EP4376650A1 - Interactive aerosol provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol delivery device, at least one proximity sensor configured to detect a person without physical contact by them with the sensor; and configured to output a detection signal when a person is detected, and an activity state processor configured to receive the detection signal, and to determine whether to change an operational 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

INTERACTIVE AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interactive aerosol provision system.

Background

The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Aerosol provision systems are popular with users as they enable the delivery of active ingredients (such as nicotine) to the user in a convenient manner and on demand.

As an example of an aerosol provision system, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation. An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking / capillary action. Other source materials may be similarly heated to create an aerosol, such as botanical matter, or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring. Hence more generally, the e-cigarette may be thought of as comprising or receiving a payload for heat vaporisation.

While a user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporise the aerosol source (a portion of the payload) in the vicinity of the heating element, to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system. When a user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it. The aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

Usually an electric current is supplied to the heater when a user is drawing/ puffing on the device. Typically, the electric current is supplied to the heater, e.g. resistance heating element, in response to either the activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path as the user inhales/draw/puffs or in response to the activation of a button by the user. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporise a formulation. The released vapour mixes with air drawn through the device by the puffing consumer and forms an aerosol. Alternatively or in addition, the heating element is used to heat but typically not burn a botanical such as tobacco, to release active ingredients thereof as a vapour / aerosol.

The secure, efficient and/or timely operation of such an aerosol provision system can benefit from responding appropriately to how the user interacts with it.

It is in this context that the present invention arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various aspects and features of the present invention are defined in the appended claims and within the text of the accompanying description.

In a first aspect, an aerosol delivery system is provided in accordance with claim 1.

In another aspect, activity state determining method is provided in accordance with claim 19.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a cartomiser of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a delivery ecosystem in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with embodiments of the description. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An interactive aerosol provision system is disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to a person skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice embodiments of the present disclosure. Conversely, specific details known to the person skilled in the art are omitted for the purposes of clarity where appropriate.

The term 'interactive aerosol provision system', or similarly 'delivery device' may encompass systems that deliver a least one substance to a user, and include non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

The substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.

Currently, the most common example of such a delivery device or aerosol provision system (e.g. a non combustible aerosol provision system) is an electronic vapour provision system (EVPS), such as an e- cigarette. Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" is sometimes used but this term may be used interchangeably with delivery device or aerosol provision system except where stated otherwise or where context indicates otherwise. Similarly the terms 'vapour' and 'aerosol' are referred to equivalently herein.

Generally, the electronic vapour / aerosol provision system may be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery device (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating (e.g. aerosolisable) material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Meanwhile in some embodiments, the non combustible aerosol provision system generates a vapour / aerosol from one or more such aerosol generating materials.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article (otherwise referred to as a consumable) for use with the non combustible aerosol provision system. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component (e.g. an aerosol generator such as a heater, vibrating mesh or the like) may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolisable material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the power source, such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol forming material and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material which is included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception. The aerosol forming material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso- Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials may comprise one or more of flavours, carriers, pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving aerosolisable material may be a storage area for storing aerosolisable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol generating area.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapour / aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette 10 (not to scale), providing a non-limiting example of a delivery device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body 20 and a cartomiser 30. The cartomiser includes an internal chamber containing a reservoir of a payload such as for example a liquid comprising nicotine, a vaporiser (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. References to 'nicotine' hereafter will be understood to be merely an example and can be substituted with any suitable active ingredient. References to 'liquid' as a payload hereafter will be understood to be merely an example and can be substituted with any suitable payload such as botanical matter (for example tobacco that is to be heated rather than burned), or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring. The reservoir may be a foam matrix or any other structure for retaining the liquid until such time that it is required to be delivered to the vaporiser. In the case of a liquid / flowing payload, the vaporiser is for vaporising the liquid, and the cartomiser 30 may further include a wick or similar facility to transport a small amount of liquid from the reservoir to a vaporising location on or adjacent the vaporiser. In the following, a heater is used as a specific example of a vaporiser. However, it will be appreciated that other forms of vaporiser (for example, those which utilise ultrasonic waves) could also be used and it will also be appreciated that the type of vaporiser used may also depend on the type of payload to be vaporised.

The body 20 includes a re-chargeable cell or battery to provide power to the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette. When the heater receives power from the battery, as controlled by the circuit board, the heater vaporises the liquid and this vapour is then inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 35. In some specific embodiments the body is further provided with a manual activation device 265, e.g. a button, switch, or touch sensor located on the outside of the body.

The body 20 and cartomiser 30 may be detachable from one another by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as shown in Figure 1, but are joined together when the device 10 is in use by a connection, indicated schematically in Figure 1 as 25A and 25B, to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The electrical connector 25B on the body 20 that is used to connect to the cartomiser 30 also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is detached from the cartomiser 30. The other end of the charging device may be plugged into a USB socket to re-charge the cell in the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other implementations, a cable may be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector 25B on the body 20 and a USB socket. The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes (not shown in Figure 1) for air inlets. These holes connect to an air passage through the e-cigarette 10 to the mouthpiece 35. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into this air passage through the one or more air inlet holes, which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporise the nicotine from the cartridge, the airflow passes through, and combines with, the generated vapour, and this combination of airflow and generated vapour then passes out of the mouthpiece 35 to be inhaled by a user. Except in single-use devices, the cartomiser 30 may be detached from the body 20 and disposed of when the supply of liquid is exhausted (and replaced with another cartomiser if so desired).

It will be appreciated that the e-cigarette 10 shown in Figure 1 is presented by way of example, and various other implementations can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the cartomiser 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge comprising the liquid reservoir and mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporiser comprising a heater (which is generally retained). As another example, the charging facility may connect to an additional or alternative power source, such as a car cigarette lighter.

Figure 2 is a schematic (simplified) diagram of the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 2 can generally be regarded as a cross- section in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the body, e.g. such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from Figure 2 for reasons of clarity.

The body 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for powering the e-cigarette 10 in response to a user activation of the device. Additionally, the body 20 includes a control unit 205, for example 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 micro-processor. The operations of the CPU and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the CPU (or other component). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which can be integrated into the microcontroller itself, or provided as a separate component. The CPU may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required. The microcontroller also contains appropriate communications interfaces (and control software) for communicating as appropriate with other devices in the body 10.

The body 20 further includes a cap 225 to seal and protect the far (distal) end of the e-cigarette 10. Typically there is an air inlet hole provided in or adjacent to the cap 225 to allow air to enter the body 20 when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. The control unit or ASIC may be positioned alongside or at one end of the battery 210. In some embodiments, the ASIC is attached to a sensor unit 215 to detect an inhalation on mouthpiece 35 (or alternatively the sensor unit 215 may be provided on the ASIC itself). An air path is provided from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the airflow sensor 215 and the heater (in the vaporiser or cartomiser 30), to the mouthpiece 35. Thus when a user inhales on the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette, the CPU detects such inhalation based on information from the airflow sensor 215.

At the opposite end of the body 20 from the cap 225 is the connector 25B for joining the body 20 to the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B provides mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B includes a body connector 240, which is metallic (silver- plated in some embodiments) to serve as one terminal for electrical connection (positive or negative) to the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 to provide a second terminal for electrical connection to the cartomiser 30 of opposite polarity to the first terminal, namely body connector 240. The electrical contact 250 is mounted on a coil spring 255. When the body20 is attached to the cartomiser 30, the connector 25A on the cartomiser 30 pushes against the electrical contact 250 in such a manner as to compress the coil spring in an axial direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to (co-aligned with) the longitudinal axis LA. In view of the resilient nature of the spring 255, this compression biases the spring 255 to expand, which has the effect of pushing the electrical contact 250 firmly against connector 25A of the cartomiser 30, thereby helping to ensure good electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The body connector 240 and the electrical contact 250 are separated by a trestle 260, which is made of a non-conductor (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between the two electrical terminals. The trestle 260 is shaped to assist with the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.

As mentioned above, a button 265, which represents a form of manual activation device 265, may be located on the outer housing of the body 20. The button 265 may be implemented using any appropriate mechanism which is operable to be manually activated by the user - for example, as a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, and so on. It will also be appreciated that the manual activation device 265 may be located on the outer housing of the cartomiser 30, rather than the outer housing of the body 20, in which case, the manual activation device 265 may be attached to the ASIC via the connections 25A, 25B. The button 265 might also be located at the end of the body 20, in place of (or in addition to) cap 225.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cartomiser 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 3 can generally be regarded as a cross-section in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the cartomiser 30, such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from Figure 3 for reasons of clarity.

The cartomiser 30 includes an air passage 355 extending along the central (longitudinal) axis of the cartomiser 30 from the mouthpiece 35 to the connector 25A for joining the cartomiser 30 to the body 20. A reservoir of liquid 360 is provided around the air passage 335. This reservoir 360 may be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam soaked in liquid. The cartomiser 30 also includes a heater 365 for heating liquid from reservoir 360 to generate vapour to flow through air passage 355 and out through mouthpiece 35 in response to a user inhaling on the e-cigarette 10. The heater 365 is powered through lines 366 and 367, which are in turn connected to opposing polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) of the battery 210 of the main body 20 via connector 25A (the details of the wiring between the power lines 366 and 367 and connector 25A are omitted from Figure 3).

The connector 25A includes an inner electrode 375, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material. When the cartomiser 30 is connected to the body 20, the inner electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20 to provide a first electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20. In particular, as the connectors 25A and 25B are engaged, the inner electrode 375 pushes against the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the inner electrode 375 and the electrical contact 250. The inner electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which may be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. The insulating ring is surrounded by the cartomiser connector 370, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material. When the cartomiser 30 is connected to the body 20, the cartomiser connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20 to provide a second electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20. In other words, the inner electrode 375 and the cartomiser connector 370 serve 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 cartomiser 30 via supply lines 366 and 367 as appropriate.

The cartomiser connector 370 is provided with two lugs or tabs 380A, 380B, which extend in opposite directions away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet fitting in conjunction with the body connector 240 for connecting the cartomiser 30 to the body 20. This bayonet fitting provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20, so that the cartomiser and body are held in a fixed position relative to one another, with minimal wobble or flexing, and the likelihood of any accidental disconnection is very small. At the same time, the bayonet fitting provides simple and rapid connection and disconnection by an insertion followed by a rotation for connection, and a rotation (in the reverse direction) followed by withdrawal for disconnection. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may use a different form of connection between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30, such as a snap fit or a screw connection.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of certain details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure (but omitting for clarity most of the internal structure of the connector as shown in Figure 2, such as trestle 260). In particular, Figure 4 shows the external housing 201 of the body 20, which generally has the form of a cylindrical tube. This external housing 201 may comprise, for example, an inner tube of metal with an outer covering of paper or similar. The external housing 201 may also comprise the manual activation device 265 (not shown in Figure 4) so that the manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to the user.

The body connector 240 extends from this external housing 201 of the body 20. The body connector 240 as shown in Figure 4 comprises two main portions, a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube, which is sized to fit just inside the external housing 201 of the body 20, and a lip portion 242 which is directed in a radially outward direction, away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e- cigarette. Surrounding the shaft portion 241 of the body connector 240, where the shaft portion does not overlap with the external housing 201, is a collar or sleeve 290, which is again in a shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is retained between the lip portion 242 of the body connector 240 and the external housing 201 of the body, which together prevent movement of the collar 290 in an axial direction (i.e. parallel to axis LA). However, collar 290 is free to rotate around the shaft portion 241 (and hence also axis LA).

As mentioned above, the cap 225 is provided with an air inlet hole to allow air to flow when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments the majority of air that enters the device when a user inhales flows through collar 290 and body connector 240 as indicated by the two arrows in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 5, the e-cigarette 10 (or more generally any delivery device as described elsewhere herein) may operate within a wider delivery ecosystem 1. Within the wider delivery ecosystem, a number of devices may communicate with each other, either directly (shown with solid arrows) or indirectly (shown with dashed arrows). In Figure 5, as an example delivery device an e-cigarette 10 may communicate directly with one or more other classes of device (for example using Bluetooth ^® or Wifi Direct ^®), including but not limited to a smartphone 100, a dock 200 (e.g. a home refill and/or charging station), a vending machine 300, or a wearable 400. As noted above, these devices may cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

Alternatively or in addition the delivery device, such as for example the e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with one or more of these classes of device via a network such as the internet 500, for example using Wifi ^®, near field communication, a wired link or an integral mobile data scheme. Again, as noted above, in this manner these devices may cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

Alternatively or in addition the delivery device, such as for example the e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with a server 1000 via a network such as the internet 500, either itself for example by using Wifi, or via another device in the delivery ecosystem, for example using Bluetooth ^® or Wifi Direct ^® to communicate with a smartphone 100, a dock 200, a vending machine 300, or a wearable 400 that then communicates with the server to either relay the e-cigarette's communications, or report upon its communications with the e-cigarette 10. The smartphone, dock, or other device within the delivery ecosystem, such as a point of sale system / vending machine, may hence optionally act as a hub for one or more delivery devices that only have short range transmission capabilities. Such a hub may thus extend the battery life of a delivery device that does not need to maintain an ongoing WiFi^® or mobile data link. It will also be appreciated that different types of data may be transmitted with different levels of priority; for example data relating to the user feedback system (such as user factor data or feedback action data, as discussed herein) may be transmitted with a higher priority than more general usage statistics, or similarly some user factor data relating to more short-term variables (such as current physiological data) may be transmitted with a higher priority than user factor data relating to longer-term variables (such as current weather, or day of the week). A non-limiting example transmission scheme allowing higher and lower priority transmission is LoRaWAN.

Meanwhile, the other classes of device in the ecosystem such as the smartphone, dock, vending machine (or any other point of sale system) and/or wearable may also communicate indirectly with the server 1000 via a network such as the internet 500, either to fulfil an aspect of their own functionality, or on behalf of the delivery system (for example as a relay or co-processing unit). These devices may also communicate with each other, either directly or indirectly.

It will be appreciated that the delivery ecosystem may comprise multiple delivery devices (10), for example because the user owns multiple devices (for example so as to easily switch between different active ingredients or flavourings), or because multiple users share the same delivery ecosystem, at least in part (for example cohabiting users may share a charging dock, but have their own phones or wearables). Optionally such devices may similarly communicate directly or indirectly with each other, and/or with devices within the shared delivery ecosystem and/or the server.

Turning now to Figure 6, in which features similar to those of Figure 1 are similarly numbered, then alternatively or (as shown) additionally to manual activation device 265, an aerosol delivery device may comprise at least one proximity sensor 610 configured to detect a person without physical contact by the user with the sensor; and configured to output a detection signal when a person is detected. Alternatively or in addition to the at least one proximity sensor 610 on the aerosol delivery device, optionally at least one proximity sensor 610 may be provided on a companion device, e.g. closely associated device within the delivery ecosystem, such as the charging hub, or indeed the user's phone or smartwatch or the like.

It will therefore be appreciated that an aerosol delivery system (e.g. an aerosol delivery device optionally together with and operating in conjunction with one or more other devices within the delivery ecosystem, such as a phone or smartwatch), can detect a person (who may or may not be the normal user of the device) without contact by the user (or indeed the detected person, if different).

Example proximity sensors include but are not limited to capacitive sensors, active and/or passive audio sensors, and electromagnetic sensors, as described elsewhere herein.

The aerosol delivery system also comprises an activity state processor configured to receive the detection signal, and to determine whether to change an operational 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. These states may be thought of as respective groupings of one or more settings for one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system.

The activity state processor may for example be control unit 205 operating under suitable software instruction, or similarly a processor of a charging hub, phone, smartwatch or other device within the delivery ecosystem, or any combination thereof.

The second activity state reflects desired levels of activity to exhibit when a person (typically assumed to be the user) is proximate to the device or system. Meanwhile the first activity state is for when they are not proximate.

Hence generally, when compared to the second activity state, the first activity state has one or more of a lower power requirement, fewer active functions, a lower power setting for one or more functions, and an alternative function to one for the second activity state (e.g. typically a lower power alternative, and/or a less intrusive function, such as a quieter alert).

For example, the first activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of display of a first set of information; display of a first level of detail of information; a lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission; a lower duty cycle or lower power pre-heating; a lower duty cycle or lower power lighting; and a lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness, where 'lower' is lower than in the second state. By contrast, for example second activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of display of a second set of information (being separate to or a superset of a first set of information); display of second higher level of detail of information; a higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission; a higher duty cycle or higher power heating; a higher duty cycle or higher power lighting; and a higher duty cycle or higher power situational awareness, where 'higher' is higher than in the first state.

Hence optionally the first activity state can be characterised as one or more of a lower power state, a lower situational awareness state, a lower notification (e.g. to the user or companion devices) state, a lower wakefulness state, a lower Ul information state, a quieter state, a cooler state, and the like, compared to the second state. In the above examples, in one instance a lower situational awareness state may mean a slower duty cycle for an active proximity sensor, or less complex data analysis by the activity state processor, or receipt of less contextual data for data fusion activities, and the like. Alternatively, a lower situational awareness may limit awareness of other information, such as the wireless environment, or biometric updates from a smartwatch, or calendar or other contextual information, but maintain or even increase the sensitivity or duty cycle of at least one form of proximity detection. So whilst the first state is still expected to be of a lower overall complexity / have a lower overall power consumption, the proximity detection aspect may remain the same as in the second state or optionally (for at least one proximity sensor) be higher.

Meanwhile first and second sets of information and levels of detail of information can relate to information relevant to the different states and the likely level of engagement of the user with the device at that time.

Hence for example in the first state the delivery device could appear to be off entirely, or may only display (or periodically report to a companion device) the state of its battery and payload (e.g. e-liquid level), for example without a backlight. Meanwhile in the second state it could backlight the display, include other and more detailed information in the Ul such as the current payload flavour or strength, a current operation mode, and optionally pre-heat the heater to a pre-vaporisation temperature and indicate when this is achieved. Alternatively, an action such as pre-heating the heater (which uses a comparatively large amount of power) may only be performed as part of a third state where the user has begun to directly physically interact with the delivery device, optionally in a manner characteristic of imminent use. Optionally where such a third state is included, functions in the second state may include active sensing for indicators of the third state.

Hence the first state may be characterised as a dormant or standby state, the second state as an awake or ready state, and an optional third state as a ready or pre-use state.

The functions differentiated by the first and second states may vary depending on both the specific delivery device and optionally also the particular proximity sensor(s) used to detect the proximity of a person, and/or the confidence with which the person is detected (or detected specifically as the user).

Regarding the proximity sensor 610, optionally this comprises a capacitive sensor, for example comprising a first sensor electrode and an insulating layer, creating a parasitic capacitance with the environment above the insulating layer and a proximity capacitance with a person acting as a conductor when they are within proximity of an electrical field of the capacitive sensor.

This enables the aerosol delivery system to detect when a person is proximate to the device or system without touching it - for example when they place their hand on the outside of a pocket or bag containing the aerosol delivery device, or goes to pick it up from a table; an action which may be a precursor to using it.

Hence the aerosol delivery system or device could transition from the first state to the second state and, for example as described elsewhere herein, cause to activate a Ul and/or pre-heat a vaporisation heater of the delivery device to a readiness temperature, such as a temperature just below the vaporisation temperature of the payload, so that the device is more responsive when first used as there is a smaller increase in temperature required.

The same principle applies when detection is via any other suitable proximity sensors. Hence for example the proximity sensor may comprise an audio sensor operable to detect audio that is characteristic of proximity to a person.

Such an audio sensor may comprise one or more microphones, and these may be located on one or more devices within the delivery ecosystem.

In one instance, the audio sensor is passive, and may be operable to detect one or more characteristic biometric feature(s) of a nearby person such as typically the user, such as their heart rate or their breathing rate (for example if the delivery device is in a pocket), or indeed the type of their breathing (such as shallow, deep, irregular or the like). A high heart rate or breathing rate may be indicative of stress our arousal and imply an increased likeliness of imminent use of the delivery device.

Similarly, the passive audio sensor may be operable to detect the voice of the user, and optionally therein signs of stress or calm in the user's vocal patterns, and/or their vocabulary, or other indicators of a wish or intent to interact with the delivery device, such as certain predetermined keywords or phrases.

Empirical associations between these characteristic biometric feature(s) and the likelihood of the user interacting with the delivery device shortly thereafter (e.g. within a predetermined period of time) may be derived to determine whether the activity state processor should change operational state, for example based on the presence of one or more characteristic biometric feature(s) of the user, and what they currently indicate.

Alternatively, or in addition in this instance the audio sensor is active; that is to say, it relies on predetermined emitted sound sources rather than ambient ones. Hence in this case the audio sensor may act more like a SONAR or acoustic tape measure. This may be achieved by the proximity sensor being operable to detect a delayed correlation between detected audio and an emitted audio, the delay being a function of the propagation time from the emitter to the audio sensor, typically via a reflection off a target object. The propagation time (together with the known speed of sound) thus indicates the distance to that target object.

The audio may be emitted by the delivery device, or by a companion device such as the user's mobile phone. When the same device comprises the emitter and audio sensor, the detected delay corresponds to an outbound and return journey (to an unknown object) - however, where the estimated distance is characteristic of user behaviour (for example moving closer to the device), then the activity state processor can be arranged to change for example from first to second state. Meanwhile when different devices comprise the emitter and audio sensor then the detected delay corresponds to the direct path distance between them. Hence if for example the user's phone emits audio (for example as a high pitch or ultrasonic chirp), then the distance to the user can be assumed to be similar to the direct path. In this case, the relative timings can be achieved for example by use of a Bluetooth^® or other wireless synchronisation signal, for example transmitted by the device emitting the audio.

Again, the activity state processor can be arranged to change state depending on the apparent distance. In the case where the distance is fairly short (in the order of 50-100 cm) but for a prolonged period, this can be assumed to be because the user is carrying both devices. In this case the activity state processor may change to or keep the delivery device in the first activity state, for example optionally until the distance changes more than a threshold amount indicating a change of state of the user.

Optionally the proximity sensor may use a delayed correlation between emitted and detected sound to detect a characteristic event, such as whether the aerosol delivery device is being or is about to be removed from storage (e.g. from a bag, pocket, sleeve/pouch, or similar), or a characteristic distance from the user (in particular the user's face). In this latter case, optionally data fusion between the proximity sensor and other sensor data, such as an orientation of the delivery device obtained from an accelerometer or similar, may be used to infer this event with more confidence. For example, the combination of a characteristic distance and orientation, or a preceding or current characteristic change in orientation (e.g. from substantially vertical to horizontal, typically in an arc with a radius similar to that of the user's forearm) may distinguish imminent use from storage in a swinging handbag, for example.

Optionally the proximity sensor may use a delayed correlation between emitted and detected sound to provide other situational awareness, such as whether the delivery device appears to be indoors or outdoors, for example based on the number of path reflections and path times detected. Again data fusion may optionally be used to determine the significance of being indoors or outdoors; a user may for example exit their place of work for a regular break at a certain time; localisation via WiFi or GPS may not be able to detect when the user is still on site but outdoors, whereas the combination of a particular time and an acoustic indication of being outdoors may cause the activity state processor to switch to the second state.

As noted elsewhere herein, the audio sensor (whether active and/or passive) may comprise a plurality of microphones. Optionally, these may be configured (e.g. in conjunction with the proximity sensor and/or activity state processor) to detect the direction of a relevant sound (whether ambient or emitted), for example based on differential timings of corresponding audio features between microphones. The direction relative to the microphones can provide useful information, for example enabling the device to determine its directional relationship with respect to the user's mouth if they speak, which can be indicative of imminent use and hence a reason for the activity state processor to change operational state as appropriate.

Alternatively or in addition, optionally such a microphone array can be used to estimate the attenuation distance of sounds (for example voiced sounds) and thus estimate the distance of the device from the user's mouth. Again distance can be indicative of imminent use and hence a reason for the activity state processor to change operational state as appropriate.

Other proximity sensors include for example an electromagnetic sensor (for example an infra-red or microwave sensor, whether active or passive in a similar sense to the acoustic sensor described elsewhere herein). Such a sensor may detect the presence of a person (e.g. via infra-red emission by the person) and/or optionally detect one or more characteristic biometric feature(s) of the person. As with the audio sensor, an infra-red or microwave sensor may for example be used to pick up a nearby heart beat.

References herein to data fusion recognise that the activity state processor may be configured to receive the detection signal, and to determine whether to change an operational state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state, based only at least in part on the received detection signal, but optionally also on other data that provides further context to the apparent proximity of a person. Examples may include delivery device orientation from an accelerometer, time of day, location, ambient brightness levels, and the like.

Optionally such a secondary data source may comprise second proximity data from at least a second sensor, which may be a similar proximity sensor to the first, for example located in a different position on the delivery device or other device of the delivery ecosystem, or may be a different one of the kinds described herein.

By using two or more data sources including from the first proximity sensor and optionally from a second one, optionally the activity state processor may use the detection signal and a signal from the at least second sensor to estimate whether a detected person may be the user. In other words, by using more data sources and in particular (but not necessarily) a second proximity sensor, system may better differentiate between whether the proximate person is the user or not. For example, if the delivery device is on a table in a restaurant, then information regarding the direction of the user's voice may be used in conjunction with another proximity detection sensor to selectively discount or reduce the weighting of signals detected from other directions.

The use of multiple sensors is not limited to this use. For example proximity detection from capacitance detectors on each side of the delivery device could distinguish direction of approach, or for example ongoing proximity (such as in a pocket) versus transitory and hence potentially intentional proximity (such as reaching for the pocket). Suitably combinations of sensors and placements can be envisaged for various use cases, which in turn may depend upon the size, shape, and weight of the device, and/or its target market (e.g. factors that may influence whether the device more likely to be pocketed, kept visible, or stored in a case/bag).

Optionally where the second (or indeed first) proximity sensor is a capacitance sensor, it may also function as a detector of direct or imminent touch. Where the sensor occupies an area of the delivery device (for example as an array or a distribution of discrete sensors) it may also be configured to detect a current or imminent holding pattern of the person, either upon contact or as they approach. The area, shape, and/or size of the holding pattern may be characteristic of the user, or sufficiently so within a small potential group of people such as in the home. The area, shape, and/or size of the holding pattern may similarly serve to distinguish certain non-users, such as a child having smaller hands. Flence in this latter example the activity state processor may remain in the first state, or as appropriate override an indication to switch to the second state as indicated by another proximity sensor, or promptly switch back to the first state (for example if proximity was detected earlier, prompting a switch to the second state, but subsequently the person appears likely to be a child). If such a mechanism is provided, then for adults with small hands optionally such a feature could be disabled for example using settings accessible after a secure log in process.

It will be appreciated that where reference has been made to proximity detection (optionally in conjunction with data fusion other data sources) prompting the activity state processor to switch to the second state, similarly the same detection may also be used to maintain the second state if already in it. Conversely, a lack of proximity detection, optionally for a predetermined period of time, and optionally in conjunction with a lack of relevant data from other data sources, may cause the activity state processor to switch back to the first state.

Where a third state is also used (for example in response to direct physical interaction with the delivery device), then if currently in the third state, proximity detection that would normally trigger the second state can be used to maintain the third state for a predetermined period of time, before switching to the second state. Flence for example if the user puts their device down (thereby normally ending the third state) but keeps their hand nearby, then the device may stay in the third state for a predetermined period, such as 5, 10, or 30 seconds, in recognition that the user is more likely to pick the device back up. Hence it will be appreciated that optionally the aerosol delivery system is configured to switch back from the second state to the first state at predetermined time after the detection of a person has elapsed, but also or instead (e.g. if sooner) after an aerosol delivery has been completed (i.e. the anticipated use has occurred, and it is appropriate to re-set the cycle), and/or a user interface interaction has been completed (for example a relevant interaction such as an indication to sleep, for example achieved by patting the delivery device twice, or selecting a snooze option on a Ul of the delivery device or a companion device.

Referring now also to Figure 7, a corresponding activity state determining method for an aerosol delivery system, comprises the steps of: detecting s710 a person without physical contact using at least one proximity sensor; outputting s720 a detection signal (e.g. by one or more proximity sensors) when a person is detected; receiving s730 the detection signal (for example at an activity state processor) and determining s740 (for example using an activity state processor operating under suitable software instruction) whether to change an operational 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.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that variations in the above method corresponding to operation of the various embodiments of the apparatus as described and claimed herein are considered within the scope of the present invention.

Conversely, it will be appreciated that such methods may be carried out on conventional hardware suitably adapted as applicable by software instruction or by the inclusion or substitution of dedicated hardware, an example thereof being the delivery device of Figures 2 and 6, with control unit 205 (and alternatively or in addition one more processors within a wider delivery ecosystem) operating under suitable software instruction.

Thus the required adaptation to existing parts of a conventional equivalent device may be implemented in the form of a computer program product comprising 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 realised in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or other configurable circuit suitable to use in adapting the conventional equivalent device. Separately, such a computer program may be transmitted via data signals on a network such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.

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, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

Claims

1. An aerosol delivery system, comprising: an aerosol delivery device; at least one proximity sensor configured to detect a person without physical contact by them with the sensor; and configured to output a detection signal when a person is detected; and an activity state processor configured to receive the detection signal, and to determine whether to change an operational 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.

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which: the at least one proximity sensor is located on one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. the aerosol delivery device; and ii. a companion device.

3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or claim 2, in which: compared to the second activity state, the first activity state has one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. a lower power requirement; ii. fewer active functions; iii. a lower power setting for one or more functions; and iv. an alternative function to one for the second activity state.

4. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, in which: the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor comprising a first sensor electrode and an insulating layer, creating a parasitic capacitance with the environment above the insulating layer and a proximity capacitance with a person acting as a conductor when they are within proximity of an electrical field of the capacitive sensor.

5. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, in which: the proximity sensor comprises an audio sensor operable to detect audio characteristic of proximity to a person.

6. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, in which the audio sensor comprises a plurality of microphones configured to detect one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. direction; and ii. attenuation distance of voiced sounds

7. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, in which the proximity sensor is operable to detect a delayed correlation between detected audio and an emitted audio.

8. The aerosol delivery system of claim 7 in which the emitted audio is emitted from one of the aerosol delivery device or a companion device.

9. The aerosol delivery system of claim 7 in which the proximity sensor uses the delayed correlation to detect one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. whether the aerosol delivery device has been removed from storage; and ii. a distance from the person's face.

10. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 5 - 9 in which the audio sensor is operable to detect one or more characteristic biometric feature(s) of the person.

11. The aerosol delivery system of claim 10, in which a characteristic biometric feature of the person comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. their voice; ii. their heart rate; iii. their breathing rate; and iv. the type of their breathing

12. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, comprising an electromagnetic sensor configured to detect one or more characteristic biometric feature(s) of person

13. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, comprising: at least a second sensor; and the activity state processor uses the detection signal and a signal from the at least second sensor to estimate whether a detected person may be a user.

14. The aerosol delivery system of claim 13, in which the first sensor is one of a capacitance, active audio, passive audio, or electromagnetic sensor; and the second sensor is one of a capacitance, active audio, passive audio, or electromagnetic sensor.

15. The aerosol delivery system of claim 13, in which the second sensor is one of capacitance and configured to detect a holding pattern of the person.

16. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, in which the first activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. display of a first set of information; ii. display of a first level of detail of information; iii. a lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission; iv. a lower duty cycle or lower power pre-heating; v. a lower duty cycle or lower power lighting; and vi. a lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness.

17. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, in which the second activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. display of a second set of information (being separate to or a superset of a first set of information); ii. display of second higher level of detail of information; iii. a higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission; iv. a higher duty cycle or higher power heating; v. a higher duty cycle or higher power lighting; and vi. a higher duty cycle or higher power situational awareness.

18. The aerosol delivery system of any preceding claim, in which the aerosol delivery system is configured to switch back from the second state to the first state at predetermined time after one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. detection of a person has elapsed; ii. an aerosol delivery has been completed; and iii. a user interface interaction has been completed.

19. An activity state determining method for an aerosol delivery system, comprising the steps of: detecting a person without physical contact using at least one proximity sensor; outputting a detection signal when a person is detected; receiving the detection signal; and determining whether to change an operational 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.

20. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions adapted to cause a computer system to perform the method of claim 19.