RU2773428C2 - Video-analytical camera system for aerosol delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol delivery devices.

SUBSTANCE: inventions group relates to variants of an aerosol delivery device and an aerosol delivery device control housing. The aerosol delivery device comprises a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition and a control housing connected or configured to be connected to the cartridge. The control housing contains a control component configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of an air flow through at least a part of the cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view. The camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information indicative of the temporal or spatial event outwardly to the computing device for the computing device to perform at least one control operation based on said information. The camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event, which is a number of people in a room with a microclimate controlled by a heating or cooling system, and the computing device is a network-connected heating or cooling system thermostat or connected to this system, and wherein the camera system or control component is or is configured to transmit information indicative of a specified number of people in a room to a network-connected thermostat to enable the heating or cooling system to be controlled based on said information by said thermostat.

EFFECT: invention provides improved functionality of the device.

20 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles, and more specifically to aerosol delivery devices that can use electrically generated heat to produce an aerosol (eg, smoking products, commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes). Smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which may include materials that may be made or derived from tobacco, or otherwise include tobacco, said precursor being capable of forming an inhalable substance for human consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices have been proposed over the years as an improvement or alternative to smoking products that require the combustion of tobacco. It is understood that many of these devices have been designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars or smoking pipes, but without delivering the significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from tobacco combustion. To this end, a variety of alternative smoking products, flavor generators, and medical inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensation of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes without substantially burning tobacco. See, for example, various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and sources for generating heat set forth in the prior art as described in US Pat. Jr. et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 by Sebastian et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096781 by Sears et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096782 by Ampolini et al., in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 by Davis et al., and in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/222,615 by Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, all of which are included to this document by reference. See also, for example, various embodiments of heating products and configurations described in the "prior art" sections of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 to Counts et al. and 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of smoking articles are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,388,574 by Ingebrethsen, Patent Application Publication EP No. 1,618,803 by Hon, PCT Application Publication No. WO 2012/062600 by Andersson et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0128974 by Hon, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

However, it is preferred to provide aerosol delivery devices with improved electronics, such as one that can improve the usability of the devices.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods for making such devices, and elements of such devices. The present invention includes, without limitation, the following implementation examples.

Implementation Example 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising an aerosol precursor composition cartridge and a control housing coupled to or configured to be coupled to the cartridge, the control housing comprising a control component configured to control delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of air flow through at least at least part of a cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture video images of the scene in its field of view, while the camera system or control component is configured or configured to perform analysis of video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in scene, and transmitting at least one of the video image or information indicative of a temporal or spatial event, externally to a computing device configured to store or display transmitting a video image or information, or performing at least one control operation based on the information.

Implementation Example 2: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous implementation example or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein the camera system also comprises a processor configured to perform video content analysis on a video image and a control component configured to transmit at least one of the video image or information to a computing device.

Embodiment 3: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a number of people in a room with a microclimate controlled by a heating or cooling system, and the computing device is connected to network thermostat of the heating or cooling system or connected to this system, and in which the implementation of the camera system or control component with the ability to transmit at least one of the video image or information includes the implementation of her or him with the ability to transmit information indicating the number of people in the room, to a network-connected thermostat configured to perform at least one control operation, including control of a heating or cooling system, based on said information.

Embodiment 4: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person in an environment with an electric light source, and wherein the implementation of the camera system or control component is capable of being transmitted over at least one of the video image or information includes performing her or him with the possibility of transmitting information indicative of a person in the surrounding space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including control of at least one electric light source, on based on the information provided.

Implementation Example 5: An aerosol delivery device according to any preceding embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the electrical light source is a networked electrical light source with a computing device embedded therein, and the implementation of the camera system or control component is transferable information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting information to a network-connected electric light source.

Embodiment 6: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the computing device is a network-connected light switch connected to an electrical light source, and the communication-capable implementation of the camera system or control component comprises performing it or him with the ability to transmit information to a network-connected light switch.

Embodiment 7: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of people in the environment, and wherein the implementation of the camera system or control component is capable of being transmitted over at least one of the video image or information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting information indicative of a person or a number of people in the surrounding space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notification about a person or some the number of people in the surrounding area.

Implementation Example 8: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous implementation example or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein making the camera system or control component capable of transmitting at least one of a video image or information includes making her or him capable of transmitting a video image and information pointing to a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notification, which includes displaying a video image with a visual indication of a person or a number of people on it.

Embodiment 9: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment, or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of persons in the environment, and wherein the camera system or control component is or is configured to transmitting at least one of the video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event in the surrounding space, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with the video image or information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes hazardous conditions in the surrounding area.

Embodiment 10: An aerosol delivery device according to any preceding embodiment, or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person in the surrounding space, and performing a camera system or control component capable of performing video content analysis includes executing her or him with the ability to determine the facial expression of a person, and in which the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit at least one of the video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit an indication of a second temporal or spatial event with a video image or information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes a negative stress determined on the basis of a person's facial expression.

Embodiment 11: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment, or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the scene is a parking lot including a parking space layout, wherein the temporal or spatial event in the scene is a free of parking spaces, and wherein making the camera system or control component capable of transmitting at least one of a video image or information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting a video image and information indicating a free parking space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation , including the display of a video image with a visual indication of free parking spaces on it.

Embodiment 12: An aerosol delivery device according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the housing is connected to a cartridge containing a container of an aerosol precursor composition containing glycerol and nicotine.

Implementation Example 13: An aerosol delivery device control housing, comprising a casing to which an aerosol precursor composition cartridge is connected or operable to be connected to form an aerosol delivery device; a control component contained within the housing and configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge; and a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view, and the camera system or control component is or is configured to perform analysis of video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene, and transmit at least one of a video image or information indicative of a temporal or spatial event, externally to a computing device configured to store or display the video image or information, or perform at least one control operation based on the information.

Implementation Example 14: A control body according to any previous implementation example or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein the camera system also comprises a processor configured to perform video content analysis on a video image, and the control component is configured to transmit at least one of a video image or information to a computing device.

Implementation Example 15: A control enclosure according to any previous implementation example or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a number of people in a room climate controlled by a heating or cooling system and the computing device is a network connected heating or cooling system thermostat or connected to this system, and in which the implementation of the camera system or control component with the ability to transmit at least one of the video image or information includes the implementation of her or him with the ability to transmit information indicating the number of people in the room to the connected to the network a thermostat configured to perform at least one control operation, including control of the heating or cooling system, based on the specified information.

Implementation Example 16: A control housing according to any previous implementation example, or any combination of any previous implementation examples, in which the temporal or spatial event is a person in the surrounding space with an electric light source, and in which the implementation of the camera system or control component is capable of transmitting at least at least one of the video image or information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting information indicative of a person in the surrounding space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including control of at least one electric light source, based on the specified information.

Embodiment 17: A control housing according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the electrical light source is a networked electrical light source with a computing device embedded therein, and the implementation of the camera system or control component is capable of transmitting information involves performing her or him with the ability to transmit information to a networked electrical light source.

Embodiment 18: A control housing according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the computing device is a network-connected light switch connected to an electric light source, and performing a camera system or control component with communication capability includes performing her or him with the ability to transmit information to a networked light switch.

Implementation Example 19: A control housing according to any previous implementation example, or any combination of any previous implementation examples, in which the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, and in which the execution of the camera system or control component is capable of transmitting at least at least one of the video image or information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting information indicative of a person or a number of people in the surrounding space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notification about a person or a number people in the environment.

Implementation Example 20: A control body according to any previous implementation example, or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein making the camera system or control component capable of transmitting at least one of a video image or information includes making it or him capable of transmitting a video image and information, pointing to a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notification, which includes displaying a video image with a visual indication of a person or a number of people on it.

Embodiment 21: A control housing according to any previous embodiment or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of persons in the environment, and wherein the camera system or control component is or is capable of being transmitted at least one of the video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event in the surrounding space, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with the video image or information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes hazardous conditions in the environment.

Implementation Example 22: A control body according to any previous implementation example, or any combination of any previous implementation examples, wherein the temporal or spatial event is a person in the environment, and executing a camera system or control component capable of performing video content analysis includes executing it or him with the ability to determine the facial expression of a person, and in which the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit at least one of the video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit an indication a second temporal or spatial event with a video image or information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes a negative stress, determined on the basis of a person's facial expression.

Implementation Example 23: A control housing according to any previous implementation example, or any combination of any previous implementation examples, in which the scene is a parking lot including a parking space layout, where the temporal or spatial event in the scene is a free of parking spaces, and in which execution a camera system or a control component capable of transmitting at least one of the video image or information includes performing it or him with the possibility of transmitting a video image and information indicating a free parking space to a computing device configured to perform at least one control operation, including the display of a video image with a visual indication of free parking spaces on it.

Embodiment 24: A control housing according to any previous embodiment, or any combination of any previous embodiments, wherein the housing is connected to a cartridge containing a container of an aerosol precursor composition containing glycerol and nicotine.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four or more of the features or elements disclosed in this disclosure, whether or not such features or elements are intentionally combined or otherwise set forth in the specific embodiment described herein. This invention is intended to be read as a whole, so that any individual features or elements of the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments should be considered as combined, unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise.

Thus, it is to be understood that this summary is provided only for the purpose of summarizing certain embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are examples only and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. Other embodiments, aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, the principles of some of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Thus, after describing the present invention in the foregoing general terms, reference is made below to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which:

in FIG. 1 is a front view of an aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment;

in FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a cartridge suitable for use in an aerosol delivery device, according to one embodiment;

in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment;

in FIG. 5 shows an opposite perspective view of an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment; and

in FIG. 6 shows an aerosol delivery device configured to wirelessly connect to a computing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to its implementation examples. These examples of implementation are described in such a way that this disclosure thoroughly, completely and completely conveys the scope of the invention for a person skilled in the art. Indeed, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments given herein; rather, these examples of implementation are provided to ensure that this invention complies with applicable legal requirements. In the present description and in the appended claims, a grammatical construction indicating that an element is given in the singular also implies the plural, unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise.

As described below, embodiments of the present invention relate to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention use electrical energy to heat material (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent) to form an inhalable substance; and the components of such devices are in the form of articles, most preferably compact enough to be considered portable devices. In other words, the use of components of the preferred aerosol delivery devices does not generate smoke in the sense that the aerosol originates from the by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, the use of these preferred devices results in the formation of vapors generated during the evaporation or evaporation of certain components, included in them. In some embodiments, components of aerosol delivery devices can be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and said electronic cigarettes most preferably include tobacco and/or tobacco-derived components and then deliver tobacco-derived components as an aerosol.

The aerosol generating means of certain preferred aerosol delivery devices can provide a variety of sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of flavors and aromas, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, rituals of use, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, and the like) smoking of a cigarette, cigar or pipe, which is caused by lighting and burning tobacco (and then inhaling tobacco smoke) without any significant combustion of any of their components. For example, the user of the aerosol generating means of the present invention can hold and use the means in a manner similar to how a smoker uses a traditional type of smoking article, puffing through one end of said means to inhale the aerosol generated by this means, taking or making puffs at selected intervals and the like.

While the systems described herein in terms of embodiments associated with aerosol delivery devices such as so-called "electronic cigarettes", it should be understood that mechanisms, components, features, and methods can be implemented in many different forms and associated with many different products. For example, the description provided herein may be implemented in conjunction with embodiments of traditional-style smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), heated but non-burning cigarettes, and associated with the packaging of any product. described in this document. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and methods disclosed herein is indicated in terms of embodiments relating to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only, and may be implemented and used in various other products and methods.

The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention can also be characterized as vaporizing or drug delivery products. Thus, such articles or devices may be designed to provide one or more substances (eg, flavors and/or pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or inhalable state. For example, inhalable substances may be essentially in the form of a vapor (eg, a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhaled substances may be in the form of an aerosol (for example, a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets of liquid in a gas). For the sake of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is intended to include vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form or type that is respirable by humans, visible or invisible, as well as such a form that can be considered to be fumed, or not of that kind.

In use, the aerosol delivery device of the present invention may be subjected to many of the physical effects that an individual uses when using a traditional type of smoking article (eg, cigarettes, cigars, or pipes used in lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device of the present invention can hold the article like a conventional type smoking article, puffing through one end of said article to inhale the aerosol generated by the article, taking or taking puffs at selected intervals, and so on.

The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention typically comprise a plurality of components provided within an outer casing or shell, which may be referred to as a casing. The overall design of the outer housing or shell may vary, and the format or configuration of the outer housing, which may determine the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device, may vary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single single casing, or an elongated casing may be formed from two or more split bodies. For example, an aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated shell or body that may be substantially tubular in shape and thus resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar.

In one example, all components of the aerosol delivery device are located in the same housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more shrouds that are connected and detachable. For example, an aerosol delivery device may have at one end a control housing comprising a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a battery, such as a rechargeable (e.g., lithium ion) battery, a solid state battery, a thin layer solid state battery, and/or a supercapacitor, and various electronic equipment for controlling the operation of the specified product), and at the other end, an external case or shell, which is attached to it with the possibility of removal, containing a disposable part (for example, a disposable cartridge containing a flavoring agent). More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components in a single block case type or in a multi-part split block case type will be understood based on the description of the invention provided hereinafter. In addition, various aerosol delivery device designs and component placements may be understood by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.

The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention most preferably comprise some combination of a power source (e.g., a power supply), at least one control component (e.g., means for driving, controlling, regulating, and shutting off power to generate heat, current from a power source to other components of the product—for example, a microprocessor, either alone or as part of a microcontroller), a heater or heat-producing element (for example, an electrical resistance heating element or other component), or a vibrating piezoelectric or piezomagnetic grid that, by itself or in combinations with one or more additional elements can usually be listed as a "nebulizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (for example, usually a liquid capable of forming an aerosol upon the application of sufficient heat, such ingredients are usually indicated referred to as "smoke juice", "e-liquid" and "e-juice"), and a mouthpiece area or tip to allow puffing through an aerosol delivery device to inhale the aerosol (e.g., a specific airflow path through the product so that the generated aerosol can be removed from it after tightening).

The alignment of the components within the aerosol delivery device of the present invention may vary. In particular embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be located near the end of the aerosol delivery device, which may be configured to be positioned as close as possible to the user's mouth so as to maximize delivery of the aerosol to the user. However, other designs are not excluded. In most cases, the heating element may be positioned close enough to the aerosol precursor composition such that heat from the heating element can vaporize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavors, medicaments, or the like, which may similarly be provided for delivery to the user) and generate an aerosol for delivery to a user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed that is released or generated into a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be understood that the above terms are interchangeable such that reference to any form of the term "release" includes any form of the term "formation" or "generation". In particular, the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or an aerosol, or a mixture thereof, and such terms are also used interchangeably in this document, unless otherwise indicated.

As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a battery or other electrical power source (e.g., a rechargeable lithium ion battery (LiB)) to provide sufficient current flow to provide various functions of the aerosol delivery device, such as powering a heater, powering control systems, power indicators and the like. The power supply can be made in the form of various implementation options. Preferably, the power source is capable of delivering sufficient energy to rapidly heat the heating element to generate the aerosol and power the aerosol delivery device during operation for the desired period of time. The power supply is preferably sized to fit comfortably within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. Also, the preferred power supply is light enough not to impair the desired user experience from smoking.

More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components in the aerosol delivery devices of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the invention provided hereinafter. In addition, the selection and location of the various components of the aerosol delivery device can be judged by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Also, information regarding formats, configurations, and component locations in the aerosol delivery devices of the present invention, as well as commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, can be found in PCT Application Publication No. WO 2015/168588 by Ademe et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 15/291,771 by Sur et al., filed October 12, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference.

On FIG. 1 shows a front view of the aerosol delivery device 100, and FIG. 2 shows a modified sectional view of an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the aerosol delivery device may include a control housing 102 and a cartridge 200, each of which may have a respective housing. The cartridge may be movable with respect to at least part or all of the control housing. In particular, the cartridge may be movable relative to at least a portion of the control housing between the extended configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the dedicated configuration shown in FIG. 2. Details regarding the mechanisms and methods associated with moving the cartridge relative to the control housing are described later in this document.

In some embodiments, the control housing 102 and/or the cartridge 200 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may be disposable or reusable. The aerosol delivery device may include various other components housed in or otherwise associated with the control housing or cartridge. These components may be distributed between the control body and the cartridge in any of a variety of ways. For example, the control body may contain a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery, a solid state battery, a thin layer solid state battery, or the like, and thus be combined with any type of recharge technology, including connection to a conventional wall outlet, connection to a car charger (for example, cigarette lighter socket), connection to a computer, such as via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or connector, connection to a photovoltaic cell (sometimes listed as a solar cell) or photovoltaic solar cell panel, wireless connection to radio frequency (RF), wireless connection to charging pads based on induction or connected to a radio frequency to direct current (DC) converter. In some examples, the control housing may be equipped with power harvesting technology, such as that in which power is transmitted via Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE). Also, in some embodiments, the cartridge may be a disposable cartridge as described in US Pat. No. 8,910,639 by Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, it should be understood that the described embodiments are provided by way of example only.

In one embodiment, the control housing 102 and the cartridge 200 forming the aerosol delivery device 100 may be permanently connected to each other. Examples of aerosol delivery devices that may be single use and/or that may include first and second outer scaffolds that are permanently attachable are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216232 by Bless et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. In yet another embodiment, the control housing and the cartridge may be made in a single, integral form and may include the components, aspects, and features disclosed herein. However, in yet another embodiment, the control housing and the cartridge may be separable such that, for example, the cartridge may be refilled or replaced.

As an example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol delivery device 100 includes a power supply 104 located in the control housing 102. The power supply may include, for example, a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid state battery (SSB), a rechargeable lithium ion battery (LiB), or some combination of them. Some examples of suitable power supplies are described in Sur et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0112191, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of suitable power supplies are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0283855 by Hawes et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0014125 by Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0243410 by by Nichols et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0313901 by Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0230117 by Fernando et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. . Also, connector 106 may be movably attached to the control housing. Cartridge 200 can interact with the connector so that it can move relative to at least a portion of the control housing. In some embodiments, the cartridge may be attachable, releasable, and replaceable. And, in some embodiments, the cartridge may be equipped with a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag capable of high frequency (VHF) or ultra high frequency (UHF) communication to authenticate the cartridge, such as the method disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 15/352,199 by Sur et al., filed on November 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may have a control component 108 disposed therein. The control component may be configured to direct electrical energy from the power supply 104 to the cartridge 200 to heat the aerosol precursor composition contained in the cartridge to generate vapor that may be generated during a user puff through the cartridge mouthpiece 220. The control component contains a plurality of electronic components and, in some embodiments, may be formed on a printed wiring board (PCB) supporting and electrically connecting the electronic components. Examples of suitable electronic components include a microprocessor, a low power microprocessor or processor core, an integrated circuit (IC), a memory, and the like. In some examples, the control component may include a microcontroller with an integrated processor core and memory, and may further include one or more integrated external input/output devices.

In some examples, control component 108 comprises or is coupled to a communications interface to provide wireless connectivity to one or more networks, computing devices, or other devices on a suitable basis. The communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or a plurality of antennas) and ancillary hardware and/or software for enabling wireless communication with a communications network (e.g., cellular network, Wi-Fi, wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or the like. ) and / or to provide communication between devices, short-range communication in accordance with the required communication technology. In some examples, the communications interface includes a high tracking antenna for higher data transfer using software and a four capacitor configuration. Examples of suitable near field communication technologies that may be supported by the communication interface include various near field communication (NFC) technologies, wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies, and the like. More specific examples of suitable wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies include those defined by IEEE 802.16 standards or other methods, including Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE), ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA infrared data association standard) , radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless USB, and the like. Other examples of suitable short range technologies include Wi-Fi Direct, as well as certain other technologies based on or defined by the IEEE 802.11 and/or IEEE 802.15.4 standards that support direct communication between devices.

Examples of suitable communication interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0261020 by Marion et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another example of a suitable communication interface is the CC3200 single-chip wireless microcontroller (MCU) from Texas Instruments. Also, examples of suitable methods whereby the aerosol delivery device 100 can be configured to communicate wirelessly are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0007651, by Ampolini et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0219933, by Henry, Jr. and others, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As explained in more detail below, the aerosol delivery device may further comprise a camera system 224 comprising a digital camera 226 and supporting electronic components, which in some examples may be formed from a printed circuit board (PCB) supporting and electrically connecting the electronic components. A digital camera may be configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view. The camera system or control component 108 of the aerosol delivery device 100 is configured or configured to perform video content analysis on a video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in a scene. The camera system or control component is also configured or configured to transmit a video image and/or information indicative of a temporal or spatial event externally to a computing device configured to store or display the video image or information, or to perform at least one control operation. based on information. In some examples, the camera system also includes a processor 228, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), configured to perform video content analysis on the video image, and a control component configured to transmit at least one of the video image or information to a computing device.

The camera system 224 is shown on its own and separate from the control component 108. In some examples, at least some of the supporting electronics of the camera system may be provided by a control component that can control the operation of both the aerosol delivery device and the digital camera. In other examples, the camera system may control the operation of the digital camera independently and separately from the control component of the control component of the aerosol delivery device. One example of a suitable camera system that can operate independently and separately from the control component is the ADIS1700x video analytics camera from Analog Devices. Other examples of a suitable camera system include Blackfin® radar image-on-screen (BLIP) systems and Analog Devices' BLIP2 systems.

As noted above, the cartridge 200 may be movable relative to the control housing 102. In this regard, the aerosol delivery device 100 may also include an actuator 110. may be configured to move the cartridge between an advanced configuration and a retracted configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 220 can be opened when the cartridge 200 is in an extended configuration. In other words, the mouthpiece may be positioned outside the control housing 102 when the cartridge is in an extended configuration such that the user can interact with the mouthpiece with their lips. Thus, the extended cartridge configuration is one in which the aerosol delivery device 100 is configured to receive a puff through the mouthpiece so that the aerosol delivery device can generate and deliver an aerosol to a user in the manner described above.

Conversely, as shown in Fig. 2, in the retracted configuration, the mouthpiece 220 is relatively closer to the control housing 102 than in the extended configuration of FIG. 1. In the retracted configuration, the mouthpiece may be flush with the control body. In other words, the outer surface of the mouthpiece may be substantially aligned with the outer surface of the control housing. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece may be recessed relative to the control housing. In other words, a gap can be provided between the outer surface of the mouthpiece and the outer surface of the control body.

On FIG. 3 shows a more specific example of the cartridge 200 of FIG. 1 and 2. As shown, the cartridge may include a base shipping plug 202, a base 204, a control terminal 206, an electronic control component 208, a flow tube 210, an atomizer 212, a container 214, an outer housing 216, a label 218, a mouthpiece 220, and a shipping plug 222. mouthpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention. In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a reservoir; and accordingly, the terms "cartridge", "reservoir", and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to an outer casing or other housing enclosing a container for the aerosol precursor composition and, as described below, containing a heater (sometimes referred to as a heating element).

The base 204 may be attached to the first end of the outer housing 216 and the mouthpiece 220 may be attached to the opposite second end of the outer housing to at least partially enclose the remaining components of the cartridge 200 therein except for the label 218, the mouthpiece shipping plug 222, and the shipping plug 202 grounds. The base may be configured to interact with an associated device, including a power source 104 . In some embodiments, the base may include anti-rotation features that substantially prevent relative rotation between the cartridge and the associated device, including the power supply. The shipping plug of the base may be configured to interact with and protect the base prior to using the cartridge. Similarly, the mouthpiece shipping plug may be configured to interact with and protect the mouthpiece prior to use of the cartridge.

A control component terminal 206, an electronic control component 208, a flow tube 210, atomizer 212, and a container substrate 214 may be held within the outer housing 216. A label 218 may at least partially surround the outer housing and contain information such as product data. The atomizer 212 may include a first heating terminal 234a and a second heating terminal 234b, a fluid transfer element 238, and a heating element 240.

In some examples, a valve may be located between the container and the heating element and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from the container to the heating element.

Container 214 may be a container or fibrous container as described herein. For example, the container may contain one or more layers of nonwoven fiber substantially formed in the form of a tube surrounding the interior of the cartridge 200. The aerosol precursor composition may be held in the container. Liquid components, for example, can be sorptively retained in the container. The container may be in fluid communication with a liquid transfer element 238 configured to absorb or otherwise transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the container housing to a heating element 240. In particular, the liquid transfer element may transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in container, through capillary action to the heating element, which in this example is a metal wire coil. Thus, the heating element is arranged to heat the liquid transfer element.

In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the container 214 and the composition of the aerosol precursor in the container can be controlled by a micropump, such as a pump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The heating element 240 may be configured to provide induction-based RF heating of the aerosol precursor composition without soaking or physically contacting the aerosol precursor composition, such as in the manner described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0127722 by Davis et al., which incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of implementations of containers and transfer elements used in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the present invention are further described below, and such containers and/or elements for transfer can be included in the devices shown in FIG. 3 as described in this document. In particular, particular combinations of heating elements and transfer elements may be included in devices as shown in FIG. 3 as described below.

Various examples of materials capable of generating heat when an electric current is applied to them can be used to form the heating element 240. The heating element in these examples can be a resistive heating element such as a wire coil, a microheater, or the like. Examples of materials that can be made of a heating element include Fechral (FeCrAl), nichrome, stainless steel, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi ₂ ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum alloyed molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al) ₂ ), graphite and graphite-based materials (eg, carbon-based foams and filaments) and ceramics (eg, positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Embodiments of heaters or heating elements used in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the present invention are further described below and may be incorporated into devices as described herein.

Cartridge 200 may include a flow guide defining a non-tubular structure, an electronics section sealed against a container section, and/or any of the various other features and components described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the specific cartridge implementation described herein is provided by way of example only. In this regard, the cartridge is shown schematically in FIG. 2 as containing only outer body 216, mouthpiece 220, atomizer 212, container 214, and base 204 in light of the various alternative and additional components that may be included therein.

One or more components of cartridge 200 may be configured to form an electrical connection with connector 106. For example, referring to the cartridge implementation of FIG. 3, the first heating terminal 234a and the second heating terminal 234b (eg, positive and negative terminals) at opposite ends of the heating element 240 are configured to form an electrical connection with the connector. Also, the electronic control component 208 (see FIG. 3) can form an electrical connection to the connector via the control component terminal 206 (see FIG. 3). Components within the control housing 102 (eg, the control component 108) may thus use the electronic control component to determine the authenticity of the cartridge and/or perform other functions. However, in other implementations, the connection between the connector and the cartridge may not be electrical. In other words, the connection between connector and cartridge can be purely mechanical. In these embodiments, spraying may be outside the cartridge, or spraying may be done in other ways that do not require electrical connections between the cartridge and the control housing, such as piezoelectric or radio frequency spraying. Alternatively, the power supply may be located in the cartridge so that no electrical connection to the connector is required.

In use, when the user puffs through the aerosol delivery device 100, the heating element 240 of the atomizer 212 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Puffing through the mouthpiece 220 of the aerosol delivery device causes air from the environment to enter and pass through the opening in connector 106 or cartridge 200. In the cartridge, the drawn air combines with the generated vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is removed by sucking, drawing, or otherwise drawing from the heating element and exiting the opening in the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device. However, the airflow may be received through other parts of the aerosol delivery device in other embodiments. As noted earlier, in some implementations, the cartridge may contain a tube 210 flow. The flow tube may be configured to direct air flow towards the heating element.

In particular, a sensor in the aerosol delivery device 100 can detect air flow through the aerosol delivery device. When airflow is detected, control component 108 may supply electrical current to heating element 240 through a circuit including first heating terminal 234a and second heating terminal 234b. Accordingly, the heating element can vaporize the aerosol precursor composition directed to the aerosol generation zone from the container 214 via the liquid transfer element 238. Thus, the mouthpiece 220 can allow the passage of the aerosol (ie, the components of the aerosol precursor composition in inhalable form) through it to the consumer taking a puff through it.

On FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device 100 in a closed configuration, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device in an extended form factor configuration, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the control body 102 may define an ergonomic shape that can be comfortably placed in a user's hand. The shape of the control body, however, is not limited and may be any shape that accommodates the various elements as described herein. In some embodiments, the control housing may be explicitly non-cylindrical.

As also shown in FIG. 5, the aerosol delivery device 100 may further comprise a fastening mechanism 112. The fastening mechanism 112 may comprise a loop, clip, ring, or other mechanism capable of being attached to another device, such as a key chain, carabiner, or strap. Accordingly, the aerosol delivery device can be held in position. Thus, for example, the user can more easily secure the aerosol delivery device in a desired position, in which case the aerosol delivery device may be less susceptible to damage or misposition.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may further comprise an input mechanism 114. The input mechanism may include a button or other switch configured to receive input from the user. When the input mechanism is actuated, the aerosol delivery device may produce an output corresponding to the state of the aerosol delivery device. For example, the aerosol delivery device may output sound, vibration, or light. As shown in FIG. 4, the aerosol delivery device may also include an indicator 116. The indicator may include a light transmitter (eg, plastic or glass, which can be colored in the desired color). Also, the indicator may include a light emitter, which may include an incandescent lamp or a light emitting diode (LED). Thus, the light emitter can illuminate the light transmitter, which can direct light outward through it to output the state of the aerosol delivery device.

Indicator 116 may flash or otherwise glow to indicate the remaining or used capacity of power source 104 or reservoir 214. For example, a relatively large number of flashes of the indicator when the input mechanism 114 is actuated may correspond to a relatively large remaining capacity of power source or reservoir. Conversely, a relatively small number of flashes of the indicator after actuation of the input mechanism may correspond to a relatively small remaining capacity of the power supply or capacity. However, the indicator and/or other output mechanisms may be used to output various other information and/or output the information in various other ways. Examples of other information that may be displayed include error messages, operating modes, usage help, and so on.

In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 100 may include a display device 118, as shown in FIG. 4 and 5. A display device may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to indicator 116. The display device may be configured to output various information, including information about the status of the aerosol delivery device, information unrelated to the state of the aerosol delivery device (for example, current time), and/or graphics that do not contain information (for example, graphics presented to the user for entertainment purposes). Thus, the display may be configured to display any or all of the information described above (eg, remaining or used capacity of power source 104 or capacity 214) in any form, such as graphical form and/or numeric form. In addition, in some implementations, the operation or display may be controlled by the input mechanism 114 or a separate input mechanism. The display device, for example, may be a touch screen, such as a capacitive touch screen, and thus may allow user input. In some embodiments, the display device may provide icons, a menu, or the like, configured to allow the user to make a control selection related to the operation of the aerosol delivery device, to check a particular state of the device, or the like. Although the display device is shown as covering only a relatively small part of the aerosol delivery device, it should be understood that the display device may cover a significantly larger part of the aerosol delivery device.

An aerosol delivery device 100 is also shown in FIG. 4 and 5, including the digital camera 226 on the control housing 102. The digital camera is shown adjacent to the display 118. However, it should be understood that the digital camera may be located at any of a number of other locations on the control housing, on the same side as the display device or on the opposite side. In some examples, the camera system 224 may include a plurality of cameras, each of which may be located on each side of the control housing.

Various components of the aerosol delivery device 100 according to the present invention may be selected from those described in the prior art and available on the market. Examples of batteries that can be used according to the present invention are described in US patent No. 9,484,155 by Peckerar and others, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may also include a flow sensor or other sensor or sensing element to control the supply of electrical power to the heating element 240 when aerosol generation is required (eg, during puff in use). Thus, for example, a method or method is provided to turn off the electrical power to the heating element when the aerosol delivery device is not engaged in use and to turn off the electrical power to drive or initiate heat generation by the heating element during a puff. Additional characteristic types of sensing or sensing mechanisms, their structure and configuration, their components, and their general modes of operation are described in Sprinkel, Jr. U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424, McCafferty et al. PCT No. WO 2010/003480 by Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The aerosol delivery device 100 most preferably includes a control component 108 or other control mechanism to control the amount of electrical power supplied to the heating element 240 during a puff. The characteristic types of electronic components, their structure and configuration, their features and their general methods of operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 by Gerth et al. et al., US Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., US Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., US Pat. U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 by Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,439,454 by Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257445 by Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. .

Representative types of substrates, containers, or other components to support the aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 to by Davis et al., and US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216232 by Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, various absorbent materials and the configuration and operation of these absorbent materials in certain types of electronic cigarettes are described in US Pat. No. 8,910,640 by Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition, may contain various components, including, for example, a polyhydric alcohol (eg, glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavors. Exemplary types of aerosol precursor components and formulations are also known and described in US Pat. No. 7,217,320 by Robinson et al., US Pat. No. 9,254,002 by Chong et al.; US Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al.; in US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0008457 by Zheng et al.; in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0020823 by Lipowicz et al.; and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0020830 by Koller, as well as in PCT Publication of U.S. Patent Application No. WO No. 2014/182736 by Bowen et al., and in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/222,615 by Watson and others, with a filing date of July 28, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include the aerosol precursors that are included in R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company's VUSE® product, Imperial Tobacco Group PLC's BLU™ product, Mistic Ecigs' MISTIC MENTHOL product, and CN Creative Ltd's VYPE product. . Also preferred are so-called "smoke juices" for e-cigarettes, which are available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

Embodiments of effervescent materials can be used in an aerosol precursor and are described using Hunt et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0055494, which is incorporated herein by reference. Also, the use of effervescent materials is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,639,368 by Niazi et al., in US Patent No. 5,178,878 by Wehling et al. Pather et al., Bergquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 7,381,667, Crawford et al. U.S. Patent No. 8,424,541, and Strickland et al. by Sun et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0018539 by Brinkley et al., and PCT Publication of US Patent Application WO 97/06786 by Sun et al.; and in PCT WO 97/06786 by Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, description with respect to embodiments of aerosol precursor compositions, including a description of tobacco or components derived from included tobacco, is provided in U.S. Patent Applications Nos. and others, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, specific types of components that provide visual signals or indicators may be used in the aerosol delivery device 100, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and related components, auditory elements (e.g., speakers), vibration elements (e.g., vibration motors), and the like. similar. Examples of suitable light emitting diode components, as well as their configurations and uses, are described in Sprinkel et al. by Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Other features, controls, or components that may be included in the aerosol delivery devices of the present invention are described in US Pat. No. 5,967,148 by Harris et al., US Pat. 5,934,289 by Watkins et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 by Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 by Fleischhauer et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0016550 by Katase, U.S. Patent Application No. 8,689,804 by Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 by Tucker et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,427,022 by Leven et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0180553 by Kim et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 by Sebastian et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 /0261495 by Novak et al., and US Pat. No. 9,220,302 by DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

in FIG. 6 shows an aerosol delivery device 100 configured to wirelessly connect to a computing device 602 indirectly through one or more networks, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Examples of suitable computing devices include any of a variety of different portable computers. More specific examples of suitable portable computers include portable computers (eg, laptops, laptops, tablet computers), mobile phones (eg, cellular phones, smartphones), wearable computers (eg, smart watches), and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be implemented as other than a laptop computer, such as a desktop computer, a server computer, or the like. Also in other examples, the computing device may be implemented as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as a network-connected thermostat, an electrical light source, a light switch, or the like. Examples of suitable techniques whereby an aerosol delivery device can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0007651 by Ampolini et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0219933 , by Henry, Jr. and others, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As presented above, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 further comprises a camera system 224 with a digital camera 226 configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view. The camera system or control component 108 of the aerosol delivery device is configured to perform video content analysis on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in a scene. The camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit a video image and/or information indicative of a temporal or spatial event to a computing device 602 configured to store or display the video image or information, or perform at least one control operation based on said information.

In some examples, the temporal or spatial event is a number of people in a room climate controlled by a heating or cooling system, and computing device 602 is a heating or cooling system thermostat connected to or connected to the network. In these examples, the camera system 224 or control component 108 is configured or configured to communicate information indicative of the number of people in a room to a network-connected thermostat configured to perform at least one control operation, including controlling a heating or cooling system based on said information.

In some examples, the temporal or spatial event is a person in an environment with an electrical light source. Said ambient space may be an indoor space, such as a room, or an outdoor space, such as daylight, street light, or the like. In these examples, the camera system 224 or control component 108 is configured or configured to communicate information indicative of a person in the surrounding space to a computing device 602 configured to perform at least one control operation, including control of at least one electric light source on the based on the information provided.

In some more specific examples, the electric light source is a grid-connected electric light source with a computing device 602 embedded therein, and a camera system 224 or control component 108 configured to communicate information to the grid-connected electric light source. In other more specific examples, the computing device is a network-connected light switch connected to an electrical light source, and a camera system or control component configured to communicate information to the network-connected light switch.

In some examples, the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of people in the surrounding space. In these examples, the camera system 224 or control component 108 is configured or configured to communicate information indicative of a person or number of people in the environment to a computing device 602 configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notice of the person or number people in the environment. In some more specific examples, the camera system or control component is or is configured to transmit a video image and information indicative of a person or number of people in the surrounding area to a computing device. In these examples, the computing device is configured to perform at least one control operation, including outputting a notification, which includes displaying a video image with a visual indication of a person or a number of people on it.

In some examples, the temporal or spatial event is a person or a number of people in the surrounding space. In some of these examples, the camera system 224 or control component 108 is configured or configured to transmit at least one of the video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event in the surrounding space, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit indicating a second temporal or spatial event with video or information. One example of a suitable second temporal or spatial event is environmental hazards, and examples of suitable hazardous events include fire, flood, carbon monoxide, and the like.

In some examples, the temporal or spatial event is a person in the environment, and making the camera system 224 or control component 108 capable of performing video content analysis includes making her or him capable of detecting the person's facial expression, for example, using contour analysis. In some of these examples, the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit at least one of a video image or information in response to a second temporal or spatial event. The camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with video image or information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes a negative stress determined based on a person's facial expression. Examples of negative stress in these examples include a person exhibiting drowsiness when driving a vehicle, exhibiting anxiety, or exhibiting a medical condition such as heart disease. Other second temporal or spatial events may be based on other facial expressions, such as in the case of a person showing joy or increased concentration.

In some examples, the scene in the video image is a parking lot, including the location of parking spaces, and the temporal or spatial event in the scene is a free parking space. In these examples, the camera system 224 or the control component 108 is configured or configured to transmit video and information indicative of a free parking space to the computing device 602. And the computing device is configured to implement at least one control operation, including displaying a video image with visual indication on it of free from parking spaces.

The foregoing description of the use of the product(s) may be applied to the various embodiments described herein through minor modifications that may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The above description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of said product, but is provided to meet all necessary disclosure requirements of the present invention. Any of the elements shown in the product(s) as shown in FIG. 1-6, or otherwise described above, may be included in the aerosol delivery device of the present invention.

Many modifications and other examples of implementation of the present invention given in this document will be obvious to a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, taking advantage of the disclosures presented in the above description and in the accompanying drawings. Thus, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and it is intended that modifications and other embodiments be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, while the above description and accompanying drawings disclose examples of implementation in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be understood that various combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided in alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and/or functions other than those expressly described above are also contemplated, as may be indicated in certain claims of the appended claims. Although certain terms are used in this document, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (20)

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition and a control housing connected or configured to be connected to the cartridge, the control housing comprising a control component configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of an airflow through at least a portion of the cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information , indicating a temporal or spatial event, outward to the computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on the specified information, and the camera system or and the control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event, which is a number of people in a room with a microclimate controlled by a heating or cooling system, and the computing device is a thermostat of the heating or cooling system connected to the network or connected to this system and wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit information indicative of a specified number of people in a room to a network-connected thermostat to enable control of a heating or cooling system based on said information by said thermostat. 2. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the camera system also includes a processor configured to perform video content analysis on the video image, and the control component is configured to transmit said information to a computing device. 3. An aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition and a control housing connected or configured to be connected to the cartridge, the control housing comprising a control component configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of an air flow through at least a portion of the cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information indicating a temporal or spatial event, outward to the computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on said information, wherein the camera system or and the control component is or is configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that is a person in the environment with an electric light source, and wherein the camera system or control component is or is configured to transmit information indicative of the person in the environment to a computing device for providing control of at least one electric light source based on said information by means of a computing device, the computing device is a network-connected light switch connected to the electric light source, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information to a mains-connected light switch. 4. The aerosol delivery device according to claim. 3, in which the electric light source is a network-connected electric light source with a computing device built into it, and the implementation of the camera system or control component with the ability to transmit information includes making it or him with the ability to transmit information to a mains-connected electric light source. 5. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1 or 3, in which the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, and moreover, the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit information indicative of a person or number of people in the surrounding area to the computing device for the computing device to output a notification about the person or number of people in the surrounding area. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the camera system or control component is also or configured to transmit a video image to the computing device for the computing device to output a notification that includes displaying a video image with a visual indication of a person or a number of people on it. . 7. An aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition and a control housing coupled to or configured to be coupled to the cartridge, the control housing comprising a control component configured to control delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of air flow through at least a portion of the cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information , indicating a temporal or spatial event, outward to the computing device to perform at least one control operation on the computing device based on the specified information, and the camera system or the control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that is a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, and at the same time the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information in response to the second temporal or spatial event in the surrounding space, and the camera system or control component is also configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with the specified information, and the second temporal or spatial event contains dangerous conditions in the surrounding space. 8. An aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition and a control housing coupled to or configured to be coupled to the cartridge, the control housing comprising a control component configured to control delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of air flow through at least a portion of the cartridge or control housing, and contains a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of the scene in its field of view, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information , indicating a temporal or spatial event, outward to the computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on the specified information, and the camera system or and the control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a person in the surrounding space, and the implementation of the camera system or control component with the ability to perform analysis of video content includes performing her or him with the ability to determine the facial expression of a person, and at the same time the system the camera or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information in response to the second temporal or spatial event, wherein the camera system or control component is also configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with the specified information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes negative stress based on the person's facial expression. 9. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 3, 7, 8, in which the digital camera is configured to capture a video image of a scene representing a parking lot, including a layout of parking spaces, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a free from the parking spaces in the scene, and the camera system or control component is also configured or configured to transmit a video image and information indicating a free parking space to a computing device for displaying a video image by the computing device with a visual indication of a free parking space. 10. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 3, 7 or 8, in which the housing is connected to a cartridge containing a container with an aerosol precursor composition containing glycerol and nicotine. 11. The control housing of the aerosol delivery device, containing a casing with which the cartridge with the aerosol precursor composition is connected or configured to be connected to form an aerosol delivery device, a control component located in the casing and configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of air flow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge, and a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene, and transmitting information indicative of a temporal or spatial event outwardly to a computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on said information, wherein the camera system or the control component is made or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event, which is a number of people in a room with a microclimate controlled by a heating or cooling system, and the computing device is a heating or cooling system thermostat connected to the network or connected to this system, and wherein the camera system or control component is or is configured to transmit information indicative of a specified number of people in a room to a network-connected thermostat to enable the heating or cooling system to be controlled based on said information by said thermostat. 12. The control housing according to claim 11, in which the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmitting information indicative of a person or a number of people in the surrounding space to the computing device for outputting by the computing device a notification about the person or a number of people in the surrounding space. 13. The control housing according to claim 12, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit video and information indicative of a person or a number of people in the surrounding space to a computing device for outputting a notification by the computing device, which includes displaying a video image with a visual indication of a person or a certain number of people on it. 14. A control housing for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a casing to which the cartridge with the aerosol precursor composition is connected or configured to be connected to form an aerosol delivery device; a control component located in the housing and configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge; and a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information indicative of the temporal or spatial an event external to the computing device for the computing device to perform at least one control operation based on the specified information, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a person in the surrounding space with an electric light source , and wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit information indicative of a person in the surrounding space to a computing device to provide control at least at least one electric light source based on said information by means of a computing device, and the computing device is a network-connected light switch connected to the electric light source, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information to the network-connected switch Sveta. 15. The control housing according to claim 14, in which the electric light source is a network-connected electric light source with a computing device built into it, and the implementation of the camera system or control component with the ability to transmit said information includes making it or him capable of transmitting said information to a network-connected electric light source. 16. A control housing for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a casing to which the cartridge with the aerosol precursor composition is connected or configured to be connected to form an aerosol delivery device; a control component located in the housing and configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge; and a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information indicative of the temporal or spatial event , outward to the computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on the specified information, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a person or a number of people in the surrounding space, and wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information in response to a second temporal or spatial event in the surrounding space, wherein the camera system or component control is also configured or configured to transmit an indication of the second temporal or spatial event with the specified information, and the second temporal or spatial event contains dangerous conditions in the surrounding space. 17. A control housing for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a casing to which is connected or configured to connect a cartridge with an aerosol precursor composition to form an aerosol delivery device; a control component located in the housing and configured to control the delivery of components of the aerosol precursor composition upon detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge; and a camera system with a digital camera configured to capture a video image of a scene in its field of view, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to analyze video content on the video image to detect a temporal or spatial event in the scene and transmit information indicative of the temporal or spatial event , outward to the computing device for performing by the computing device at least one control operation based on the specified information, wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit said information in response to a second temporal or spatial event, wherein the camera system or control component also configured or capable of transmitting an indication of a second temporal or spatial event with the specified information, and the second temporal or spatial event includes a negative stress determined based on facial expressions but a person. 18. Control housing according to any one of paragraphs. 11, 14, 16, 17, in which the camera system also includes a processor configured to perform video content analysis on a video image, and the control component is configured to transmit said information to a computing device. 19. Control housing according to any one of paragraphs. 11-18, in which the digital camera is configured to capture a video image of a scene that is a parking lot, including a layout of parking spaces, and the camera system or control component is configured or configured to detect a temporal or spatial event that represents a free of parking spaces , wherein the camera system or control component is configured or configured to transmit video image and information indicating a free parking space to a computing device for displaying a video image by the computing device with a visual indication of a free parking space. 20. The control housing according to any one of paragraphs. 11-19, in which the housing is connected to a cartridge containing a container with an aerosol precursor composition containing glycerol and nicotine.

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