EP4672993A1

EP4672993A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4672993A1
Application number: EP24703515.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Charanjit Nandra; David Rushforth; Connor BRUTON
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-27
Filing date: 2024-02-02
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: GB202302834D0; WO2024179777A1; CN121152577A; TW202434135A; JP2026508141A

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol-generating system, a method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, and aerosol provision means.

Background

Aerosol-generating systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated by a user to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then provided for inhalation by the user. The device may be activated by a user at the push of a button or merely by the act of inhalation. Modem systems can use consumable elements containing the aerosol generating material. It can be desirable for the manufacturer to at least partially control activation of the systems to ensure high quality performance from the systems. This may avoid the activation of the system in undesirable circumstances, or provision of a sub-par aerosol.

Flexibility of use of the device or system may be desirable, however maintenance of high quality user experience and reducing potential damage to devices are considerations that are of importance in the reduction of waste from disposed broken devices. Increasing the lifetime of devices is desirable for both user and manufacturer.

The present invention is directed toward solving some of the above problems.

Summary

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

Such a system is able to detect a movement of consumable into, out of, and within a cavity in the housing of an aerosol provision device. This may allow the device to operate based on the consumable and the movement of the consumable relative to the housing, specifically with relevance to the cavity of the housing. The system may operate on recognition of the consumable to provide a safe and controlled aerosol. The system may not operate if the consumable is not recognised as an authentic consumable. This may prevent the system operating with counterfeit consumables. This allows the manufacturer to maintain high quality aerosol and prevent damage to the device/system due to use with untested third party consumables.

In particular, by detecting movements into, within and out of the device, the device may allow operation, deny operation, cease operation or alter operation of the device accordingly. Movements of recognised consumables may enable changes in the activation state of the device while movements of unrecognised consumables may not change the activation state or be able to provide activation or initiation of the aerosol provision device.

In particular, in the event that user 1 wishes to use the aerosol provision device, user 1 provides a valid, authentic consumable. The device may identify the consumable as authentic. On entry to the cavity, the activation state of the device may be updated to an operating state such that a user may be provided with an aerosol from activation of the device with the consumable within the housing. On further movement into the cavity, the activation state of the device may be updated to a boost operation state such that the user receives greater volume or aerosol. On removal of the consumable from the cavity, the activation state of the device may be updated to a non operating state such that the device cannot be operated without a consumable within the housing.

This arrangement therefore provides a high quality aerosol, limited chance of structural or functional damage to the device through use of non authentic consumables and reduces the likelihood of operation of the device without a consumable which can reduce the lifetime of the device due to overheating.

Detectors may be arranged within the housing to detect the location of the consumable within the housing. The deeper the consumable moves into the housing, the more heaters that may be activated to heat the consumable. Again, this reduces the likelihood of activation of heaters that are not proximal to the consumable. This can reduce the damaging impact of operating heaters where the thermal energy is not used in heating aerosol generating material.

The present device and system, therefore, may prevent usage from non-authentic consumables while not impacting use of the device with authentic consumables. The present system and device also has high inbuilt levels of user and device safety, and this may increase the overall lifetime of the device. The user may also control operation of the device with the consumable, such that further device interactions are not required to operate the device. This may be highly advantageous for users with reduced mobility or where the user is unable to see device controls, such as low light conditions. The user with the present arrangement is able to control operation and use of the device based on insertion of the consumable alone.

The present also reduces the likelihood of use by non-authorised users that may not be aware of how operation of the device occurs or that do not have access to authentic consumables.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosolgenerating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable; and, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the method comprising: detecting, by a detector, a consumable passing a cavity in a housing of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the detector, a signal to control circuitry of the aerosol provision device in response to the consumable passing the cavity of the housing; and, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

The method described herein may be for updating an activation state for providing an aerosol to a user. This may occur in the event that the consumable is identified as an authentic consumable. The method described herein may be for preventing provision of an aerosol to a user. This may occur in the event that the consumable is identified as non authentic. The method described herein may be for updating an activation state which may then lead to the provision of an aerosol, such as preparing the device for operation by the user. This may occur in the event the consumable is identified as an authentic consumable. The method described herein may be for updating an activation state which may then prevent provision of an aerosol, such as preventing the device from operation by the user. This may occur in the event the consumable is identified as a non authentic consumable. The method described herein may be for updating a display condition of the device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control means, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control means, wherein the control means is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means in response to receiving a signal from the detecting means.

Description of Drawings

The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures:

Figure l is a schematic view of an aerosol provision device according to an example; Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, show cross sectional views of a cavity of an aerosol provision device according to an example;

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic views of an aerosol provision device and consumable according to an example;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example; and, Figure 5 is a flow diagram according to an example.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision device 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol provision device housing 110. The aerosol provision device housing 110 has a cavity 111 for receiving a consumable. The cavity 111 is shown towards one end in the example of Figure 1 however may be located anywhere on the device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 has control circuitry 120. The control circuitry 120 is housed in the housing 110 and arranged to control an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a detector 130 arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity 111 of the housing 110 and provide a signal to the control circuitry 120. The passing may be passing into the cavity 111 or passing out of the cavity 111. The control circuitry 120 is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100 in response to receiving at least one signal from the detector 130. On each signal from the detector 130, the control circuitry 120 may update the activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100.

In an example, the user wishes to use their device 100. In this instance, the owner of an aerosol provision device 100 possesses a series of authentic consumables. As used herein, an authentic consumable is a consumable that is designed for use with the aerosol provision device 100. This may be a consumable that is produced by the manufacturer or via an official licensor of the manufacturer. An authentic consumable is contrasted with a non authentic consumable. Non authentic consumables may be produced by non licenced third parties and may not be rigorously tested for compatibility with the aerosol provision device 100. The sizes of non authentic consumables may not be such that they align with the components of the aerosol provision device 100 required to heat, as intended, the consumable. As such, the manufacturer may be able to control the quality of the aerosol provided by the device 100 by increasing the likelihood that authentic consumables are used rather than non authentic consumables. This also has an impact on the lifetime of the device 100 and the safety of the user.

The user, in an example, inserts an authentic consumable into the cavity 111. The detector 130 detects the movement of the consumable past the cavity 111 (initially into the housing 110). The detector 130 provides a signal to the control circuitry 120. The detector 130 provides a signal associated with the consumable. This may be by virtue of noting an identifier on the consumable or via other means. The identifier may be a QR code, a bar code, RFID tag, or any other visual or physical identifier. The control circuitry 120 may compare the signal to a database of known authentic consumables and identifies the consumable as authentic. On detection of an authentic consumable being inserted into the housing 110, the control circuitry 120 may update the activation state of the device 100 to an operating state, i.e. a state in which the device 100 may be operated to provide an aerosol to the user from the consumable. In the event that either no signal is received from the detector 130 (because the non authentic consumable has no identifier), or the control circuitry 120 identifies the consumable as non authentic (by virtue of the identifier not being in the database of authentic consumables), the control circuitry 120 may update an activation state and/or display condition to a non operating state of the aerosol provision device 100, or the like.

The movement, detected by the detector 130, may be device movement towards the consumable or consumable movement towards the device. As such, the relative movement between the consumable and the cavity 111 can be detected by the detector 130/control circuitry 120 pair. The speed of movement is not overly relevant for detection, the detector 130 may be able to detect the passing of a consumable. There is no minimum speed or maximum speed within the typical use regime of a user device. The detector 130 may be arranged at the mouth of the cavity 111 so as to detect entry and exit of the consumable. In this instance the detector 130 may be a movement sensor, light gate, camera or the like which may note the entry of a consumable into and exit from the cavity. The detector 130 may additionally or alternatively be arranged alongside a heater (or heating element) of the device 100, such that the consumable can be detected once arranged in the housing 110 in a position suitable for heating. If the consumable is recognised as authentic, the heater may then be activated according to instructions from the control circuitry 120. If the consumable is not recognised, or recognised as non authentic, the control circuitry 120 will not activate the heater. In this way, the device 100 can be used only with authentic consumables.

The consumable may comprise aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be solid and/or liquid and/or vapour. The consumable may be example a stick containing tobacco (a THP stick), a cartridge containing a liquid (a vapour liquid cartridge) and/or vapour liquid. There is no intended limit as each of these could readily have a physical, visual, electrical or magnetic indicator on the consumable for recognition by the circuitry 120 / detector 130 pair. In an example, the housing 110 may have a spike within the cavity onto which the consumable is inserted prior to use. The spike may be a heater, contain heating elements or have heating elements around some portion of the spike. The detector 130 may be a pressure sensor for detecting the consumable being inserted into the cavity and onto the spike. The physical arrangement of the consumable may be indicative of the authenticity of the consumable. In that, some portion of an authentic consumable may interact in some manner with the spike that is not replicated in a non authentic consumable. In this way, the detector 130 and control circuitry 120 can detect an authentic consumable from a non authentic consumable.

In a similar way the cavity may be of a particular cross section that corresponds to the cross section of an authentic consumable. The cavity may have a broadly circular cross section but with a flat section such that perfectly circular consumables (a common shape that might be adopted by non authentic consumable makers) cannot be inserted into the cavity. The cavity may have a ridge or rib running along a length of, or some portion of, the cavity. Some examples are shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 2A, there is shown a cavity 211a with a flat section 212a. A perfectly circular consumable can not properly be inserted into the cavity 211a and therefore this provides a physical preventive measure against non authentic consumables. A circular consumable may be forced into the cavity, however this would significantly damage the consumable. Referring to Figure 2B, there is shown a cavity 211b with a rib 212b. An authentic consumable would match this cross section and therefore be able to be inserted without damage to the consumable. A non authentic consumable would not match this cross section and therefore not be able to be inserted without damage to the consumable. Referring to Figure 2C, there is a cavity 211c with an uncommon cross section (a star shape in the example shown). The more complex to manufacture a consumable with the cross section fitting the cavity, the harder it is for counterfeit or non authentic goods to be used with the present system. Each of these provide a physical prevention against use of non authentic consumables which is synergistic with the indicator recognition system of the detector and control circuitry to provide a highly sophisticated system for significantly increasing the likelihood of use of the system with authentic consumables rather than use with non authentic consumables. The movement of the consumable into the cavity may be used to control activation of the device. This arrangement may be such that a user need not provide extra activation instructions, either by pressing an activation button or the like. This may be advantageous for use by users that have reduced mobility and are unable to hold the device, insert the consumable and press a button with ease. This may also be advantageous in low lighting situations where the user may struggle to easily provide additional commands to the device.

Referring now to Figure 3, there are shown a series of use examples of an aerosol provision device with a consumable. In Figure 3A, there is shown an aerosol provision device 300 with a housing 310 and a cavity 311. The housing 310 holds two detectors 330a, 330b and control circuitry (not shown). The example has a consumable 350 being inserted into the cavity 311 of the housing 310. In the example of Figure 3 A, the consumable 350 has not yet been detected by either detector 330a, 330b. As such, the device 300 is in a non operating state. The default state may be non operating such that the heating elements, power source and the like are not operable for a user wishing to be provided with an aerosol. The device 300 may need to recognise an authentic consumable prior to be updated to an activation state that can provide an aerosol to the user.

In Figure 3B, the user has inserted the consumable 350 further into the cavity 311 of the housing 310 of the device 300. The consumable 350 is now in a position to be identified by detector 330a. The consumable 350 is detected moving into the cavity 311 by detector 330a and the control circuitry (not shown) knows that the consumable is in a specific position within the device 300. If the control circuitry and detector arrangement identify the consumable as authentic, the control circuitry may update the activation state of the device 300 to an operating state. In this way, the user may be provided with an aerosol from the consumable 350. In this example, the heaters may be located around the portion of the device 300 indicated broadly by the double ended arrow A. In this way the device 300 operates heaters only in a portion of the device where the heat is to be used in generating aerosol, i.e. where the device 300 knows at least some portion of the consumable 350 is located. This increases the efficiency of the device 300 and reduces the likelihood of damaging the device 300 by activating heaters that are not near the consumable 350. The user may then inhale on the device 300 to receive an aerosol generated from the authentic consumable 350 recognised by the control circuitry as being located suitably for aerosol generating within a portion of the housing 310.

In Figure 3C, the user has further inserted the consumable 350 into the cavity 311. The consumable 350 may now be detected by detector 330b located deeper into the cavity 311 than detector 330a. The control circuitry (not shown) may identify the consumable 350 as being located deeper into the cavity 311 and may activate heaters (or heating elements) broadly located in the area shown by double ended arrow B. The control circuitry therefore updates the activation state based on detection by the detector 330b of the consumable passing a portion of the cavity 311. Such an activation state may be a “boost” operating state, wherein the device 300 now provides a greater amount of aerosol from the consumable 350 due to a greater number of heating elements heating the consumable 350. In this way, the user may control the activation state only by the insertion (and further insertion) of the consumable 350 into the device 300. As mentioned above, this may be highly effective and user friendly for a user with reduced mobility, who may be unable to perform multiple complex and delicate manoeuvres with ease, or for users with reduced vision, unable to see small activation buttons on the device 300.

On removal of the consumable 350 from the cavity 311, the detector 330b may initially note the removal of the consumable 350. On detection of the consumable moving out of the cavity by the detector 330b, the activation state may be updated from a boost operating state to a normal operating state. The heaters or heating elements in the portion B may stop operating. As detector 330a notes the removal of the consumable 350 the heaters or heating elements in portion A may stop operating, changing the activation state from an operating state to a non operating state. The detectors 330 are able to detect the direction of movement of the consumable 350 so as to detect whether the consumable 350 is being inserted or removed. Where activation states are discussed herein, a display condition may also or alternatively be updated.

The cavity 311 may have a spike or heater blade onto which the consumable 350 is inserted. This may detect a pressure from the consumable 350 being inserted into the cavity 311 and an activation state may be updated accordingly. The cavity 311 may have a series of spikes arranged to jut inwards from the cavity walls each of which may provide heating to the consumable 350. There may be a series of radial heaters that may be operated as a series of detectors 330 identify that an authentic consumable 350 is passing that portion of the cavity 311 within the housing 310. In this way, a level of aerosol may be provided to the user based on the distance into the housing 310 the consumable 350 is inserted. If a user desires a large aerosol, the consumable 350 may be inserted a long way into the cavity 311. If a user desires a small aerosol, the consumable 350 may be inserted a short way into the cavity 311.

If the consumable is not authentic, the detectors 330 will not recognise the consumable 350 and the device 300 will not be updated to an activation state that allows operation. In this way the manufacturer can prevent usage in undesirable conditions with untested and potentially dangerous consumables 350. This in turn increase the lifetime of the device 300 and the user experience.

The present invention involves updating an activation state of an aerosol provision device. In an “operating state”, elements of the aerosol provision device used to generate an aerosol (such as an atomiser, heater, power source or the like) may be activated. The specific activation of the device may require an additional input that may be inhalation on the device, pressing a button on the device or the like. As noted above, however, such additional input is not required and may not be desirable in certain circumstances. The device may automatically generate aerosol by a heater (or heating elements) in response to receiving a signal associated with an authentic consumable. The control circuitry may receive such a signal from the detector and send a signal to a heater arrangement or the like to provide an aerosol from an aerosol generating material that may be contained fully or partially within the aerosol provision device. In a “non operating state”, such elements may not be used to generate an aerosol.

Updating the activation state may be to an operating or a non-operating state. Updating the display condition may relate to providing an indication to a user that the device has been updated to an operating or non operating state. The display condition may be provided by a visual display, an audio indicator, a haptic indicator or the like. The display condition may correspond to the activation state of the device. For example, a first display condition may be associated with a first activation state of the device, while a second display condition may be associated with a second activation state of the device. In an example, the control circuitry may be arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating state in response to receiving signals from the detector associated with removal of the consumable from the cavity. In this example, the default state of the device may be an operating state.

In an example, the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving signals from a detector associated with insertion of the consumable into the cavity. In this example, the default state of the device may be a non-operating state. This may be preferable in most circumstances to reduce the likelihood of use of the device with non authentic consumables.

These examples provide contrasting advantages. Starting the device in an operating state and preventing use after the consumable is characterised as non authentic increases the authorised user experience of the device as there is a reduced delay time to providing an aerosol in use, therefore the device inhibits the authorised user use in only a very reduced manner. Starting the device in a non-operating state and enabling use after the consumable is characterised as authentic increases the overall safety of the device and fully prevents non-authorised users (i.e. users using non authentic consumables) from accessing the device. The default state may be chosen by the manufacturer but amended by an authorised user or owner of the device.

An authorised user may be an owner of the device. An authorised user may be a user of a suitable age for use of the device. An authorised user may be a user with an active account relating to the device or the manufacturer of the device. A non-authorised user may therefore be a user that is not the owner, not of a suitable age or not registered with the device or the like.

The device may also (or alternatively) update a display condition of the aerosol provision device. The display condition may correspond to the activation state of the aerosol provision device. In an example, the display condition may be audio and/or visual indications associated with use of an aerosol provision device such as visual indications of embers or smoke puffs. The audio indications may be the crackle of fire or the popping of heated aerosol generating material or the like. A user with authentic consumables is therefore able to use movements of the consumable to control use of the device in a safe and highly user-friendly manner. The movements may be staged such that a first amount of movement updates the device to a first activation state while a second (further) amount of movement updates the device to a second (further) activation state (such as operating from first movement and boost from a second movement). The movements may be reasonably straight forward enabling a user with reduced mobility to control the use of their device in a simple manner.

In an example, the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to an operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with an authentic consumable (for example on insertion of the consumable into the device). The display may be fiery embers or the like or smoke puffs. In an example, the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with an authentic consumable (for example on removal of the consumable from the device). This may cause the display condition to move to gentle, died down embers or a lack of smoke. In an example, the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from a detector associated with an authentic consumable being moved deeper into the housing. The colour of the embers on the display may be different when the device is in boost mode when compared to a normal operating mode. The embers may be brighter or a different colour. The visual smoke output may be larger on a display as well as a larger amount of aerosol being provided to the user for inhalation.

The detector (or detectors) may be at least one of: a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a capacitor (housing located or otherwise); a heat sensor; an accelerometer; an altimeter; a motion detector; a light gate; a pressure sensor; a bar code reader; a QR code reader; and, a camera. In this way, movements of the consumable may be recognised by the device into and out of the device. These detectors also allow for identification of the authentication status of the consumable, whether authentic or non authentic. In an example, the device has a display screen on which visual indications can be provided to a user during use. The display screen may represent the display condition of the device. The control circuitry may control the display on the display screen. The device may also or additionally have an audio element to provide audio indications to a user. The screen may be OLED or contain LEDs or the like. This may improve user experience as the display provides a confirmation check that the insertion of the consumable has been recognised by the device. Specifically, if the user is not aware whether the consumable is authentic or non authentic, the display can show the user that a consumable has been recognised by the device (e.g. by a movement sensor), and that the consumable is, or is not, authentic (e.g. by a bar code reader detecting or not detecting a valid bar code). This provides a more user friendly device and improves the overall safety of the device as the user is informed as to the status of the consumable rather than the device merely not operating on what the user may believe is an authentic consumable.

The user may be able to interact with the indications on the display screen physically. For example, the display may show smoke when the device is being operated. The user may be able to swipe through the smoke using movements detected by the detector.

In an example, the display screen may be a display screen with a full wrap-around display. The device may be broadly cylindrical in shape and the screen may be wrapped somewhat or entirely around a portion of the housing. Such an arrangement improves the indications provided by the screen as the screen is more easily visible for a user. As such, indications are more likely to be seen.

In an example, the detector is a pressure sensor arranged to detect pressure applied by the consumable to a heater spike. The portion of the heater spike that is connected to the consumable may be the portion that is heated, such that a greater insertion of the consumable onto the spike leads to a greater amount of the spike that is activated for heating and a greater aerosol that is provided by the device.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an example of an aerosol provision system 400. The aerosol provision system 400 shown in the example of Figure 4 is similar to the aerosol provision devices 100, 300 shown in the examples of Figures 1 and 3. The aerosol provision system 400 of Figure 4 has a housing 410 with a cavity 411. The system 400 has control circuitry 420 arranged within an aerosol provision device 410 of the aerosol provision system 400. The control circuitry 420 is in communication with a detector 430. The detector 430 is arranged to detect a consumable passing the cavity 411 of the housing 410 and provide a signal to the control circuitry 420. The detector 430 is shown, in the example of Figure 4, as being not integral with the aerosol provision device 410. In the example, therefore, the detector 430 is separate to the aerosol provision device 410 while being part of the aerosol provision system 400. The detector 430 may be wirelessly connected to the aerosol provision device 410. The detector 430 may therefore be provided by a further component, such that if the aerosol provision device 410 is lost the detector 430 may still be retained. Furthermore, use of a detector 430 outside the aerosol provision device 410 renders the aerosol provision device 410 simpler and cheaper to manufacture. As such, the aerosol provision system 400 may be a preferential arrangement for provision of the advantages described herein.

Figure 5 shows a method 500 of use of an aerosol provision device. The method 500 is shown as a flow chart. In the method 500, the device may start in a default state 502, which may be a non-operating state such that a user cannot use the device without a consumable being recognised as authentic being inserted into the device.

When a user attempts to use the device, the device detects movement of a consumable into the device. The device may detect passing of a consumable through a cavity. The device detects the movement (or movements) using a detector (which may contain a number of individual sensors/detectors) and then may attempt to detect authentication status of the consumable. The detector may detect 504 the movement and authenticity as explained above.

The detector sends a signal accordingly to the control circuitry 506. An assessment is made as to whether the consumable is authentic or not. This assessment may involve comparing the detected bar code, QR code or the like against a database of known authentic consumables. If the consumable corresponds to a consumable on the database, the consumable is deemed authentic. If the consumable does not correspond to a consumable on the database, the consumable is deemed not authentic. An activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device (or aerosol provision system) is updated 508, in response to the signal from the detector. The activation state may be updated as described above. Updating the display condition may take the form of updating a visual indicator or an audio indicator. In an example, this may be a screen, such as a display screen, or (one or more) LEDs, full wrap around screen or a speaker arrangement or the like. This can be used to inform the user as to the status of the consumable in the aerosol provision device.

The display may be a series of LEDs or the like that light up as the consumable is inserted deeper into the cavity. For example, the LEDs may be off or red when the consumable is not inserted and turn on or green as the consumable is inserted into the device. In this way, the user is aware of how far into the device the consumable is being inserted and therefore is aware of how much aerosol to expect. Different LED colours may be used to indicate a first operating state such as operating and a second such as boost. For example, the LEDs may turn blue when the consumable is inserted to the point that the boost operating condition is satisfied. This improves user experience as the user is informed of the performance condition of the device in terms of the aerosol to be provided to the user. The lights may be red or off when the device is in a non operating state.

This method provides a user-friendly, authentication recognition process that does not require complex movements from a user to initiate use of their device. The method offers a balance between overly strict and overly lenient access protection for the device. With ease, a user can use authentic consumables with the device.

The detector as noted above may be a series of detectors. The detector may be one instrument or an array of instruments. The detector as disclosed herein may include a series of instruments that operate simultaneously or together to provide high resolution movement detection of the movements of a potential user. For example, a series of light gates may be used to detect the location of the consumable within the housing and a series of QR code readers may be able to ascertain whether the consumable at each location in the housing is an authentic consumable. This may use a consumable with a series of QR codes along an edge, however each complexity in the consumable is a further hurdle for counterfeit goods to overcome and therefore increases the safety of the device and the user as well as increasing the quality of the aerosol provided by the device.

The term “in response to” may be used herein to indicate a second event (such as a signal or change of state of an aerosol provision device) that occurs subsequent to a first event. The second event may occur at a later time, after a predetermined time, or immediately after the first event.

The full range of operating states of the aerosol provision device (or system) disclosed herein may be very wide ranging assisting the aerosol provision device to provide different aerosols for the user. The operating states may be more than operational, non operational and boost as disclosed herein. Operating modes may be programed by users, if for example a user prefers certain operating characteristics. For example, longer or shorter puff lengths or a larger or lesser puff volume. This improves user experience by offering a greater array of functions. Each may be associated by the user to a certain amount of consumable being inserted into the housing, so that a gradual increase in aerosol is possible for the user to request.

The aerosol provision device may comprise heating arrangements or the like for providing an aerosol from a consumable - the consumable may contain an aerosol generating material or the like. The control circuitry may control the heating arrangement (or the like) according to the signal received from the detector. Once consumable authentication status is satisfied, the device may offer the user one of a number of heating processes for use with the aerosol generating material, arranged in use in the aerosol provision device, to improve user experience. Alternatively, one movement may be associated with one heating process while another movement is associated with another heating process. This may be part of the updating of the activation state of the aerosol provision device.

Authentic consumable data may be stored on a database that is remote to or on board the device or system as disclosed herein. The control circuitry may communicate with the database. The signal from the detector may be compared, by the control circuitry, to the database. If the signal is associated with an authentic consumable, the device is updated into an operational state. An on board database arrangement may be advantageous as the device need not have a communications element in the device able to communicate with a remotely held database, and the device need not be connected to a communications network to access a remotely held database prior to each use session. This may allow use of the device in areas without connectivity. This may also provide a faster response than via communicating with a remote database.

In a different example, the database of authentic consumables is held remotely, and the control circuitry has a communication module to contact the database. The communication module may contact the database with a request for checking a specific consumable. The communication module, and therefore the control circuity, is then provided with the authentication status of the consumable based on the identifiers on the consumables, which is relayed to the control circuitry. This arrangement may be advantageous as the device need not include a memory element for carrying the database and the database of consumables can be remotely updated ensuring the device need not have the on board database regularly updated. In this way, up-to-date consumable data can be provided to all devices as soon as the consumable data is uploaded to the central database. This may happen during manufacture updates in the production of consumables.

In this way, all users can be provided with the updates without each needing to update their own device. The remote database may be a manufacturer database or the like for checking consumable authentication status. This may be advantageous if the manufacturer finds that certain consumables require recall or have expired. The resilience of this system, and user experience, is therefore improved using a remote database.

The device and system herein are described as comprising several components that enable several advantages. The components may be disclosed as on-board the device or within the system. The components may be distributed and therefore not necessarily be located onboard the device. The functionality of the device can be provided by communicatively connected components, and such communication may be wireless, enabling such distribution. At which point it is reasonable to foresee that a distributed array of components will operate in the manner of the devices and systems disclosed herein. Components of the device or system may be contained in a further device such as a smartphone, computer, or remote server or the like.

The method and device disclosed herein enable protection over the use of the device without requiring an arduous authentication checking process - the process is only as arduous as inserting the consumable (correctly) into the device. This improves the user experience of the device and the safety of general use of the device. The default state of the device may also be controlled and amended by the user, to allow a shift between greater security or greater freedom of access.

The devices and systems disclosed herein may be used with consumables comprising aerosol generating material. Such consumables may be solid or liquid and may be cartridges, sticks, pods or the like.

In a particular example, the device disclosed herein may operate with a flavour pod which is replaceable in the device - this may be referred to as a consumable. The flavour may be any of tobacco and glycol and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, j asmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

When combined with an aerosol generating medium, the aerosol provision device as disclosed herein may be referred to as an aerosol provision system. Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

The aerosol provision system may be used in a tobacco industry product, for example a noncombustible aerosol provision system.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.

In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and optionally a mouthpiece.

In one embodiment the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment the substrate container is combined with or comprises the heater.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an aerosolizable material which may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material. In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic article.

In one embodiment the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source which is capable of supplying heat energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by burning a combustion material, such as charcoal.

In one embodiment the heating product also comprises a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

In some embodiments the aerosolizable substrate material may comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior electronic aerosol provision system. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, 1 features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable comprises aerosol generating material.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a nonoperating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to an operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

7. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a nonoperating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

8. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the detector is at least one of: a magnetometer; a capacitor; a heat sensor; a motion detector; a light gate; a pressure sensor; a bar code reader; a QR code reader; and, a camera.

10. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the detector is arranged to detect at least one portion of the aerosol generating material entering and/or exiting the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry.

11. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of detectors arranged in the housing to detect at least one portion of the aerosol generating material passing a plurality of portions of the cavity respectively and provide a signal to the control circuitry.

12. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a display screen, the control circuitry arranged to control a display condition of the display screen.

13. An aerosol-generating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable; and, control circuitry, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; a detector arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

14. An aerosol provision system according to claim 13, wherein the consumable comprises aerosol generating material.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the detector is not integral with the aerosol provision device.

16. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to at least one of: an operating state; a non-operating state; and, a boost operating state, in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

17. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to at least one of: an operating display condition; a non-operating display condition; and, a boost operating display condition, in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

18. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the detector is at least one of: a magnetometer; a capacitor; a heat sensor; a motion detector; a light gate; a pressure sensor; a bar code reader; a QR code reader; and, a camera.

19. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 18, wherein the detector is arranged to detect at least one portion of the aerosol generating material entering and/or exiting the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control circuitry.

20. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a plurality of detectors arranged to detect at least one portion of the aerosol generating material passing a plurality of portions of the cavity respectively and provide a signal to the control circuitry.

21. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 13 to 20, further comprising a display screen, the control circuitry arranged to control a display condition of the display screen.

22. A method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the method comprising: detecting, by a detector, a consumable passing a cavity in a housing of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the detector, a signal to control circuitry of the aerosol provision device in response to the consumable passing the cavity of the housing; and, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device comprises updating an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with aerosol generating material passing the cavity of the housing.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, comprising detecting, by a first detector, a first portion of aerosol generating material passing a first portion of a cavity in a housing of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the first detector, a signal to control circuitry of the aerosol provision device in response to the first portion of aerosol generating material passing the first portion of the cavity of the housing; and, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving the signal from the first detector; detecting, by a second detector, a first portion of aerosol generating material passing a second portion of a cavity in a housing of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the second detector, a signal to the control circuitry of the aerosol provision device in response to the first portion of the aerosol generating material passing the second portion of the cavity of the housing; and, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating state in response to receiving the signal from the second detector.

25. Aerosol provision means for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for receiving a consumable, control means, housed in the housing, for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged to detect the consumable passing the cavity of the housing and provide a signal to the control means, wherein the control means is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means in response to receiving a signal from the detecting means.