal and determine whether to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state based at least partly on the received detection signal, as well as optionally on other data that provides further context to the apparent proximity of a person. Examples may include the orientation of the delivery device from an accelerometer, time, location, ambient light level, etc.

[0081] Optionally, such a secondary data source may include second proximity data from at least a second sensor, the second sensor may be a proximity sensor similar to the first sensor, for example, located at a different position on a delivery device or other device in a delivery ecosystem, or may be a different type of sensor as described herein.

[0082] By using two or more data sources, including from a first proximity sensor and optionally from a second proximity sensor, the activity state processor can optionally use the detection signal and signals from at least the second sensor to estimate whether the detected person could be a user. In other words, by using more data sources, particularly (though not required) a second proximity sensor, the system can better distinguish whether a nearby person is a user or not. For example, if a delivery device is placed on a table in a restaurant, information about the direction of the user's voice can be used in conjunction with another proximity detection sensor to selectively ignore or reduce the weight of signals detected from other directions.

[0083] The use of multiple sensors is not limited to this application. For example, proximity detection from capacitive detectors on both sides of the delivery device can distinguish the direction of approach, or, for example, distinguish between ongoing proximity (e.g., in a pocket) and temporary, and therefore potentially intentional, proximity (e.g., reaching into a pocket). It is preferable to be able to envision combinations of sensors and their placement for various use cases, which may depend on the size, shape, and weight of the device, and / or its target market (for example, factors that may influence whether the device is likely to be placed in a pocket, kept visible, or stored in a case / bag).

[0084] Optionally, if the second (or actually the first) proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor, this proximity sensor can also function as a detector of direct or immediate contact. If the sensor occupies a portion of the delivery device (e.g., as an array or distribution of individual sensors), this sensor can also be configured to detect the person's current or immediate holding pattern upon contact or approach. The area, shape, and / or size of the holding pattern can be specific to a user or well within the range of a small potential group of people, such as in a house. The area, shape, and / or size of the holding pattern can also serve to distinguish certain non-users, such as a child with smaller hands. Thus, in this latter example, the activity state processor can remain in the first state, or appropriately override instructions to switch to the second state indicated by another proximity sensor, or immediately switch back to the first state (e.g., prompting a switch to the second state if proximity is detected earlier, but the person then appears to be a child). If such a mechanism is provided, for adults with small hands, such features can be optionally disabled, for example, using a setting accessible after the secure log is processed.

[0085] When referring to proximity detection that prompts the active state processor to switch to a second state (optionally, in conjunction with data fusion with other data sources), it will be understood that the same detection can also be used to maintain the second state if it is already in the second state. Conversely, the active state processor can switch back to the first state by a lack of proximity detection, optionally, for a predetermined period, optionally, in conjunction with the lack of relevant data from other data sources.

[0086] When a third state is also used (for example, in response to direct physical interaction with the delivery device), if the device is currently in the third state, it can maintain the third state for a predetermined period of time using proximity detection, which would normally trigger the second state, before switching to the second state. So, for example, if the user puts the device down (which would normally end the third state) but keeps their hand nearby, the device may remain in the third state for a predetermined period of time, such as 5, 10, or 30 seconds, recognizing that the user is likely to pick up the device again.

[0087] Therefore, it will be understood that the aerosol delivery system is optionally configured to switch back from the second state to the first state after a predetermined time has elapsed since person detection, but further or alternatively (for example, earlier), after aerosol delivery is complete (i.e., the expected use has occurred and it is appropriate to reset the cycle), and / or after any user interface interaction (such as a sleep command, achieved by, for example, tapping the delivery device twice, or selecting a snooze option in the UI of the delivery device or companion device).

[0088] Next, referring to Figure 7, the corresponding activity status determination method for an aerosol delivery system is: Step s710 involves detecting a person without physical contact using at least one proximity sensor, Step s720, when a person is detected, outputs a detection signal (for example, by one or more proximity sensors), Step s730 involves receiving a detection signal (for example, in the active state processor), The process includes, at least in part, a step s740 (for example, using an activity state processor operating under preferred software instructions) that determines whether to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state based on the received detection signal.

[0089] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications of the above method corresponding to the operation of various embodiments of the apparatus described and claimed herein are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] Conversely, such methods can be implemented in conventional hardware configured appropriately by software instructions or by the inclusion or replacement of dedicated hardware, one example being the delivery device shown in Figures 2 and 6, in which the control unit 205 (or, separately or additionally, one or more processors in a broader delivery ecosystem) operates under suitable software instructions.

[0091] Therefore, the required configuration for existing parts of a conventional equivalent device can be implemented in the form of a computer program product containing processor-implementable instructions stored on a non-temporary machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, solid-state disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory, or any combination thereof or other storage media, or it can be implemented in hardware as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other configurable circuit suitable for use in the configuration of a conventional equivalent device. Separately, such computer programs can be transmitted via data signals over a network such as Ethernet®, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination thereof or other networks.

[0092] The above discussion merely discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, the invention can be carried out in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of the invention is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or any other claims. Disclosures including any readily recognizable variations of the teachings herein define the scope of the claims in part so as not to provide the subject matter of the invention to the public.

Claims

1. Aerosol delivery devices and A proximity sensor configured to detect a person even if the person does not physically touch the sensor, and to output a detection signal when a person is detected, An activity state processor is configured to receive the detection signal and, at least in part, determine whether to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery device from a first activity state to a second activity state based on the received detection signal. Equipped with, The system is configured to provide a display when the operating state changes from the first active state to the second active state. After receiving the detection signal, the system is configured to switch from the second active state to the first active state after a predetermined time interval. Furthermore, it is equipped with at least a second sensor, The activity state processor uses the detection signal and the signals from at least the second sensor to estimate whether the detected person is the user. Aerosol delivery system.

2. The at least one proximity sensor, i. The aerosol delivery device, and ii. Companion devices An aerosol delivery system according to claim 1, located in one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

3. Compared to the second activity state, the first activity state is i. Lower power requirements, ii. Fewer effective functions, iii. Lower power settings for one or more functions, and iv. Alternative function for one of the functions of the second active state The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1, comprising one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

4. The proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor comprises a first sensor electrode and an insulating layer, and generates parasitic capacitance with the environment on the insulating layer and proximity capacitance with a person acting as a conductor when near the electric field of the capacitive sensor. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

5. The proximity sensor includes a sound sensor that can operate to detect sounds specific to proximity to a person. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned audio sensor i. Direction, and ii. Attenuation distance of a sound produced by the voice The aerosol delivery system according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of microphones configured to detect one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

7. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor is operable to detect a correlation of delay between the detected sound and the emitted sound.

8. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 7, wherein the emitted sound is emitted from one of the aerosol delivery device and the companion device.

9. The proximity sensor uses the correlation of the delay, i. Whether the aerosol delivery device has been removed from the storage unit, and ii. Distance from the person's face The aerosol delivery system according to claim 7, which detects one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

10. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 5, wherein the voice sensor is operable to detect one or more distinctive biometric features of the person.

11. The unique biometric characteristics of the aforementioned person are i. The voice of the aforementioned person, ii. The heart rate of the aforementioned person, iii. The respiratory rate of the person, and iv. The breathing type of the person The aerosol delivery system according to claim 10, comprising one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

12. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1, comprising an electromagnetic sensor configured to detect one or more distinctive biometric features of a person.

13. (i) The at least one proximity sensor is one of a capacitive sensor, an active sound sensor, a passive sound sensor, or an electromagnetic sensor, (ii) The second sensor is one of a capacitive sensor, an active sound sensor, a passive sound sensor, or an electromagnetic sensor. (iii) The second sensor is a capacitance and is configured to detect the holding pattern of the person. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

14. The first activity state described above is i. Display of a first set of information indicating the state in the aerosol delivery system, ii. Lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission, iii. Lower duty cycle or lower power preheating, and iv. Lower duty cycle or lower power lighting, and It may include one or more selected from a list consisting of, The second activity state described above is i. Display of a second set of information indicating the state in the aerosol delivery system, ii. Higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission, iii. Higher duty cycle or higher power heating, and iv. Higher duty cycle or higher power lighting, It may include one or more selected from a list consisting of The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

15. The at least one proximity sensor is configured to operate with a higher duty cycle or higher power in the second active state than in the first active state. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

16. The at least one proximity sensor is configured to detect when a person approaches the aerosol delivery system without physical contact with the proximity sensor, and is configured to output the detection signal when the person approaches the aerosol delivery system. The activity state processor is configured to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery device from the first activity state to the second activity state when it is determined, based on the received detection signal, that the person has come close to the aerosol delivery system. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1.

17. The aerosol delivery system, i. When aerosol delivery is completed, and ii. When the user interface interaction is complete The aerosol delivery system according to claim 1, configured to switch back from the second active state to the first active state after a predetermined time period of time from one or more selected from a list consisting of the following.

18. The aerosol delivery system switches from the second active state to the first active state after a predetermined time following the reception of the detection signal, as a result of the absence of a subsequent detection signal received during the predetermined time. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method for determining the activity status of an aerosol delivery system, A step of detecting a person without physical contact using at least one proximity sensor, The steps include: outputting a detection signal when a person is detected, The step of receiving the detection signal, At least in part, the process includes determining whether to change the operating state of the aerosol delivery system from a first active state to a second active state based on the received detection signal, The steps include providing a display when the operating state changes from the first active state to the second active state, After receiving the detection signal, a predetermined time is taken to switch from the second active state to the first active state, Includes, The further step includes estimating whether the detected person is the user, using the detection signal and signals from at least a second sensor. Method for determining activity status.

20. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer system to perform the method described in claim 19.

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