EP4673002A1

EP4673002A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4673002A1
Application number: EP24707756.3A
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: 2024-02-26
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: GB202302824D0; CN121013663A; JP2026506927A; WO2024180013A1

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect one or more user interactions with the communication element; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

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. Modern systems can use consumable elements containing the aerosol generating material. There are many aspects that a user may wish to track over the lifetime of the device. Ease of understanding and tracking these allows the user to adapt their usage to the conditions of the device and therefore improves the lifetime of the device and the user experience with the device.

Modern electronic aerosol-generating systems and aerosol provision devices and the like have been introduced as alternatives to other older or more traditional systems, such as systems relying on combustion of material to provide an aerosol. Reduced confidence when trying modern systems for older system users is known.

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 comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect one or more user interactions with the communication element; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

Such a system is able to provide users with indications in relation to relevant operational concerns. The present system may use indications that are visual and/or audio and/or haptic or the like. While indications are useful for providing to the user updates on the changing use characteristics of the device or the elements within the device, representing user interactions in the indications is advantageous for interactivity with the device, control of the device and increasing confidence of new users with the device.

The user may be able to control a function or functions of the device via interactions with the indications. In this way, greater control is provided to the user without the requirement for switches or on/off buttons etc, which can be difficult to utilise for users with reduced movement. Furthermore, the indications may be arranged to be familiar to users of older or more traditional systems. In an example, the indications may appear to show a cigarette burning down during use to indicate to the user the use characteristic of remaining session time due to remaining useable consumable within the device. Advantageously, this emulates end user’s existing habits or rituals that they have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional combustible-type products. This increases the familiarity of the newer device for the older user and therefore increases confidence with the device as well as increasing the likelihood that the user continues to use the newer, more environmentally friendly, device.

A combination of types of indication may be extremely user friendly for handheld devices and have been found to integrate well into such devices. A visual indication may be advantageous in loud environments (factories, music arenas, etc.) wherein an audio signal may be lost to background noise. An audio indication may be advantageous in an example wherein the user has in an example wherein the user is not in sight of the device but is within audio distance, or in the example that the user may be partially sighted or in low lighting conditions. Both may be advantageous in cold weather when the user may be wearing gloves and therefore not responsive to haptic indications. Haptic indications may be advantageous when a user is unable to easily receive visual or audio signals. In an example, the communication element is arranged to provide at least one visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status. The indication may be interactive or otherwise.

Each of these are highly relevant characteristics of the device and may inform the user on how best to approach continued use of their device. In particular, in modern devices the status of the firmware of the device is highly important. By informing the user whether the firmware is up to date, updating, or out of date, the user can approach use of their device or updating their device accordingly. The more complex such devices become, the more important and relevant up to date firmware is for the device to function as intended by the manufacturer. As such, for optimum performance, the user may be informed when the firmware requires updating and arrange such update accordingly.

In an example, the user may interact with the indication from the device. An indication may enable the user to interact with the indication to immediately request update of the firmware when possible. For example, an audio indication may note that “firmware out of date”, and the user may respond with a recognisable action phrase such as “please update firmware”. The device will then attempt to update firmware when next suitable (for example, when connections to a server can be made, e.g. via WiFi or the like). The device may encourage the user to connect to WiFi (or the like) to enable the firmware to be updated.

In an example, power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargeable; and not chargeable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: up to date; out of date; and updating.

Each of these are highly relevant for a user of such an aerosol provision device. The user may be informed of usual day-to-day concerns such as power source level (i.e. how charged is the battery or the like) as well as rarer more pressing concerns such as whether the power source is faulty in some way and requires repair or replacement (i.e. not chargeable is a condition wherein the device could not be charged even if desired and therefore indicates an error state for the device). With this information, the user is well informed by the communication element as to the situation of the device from a mechanical, electrical, computational (firmware) and overall functioning level. The user is therefore highly prepared for actions that may be required (charging the power source, replacing a component, removing and supplying a consumable or aerosol generating material, connecting to a network and updating the firmware or the like).

In an example, the communication element is arranged to, in response to a first user interaction, provide a first interactive indication; and, in response to a second user interaction, provide a second interactive indication. In this way, a user may request information be provided to them via a specific call command. In an example, running a finger along an edge of the communication element, the communication element provides information on the current battery charge level of the device. In an example, in response to tapping the communication element, the communication element provides an indication of the type of consumable in the device. The user may then interact with the indication to, e.g., turn off the device to conserve battery or change the heating mode to a boost function (for example when the user deems the battery level to be high).

In such a way, the communication element may be arranged to provide device control to a user. The device control may comprise at least one of: activation status of the device; and, functioning condition of the device.

The activation status of the device may be for example on or off. The functioning condition may be the conditions for aerosol production, such as high aerosol volume, low aerosol volume, long puffs, short puffs, aerosol or heater temperature etc.

The communication element may be arranged at least one of: on the elongate longitudinal portion of the housing; on a distal end of the housing; and, around the housing in a continuous display.

The communication element may be elongate. This may further increase familiarity of the device for users of older or more traditional systems. In particular, and in combination or not with an elongate element, the communication element may illustrate bum down of a consumable. The remaining use time for the consumable in the device may be represented on the communication element. As this is reduced, a burning down visual indication may be shown. This increases the familiarity of the newer aerosol provision device system for users of older combustible systems. As such, the confidence of these users is increased by the provision of this information. Users of older or more traditional systems may not be familiar with checking e-liquid levels (e.g.) or the like and therefore this system may be beneficial for such users. The user may be able to interact with the burning down visual by tapping away the ash building up on the visual. Again, this increases familiarity with newer devices for old device users. Advantageously, this emulates end user’s existing habits or rituals that they have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional combustible-type products.

Similarly, an interactive audio indication may be a crackling and/or a popping and/or a spitting sound. This may be a pre-recorded audio segment that is used to emulate the sounds produced during the burning of, for example, a normal combustible device such as a cigarette or a cigar. The precise audio provided by a combustible device may depend on the structure, condition and status of the aerosol generating material within the combustible device. For example, a first cigarette of a first material may provide a different audio soundscape to a second cigarette of a second material. The communication element may be able to provide a variety of audio signals according to user choice or based on a detection of the aerosol generating material within the device. This may further increase familiarity for users of older devices and thereby increase their confidence of use of newer devices, reducing the likelihood of such users reverting to those older devices.

Similarly, a visual interactive indication may be based on a detection of the type of aerosol generating material within the device. The visual indication may be one of: burning embers; emitting of vapour; and, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable. The colours of the embers, or the length of time of the bum down, may vary depending on the aerosol generating material used in the device. The communication element may be a human machine interface or a touchscreen or the like.

In this way, the indications are used to clearly provide vast amounts of data to a user for processing accordingly. This can improve user confidence with the device and increase the lifetime of the device as the user can respond proactively to repairs being required. For example, upon being informed that the heater is not functioning, the user may be able to interact with the indication informing the user of this by repairing or booking a repair appointment with a manufacturer representative. For example, this advantageously streamlines the end user’s interactions with a repair and/or a replacement service and allows the not operational, broken, and/or faulty aspect of the product to be repaired in a timely and efficient manner. This improves the user experience of the device, and also increases the lifetime of the device and the safety of general use of the device.

In an example, the detector is arranged to detect a first predetermined user interaction and a further predetermined user interaction; and, the communication element is arranged to: in response to a first predetermined user interaction, provide a corresponding first interactive indication; and, in response to a further predetermined user interaction, provide an altered first interactive indication. In such an example, a double tap may reveal a smoke plume of the colour and volume associated with the aerosol generating material and the inhalation of the user. In a further motion (such as a swipe) the smoke plume may be moved by the user.

Such a movement could be used to impact function. E.g. the user could swipe up on the plume to increase the amount of vapour provided per inhalation or swipe down to reduce the amount of vapour provided per inhalation. This may be represented to the user by a smaller or larger plume of smoke on the communication element. This may also be indicated via audio and/or haptic indications.

The device control provided to the user via the communication element may be at least one of activation status of the device and functioning condition of the device. This may relate to e.g. on/off/lock/sleep commands (activation status) or high plume, low plume, long puff, short puff, and/or temperatures of aerosol provided (functioning condition).

The detector may be any of a type suitable for detecting user interactions with the device. For example a pressure sensor, light gate, capacitor, an airflow sensor or the like. Each of these allow for recognition of the user interacting with the communication element such that indications from the communication element (visual, audio or haptic) can be amended to represent the interaction from the user. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosolgenerating system for providing indications to a user, comprising: aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect user interaction with the elongate longitudinal portion; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an indication to a user, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device with a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion and a communication element arranged on the device, and a detector arranged on the device; providing, by the communication element, an indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device, representing in the indication, by the communication element, a user interaction with the detector.

The method described herein may be for providing an aerosol to a user from an aerosol provision device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; communication means arranged on the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged on the aerosol provision means to detect one or more user interactions with the communication means; wherein the communication means is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means and, wherein user interactions with the detecting means are represented in the indications to the user.

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;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example; and, Figure 3 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 distal end and a proximal end. The housing has an elongate longitudinal portion 112. The housing 110 may be a broadly cylindrical shape, with a longer longitudinal portion than a corresponding transverse portion, this is not however required for the benefits of the devices disclosed herein. The housing 110 may have a cross section that is not circular, it may be of any cross section, while for example maintaining an elongate longitudinal portion. The device 100 has a communication element 120 arranged on (and/or in) the device 100. The communication element 120 may be arranged on a surface of or within the device 100. The communication element 120 may be arranged near or towards the distal end portion or the proximal end portion. The communication element 120 is arranged to provide interactive indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device 100. The device 100 has a detector 130 arranged on the device 100. The detector 130 is arranged to detect one or more user interactions with the communication element 120. In the device 100, user interactions with the detector 130 are represented in the indications to the user.

The communication element 120 may be arranged to provide an indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device 100. The indication may be visual, audio and/or haptic. The indication may be interactive, allowing the user to interact with the interaction from the communication 120 via the detector 130. The communication element 120 may be referred to as an interactive communication element 120 arranged to provide interactive indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device 100.

The communication element 120 may be connected (wirelessly or wired) to control circuitry shown in Figure 1 as numeral 150. The detector 130 may be connected (wirelessly or wired) to control circuitry 150. The control circuitry 150 may control when indications are provided to the user and control how interactions with the indications are interpreted, used and relayed back to the user (where relevant). The control circuitry 150 may therefore receive commands of the user via the detector 130 and execute the commands accordingly for the communication element 120. For example, if the user interacts with the indications from the communication element 120 to request turning the device 100 off (the precise interaction is not important), the detector 130 detects this interaction and provides a corresponding signal to the control circuitry 150 which receives this signal and controls the cessation of operation of the device 100 accordingly by, for example, providing a signal to the power source.

In an example, the device 100 is operating and the communication element 120 provides an audio indication of a gentle crackling sound to indicate the device 100 is operating. The user may interact audibly and say “cease operation”, the detector 130 detects the request and provides a signal to the control circuitry 150. The control circuitry 150 recognises the command as a predetermined command and provides a signal to the power source to cease further operation of the device 100.

The present arrangement increases the connectivity and interactivity between the indications provided to the user and the users interactions with the indications. This improves the ease of use of the device particularly for users with reduced mobility. This arrangement also improves the confidence of a user familiar with older devices but not newer devices. Newer devices are often more robust and environmentally friendly than older devices and therefore it is advantageous to encourage users to use newer devices. Therefore user engagement can be improved which in turn has environmental benefits. The present arrangement associates well with factory made cigarettes for users, which can be environmentally unfriendly.

For example, the device 100 disclosed herein may be arranged to disclose to the user via a visual signal that the heater (heating elements or the like) of the device 100 is not functioning properly. For this to occur, the device 100 may have a thermal detector assessing the performance of the heating elements and an electrical detector detecting the supply of electrical power to the heating elements. In the event that the electrical detector or the thermal detector detect a change in performance, the control circuitry 150 may receive signals from these, compare the signals against known correctly functioning levels and assess whether the device 100 is functioning as expected. In the event that the signals from the detectors indicate an issue, the control circuitry 150 may send a signal to the communication element 120 to provide an indication (whether audio, visual or haptic) to the user accordingly that a repair, or user intervention of some form, may be required.

The communication element 120 may be arranged at least one of: on the elongate longitudinal portion of the housing 110; on a distal end of the housing 110; and, around the housing 110 in a continuous display. This may be highly advantageous for increasing the familiarity of the device 100 to users of older combustible devices. A visual portion of the communication element 120 may light up in a way that is reminiscent of a lit cigarette (when arranged distally) and/or show burn down of a cigarette along the length of the device 100 (when arranged on an elongate longitudinal portion of the housing 110. Using a continuous display, for example wrapped around the housing 110, provides increased visibility for users with reduced visual ability, such that indications are less likely to be overlooked by the user and realistically emulates the end user’s existing habits or rituals.

This arrangement may be able to provide information for the user in a manner that is nonintrusive but highly informative. The communications from the communication element 120 may additionally increase familiarity for users more used to older combustible systems to increase the confidence of use of newer systems.

The communication element 120 may be able to provide a visual indication that is reminiscent of burning down of a cigarette as the aerosol generating material in the device 100 is depleted. A portion of the communication element 120 may be arranged along some length of the elongate longitudinal portion 112 of the device 100. This may assist provision of an indication that shows the depletion of the aerosol generating material as may be seen in a typical disposable combustible product (from distal end to proximal end). Encouraging users of such older or more traditional systems to use newer reuseable systems may also reduce the total devices disposed and therefore provide an environmental benefit. The visual portion of the communication element 120 may be a touch screen or the like. The visual portion of the communication element 120 may be a human machine interface.

Provision of indications at the distal portion of the housing 110 is a user friendly location for providing information to the user as it is highly visible for the user. As such, the use of visual indications at the distal portion of the device 100 is synergistic in providing data readily to the user as well as increasing the confidence of users of older or more traditional systems as indications mimic the effects associated with combustible products. Visual indications are particularly useful in loud environments wherein the user may not be able to detect audio indications. Interactive haptic indications may also be advantageous in such environments.

An audio portion of the communication element 120 may provide audio indications to a user in relation to use characteristics of the device 100. An audio indication may be particularly useful in situations that are low light or for users with limited visibility (for whom the visual communication element 120 may not be highly useful) or reduced mobility (i.e. increased difficulty physically interacting with the device). Audio indications may also be useful for use in scenarios such as cold weather when users may be wearing additional layers over their hands or the like that may dampen, for example other indications such as haptic indications. Interactive audio indications enable a user to, for example, initiate use of the device 100 in a pocket during cold weather or the like (prior to bringing to the mouth of a user). As such, audio indications are highly useful and synergistic with visual indications as the two are complementary and account for the other’s shortcomings. Emergency indications may be performed via audio as audio indications may be the most reliable form of indication. The user may not be in the same room as the device 100 and therefore be unlikely to notice visual indications, however the user may receive audio indications. As such, audio indications are very useful for indications that may occur (such as expiry of lifetime of electrical components, or urgent repairs required, or other similar emergency issues) during periods of non-use. The audio indication may be a speaker emitting an indication that the heater is towards the end of its lifetime. The user may interact physically with the device or via audio with the device, for example speaking an action phrase “arrange repair”. The control circuitry 150 may then interact with a server to arrange a repair opportunity for the user.

Audio indications from the communication element 120 may provide indications of use characteristics such as the device 100 being in use. Such an audio indication may be in the style of a crackle sound effect or the like. This sound effect is an artificially produced, e.g. prerecorded, audio file that may be provided by a speaker or the like as part of the audio portion of the communication element 120. The sound file may be a crackle as this is a sound that is commonly made when aerosol generating material is heated to provide an aerosol. Other sounds may include the popping or spitting sound of material being heated. The sounds chosen and used may be those that emulate the sounds produced during the use of older products, such as combustible products. This may increase the familiarity of new users to modern safer devices. This, in turn, may increase the likelihood of user’s continuing to use such modern devices.

This may be synergistic with visual indications that emulate the visuals produced during the use of older products, such as combustible products. This may be embers burning or flickering or the like. Each of these increases the familiarity of the user with the new device by emulating the end user’s existing habits or rituals. Using audio and visual interactive indications, the device 100 can provide a realistic impression of the use of older products and can further reinforce the emulation or effect achieved. In general, the communication element 120 may provide indication forms for different matters or aspects of data. The communication element 120 may be arranged to provide a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status. Similarly, the interactive communication element 120 may be arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

Haptic indications may additionally or alternatively be used for any of the above.

In a specific example, audio indications may be used for powering up (relevant in circumstances wherein the device incorrectly begins powering up when not in a user’ s hand, thereby improving safety), and visual indications may be used to indicate operating conditions, such as heater temperature, consumable condition and lifetime. Haptic indications may be used for in use data such as a boost mode (increase aerosol provision over a predetermined time period) being in- use. In combination, the communication element 120 may be a highly effective and reliable system for communicating issues to the user. Audio indications may be used for alarm statuses (e.g. emergencies) as well, as mentioned above this can be advantageous if such a status occurs when the user is distanced from the device (such as in another room) such that the visual communication would not be received by the user but an audio indication would be received by the user. The volume of the audio indication may be adjusted based on the severity of the indication, such as very loud indications for alarm statuses (such as power shortages, heater repair being required or the like) and less loud indications for normal in use indications such as the crackling, popping or spitting audio files during use.

Issues, problems or similar use characteristics to be communicated to the user may include battery condition (what charge level the battery has, what lifetime remains on the battery), charging status (whether the device is charging successfully or not); consumable condition (how much uses remain in the consumable used in use in the device, whether the consumable is out of date or has been recalled); heater activation status (whether the heater is on or off); boost status (whether the boost condition is on or off); session status (whether the session is in a beginning, middle or end point); operational time (the amount of active time remaining in battery, or the amount of time that the device has been active for users to track and control their usage).

Similarly, indications may be related to at least one of: power source condition (what condition the battery is in, operational, non operational, faulty, etc); charging status (high efficiency charging, low efficiency charging, intermittent charging due to error, no charging due to error); heater condition (operational as expected, operational though unexpected, non operational though expected, non operational though unexpected); heater status (on or off); boost status (on or off); control circuitry status (functioning as expected or not); hardware status (operational, not operational, broken or faulty etc), and firmware status (up to date, out of date, updating etc).

These can in the main indicate to the user whether the device is operating as expected, i.e. working, or not as expected, i.e. faulty or broken. Errors can be indicated to the user via the component status as to whether a component needs replacement or repair. The power source may be battery or capacitor or any other suitable power source.

Statuses of the device may include operating (i.e. presently functioning to provide an aerosol or “on”), not operating (i.e. not presently functioning to provide an aerosol or “off’), activatable (i.e. functioning such that the device could provide an aerosol if requested) and not activatable (i.e. functioning such that the device could not provide an aerosol if requested). Not activatable may indicate a locked state of the device or a faulty condition of the device (wherein the user may request activation but this cannot be provided due to the fault or error that requires the user’s attention).

The communication element 120 may in an example be an interactive screen. The screen may be able to provide indications with which the user may interact by interacting with the screen. For example, the screen may show bum down of a combustible product during use and the user may be able to flick away a burnt end of the combustible product shown on the screen by flicking the screen. The screen detects the interaction of the user and replicates it within the images shown on the screen. These further increase familiarity for users of older combustible systems with the newer re-useable systems by emulating the end user’s existing habits or rituals that they have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional combustible-type products. The screen may show smoke or vapour being provided and the user may be able to interact by pushing the smoke away or drawing in the smoke with a finger on the interactive screen. The interactions also have a function aspect wherein usage and control of the device 100 can occur via interactions with the interactive communication element 120. In an example, the user may blow on the smoke shown on the communication element 120 and the smoke may be dissipated. Again, advantageously, these interactions emulate end user’s existing habits or rituals that they have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional combustibletype products. This arrangement can be made to appear very familiar in sensation and interaction to users of older devices. Such an arrangement is also easier to user for users with severely reduced or no mobility in one hand and there is no need to interact manually with the device, rather a users breath can be used.

Each of these interactions by the user may also or alternatively impact the function of the device 100 such that the arrangement increases the ease of use of the user as well as familiarity. A soft blow on the distal end may liken to fanning a flame and therefore may increase the provision of aerosol from the device 100 while a sharp blow on a middle portion may liken to blowing a flame out and therefore change the device 100 to a non operating state.

In an example, the detector 130 is a pressure sensor (or the like for detecting the user interacting physically with the screen) and is part of the communication element 120. When the user presses on the screen, the pressure sensor detects this and provides a signal to the control circuitry 150. The control circuitry 150 identifies the user interaction and provides a corresponding signal to the communication element 120 to amend, change or alter the indication being provided. The detector 130 may be any detector or sensor suitable for recognising user interactions with the device 100.

The indications provided by the communication element 120 may therefore relate to combustion of aerosol generating material. Indications may relate to audio crackling files or visual fire or embers. The visual indications may relate to burning of paper or cigarette material not just aerosol generating material. The user may be informed of the total amount of use time of the device 100 per day enabling the user to control usage of the device 100. In an example, during use of the device 100 the user may insert aerosol generating material into the device 100. Control circuitry 150 may recognise the aerosol generating material. The audio and visual indications may then be based on recognition of the aerosol generating material. In this way, a more authentic experience can be replicated by the device 100 of older devices. Again, this increases the familiarity of the device for new users. In an example therefore, a first aerosol generating material (e.g. tobacco) has a first visual indication and a first audio indication while a second aerosol generating material (e.g. menthol) has a second visual indication and a second audio indication. For total clarity, the communication element 120 may comprise a speaker or other audio signal emitter or the like.

The audio indications relating to combustion of aerosol generating material may include crackling, spitting, popping, the rushing of air into or from aerosol generating material. The visual indications relating to combustion of aerosol generating material may include burning embers, emitting of vapour, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable or the like.

The audio files may be aerosol generating material dependent to increase familiarity. The audio files may be different because the heating of different aerosol generating materials sounds different due to moisture content differences, differing structural fibres, differing densities, differing oil contents etc. As such, it is advantageous to have accurate replications of the in use sounds of various aerosol generating material. Furthermore, the device 100 may allow the user to choose the sounds provided by the device 100 during use. This may allow the user to personalise the device 100 to provide audio indications that relate to, e.g., the use of cigarettes, cigars or pipes.

The communication element 120 may be a human machine interface or the like for allowing the user to interact with data provisions on the device. This may provide the various data to the user in a user-friendly manner.

Any combination of visual and/or audio and/or haptic indications may be used as is useful for a user to convey information about the device 100. One form of indication may be reserved (e.g. audio) for emergency indications to the user. In this way, the user always associates one form of indication as requiring some immediate action. This improves user interaction with the alarm function disclosed herein and the user is not likely to ignore the indications as may happen if the indication (e.g. visual) is regularly used and a slightly different form of that indication (e.g. a specific colour) indicates a serious or severe problem.

The system may note use characteristics via a combination of control circuitry which is in communication with the various aspects to be communicated to a user alongside detectors where relevant. The detector (or detectors) may be any of a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a housing-located capacitor; a heat sensor; an accelerometer; electrical sensors; an altimeter; a light gate; voltmeter; and, a pressure sensor. Each of these may help provide an assessment of the relevant aspects to be communicated to a user (e.g. whether the heater is operating as expected or the power source is charging as expected). The detector 130 may be part of the control circuitry 150 and/or the communication element 120.

In a use example, the user may double tap the interactive screen 120 to show smoke plumes associated with the aerosol generating material in the device 100 during use. The use may then swipe with a single finger through the plume to move the smoke and alter the initial image. Alternatively, the user may be able to swipe with two fingers to wipe the smoke away (as a representation on the screen). Similarly, the two finger swipe may wipe the smoke away and also alter the device functionally such as by turning the device from an operating mode to a non operating mode.

In this way, the interactive communication element 120 may be arranged to: in response to a first predetermined user interaction, provide a corresponding first interactive indication; and, in response to a further predetermined user interaction, provide an altered first interactive indication. The altered first indication is not a second indication but rather the same view with some difference resulting from the interactions of the user. It may be the same indication from the interactive communication element, albeit with a slight difference (an alteration).

The communication element 120 may be arranged at least one of: on the elongate longitudinal portion of the housing; on a distal end of the housing; and, around the housing in a continuous display. The communication element 120 may be arranged around the housing in a way that is a wrap around screen so that the communication element 120 can be seen on all sides of the device 100. In this way, the user is more likely to see the indications and therefore receive the information displayed visually for the user.

A user with reduced mobility may be able to control the full functions of the device 100 while pressing in the same area on the device 100 - the area with the communication element 120. This is advantageous for such users over a device with an array of buttons that require individual interaction for altering the function of the device 100.

Different interactions may be recognised by the control circuitry as requesting different indications or requesting different functioning from the device 100. The user may be informed by use documentation associated with the device 100. In this way, a first interaction may provide a first indication to the user (such as a user pushing a point on the device to be informed as to the current battery power) while a second interaction may provide a second indication (the same sliding a finger along the longitudinal portion of the device to be informed as to the aerosol generating material remaining in the device).

Figure 2 shows an example of an aerosol-generating system 200. The aerosol-generating system 200 is similar to the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1. In the specific example of Figure 2, the control circuitry 250 is external to the aerosol provision device 210 of the aerosol-generating system 200 of Figure 2. The detectors for detecting user interactions may also be external comprised as part of the control circuitry 250 or may be internal as part of the device 210 comprised as part of the communication element 220. The communication element 220 is arranged within the aerosol provision device 210. The system 200 may be the device 210 with control circuitry 250 and aerosol generating material (not shown) arranged in the device 210.

The system 200 of Figure 2 operates in a corresponding manner to the device 100 of Figure 1. The user interacts with the device 210 or the control circuitry and detector pair 250. The control circuitry 250 interacts wirelessly with the device 210 to create, alter or change indications on the communication element 220. The system 200 therefore provides the same familiarity as older devices as the device 100 of Figure 1. The system 200 also allows reuse of the control circuitry portion 250 and therefore may provide a more environmentally friendly arrangement. The circuitry 250 may interact remotely with the aerosol provision device 210 via any communication method. Such an arrangement reduces the cost of the aerosol provision device 210 by providing the circuitry 250 separately to the device 210. The aerosol-generating system 200 may therefore have an increased lifetime when compared to the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1. In use, aerosol generating material may be inserted into the device 210 prior to use and the control circuitry 250 may receive a signal relating to the aerosol generating material to identify the aerosol generating material prior to use. This may occur from a device 210 based detector.

Figure 3 shows a method 300 of use of an aerosol provision device. The method 300 is shown as a flow chart. In the method 300, the device may start in a default state 302, which may be a fully charged, fully operational arrangement as for example would be the case with a brand new device. Alternatively, the default operating state may be use condition of a previously used device as would be the case for a user’s device that has been used at least once. The battery may or may not be fully charged but the lifetime of the components within the device would be at least partially diminished due to use.

When a user attempts to use, is using, or is not using, the device, the device detects use characteristics of the device. This may be as described above using one or more detectors to assess the various use characteristics described above. The device detects the use characteristics using a detector (which may contain a number of individual sensors/detectors). The detector may detect 304 the use characteristics via any standard mechanism (e.g. voltmeter for assessment of battery condition).

The detector sends a signal accordingly to control circuitry 306. The control circuitry may receive regular signals from the detector or detectors as to use characteristics and only provide interactive indications to the user as deemed relevant. A user may not require permanently informing that the battery is working efficiently, as an example. Rather, a preferred method may be that the user is informed when the battery begins to not work efficiently, i.e. when user input and/or effort is required. However, consumable lifetime and sessions remaining may be continually (or semi continually, i.e. at regular close intervals) informed to a user so that the user has an up to date understanding of the remaining use in the device. When such an indication is deemed suitable for communication to the user, the control circuitry may provide an interactive indication to the user 308 via the communication element which may be as per the above description. The indication may be any of a visual, audio and/or haptic indication that the user can interact with to cause a functional shift in the device. This arrangement also improves user confidence and device familiarity for users of older devices.

This method provides a user-friendly, indication process for the user that does not overload the user with information but keeps the user regularly informed as to the relevant matters at any one time during the lifetime of the device. The method offers a balance between overloading the user and providing the user with little to no warning ahead of relevant use events (e.g. running out of battery power, or aerosol generating material or the breakdown of a component within the device). With clear indications for users in a variety of situations, the user is well informed and prepared during usage of the device. The method also increases user familiarity for users of older or more traditional combustible-type products or systems.

The detector detecting the use characteristics 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 an accurate and informed assessment of the various use characteristics within the device at any one moment. These are used to ensure correct and relevant indications are provided to the user. The detectors may be arranged on or within the device or within other exterior elements such as control circuitry 250 in the example of Figure 2.

The communication element herein may be a touchscreen capable of providing high levels of functionality and information to the user without requiring dextrous manoeuvres from the user. This improves the user experience for less mobile users. The user is provided great levels of control requests for changes in function without requiring multiple movements or difficult movements from the user. The communication element may be a human machine interface or the like for both relaying information (in the form of audio, visual or haptic indications) and receiving information (requests from the user).

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 use requests from a user. The activation and lifetime of various components are detected by detectors in the device and provided to control circuitry that links to the communication element or elements on the device for informing a user.

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 on-board 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 the user to be informed as suitable as to conditions within the device. This improves the user experience of the device, the lifetime of the device and the safety of general use of the device.

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 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, jasmine, 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), 1 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 or aerosol -generating system.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect one or more user interactions with the communication element; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

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 noncombustible 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, 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 comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect one or more user interactions with the communication element; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the communication element is arranged to provide an indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 2, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: up to date; out of date; and updating.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detector is arranged to detect a first user interaction and a second user interaction; and, the communication element is arranged to: in response to a first user interaction, provide a first interactive indication; and, in response to a second user interaction, provide a second interactive indication.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the detector is arranged to detect a first predetermined user interaction and a further predetermined user interaction; and, the communication element is arranged to: in response to a first predetermined user interaction, provide a corresponding first interactive indication; and, in response to a further predetermined user interaction, provide an altered first interactive indication.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication element is further arranged to provide device control to a user.

7. An aerosol provision device according to claim 6, wherein device control comprises at least one of: activation status of the device; and, functioning condition of the device.

8. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detector is at least one of: a pressure sensor; and, an airflow sensor.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the communication element is arranged at least one of: on the elongate longitudinal portion of the housing; on a distal end of the housing; and, around the housing in a continuous display.

10. An aerosol-generating system for providing indications to a user, comprising: aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; a communication element arranged on the device; and, a detector arranged on the device to detect user interaction with the elongate longitudinal portion; wherein the communication element is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device and, wherein user interactions with the detector are represented in the indications to the user.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the communication element is arranged to provide an indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 11, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: up to date; out of date; and updating.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the detector is arranged to detect a first user interaction and a second user interaction; and, the communication element is arranged to: in response to a first user interaction, provide a first interactive indication; and, in response to a second user interaction, provide a second interactive indication.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the detector is arranged to detect a first predetermined user interaction and a further predetermined user interaction; and, the communication element is arranged to: in response to a first predetermined user interaction, provide a corresponding first interactive indication; and, in response to a further predetermined user interaction, provide an altered first interactive indication.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the communication element is further arranged to provide device control to a user; wherein device control comprises at least one of activation status of the device; and, functioning condition of the device.

16. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the detector is at least one of a pressure sensor; and, an airflow sensor.

17. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the communication element is arranged at least one of on the elongate longitudinal portion of the housing; on a distal end of the housing; and, around the housing in a continuous display.

18. A method of providing an indication to a user, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device with a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion and a communication element arranged on the device, and a detector arranged on the device; providing, by the communication element, an indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device, representing in the indication, by the communication element, a user interaction with the detector.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication element provides an indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of up to date; out of date; and updating.

21. The method of any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the detector detects a first user interaction and a second user interaction; in response to a first user interaction, the communication element provides a first interactive indication; and, in response to a second user interaction, the communication element provides a second interactive indication.

22. The method of any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the detector detects a first predetermined user interaction and a further predetermined user interaction; in response to a first predetermined user interaction, the communication element provides a corresponding first interactive indication; and, in response to a further predetermined user interaction, the communication element provides an altered first interactive indication.

23. The method of any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the communication element provides device control to a user, wherein device control comprises at least one of activation status of the device; and, functioning condition of the device.

24. The method of any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the detector is at least one of: a pressure sensor; and, an airflow sensor.

25. Aerosol provision means comprising: a housing comprising an elongate longitudinal portion; communication means arranged on the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged on the aerosol provision means to detect one or more user interactions with the communication means; wherein the communication means is arranged to provide indications to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means and, wherein user interactions with the detecting means are represented in the indications to the user.