TW201944909A - Methods, devices and systems associated with smoking substitute devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of forming a consumable for use in a smoking substitute device, the method including: providing a machine readable component which stores information associated with the consumable; overmoulding the machine readable component with an overmoulding material to coat at least part of the machine readable component with the overmoulding material; and including the overmoulded machine readable component in the consumable. Associated devices and systems are also disclosed.

Description

Method, device and system associated with smoking replacement device

This case claims the following priorities:
• GB1803034.6, filed on February 26, 2018, and PCT / EP2019 / 053489, filed on February 13, 2019 (Descriptions of inventions referred to herein as "Invention 01" and titled "METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICES ")
• GB1803024.7 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053493 filed on February 13, 2019 (the inventions described herein are referred to as "Invention 02" and the title is "SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE" )
• GB1803030.4 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053497 (filed on February 13, 2018) are inventions described herein as "Invention 03" and titled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BATTERY STATUS MONITORING IN A NETWORK-ENABLED SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE ")
• GB1803029.6 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053499 filed on February 13, 2019 (the inventions described herein are referred to as "Invention 04" and the title is "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATION MONITORING OF A NETWORK-ENABLED SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE ")
• GB1803025.4 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053501 filed on February 13, 2019 (the inventions described herein are referred to as "Invention 05" and the title is "SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE" )
• GB1803028.8 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053505, filed on February 13, 2019 (Descriptions of inventions referred to herein as "Invention 06" and titled "MOBILE DEVICES, SYSTEMS" , METHODS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA ASSOCIATED WITH A SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE ")
• GB1803033.8, filed on February 26, 2018, and PCT / EP2019 / 053506, filed on February 13, 2019 (Descriptions of inventions referred to herein as "Invention 07" and titled "SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING SMOKING" SUBSTITUTE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS ")
• GB1803032.0 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053508 filed on February 13, 2019 (the inventions described herein are referred to as "Invention 08" and the title is "SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE" )
• GB1803027.0 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053519, filed on February 13, 2019 (Descriptions of inventions referred to herein as "Invention 09" and titled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPONENT LIFETIME MONITORING IN NETWORK-ENABLED SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE ")
• GB1803026.2 filed on February 26, 2018 and PCT / EP2019 / 053510, filed on February 13, 2019 (Descriptions of inventions referred to herein as "Invention 10" and titled "SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING SMOKING" SUBSTITUTE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS ")
• GB1806929.4 filed on April 27, 2018 (the invention described herein is referred to as "Invention 11" and the title is "SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE")
• GB1808611.6 filed on May 25, 2018, GB1815356.9 filed on September 20, 2018, and PCT / EP2019 / 053502 filed on February 13, 2019 (the descriptions are referred to herein as " Invention 12 "and the title is" A SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE ")

The contents and elements of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Invention 01

The present invention relates to a method for forming a consumable for a smoking replacement device, a consumable for a smoking replacement device, a smoking replacement device, and a system for managing a smoking replacement device.
Invention 02

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device and a system including the same.
Invention 03

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a network-enabled smoking replacement device (ie, a smoking replacement device capable of wirelessly communicating with other devices (eg, via a short-range network)).
Invention 04

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a network-enabled smoking replacement device (ie, a smoking replacement device capable of wirelessly communicating with other devices (eg, via a short-range network)).
Invention 05

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to providing a recommended configuration for a smoking replacement device based on the amount of the smoking replacement device.
Invention 06

The present invention relates to a mobile device, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium associated with a smoking substitute device.
Invention 07

The present invention relates to a system and associated method for managing smoking alternative devices.
Invention 08

The present invention relates to updating the firmware for a smoking alternative device, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to updating the firmware of a smoking alternative device based on recorded errors related to the smoking alternative device.
Invention 09

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a network-enabled smoking replacement device (ie, a smoking replacement device capable of wirelessly communicating with other devices (eg, via a short-range network)).
Invention 10

The present invention relates to a system and associated method for managing smoking alternative devices.
Invention 11

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to providing a smoking replacement device including a cellular narrow-band connector.
Invention 12

The present invention relates to a smoking replacement device, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to disabling a smoking replacement device in some cases (for example, by providing a smoking replacement device associated with an age verification function).

It is generally believed that smoking tobacco exposes smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that a large amount of potentially harmful substances is generated by the heat generated by the combustion of tobacco and / or internal combustion and the constituents of charred tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

The combustion of organic materials, such as tobacco, is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking alternatives have been proposed to avoid tobacco smoke.

This smoking replacement device can form part of nicotine replacement therapy, intended for people who want to quit smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Smoking replacement devices (also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems) can include electronic systems that allow aerosols (also known as "steam") to be drawn into the lungs (inhaled) through the mouth and then exhaled, allowing Users simulate smoking behavior. Inhaled aerosols often carry nicotine and / or flavorings without (or reducing) the odor and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

Generally speaking, smoking replacement devices are intended to provide alternatives to smoking rituals, while providing users with similar experience and satisfaction to traditional smoking and tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking alternatives has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although initially marketed as a habitual smoker who wants to quit, consumers are increasingly seeing smoking alternatives as the desired lifestyle accessory. Some smoking alternatives are designed similar to conventional cigarettes and are cylindrical and have a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking replacement devices are often not similar to cigarettes (for example, smoking replacement devices may often be in the form of a box).

There are many different types of smoking alternatives, each using a different smoking alternative. The smoking alternative corresponds to the way the user operates the alternative system.

One method for smoking alternative devices is the so-called "e-cigarette smoking" method, in which a vaporizable liquid, commonly referred to as "electronic liquid", is heated by a heating device to produce inhalation by a user Aerosol vapor. E-liquids typically include a base liquid and nicotine and / or flavoring agents. Therefore, the resulting steam usually contains nicotine and / or flavoring agents. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin.

Typical e-cigarette replacement devices include mouthpieces, power sources (usually batteries), storage tanks for electronic liquids, and heating devices. In use, electrical energy is supplied from a power source to a heating device to heat an e-liquid to generate an aerosol (or "steam") that a user inhales through a mouthpiece.

The e-cigarette replacement device can be configured in various ways. For example, there are e-cigarette replacement devices that typically have a "closed system" with a sealed storage tank and heating elements that are pre-filled with e-liquid and are not intended to be refilled by the end user. A subset of a closed system electronic cigarette replacement device includes a main body including a power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically coupled and electrically coupled to a consumable including a storage tank and a heating element. In this way, when the storage tank for consumables has been emptied, the main body can be reused by connecting the main body to a new consumable. Another sub-set of closed-system e-cigarette replacement devices is fully disposable and intended for single use only.

There are also e-cigarette replacement devices that typically have "open systems" that are configured to be refilled by the user, and therefore the device can be used multiple times.

An exemplary e-cigarette replacement device is a myblu ^™ electronic cigarette. The myblu ^TM electronic cigarette is a closed system device including a main body and consumables. By pushing the consumables into the main body, the main body and the consumables are physically and electrically coupled together. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. Consumables include a mouthpiece, a sealed storage tank containing an e-liquid, and a heating device. For this device, the heating device is a heating wire coiled around a portion of the core while the core portion is immersed in the electronic liquid. When the microprocessor on the main body detects that the user inhales through the mouthpiece, the device is activated. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device to heat the e-liquid from the storage tank to generate steam inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

Another exemplary e-cigarette replacement device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette. The blu PRO ^TM electronic cigarette is an open system device including a main body, a (refillable) storage tank, and a mouthpiece. The main body and the storage tank are physically and electrically coupled together by being screwed to each other. The mouthpiece and the refillable reservoir are physically connected by tightening the other, and the mouthpiece is separated from the refillable reservoir to allow the reservoir to be refilled with the e-liquid. The device is activated by a button on the body. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device to heat the e-liquid from the storage tank to generate steam inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

Another approach for smoking alternatives is the so-called "non-combustion heating (" HNB ")" approach, in which tobacco (not e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release steam. Tobacco can be tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco. The steam may contain nicotine and / or flavoring agents. In the HNB mode, it is intended to heat but not burn tobacco (that is, no internal combustion is performed).

A typical HNB smoking replacement device may include a body and consumables. Consumables may include tobacco materials. The body and consumables may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat can be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating device typically located in the body, wherein the air flow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as steam. The steam may be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may, for example, include propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin), and also volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released steam can be entrapped in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the steam passes from the inlet to the mouthpiece (outlet) through a smoking alternative (entrained in the air stream), the steam cools and condenses to form an aerosol (also known as steam) for inhalation by the user. Aerosols generally contain volatile compounds.

In HNB smoking alternatives, as opposed to burning tobacco materials, heating is thought to result in less or smaller amounts of more harmful compounds that would normally be produced during smoking. Therefore, the HNB method can reduce the odor and / or health risks that may be generated by the combustion, internal combustion, and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

An example of the HNB approach is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device uses consumables including reconstituted tobacco located in a package. Consumables include holders with mouthpieces. The consumable can be inserted into the main body including the heating device. The heating device has a heat conduction heating knife. When the consumable is inserted into the heating device, the heat conduction heating knife penetrates the reconstituted tobacco of the consumable. The start of the heating device heats a heating element (in this case, a heating knife), which accordingly heats the tobacco in the consumables. Tobacco heating causes the tobacco to release nicotine vapor and flavoring agents. Users can inhale the nicotine vapor and flavoring agents through the mouthpiece by inhalation.

The second example of the HNB method is a device called "Glo ^™ " from British American Tobacco plc. Glo ^TM contains relatively thin consumables. Consumables include tobacco leaves, which are heated by a heating device located in the main body. When the consumable is placed in the body, the heating element of the heating device surrounds the tobacco. The start of the heating device heats the heating element, which accordingly heats the tobacco in the consumables. Tobacco heating causes the tobacco to release nicotine vapor and flavoring agents, and users can inhale the nicotine vapor and flavoring agents through consumables through inhalation. When heated by a heating device, the tobacco is configured to generate steam when heated rather than when burned (eg, in a smoking device (cigarette)). Tobacco can contain high levels of aerosol-forming agents (carriers) (eg, vegetable glycerin ("VG") or propylene glycol ("PG")).

The inventors of the present case have observed that most smoking replacement devices currently on the market are configured to operate in isolation from other devices, while limiting the functions that smoking replacement devices can perform.

In addition, most smoking replacement devices on the market today are "single configuration" devices, in which it is impossible or currently difficult to change the configuration of the device according to the user's preference.

The inventors of the present case have also observed that as smoking alternatives become more complex, it becomes more challenging to inform users of the functions that the smoking alternatives can perform. Some users ignore or do not want to read instruction manuals that explain these functions.

The inventors of the present case have observed that smoking replacement devices may be lost or stolen, in which case they may fall into the hands of people who should not use the device (eg, thieves or children).

The inventors of the present case have observed that consumable materials that are normally present in smoking replacement devices may degrade. This may cause a loss of taste. In the case of e-liquids, degradation of the e-liquid may cause degradation of components of the smoking replacement device (eg, one or more parts of a consumable that stores the e-liquid).

The inventor of this case is concerned that unauthorized users (especially those who are too young) may obtain and use smoking alternative devices. For example, it is illegal to sell smoking replacements to people under the age of 18 in the UK. Although there is no legal minimum age to use smoking replacements, it is generally believed that people under 18 are not expected to acquire and use smoking Alternative device.

The present invention has been designed in view of the above considerations.

Invention 01

In a first aspect of the invention, a method of forming a consumable for a smoking replacement device is provided, the method comprising the following steps:
Providing a machine-readable component that stores information associated with the consumable;
Overmolding the machine-readable component with an overmolding material to coat at least a portion of the machine-readable component with the overmolding material; and the overmolding machine including the consumable Read the part.

For the purposes of this disclosure, overmolding can be understood as an injection overmolding process in which an overmolding material is injected into a mold containing an insert (eg, a machine-readable part) to be overmolded to make it liquid The overmolding material coats at least a portion of the insert (the entire insert may be selected so that the insert is covered by the overmolding material), and then the liquid overmolding material is allowed to solidify, thereby coating the overmolding material with the overmolding material. At least a portion of the cloth insert (optionally encapsulating the insert). Generally, overmold materials are liquid under certain conditions (for example, at high temperatures) and solid under other conditions (for example, at lower temperatures). Overmold materials are usually plastic materials.

Techniques for overmolding, including techniques for overmolding electronic components, are known. The technology used to overmold electronic components is sometimes referred to as "low pressure overmolding," and is generally about lower injection pressures than overmold technology used to overmold less fragile inserts. .

Preferably, the machine-readable component is covered with an overmold material. However, it is also possible to coat the machine-readable part only by overmolding the material.

Overmolded machine-readable parts (specifically if covered with overmold material) can be advantageously more waterproof, dust-tight, less susceptible to corrosion and / or less readable than non-overmolded machine-readable parts More impact resistant.

Because overmolding is a way to firmly connect multiple parts together without the need for an adhesive, the machine-readable part itself can be overmolded with another overmolding material to make use of Overmolding material to coat at least a portion of the overmolded machine-readable component, for example, to further protect the machine-readable component and / or other components that facilitate attachment to the consumable.

Since the overmolding process uses a mold, the overmolded machine-readable parts can be molded into any moldable shape. This means that the overmolded machine-readable parts can be shaped to form parts for consumables.

Preferably, the overmolded machine-readable component is shaped into (and preferably also serves as) a consumable component. In this case, the step of including the overmolded machine-readable part in the consumable may include the steps of assembling multiple parts together to form a consumable, one of which is a warp Overmolded machine-readable parts.

For example, an overmolded machine-readable component may be formed (and preferably also serves) a container configured to contain a consumable material within a consumable. For example, an overmolded machine-readable component may be formed (and preferably also) a storage tank configured to hold an e-liquid in a consumable (as it may be suitable for an e-cigarette replacement device). For example, an overmolded machine-readable part may be formed (and preferably also serves) a container configured to contain a tobacco material in a consumable.

As another example, an overmolded machine-readable component may be formed into (and preferably also serves as) a housing for a consumable.

As another example, an overmolded machine-readable part may be formed (and preferably also serves) as a mouthpiece for a consumable.

The machine-readable part may include a memory for storing information associated with the consumables.

The machine-readable component is preferably wirelessly readable. To this end, the machine-readable part may include an antenna for transmitting a signal containing information associated with the consumable, which signal may be read by an external device (for example, by being included in the body of a smoking alternative device) Reader, as described below).

Preferably, the machine-readable component is an RFID tag.

RFID tags are readable parts of electronic machines. RFID readers can use electromagnetic waves (usually radio waves) to wirelessly read information from readable parts of electronic machines. RFID tags typically include an antenna for transmitting a signal containing information stored by the RFID tag, which signal can be read by an RFID reader.

Preferably, the machine-readable component is a passive RFID tag.

As we all know, passive RFID tags have no power source, but are powered by electromagnetic energy transmitted from the RFID reader (to generate a signal containing information stored by the RFID tag, which can be read by the RFID reader). In contrast, active RFID tags have a power source that can be used to generate a signal that can be read by an RFID reader.

RFID tags can be re-writable to allow tags to be written to store new information associated with consumables.

Although passive RFID tags are preferred, machine-readable components may alternatively be operated using one of near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi technology. To this end, the machine-readable component may include an antenna for transmitting a signal containing information associated with the consumables, which signal may be read by an external device according to one of these technologies.

The machine-readable part may include a visual pattern (eg, in the form of a 1D or 2D barcode) that stores information associated with the consumable. In this case, the overmold material may be transparent or not coated with a visual pattern to allow optical reading of the visual pattern (eg, a camera using a mobile device).

Although the machine-readable component is preferably wirelessly readable, the machine-readable component may be configured to be read by a direct electrical connection with an external device. To this end, the machine-readable component may include an electrical interface configured to allow information associated with the consumable to be read from the machine-readable component through a direct electrical connection with an external device. If an electrical interface is included, the overmold material is preferably not coated with an electrical interface.

The information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable parts may include any one or more of the following:
ID information used to identify consumables (for example, to uniquely identify consumables, or to uniquely identify a batch of consumables to which a consumable belongs);
The taste (or, for example, odor) of the consumable materials contained in the consumables;
The amount of consumable material contained in the consumable (for example, volume or mass);
The temperature at which the consumable materials contained in the consumable should be heated;
Parameters indicating how the consumable should be used (for example, the voltage that should be supplied to the consumable);
The size of the storage tanks included in the consumables to contain the consumables;
One or more measurement variables associated with the consumable device (eg, measured by the measurement component described in relation to the third aspect of the invention).

This list is not exhaustive. Machine-readable parts can store other information items associated with consumables.

The consumable may include a consumable material. If the consumable is used for an electronic cigarette replacement device, the consumable material may be an e-liquid contained in a storage tank of the consumable. The tank can be sealed. If the consumable is used for an HNB smoking replacement device, the consumable material may be a tobacco material contained in a container of the consumable.

The consumable may be configured to be physically coupled to the body of the smoking replacement device.

The consumable may include a heating device configured to heat the consumable material contained in the consumable to, for example, generate steam. However, a heating device may alternatively be included in the body, the body being configured to be physically coupled to the consumable (eg, as may be the case with HNB smoking replacement devices).

The consumable may include one or more air inlets configured to allow air to be drawn into the consumable.

The consumable may include a mouthpiece for inhaling steam generated by heating a consumable contained in the consumable.

The consumable may include an electrical interface for electrically coupling the consumable to the body of the smoking alternative device (eg, when the consumable is physically coupled to the body).

Consumables may include one or more other components (eg, as explained elsewhere in this document).

A second aspect of the present invention can provide a consumable formed by the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Therefore, a second aspect of the present invention can provide a consumable for a smoking replacement device, including:
The machine-readable part contains information associated with the consumables; and wherein at least a portion of the machine-readable part is coated with an overmold material.

The consumable may have any of the features described or produced by the method steps described in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the present invention may provide a consumable for a smoking replacement device, including:
At least one measurement component configured to measure a variable associated with a consumable device; and a machine-readable component configured to store each measurement variable such that each measurement variable can be read by an external device (eg , With the reader included in the body of the smoking alternative, as described below).

Each measurement variable is an example of information associated with a consumable that can be stored by a machine-readable component in the first and / or second aspects of the invention.

For example, the at least one measurement component may include an electronic component configured to measure the resistance of a consumable material contained in the consumable (eg, an electronic liquid contained in a storage tank of the consumable).

For example, the at least one measurement component may include an electronic component configured to measure a capacitance of a consumable material contained in the consumable (for example, an electronic liquid contained in a storage tank of the consumable).

For example, the at least one measurement component may include an electronic component configured to measure an inductance of a consumable material contained in the consumable (eg, an electronic liquid contained in a storage tank of the consumable).

For example, the at least one measurement component may include a component configured to measure a variable that describes another property (eg, opacity) of the consumable material.

The machine-readable part may include a memory for storing each measured variable.

The machine-readable component is preferably wirelessly readable and may be described as incorporating the first and / or second aspects of the invention.

For example, the machine-readable component may be an RFID tag, preferably a passive RFID tag. The RFID tag can be re-writable to allow the tag to be written to store each measurement variable.

At least a portion of the machine-readable component may be coated with an overmold material in a manner such as described in connection with the first and / or second aspects of the invention.

Although the machine-readable component is preferably wirelessly readable, the machine-readable component may be configured to be read by a direct electrical connection with an external device. To this end, the machine-readable part may include an electrical interface configured to allow each measurement variable to be read from the machine-readable part by a direct electrical connection with an external device. If an electrical interface is included and the machine-readable component is overmolded, the overmold material is preferably uncoated.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a smoking replacement device, including:
main body;
Consumables configured to be physically coupled to the main body;
The consumables include machine-readable parts storing information associated with the consumables, and are consumables according to the second and / or third aspects of the present invention.

The information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable component may include the consumables described in connection with the first and / or second aspects of the present invention and / or the third aspect of the present invention. Information associated with one or more measured variables.

For example, the smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device or an HNB smoking replacement device.

The body may include a reader configured to read information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable part.

A reader included in the body may be configured to read information stored by the machine-readable part when the consumable is physically coupled to the body.

The reader may be configured to wirelessly read information stored by the machine-readable part (ie, without a direct electrical connection to the machine-readable part). To this end, the reader may include an antenna configured to receive a signal containing information stored by the machine-readable part, wherein the signal is transmitted by the machine-readable part. Alternatively, the reader may include a camera for optically reading information stored by the machine-readable part, where this information has been stored as a visual pattern (such as described above).

If the machine-readable part included in the consumable is an RFID tag, the reader included in the body may be an RFID reader configured to read information from the RFID tag included in the consumable (wirelessly). . The RFID tag and the RFID reader can be located on / in the consumable and the main body respectively, so that the RFID reader can read the information stored by the RFID tag only when the consumable is physically coupled to the main body. As is known in the art, RFID readers typically include an antenna.

The reader may be configured to read the machine-readable component by a direct electrical connection with the machine-readable component. To this end, the reader may include or be connected to an electrical interface configured to read information stored by the machine-readable component by, for example, directly electrically connecting to the machine-readable component via a wire.

Body may include any one or more of: a power source (e.g., batteries), control unit, memory, and configured to mobile wireless communication devices (e.g., via a Bluetooth ^TM), wireless interface, and configured to Electrical power from a power source included in the body is transmitted to the electrical interface of the consumable (eg, its heating device).

The body and the consumable may be physically coupled together (and optionally electrically coupled together), such as by pushing the consumable into the body or screwing each other on. They can also be coupled together using bayonet connections.

If the information stored by the machine-readable part includes one or more measured variables (see the discussion of the third aspect of the invention), the subject (eg, a control unit in the subject) may be configured to The machine can read one or more measurement variables read by the component to determine information about the consumable materials contained in the consumable (for example, the taste of the e-liquid contained in the consumable). For example, the subject may be configured to use one or more measured variables and a database (e.g., one or more measured variables read from a machine-readable part) from a machine-readable part. Can be used as a "key" to find information about consumables contained in consumables in the database) and compare to determine information about consumables contained in consumables.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a system for managing smoking replacement devices, including:
A smoking substitute device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention;
An app-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app.

For example, the mobile device can be a mobile phone or a tablet.

The smoking replacement device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the application, for example, via a wireless interface on the smoking replacement device and a corresponding wireless interface on the mobile device.

The system may include an application server. An application on a mobile phone may be configured to communicate with an application server, such as via a network.

If the body includes a reader configured to read information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable part, the body may be configured to transmit the information associated with the consumables to the application. Alternatively, the mobile device may be configured to directly read information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable component from the machine-readable component (eg, using a camera or antenna of the mobile device).

The subject (eg, the control unit in the subject), the application, and / or the application server may be configured to process information associated with the consumables stored by the machine-readable part to allow, for example, association with the consumables (Or derived from information associated with consumables) to the user (for example, via an app). It should be noted that an application can receive information associated with a consumable, which is read by the main body and then transmitted to the application by the main body or by a mobile device that directly reads the information.

If the machine-readable component is configured to store one or more measured variables (see discussion of the third aspect of the invention), the subject (eg, a control unit in the subject), an application, and / or an application The server may be configured to determine information about the consumable materials contained in the consumable based on one or more measured variables read from the machine-readable part (eg, the electronic liquid contained in the consumable taste). For example, a subject (e.g., a control unit in the subject), an application, and / or an application server may be configured to use one or more measured variables and data that will be read from a machine-readable part Libraries (for example, one or more measured variables read from a machine-readable part can be used as a "key" to find information about consumables contained in consumables in a library) to determine Information about the consumables contained in consumables.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 02

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoking replacement device (or "cigarette replacement device") having a wireless interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device.

In this manner, the smoking substitute device can wirelessly send information related to the use of the smoking substitute device to the computing device using the wireless interface, and / or change its behavior based on instructions received from the computing device wirelessly received at the wireless interface.

Preferably, the smoking substitute device is configured to wirelessly send information related to the use of the smoking substitute device to the computing device using a wireless interface.

The information related to the use of smoking alternative devices may include statistical data related to the use of smoking alternative devices, which may then be presented to the user via a computing device, for example (alternatively, the information received from the smoking alternative device may be used in Statistics used in calculations at the computing device).

The information related to the use of the smoking alternative may include information about or describing the number of times the smoking alternative is activated. For example, this information may include the number of times the device has been activated since the user first started, and / or the number of times the device has been activated since the device was last charged.

The information related to the use of the smoking alternative device may include information about or describing one or more lengths of time that the smoking alternative device was activated. For example, this information may include the average length of time that a user has activated a smoking alternative (per activation), and / or the total length of time that a user has activated a smoking alternative (all activations).

The information related to the use of the smoking alternative may include information about or describing one or more flavors used with the smoking alternative. For example, this information may include an indication of each taste of a consumable material (e.g., e-liquid or tobacco) used with a smoking alternative.

If the smoking replacement device includes a subject for use with the consumable (see below), the information related to the use of the smoking replacement device may include information associated with the consumable (for example, about or describing the use with the smoking replacement device Information on one or more flavors of the consumables used). For example, this information may include an indication of each taste of a consumable material (eg, e-liquid or tobacco) in a consumable used with a smoking alternative.

For example, the smoking substitute device can determine the taste of the consumable used with the smoking substitute device via a machine-readable component (eg, an RFID tag) provided by the consumable.

In this case, the main body may include a reader (for example, an RFID reader) for reading a machine-readable part (for example, an RFID tag) provided by the consumable. The machine-readable component is preferably included in the consumable, but may instead be provided in the package of the consumable. Preferably, the reader is configured to read the machine-readable components included in the consumable when (optionally only) the consumable is physically coupled to the body.

The information related to the use of the smoking substitute device may include information about or describing when one or more events occurred on the smoking substitute device. For example, one or more events may include the time at which each activation of the smoking alternative device occurs, and / or the time at which each charge of the smoking alternative device occurs (if the smoking alternative device includes a rechargeable battery). The smoking replacement device may include a clock for determining when one or more events occur.

Preferably, the smoking substitute device is configured to change its behavior in accordance with instructions from the computing device that have been received wirelessly at the wireless interface.

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for changing one or more configuration settings of a smoking alternative device (some examples of which are discussed below).

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for controlling the behavior of the heating device included in the smoking alternative device. By way of example, these instructions may include instructions for changing the voltage applied to the heating element when the smoking alternative is activated.

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for changing a mode of operation of the smoking alternative device. These instructions may include, for example, instructions for setting the smoking substitute device in a battery saving operation mode. For example, compared to the standard operating mode, the battery saving operating mode can reduce the battery usage of the smoking alternative device each time the device is started. For example, when a smoking alternative is activated, the battery usage can be reduced by reducing the activation length or changing the voltage applied to the heating element.

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for resetting the smoking substitute device.

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for changing the behavior of the lights included in the smoking replacement device. For example, these instructions may include instructions for disabling a light.

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for changing the behavior of a gas flu detector that detects airflow in a smoking alternative device. By way of example, these instructions may include instructions for changing the sensitivity of a flu detector (eg, according to a user's preference).

The instructions from the computing device may include instructions for controlling wireless settings of the smoking substitute device (ie, settings regarding how the smoking substitute device uses the wireless interface to wirelessly communicate with the computing device). For example, these instructions may include instructions to change the name of the smoking alternative device, instructions to make the smoking alternative device discoverable or undiscoverable, and / or how often the smoking alternative device attempts to connect with the computing device / Communication instructions.

Instructions from a computing device can be used to change the behavior of a smoking alternative device based on information sent to the computing device by the smoking alternative device (for example, if an application determines that one or More criteria). An example of how to do this is described in more detail below, where the computing device is a mobile device.

The smoking replacement device may include:
A control unit for controlling the operation of the smoking substitute device; and a memory for storing information related to the operation of the smoking substitute device.

If the smoking replacement device includes a main body for a consumable, the control unit and the memory are preferably included in the main body.

The control unit may control the smoking alternative to perform any of the operations described above or described herein.

The control unit may be configured to record information related to the use of the smoking alternative device (see above) in memory.

The wireless interface may be any suitable interface that allows wireless communication between the smoking alternative device and the computing device.

For example, the wireless interface may be a Bluetooth ^(TM) is configured to perform wireless communication according to Bluetooth ^(TM) wireless technology standard interface with the computing device. Of course, there are other wireless technology standards that can be used equally (for example, standards for wireless local area networks (for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard)).

The wireless interface may be configured to intermittently wirelessly communicate with the computing device, for example, such that a user may only periodically connect with the computing device. This may help save battery.

The smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device. These devices can be configured in a variety of ways (such as described herein).

The smoking replacement device may include a main body and a consumable.

The computing device may be any computing device (eg, a mobile device (eg, a mobile phone or tablet) or a general purpose computer) capable of wireless communication with a smoking alternative device.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing smoking replacement devices, including:
The smoking substitute device according to the first aspect of the present invention; and a mobile device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with a mobile device installed on the mobile device via a wireless interface on the mobile device (for example, via Bluetooth ^™ ). Application for wireless communication.

The system may include an application server (for example, it may be controlled by the manufacturer of the smoking alternative).

An application on a mobile phone can be configured to communicate with an application server over a network (such as described below).

Apps installed on mobile devices can be configured to display information related to the use of smoking alternative devices. The displayed information may include information received from the smoking alternative device (see example above) and / or derived from information received from the smoking alternative device. The displayed information may include statistics related to the use of smoking alternatives.

The application installed on the mobile device may be configured to send instructions to the smoking alternative device via a wireless interface on the mobile device to change the behavior of the smoking alternative device.

An application installed on a mobile device may be configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of a smoking alternative device based on user input at the mobile device (eg, via visual control of the application's display on the mobile device).

An application installed on a mobile device may be configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of a smoking alternative device based on information sent by the smoking alternative device to the mobile device (for example, if the application sends an action to the smoking alternative device Device information to determine if one or more criteria have been met).

For example, if an application determines that one or more criteria indicating that a smoking alternative device has low battery power have been met based on information sent to the mobile device by the smoking alternative device (for example, The number of times the smoke replacement device is activated), the application may be configured to send an instruction to set the smoke replacement device to a battery saving operation mode.

This illustrates one example of how the computing power of a mobile device can be used to improve the functionality of a smoking alternative device.

In one example, the smoking device may be configured to wirelessly send information to the mobile device about the number of times the smoking alternative device has been activated since the last charge, if the application is based on Information to determine that one or more criteria indicating that the smoking alternative device has low battery power have been met, the application may be configured to send an instruction to set the smoking alternative device to a battery saving operation mode.

The mobile-installed application may be configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of the smoking alternative device based on instructions received from the application server. This may be useful, for example, when pushing updated firmware to smoking alternatives.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the system according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the mobile device is a computing device (which may or may not be a mobile device).

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 03

Most generally, the present invention is capable of monitoring the status of the battery in a smoking replacement device through a portable communication terminal (eg, a mobile phone). The smoking replacement device is network-enabled if it can wirelessly communicate with the portable communication terminal, for example, to transmit information about the status of the battery. The portable communication terminal can process the status information received from the smoking alternative device locally or in the cloud to provide feedback or other notifications to the user of the device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for monitoring a battery status in a smoking substitute device may be provided. The method includes the following steps: via wireless communication between the smoking substitute device and a portable communication terminal The channel transmits the battery data log from the smoking replacement device to the portable communication terminal; according to the received battery data log, the battery related information is calculated by the portable communication terminal; if the battery related information meets a predetermined standard, the Communication terminal issues battery event notification. With this technology, the user can be presented with more information-rich content related to the power source of the smoking alternative device without the need to provide additional processing or display capabilities on the smoking alternative device itself.

The smoking replacement device may be similar to any smoking replacement device discussed above, and further includes a wireless interface for establishing and communicating on a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal. The wireless interface can be used for any suitable wireless protocol. For example, the wireless interface can operate over a short-range network. For example, it may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) (eg, using Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, WiFi personal hotspot, or the like). The smoking replacement device can be paired with the portable communication terminal on the wireless communication channel. The portable communication terminal may be a master device, and the smoking substitute device may be a slave device.

The portable communication terminal may be any communication device capable of wirelessly interacting with the smoking alternative device (for example, via a short-range network). The portable communication terminal may be a mobile phone (for example, a smart phone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

The smoking replacement device may be configured to, for example, under the control of a control unit running on the smoking replacement device, and periodically (eg, periodically) or temporarily record, detect, or otherwise observe battery status information. The method can include the following steps before establishing a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal: recording a plurality of battery status measurements by the smoking replacement device; and smoking by using the plurality of battery status measurements. The replacement device generates a battery profile log. The battery status measurement may be any parameter that indicates the charging-related properties of the battery. The battery profile log may be a data structure that associates the charging-related properties of the battery recorded by the smoking replacement device with a time stamp indicating when the charging-related properties were recorded. The charge-related property may be the voltage measured on the battery.

The received battery data log can be processed locally by the portable communication terminal (for example, using the processor and memory in the portable communication terminal itself). Alternatively, the received battery data log may be processed by a remote application server (for example, in the cloud), and the remote application server performs network communication with the portable communication terminal. The network communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be separated or independent of the wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal. Network communications can include connections on the global information network. For example, the network communication may utilize a cellular network or a WiFi network.

The communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be controlled by an application program running on the portable communication terminal. Applications can be run in the background of the portable communication terminal to receive battery data logs and manage subsequent processing. The portable communication terminal can be arranged to retransmit the battery data log to the application server for calculating battery related information. The battery-related information can be returned to the portable communication terminal for use in determining subsequent actions. Alternatively, follow-up actions can be taken in the application server (for example, a decision as to whether to post a notification).

Battery related information may include data indicating the nature of the battery. In one example, the nature of the battery is the remaining capacity. The portable communication terminal may be arranged to display the battery-related information to the user (eg, requested through interaction with an application).

In this example, the predetermined criterion may include a threshold amount of power, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the remaining amount of power is lower than the threshold amount of power. The threshold power may be adjustable (for example, by the user interacting with the portable communication terminal). As a result, the user can control the circumstances under which the notification is issued, for example to suit specific needs.

Battery-related information can be more complicated (for example, by considering usage habits and device configuration). The method may include the following steps: transmitting, via a wireless communication channel between the smoking substitute device and the portable communication terminal, usage data of one or more start-up events at the smoking substitute device indicating that power is drawn from a battery. The activation event may correspond to the manner in which the user inhales from the smoking alternative device, causing the steam to be extracted from the consumable.

The usage data may include information indicating the number and duration of activation events in the current charging cycle or after the smoking replacement device was last connected to the portable communication terminal. Here, the current charging cycle may represent a time period after the battery was previously recharged. After the usage data is transferred to the portable communication terminal, the usage data on the smoking alternative device can be reset. This ensures that redundant data is not transmitted unnecessarily, which saves battery life.

The method may include the following steps: deriving the predicted available use information for the smoking substitute device through the portable communication terminal according to the battery data log and the use data, wherein the battery related information includes the predicted available use information. In this way, the battery data log can be converted into data, which is a true representation of the remaining use that can be obtained by the current battery power, and can help users plan their use.

The predicted available usage information may include a predicted number of remaining start-up events available during the current battery charge cycle.

In this example, the predetermined criteria may include a start-up activity threshold, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the predicted available usage information is below the start-up activity threshold. For example, the startup activity threshold may include a minimum remaining startup event limit, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the predicted available usage information indicates that the predicted number of remaining startup events is below the minimum remaining startup event limit. The activation activity threshold may be adjustable (for example, by the user interacting with the portable communication terminal). As a result, the user can control the circumstances under which the notification is issued, for example to suit specific needs.

The method may include the following steps: transmitting device information related to the configuration of the smoking substitute device via a wireless communication channel between the smoking substitute device and the portable communication terminal. This configuration may be related to the identification and / or setting of components within the smoking replacement device. Such a configuration may have an impact on the power drawn from the battery during each start-up event, and can therefore be used to determine the predicted available usage information discussed above. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include the step of determining a battery setting file indicating the expected battery behavior by the portable communication terminal based on the device information received from the smoking replacement device, wherein the battery is calculated with reference to the battery setting file relevant information. The battery setting profile can be based on the battery type (for example, brand or product number) and the known or estimated age of the battery (for example, calculated based on completed charge cycles). The battery settings file can indicate the evolution of the remaining power of a particular type and age of battery. Therefore, the battery settings file can be used to determine the predicted available usage information discussed above.

The method may include the following steps: comparing the battery related information with the threshold data through a portable communication terminal to determine whether the battery related information meets a predetermined standard.

The battery event notification can be any suitable message or reminder. The step of issuing the notification may include the following steps: generating visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device. The user can choose the nature of the notification (for example, via an application running on a portable communication terminal).

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a smoking replacement device including: a battery; a control unit; a memory storing computer-readable instructions for execution by the control unit; a heater arranged to be activated at During the event, power is drawn from the battery; and the wireless interface is configured to: establish a wireless communication channel with the portable communication terminal, and transmit the battery data log on the wireless communication channel. The smoking replacement device may have any of the features of the conventional smoking replacement device described above.

The control unit may be further configured to use a wireless interface to obtain and transmit usage data indicative of one or more startup events that draw power from the battery. This function can revise the status information about the battery based on the device's usage history.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a device for monitoring the status of a battery in a smoking substitute device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking substitute device via a wireless communication channel, wherein The portable communication terminal is configured to: receive a battery data log from a smoking alternative device via a wireless communication channel; calculate battery-related information based on the received battery data log; compare battery-related information with threshold data; If the information meets the predetermined criteria relative to the threshold data, a battery event notification is issued. The device may also include a smoking alternative as discussed above.

In another aspect, the present invention may include a computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium on which computer-readable instructions are stored, wherein the computer-readable instructions may be used as a portable communication terminal. Application to execute a method to monitor the status of the battery in the smoking replacement device disclosed above.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 04

Most generally, the invention utilizes the ability of a smoking alternative device to wirelessly connect to a portable communication terminal (eg, a mobile phone) to provide users with information about the location of the smoking alternative device. In one example, this capability may be manifested as anti-lost or anti-theft technology, such as indicating that the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal are disconnected, and the indication is no longer located together. In another example, this capability can use a location tracking function on a portable communication terminal and usage data from a smoking alternative device to make more complex or user-modified judgments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for monitoring the position of a smoking substitute device is provided. The method includes the following steps: After the wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and the smoking substitute device is lost, The portable communication terminal issues a connection disconnection notice.

The smoking replacement device may be similar to any smoking replacement device discussed above, and further includes a wireless interface for establishing and communicating on a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal. The wireless interface can be used for any suitable wireless protocol. For example, the wireless interface can operate over a short-range network. For example, it may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) (eg, using Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, WiFi personal hotspot, or the like). The smoking replacement device can be paired with the portable communication terminal on the wireless communication channel. The portable communication terminal may be a master device, and the smoking substitute device may be a slave device.

The portable communication terminal may be any communication device capable of wirelessly interacting with the smoking alternative device (for example, via a short-range network). The portable communication terminal may be a mobile phone (for example, a smart phone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

The method may include the following steps: detecting the loss of a wireless connection by a portable communication terminal. This can be done in any conventional way. For example, a portable communication terminal may be arranged to periodically (eg, periodically) poll a smoking alternative device. Loss of a wireless connection can be detected as a failure to receive a polled response. Alternatively or in addition, the smoking replacement device may be configured to periodically (eg, periodically) transmit data (eg, usage data) to the portable communication terminal. The loss of a wireless connection can be detected as there are no such transmissions within a predetermined period of time.

The method may include the following steps: determining whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable through a portable communication terminal. The step of issuing a connection disconnection notification may be arranged to occur after the loss of the wireless connection is determined to be notifiable. If the loss of the wireless connection is determined not to be notifiable, the disconnection notification can be blocked.

Here, the functions performed by the portable communication terminal can be performed locally (for example, using the processor and memory in the portable communication terminal itself), or can be performed in a network communication with the portable communication terminal. Done at a remote application server (for example, in the cloud). The network communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be separated or independent of the wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal. Network communications can include connections on the global information network. For example, the network communication may utilize a cellular network or a WiFi network.

The communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be controlled by an application program running on the portable communication terminal. Applications can run in the background of portable communication terminals to manage communication with smoking alternative devices.

The step of deciding whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable may include the step of determining whether one or more notification blocking criteria are met. The notification blocking criteria can be related to any one or any of the following: the duration of the loss of the wireless connection; the presence of a wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and another smoking alternative; the current location of the portable communication terminal; and Historical use of smoking alternatives. This method prevents unwanted or unwanted notifications by enabling notification blocking in some cases. This is useful for avoiding wasting power and processing resources on unwanted messages, and for notifications, when it is actually posted, it is more likely to be effective because users will not get used to ignoring it.

In one example, the method may include the following steps: obtaining the current location of the portable communication terminal from the location tracking unit of the portable communication terminal; comparing the obtained current location with the stored list of locations to be blocked for notification ; And if the current location matches the location on the stored list, determining whether the loss of the wireless connection is not notifiable. The stored list may be user adjustable. This allows users to set up a "safe" location (eg, home or workplace) where the smoking alternative can be disconnected from the portable communication terminal without an alarm.

In another example, the method may include the following steps: after detecting the loss of the wireless connection, obtaining the current location of the portable communication terminal from the location tracking unit of the portable communication terminal; and obtaining the current location and history obtained Use a map of locations for comparison; and if the current location matches a location on a map of historical locations, determine that the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable. In this example, the historical use of smoking alternatives is used to decide whether to guarantee notification.

The data received by the portable communication terminal or obtained in other ways can be combined into a map of historical usage locations. For example, before the wireless connection is lost, the method may include the following steps: fetching the usage data from the smoking alternative device through the portable communication terminal; and obtaining the corresponding data from the position tracking unit of the portable communication terminal Location information; a portable communication terminal uses usage data and corresponding location information to create a map of historical usage locations.

The disconnect notification can be any suitable message or prompt. The step of issuing the notification may include the following steps: generating visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device. The user can choose the nature of the notification (for example, via an application running on a portable communication terminal).

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a device for monitoring the position of a smoking substitute device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking substitute device via a wireless communication channel, wherein The portable communication terminal is configured to issue a disconnection notification after the wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and the smoking alternative device is lost.

In another aspect, the present invention may include a computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium on which computer-readable instructions are stored, wherein the computer-readable instructions may be used as a portable communication terminal. Application to implement a method of monitoring the location of the smoking alternative device disclosed above.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 05

Most generally, the present invention provides a method of modifying the configuration of a smoking replacement device to improve the user's experience depending on its usage pattern.

Therefore, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for adapting the configuration of a smoking substitute device, and includes the following steps:
Monitoring the use of smoking alternatives and deriving one or more usage parameters associated with the use of smoking alternatives from the monitored uses;
Assess one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device based on the one or more usage parameters; and implement the recommended configuration on the smoking replacement device.

This approach can significantly enhance the user's experience with smoking alternatives by ensuring that they are configured in a manner that corresponds to a particular use.

One or more usage parameters may be transmitted from the smoking replacement device to an application installed on the mobile device, the application evaluating one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration.

One or more usage parameters may be transmitted from the smoking replacement device to a remote server that evaluates the one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration may include the step of changing one or more values in the memory of the smoking replacement device.

The derivation of the recommended configuration may be performed to adapt the smoking alternative device in a manner that enhances the user's experience with the device.

The one or more usage parameters may include at least one of the following:
The total usage time of the device during a given time period;
battery power;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative is used in a given time period;
An indication of the severity of the user smoking the smoking replacement device; and an indication of the number of times the consumable has been inserted or removed from the smoking replacement device.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device may include the following steps: setting a power level of a heater in the smoking replacement device.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device may include the following steps: Changing one or more settings of the smoking replacement device from the list:
Power supplied to the heater of the smoking alternative;
Power setting files during inhalation; and power setting files associated with the type of consumable.

The method may further include the following steps implemented on the smoking alternative:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement the associated recommended configuration on the smoking replacement device.

The method may further include the following steps implemented on a smoking alternative device:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device that is not stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement a preset mode configuration on the smoking replacement device.

The step of evaluating one or more usage parameters may include the steps of comparing one or more usage parameters with a plurality of stored exemplary usage parameters, and identifying the type of user of the device from the comparison, and may The step of deriving the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is performed by selecting a corresponding recommended configuration associated with the identified type of user.

The method may include the following steps: before implementing the recommended configuration on the smoking substitute device, presenting the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device to a user of the smoking substitute device for authorization.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a smoking replacement device including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Monitoring the use of smoking alternatives, and deriving one or more usage parameters associated with the use of smoking alternatives from the monitored uses;
Do one of the following:
(A) Evaluate one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration for a smoking alternative device, or (b) Transmit one or more usage parameters to an external device and receive from the external device Recommended configurations derived using parameters; and implementation of recommended configurations on smoking alternatives.

Such smoking alternatives can significantly enhance the user's experience with smoking alternatives by ensuring that they are configured in a manner that corresponds to a particular use.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device may include the step of changing one or more values in the memory of the smoking substitute device.

The derivation of the recommended configuration may be performed to adapt the smoking alternative device in a manner that enhances the user's experience with the device.

The one or more usage parameters may include at least one of the following:
The total usage time of the device during a given time period;
battery power;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative is used in a given time period;
An indication of the severity of the user smoking the smoking replacement device; and an indication of the number of times the consumable has been inserted or removed from the smoking replacement device.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device may include the following steps: setting a power level of a heater in the smoking replacement device.

The step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device may include the following steps: Changing one or more settings of the smoking replacement device from the list:
Power supplied to the heater of the smoking alternative;
Power setting files during inhalation; and power setting files associated with the type of consumable.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement the associated recommended configuration on the smoking replacement device.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device that is not stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement a preset mode configuration on the smoking replacement device.

The step of evaluating one or more usage parameters may include the steps of comparing one or more usage parameters with a plurality of stored exemplary usage parameters, and identifying the type of user of the device from the comparison, and may The step of deriving the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is performed by selecting a corresponding recommended configuration associated with the identified type of user.

The memory may further contain instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Before implementing the recommended configuration on the smoking substitute device, the user of the smoking substitute device is presented with the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device for authorization.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more usage parameters from a smoking alternative device connected to a mobile device;
Do one of the following:
(A) Evaluate one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration for a smoking alternative device, or (b) Transmit one or more usage parameters to an external device and receive from one or more external devices Use the parameter-derived recommended configuration; and transmit the recommended configuration to the smoking alternative for implementation.

Such mobile devices can significantly enhance the user's experience with smoking alternative devices by ensuring that they are configured in a manner that corresponds to a particular use.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking substitute device may include instructions for causing the smoking substitute device to change one or more values in the memory of the smoking substitute device.

The derivation of the recommended configuration may be performed to adapt the smoking alternative device in a manner that enhances the user's experience.

The one or more usage parameters may include at least one of the following:
The total usage time of the device during a given time period;
battery power;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative is used in a given time period;
An indication of the severity of the user smoking the smoking replacement device; and an indication of the number of times the consumable has been inserted or removed from the smoking replacement device.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking substitute device may include instructions to cause the smoking substitute device to change the power level of the heater in the smoking substitute device.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking alternative device may include instructions that cause the smoking alternative device to change one or more settings of the smoking alternative device from the list:
Power supplied to the heater of the smoking alternative;
Power setting files during inhalation; and power setting files associated with the type of consumable.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine the associated recommended configuration of the smoking device; and the associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device is transmitted to the smoking replacement device for implementation.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration without a smoking alternative; and transmitting a preset configuration mode to the smoking alternative, or transmitting an indication that the smoking alternative should be configured to operate in the preset mode.

The step of evaluating one or more usage parameters may include the steps of comparing one or more usage parameters with a plurality of stored exemplary usage parameters, and identifying the type of user of the device from the comparison, and may The step of deriving the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is performed by selecting a corresponding recommended configuration associated with the identified type of user.

The memory may further include instructions for causing the processor to execute the following steps: before implementing the recommended configuration on the smoking substitute device, presenting the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device to a user of the smoking substitute device for authorization.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a remote server including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more usage parameters from a smoking alternative device connected to a remote server;
Assess one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration of the smoking alternative; and transmit the recommended configuration to the smoking alternative for implementation.

Such a remote server can significantly enhance the user's experience with smoking alternative devices by ensuring that they are configured in a manner that corresponds to a particular use.

The smoking alternative can be connected to a remote server via a mobile device.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking substitute device may include instructions for causing the smoking substitute device to change one or more values in the memory of the smoking substitute device.

The derivation of the recommended configuration may be performed to adapt the smoking alternative device in a manner that enhances the user's experience with the device.

The one or more usage parameters may include at least one of the following:
The total usage time of the device during a given time period;
battery power;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative is used in a given time period;
An indication of the severity of the user smoking the smoking replacement device; and an indication of the number of times the consumable has been inserted or removed from the smoking replacement device.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking substitute device may include instructions to cause the smoking substitute device to change the power level of the heater in the smoking substitute device.

The recommended configuration transmitted to the smoking alternative device may include instructions that cause the smoking alternative device to change one or more settings of the smoking alternative device from the list:
Power supplied to the heater of the smoking alternative;
Power setting files during inhalation; and power setting files associated with the type of consumable.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine the associated recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device stored in the memory of the remote server; and the associated recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is transmitted to the smoking substitute device for implementation.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
Use the identifier to determine the associated recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device in the memory without the remote server; and to transfer the preset configuration mode to the smoking substitute device, or to transfer the configuration of Instructions.

The step of evaluating one or more usage parameters may include the steps of comparing one or more usage parameters with a plurality of stored exemplary usage parameters, and identifying the type of user of the device from the comparison, and may The step of deriving the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is performed by selecting a corresponding recommended configuration associated with the identified type of user.

The memory may further include instructions that cause the processor to perform the following steps:
Before implementing the recommended configuration on the smoking substitute device, the user of the smoking substitute device is presented with the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device for authorization.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 06

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile device is provided on which an application is installed. The application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, wherein the application is configured to:
Notify the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking alternative device; and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function.

Therefore, the user of the smoking substitute device can be taught the function or multiple functions of the smoking substitute device without requiring instructions (eg, a product manual). Therefore, the functions of the smoking alternative device are easier to understand, and the user can respond to the functions more quickly and easily. Since the application is configured to instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function, the user can experience the demonstration of the function (which can be the execution of the function or the simulation of the function), thereby further helping the user to more easily identify the smoking alternative device Functions.

For example, the mobile device can be a mobile phone or a tablet.

The function may be that the smoking substitute device provides feedback to the user indicating the status of the smoking substitute device.

Such feedback may be any one or more of the following (but not limited to): operating lights, operating lights of a predetermined color, operating flashing lights in a predetermined order and / or predetermined color, haptic feedback (eg, smoking alternative devices Vibration), and produce sound. Accordingly, a smoking alternative device may include any one or more of the following (but not limited to): a lamp (eg, LED), and / or a horn for generating sound, and / or an actuator for generating haptic feedback .

The status of the smoking replacement device indicated by the feedback may be any one or more of the following (but not limited to): (i) the smoking replacement device is charging; (ii) the power source of the smoking replacement device has a low battery level ; (Iii) the smoking alternative device ’s power source is fully charged; (iv) the smoking alternative device is looking for a connection to an application on the mobile device (eg, a wireless connection); (v) the smoking alternative device is connecting To an application on a mobile device; (vi) an application on which the smoking alternative is not connected to the mobile device; (vii) the smoking alternative is activated; (viii) the smoking alternative is not activated; (ix) The consumable is not properly connected to the body of the smoking substitute; (x) the consumable is properly connected to the body of the smoking substitute; (xi) the consumable is empty; (xii) the consumable is full.

It should be noted that the steps of the demonstration function do not necessarily need to perform the function. For example, the step of demonstrating the function may involve the application instructing the smoking alternative device to simulate the function by providing feedback indicating a specific state to demonstrate the function without the device having to be in that state.

In this way, the user can experience a demonstration of feedback indicating the status of the smoking substitute device without the smoking substitute device actually being in that state. Therefore, the user is taught to determine the status of the alternative smoking device based on the corresponding feedback. In this way, when the smoking substitute device performs a function (ie, performs feedback), the user can establish a function indicating a specific state of the smoking substitute device, and thus decide that the smoking substitute device is in that specific state, and for example The user does not need to read the paper instruction manual.

As an example, the application may notify the user that the flashing red light on the smoking alternative device indicates low battery power, and then instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the flashing red light. The user knows how the flashing red light appears on the smoking alternative, and the flashing red light indicates low battery power. Therefore, when the light on the smoking substitute device flashes red, the user can decide that the smoking substitute device has low battery power. The user can then decide to charge the smoking alternative accordingly.

The application may be configured to instruct the smoking device to wirelessly demonstrate the function via the wireless interface on the mobile device and the wireless interface on the smoking alternative device. In other words, the application can be configured to wirelessly communicate with the smoking alternative device to instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function via a wireless communication channel between the wireless interface on the mobile device and the wireless interface on the smoking alternative device. For example, alternative smoking device may be configured to communicate via a Bluetooth ^(TM) or WiFi to communicate with the app. Alternatively, the application may be configured to instruct the smoking device to demonstrate functionality via a cable connection.

An application may be configured to communicate with an application server, such as via a network. The network can be a wireless communication channel (for example, a cellular network, a Bluetooth ^™ network, or a WiFi network). The application server may be configured to transmit information about functions to the application. Information about features can be stored on the application server (and itself can take advantage of cloud storage, for example). In addition, the application may be configured to instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate functionality based on information transmitted from the application server. In other words, the information received from the application server by the application can be used by the application to perform the above-mentioned steps related to the function. The advantage of this arrangement is that if the smoking replacement device gets new functionality (for example, because the application server pushes the firmware to the smoking replacement device), the new information can be presented to the user based on the information received from the application server Features without having to look for another way to notify users of new features. Information received by the application from the application server can be configured to cause the application to automatically notify and demonstrate new features acquired by the smoking replacement device when the smoking replacement device obtains the function (for example, as described herein the way).

The application may be further configured to notify the user that the feature is being demonstrated. In this way, the user knows that the function is being demonstrated. Alternatively, the application may be configured to notify the user that the function will be demonstrated, or that the function has been previously demonstrated.

The application may be further configured to inform the user about the second function that can be performed by the smoking alternative device; and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the second function. It should be noted that smoking alternative devices may perform and / or demonstrate any number of functions. In this way, the user is able to distinguish between different functions and therefore different states of the smoking alternative. Specifically, the user is able to distinguish different feedbacks to establish the status of the smoking alternative.

As an example, the application may notify the user that the flashing red light on the smoking alternative device indicates low battery power, and then instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the flashing red light. The app can then notify the user that the flashing blue light on the smoking alternative indicates that the consumable is empty, and then instruct the smoking alternative to demonstrate the flashing blue light. The user knows how the flashing red light appears on the smoking alternative, and the flashing red light indicates low battery power. The user also knows how the flashing blue light appears on the smoking substitute, and the flashing blue light indicates that the consumable is empty. Therefore, when the light on the smoking substitute device flashes red, the user can decide that the smoking substitute device has low battery power. Similarly, when the light on the smoking replacement device flashes blue, the user can decide that the smoking replacement device has empty consumables. In other words, in use, the user can distinguish between flashing red light and flashing blue light, and determine the status of the smoking alternative device. The user can then charge the smoking replacement device accordingly, or replace / refill the consumables.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a system for managing a smoking substitute device including a mobile device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system for managing a smoking replacement device is provided, including:
A mobile device according to a first aspect of the present invention; and a smoking substitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with an application.

Preferably, the smoking substitute device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the application program, for example, via a wireless interface on the mobile device and a wireless interface on the smoking substitute device.

Preferably, the smoking alternative device is configured to demonstrate a function (such as described above) when instructed by an application, thereby helping a user to more easily identify the function of the smoking alternative device.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method performed by a mobile device according to the first aspect of the present invention or a system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for a mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, the method comprising performing the following steps:
Notify the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking alternative device; and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function.

Therefore, the user of the smoking substitute device can be taught about the function of the smoking substitute device without requiring instructions (for example, a product manual). Therefore, the functions of the smoking alternative device are easier to understand, and the user can respond to the functions more quickly and easily.

The method may further include the step of demonstrating the function at a smoking alternative. Therefore, the user can experience the demonstration or simulation of the function, thereby helping the user to more easily identify the function of the smoking alternative device.

The method according to the third aspect of the present invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or step described in connection with the first and / or second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to cause a mobile device or system to execute the method according to the third aspect of the present invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device having an application installed thereon, the application being configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, wherein the application is configured to:
Instruct the user to perform the action at the smoking alternative;
Verify that the user is performing the correct operation at the smoking alternative;
Notify the user if the operation has been performed correctly.

The operation may be inserting a consumable into the body of the smoking substitute. After the user has instructed the user that the operation has been performed at the application, the application can communicate with the smoking alternative device to instruct the smoking alternative device to check (ie, verify) whether the operation is performed correctly at the smoking alternative device .

In some examples, the smoking replacement device may notify the user if feedback has been provided by the smoking replacement device performing the operation correctly (eg, one or more of the following: operating a light, operating a predetermined color of light, in a predetermined order And / or predetermined colors to operate flashing lights, haptic feedback (eg, vibration of smoking alternative devices), sound generation).

In some examples, the smoking replacement device may transmit information to the application indicating whether the operation has been performed correctly. The app can then use the information received from the smoking alternative to inform the user if the action has been performed correctly (or incorrectly) (for example, by displaying a notification on the screen of a mobile device).

In this way, the user can correctly learn how to operate the smoking alternative without having to read a paper instruction manual.

A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for managing a smoking substitute device including a mobile device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a system for managing a smoking substitute device is provided, including:
A mobile device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention; and a smoking substitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with an application (preferably wireless communication with the application).

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a method performed by a mobile device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention or a system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for a mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, the method comprising performing the following steps:
Instruct the user to perform the action at the smoking alternative;
Verify that the user is performing the correct operation at the smoking alternative;
Notify the user if the operation has been performed correctly.

The method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or step described in connection with the fifth and / or sixth aspect of the present invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to cause a mobile device or system to execute the method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 07

A first aspect of the present invention may provide a system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system including:
Smoking replacement device, including a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be connected to the main body;
Among them, the consumables are related to the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables used for the subject are valid;
Wherein the system is configured to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid by the availability status information, and if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the use of the consumables for the subject is prohibited.

In this manner, availability status information can be set to prohibit the use of a consumable for a subject in situations where it may not be desirable to operate the subject with the consumable (for example, the expiry date of the consumable has expired).

The system may include a mobile device with an application installed, wherein the smoking replacement device, preferably the body of the smoking replacement device, is configured to communicate with the application. The smoking replacement device (preferably the body of the smoking replacement device) may be configured, for example, via a wireless interface on the smoking replacement device (preferably on the body of the smoking replacement device) and a corresponding wireless interface on the mobile device. And wireless communication with the application.

The system may include an application server. An application on a mobile phone may be configured to communicate with an application server, such as via a network.

Any one or more of the subject, the application (if present), and the application server (if present) may be used to determine whether the consumable used for the subject is effective through the availability status information. To avoid any doubt, in some examples, a system for managing smoking alternatives may include a main body and consumables, without including other components.

For example, the availability status information associated with a consumable may include an expiration date. The step of deciding whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include checking whether the expiration date has been exceeded. If it is found that the expiration date has expired (as a result of this inspection), it can be determined that the consumables used for the subject are not effective. If it is determined by the subject that the consumable used for the subject is valid, the subject may include a clock (for determining local time and / or date) to determine whether the expiration date has been exceeded.

For example, the availability status information associated with a consumable may include an invalidity flag. The invalidity flag associated with the consumable may include an "active" status indicating that the consumable is valid and an "invalid" status indicating that the consumable is not valid. The step of deciding whether the consumable used for the subject is valid may include checking that an invalidity flag associated with the consumable indicates that the consumable is valid or invalid. If (after inspection) an invalidity flag associated with a consumable indicates that the consumable is invalid, then it can be determined that the consumable used for the subject is not valid.

For example, the availability status information associated with the consumable may include compatibility information used to determine whether the subject is compatible with the consumable. Compatibility information may be provided, for example, in the form of a list of models of subjects compatible with consumables. The step of determining whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include checking compatibility information to indicate that the subject is compatible or incompatible with the consumable. If the subject is found to be incompatible with the consumables (as a result of this check), it can be determined that the consumables used for the subject are not effective.

The step of deciding whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include determining that the consumable used for the subject is effective unless the consumable used for the subject is not effective based on the item of validity status information (for example, Check one or more).

The list of examples of validity status information as described above is not intended to be exhaustive. There are other examples in the field of knowledge of availability status information that may be conceived by ordinary knowledgeable persons in connection with consumables.

Each of the instances of validity status information listed above may be used alone or in combination with one or more other items of validity status information, whether listed above or otherwise.

As the first mechanism by which the system can obtain the availability status information associated with the consumables (which can therefore determine whether the consumables for the subject are effective), the system can be configured to obtain the effectiveness associated with consumables by the following steps Status information:
Read ID information used to identify the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable; and use the ID information to find the availability status information associated with the consumable.

For example, the ID information can uniquely identify a consumable or a batch of consumables including the consumable. The ID information preferably allows the system to find availability status information associated with the consumable, such as using an application and / or an application server.

Preferably, the availability status information associated with the consumable is stored at the application server. The availability status information can be associated with the consumable by being stored at the application server in association with the ID information identifying the consumable (for example, the ID information identifying the consumable and the availability status associated with the consumable The information is stored in the same row as the table at the application server.)

The advantage of storing availability status information associated with consumables at the application server is that after the consumable has left the control of the consumable supplier (for example, the brand owner), the application server manager can update Availability status information. For example, if a consumable is found to be defective or stolen after it has left the supplier's control, and the supplier wants to prohibit or prevent the use of the consumable (for example, by setting invalidity associated with the consumable The flag is No, or by setting the expiry date associated with the consumable has expired), this may be useful.

The availability status information associated with consumables can also be stored locally by the mobile device / app or by the subject. For example, a mobile device / app or subject can maintain a local list of ID information for stolen consumables.

The identifier provided by the consumable is preferably included on or in the consumable. For example, the identifier may be integrated on the body of the consumable (eg, in the form of an ID number). However, for example, the identifier may also be included in the packaging that came with the consumable.

The identifier provided by the consumable can be provided in the form of a machine-readable label storing ID information. The machine-readable label is preferably included in a consumable.

The machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on the body of the smoking replacement device. The body of the smoking alternative device may be configured to transmit ID information read from the RFID tag to an application on the mobile device. The RFID reader and the RFID tag can be positioned separately, so that the RFID reader can read the RFID tag on the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body). .

Machine-readable tags can use visual patterns (such as linear or 2D barcodes) to store ID information. In this case, for example, you can use the camera on your mobile device and read the stored information with an app on your mobile device.

Instead of providing the identifier in the form of a machine-readable label, the identifier may alternatively be an ID number, and may be read, for example, by the system by the user manually entering the ID number into an application installed on the mobile device.

If the body of the smoking alternative device reads the ID information, the body is preferably an application that transmits the ID information to the mobile device.

The application on the mobile device can be configured to transmit ID information to the application server, so that the application server can look up the availability status information associated with the consumable. Once the application server has looked up the availability status information, the system's steps to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid (by availability status information) can be performed by either the application server, the application, or the subject To perform. For convenience, this decision can be made by an application or an application server.

As a second mechanism by which the system can obtain the availability status information associated with the consumables (which can therefore determine whether the consumables for the host are valid), the host can be configured to read from the machine-readable tags provided by the consumables Availability status information.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), the machine-readable label is preferably included in the consumable.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), the machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on the body of the smoking replacement device. The body of the smoking alternative device can be configured to transmit the validity status information read from the RFID tag to the application on the mobile device (but this is not a necessary step because there is no need to look up when reading directly from the RFID tag Availability status information). The RFID reader and the RFID tag can be located in the main body and the consumable respectively, so that the RFID reader can read the consumption when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body). RFID tag on the product.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), a machine-readable label can utilize a visual pattern (eg, a linear or 2D barcode) to store validity information. In this case, for example, you can use the camera on your mobile device and read the stored information with an app on your mobile device.

It should be noted here that in the case where the main body reads the validity status information from the machine-readable label provided by the consumable, the steps for determining whether the main consumable is effective and prohibiting the use of the consumable and the main can be performed by the main Runs without requiring the system to include any other components (for example, an application or application server).

If the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid through the availability status information, the system can be configured to prohibit the use of the consumables and the subject in various ways.

For example, if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the system can be configured to prohibit use by displaying a notification to notify the user that the consumables for the subject are not valid Consumables and subjects. This notification may, for example, involve operating lights on the subject (eg, lights operating in a predetermined order), and / or a notification displayed by an application on a mobile device.

As another example, if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid through the availability status information, the system can be configured to disable the use of the consumables and the subject by disabling the subject and preventing the subject from working with the consumables. .

To avoid any doubt, the system can be configured to prohibit the use of consumables and subjects by displaying a notification and disabling the subject. However, it is also possible to display the notification without disabling the subject, so that, for example, the notification can be ignored if the user intended.

For example, when a consumable entity is coupled to the main body, the main body can be disabled by disabling the main body (for example, not passing electric power to the heating device of the smoking replacement device), so that the main body cannot be consumed by the main body. Products work together.

To allow the subject to be disabled in this manner, the system may be configured to identify when a consumable for the subject that is determined by the system to be not valid is physically coupled to the subject (eg, such that when the consumable is physically coupled to the subject, the system "knows "The subject should not be activated).

As a first example, the system can be configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be not valid for the subject is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
The system is configured to obtain the validity information associated with the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject, and then determine whether the consumable used for the subject is valid based on the validity status information.

This can be done, for example, by the subject being configured to read from a machine-readable label provided by the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject). Availability status information (for example, as described above).

As a second example, the system may be configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be not valid for the subject is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
Prompt (for example, via an application installed on a mobile device) that the user presents the identifier provided by the consumable to a component of the system (for example, to the subject or mobile device), and physically connect the consumable to Before the main body or before the consumable entity is coupled to the main body, the component of the system can obtain / read the ID information for identifying the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable (for example, in the manner described above);
Use ID information to find availability status information associated with consumables (for example, in the manner described above);
The availability status information is used to determine whether the consumables for the main body are effective.

In this second example, the system can be configured to disable the subject so that the subject cannot work with any consumables physically connected to the subject until it is determined based on the ID information obtained / read from the identifier provided by the consumable Consumables for the main body are effective.

The smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device including a main body and a consumable, or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device including a main body and a consumable.

A second aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

For example, the second aspect of the present invention may provide a method executed by a system for managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes a smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device includes a main body and a consumable, and the consumable is The configuration is physically connected to the subject, and the consumables are associated with the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid. The method includes the following steps:
The system determines whether the consumables for the subject are valid by using the availability status information, and prohibits the use of consumables and the subject if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by using the availability status information.

A method according to a second aspect of the invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or process described in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the present invention may provide a system for managing smoking alternative devices, including:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
An application server where a mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and the availability status information can be used to determine the usage Whether your smoking alternative is effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The smoking substitute device, the application program, and / or the application server are configured to determine the smoking substitute device to be used according to the ID information identifying the smoking substitute device and the validity status information associated with the smoking substitute device. Whether it is valid, and if the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking substitute device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued configured to disable the smoking substitute device.

In this way, a mechanism is provided that, after the consumable leaves the control of the consumable supplier (eg, the brand owner), the administrator changes the availability status information at the application server, and the application server The manager has disabled smoking alternatives. This may be useful if the smoking alternative is reported by the user as lost or stolen (for example, via an app or through customer support), or if the supplier finds that the smoking alternative is defective and should not be used. The existence of this mechanism can prevent the theft of smoking alternative devices and / or prevent children from using lost / stolen devices.

For example, the validity status information associated with a smoking replacement device may include an invalidity flag. The invalidity flags associated with smoking replacement devices may be configured to have an "active" status (indicating that the smoking replacement device used is valid) and one or more "inactive" statuses (indicating the smoking replacement device used Device is invalid). It should be noted that there may be more than one "inactive" state (eg, a first invalid state indicating that the smoking alternative is invalid and should be permanently disabled and a second invalid state indicating that the smoking alternative is invalid and should be non-permanently disabled).

The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server may determine whether the smoking replacement device being used is valid. The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server may use ID information to check and verify The invalidity flag associated with the smoking replacement device indicates whether the smoking replacement device used is valid or invalid. If (after inspection) the invalidity flag associated with the smoking substitute device indicates that the consumable used is invalid, then it may be determined that the smoking substitute device used is not effective.

There are other examples of effective state information that a person of ordinary skill in the art can conceive of in connection with smoking alternatives.

A local copy of the validity status information stored at the application server may be stored by the application and / or smoking alternative device. The application server can periodically update each local copy.

In order to avoid any doubt, there are various ways in which the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server can be based on the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device and the validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device Decide if the smoking replacement device you are using is effective. For example, the smoking substitute device may store a local copy of the validity status information stored on the application server, and the smoking substitute device may use the ID information identifying the smoking substitute device and a local copy of the validity status information To determine if the smoking alternative used is effective. As another example, the smoking replacement device may send ID information identifying the smoking replacement device to the application, and the application may store a local copy of the validity status information stored on the application server, and the application may use The ID information sent by the smoking substitute device and a local copy of the validity status information are used to determine whether the smoking substitute device used is valid. As another example, the smoking substitute device may send ID information identifying the smoking substitute device to the application server (via the application), and the application server may use the ID information sent by the smoking substitute device (via the application) App) and availability status information stored on the app server to determine if the smoking alternative device used is valid. Those with ordinary knowledge in the field can envision other approaches.

Preferably, the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device uniquely identifies the smoking alternative device. The ID information identifying the smoking substitute device may instead identify a batch of smoking substitute devices to which the smoking substitute device belongs.

The ID information stored by the smoking replacement device may take the form of a unique ID number, for example.

The availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device may be associated with the smoking alternative device (eg, identifying the identity by storing the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device (eg, at an application server)) ID information for smoking alternatives and availability status information associated with smoking alternatives are stored in the same row of the table at the application server).

The disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking alternative (eg, configure itself to not activate by instructing the smoking alternative (eg, not to pass electrical power to the heating device of the smoking alternative)).

To avoid any doubt, the disable signal can be issued by smoking alternative devices, applications, and / or application servers. If the application server issues a disable signal, it is preferable to instruct the smoking substitute to be disabled via an application connected to the smoking substitute. To avoid any doubt, smoking alternatives can issue a disable signal to themselves.

The disabling signal may be configured to permanently or non-permanently disable the smoking alternative device (eg, depending on availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device (eg, stored at an application server)). For example, as described above, the invalidity flag associated with a smoking substitute device may be configured to have (in addition to a valid state) a first invalid state indicating that the smoking substitute device is invalid and should be permanently disabled, and an indication A second inactive state in which smoking alternatives are ineffective and should not be permanently disabled.

If smoking alternatives are defective and should not be used, the smoking alternatives can be properly disabled permanently (may be referred to as "super bans").

If smoking alternatives are reported as lost / stolen, smoking alternatives may be appropriately non-permanently disabled (may be referred to as a "removable ban").

If the disable signal is configured to non-permanently disable the smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server may be configured to issue a re-enable signal that is configured to Multiple reactivation standards re-enable smoking alternatives.

The re-activation signal may be configured to re-enable the smoking alternative (eg, configure itself to be activated by instructing the smoking alternative (eg, a heating device that allows electrical power to be transferred to the smoking alternative)).

To avoid any doubt, the reactivation signal may be published by smoking alternative devices, applications, and / or application servers. If the application server issues a re-activation signal, it is preferable to re-enable the smoking alternative device via an application instruction connected to the smoking alternative device. Preferably, the re-enable signal is issued by an application and / or an application server. However, to avoid any doubt, smoking alternatives can issue a reactivation signal to themselves.

Exemplary reactivation criteria may include the user being authenticated at the application, and may involve, for example, the application verifying that the smoking alternative device is registered with the user based on the user input entered at the mobile device (link registered user Information to smoking alternatives can be stored on the application server as part of the validity status information.)

Another exemplary re-enablement criterion may include that the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device at the application server is changed (from indicating that the smoking device used is invalid) to indicating that the smoking replacement device used is valid (This can happen if users report that smoking alternatives are no longer lost / stolen).

Another exemplary reactivation criterion may include a user entering a valid code via a user interface on a smoking alternative device.

Therefore, if a user finds a previously lost / stolen device, they can re-enable the device.

The smoking replacement device is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the application.

The smoking replacement device is preferably configured to wirelessly communicate with the application via a communication channel established directly between the smoking replacement device and the mobile device on which the application is installed.

The system may include one or more additional smoking replacement devices configured to wirelessly connect to the smoking replacement device (eg, the smoking replacement device forms a wireless mesh network with the additional smoking replacement device). The smoking replacement device may be directly connected to each additional smoking replacement device, but the smoking replacement device may also be indirectly connected to one or more additional smoking replacement devices (eg, via another smoking replacement device).

The application server may store validity status information associated with each additional smoking alternative (a local copy of this information may also be stored at the application and / or smoking alternative).

Each additional smoking replacement device may store ID information for identifying another smoking replacement device.

For each additional smoking replacement device, the smoking replacement device, the application, and / or the application server may be configured to rely on the ID information identifying the additional smoking replacement device and to communicate with the additional smoking replacement device. Associated validity status information to determine if the alternative smoking device used is valid, and if the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the alternative smoking device used is not valid , Issue a disable signal configured to disable additional smoking alternatives.

For example, this can be achieved by sending ID information to the smoking replacement device for each additional smoking replacement device, and the smoking replacement device, the application, and / or the application can determine the validity by using the above method, for example. Sex.

In this way, the smoking substitute device can be disabled even if the smoking substitute device itself is not directly connected to a mobile device having an application for managing the mobile device installed.

The smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device. The smoking replacement device may include a main body and a consumable configured to be physically coupled to the main body (in this case, the main body may be regarded as a smoking replacement device and configured to perform this aspect of the invention described above Steps), but this is not necessary because, for example, smoking alternatives can be disposable "single-use" devices or open system devices (e.g., with storage tanks configured to be refilled by the user, And therefore the device can be used multiple times).

A fourth aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

For example, a fourth aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system for managing smoking replacement devices, wherein the system includes:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
Application server where the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and can determine the smoking alternative is it effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The method includes the following steps:
The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server determines whether the smoking replacement device used is valid based on the ID information identifying the smoking replacement device and the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device, and If the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking alternative device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued that is configured to disable the smoking alternative device.

The method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or process described in connection with the third aspect of the present invention.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.

More specifically, the system for managing a smoking substitute device according to a first aspect of the present invention may also include features of the system for managing a smoking substitute device according to a third aspect of the present invention.

For example, the application server can store availability status information that can determine whether the consumable used by the subject for the smoking substitute device is effective and can determine whether the smoking substitute device used is effectively associated with the smoking substitute device. Availability status information.

For example, a system capable of combining the features of the system according to the first aspect of the present invention and the system according to the third aspect of the present invention is described below.

Similarly, a method for managing a smoking substitute device according to a second aspect of the present invention may also include features or method steps of a method for managing a smoking substitute device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention.
Invention 08

Most generally, aspects of the present invention provide for updating the firmware of a smoking substitute device based on one or more errors encountered by the smoking substitute device.

Therefore, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for updating the firmware of a smoking replacement device, and has the following steps:
Record one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Transmitting one or more errors to the second device;
Selecting an updated firmware for use by a processor in a smoking alternative device based on one or more errors encountered by the smoking alternative device;
Transmitting the updated firmware from the second device to the smoking replacement device; and updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware received from the second device.

It may be advantageous to automatically provide firmware to the smoking alternative device that is capable of preventing or improving at least some of the one or more errors.

The smoking substitute device can record errors into the memory of the smoking substitute device.

The second device may be a mobile device connected to the smoking substitute device, and the recorded error is transmitted to the mobile device. The second device may be a remote server (such as described below).

The updated firmware may be selected from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the second device.

The "select" step can be used to imply the existence of multiple firmware items applicable to smoking alternative devices (e.g., using the multiple smoking device replacements based on one or more errors encountered in smoking alternative devices). One of the firmware items was selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor in it).

Therefore, the firmware memory stored in the memory of the second device may store multiple firmware items suitable for smoking alternative devices (eg, based on one or more errors encountered by smoking alternative devices, One of these multiple firmware items used in the smoking replacement device is selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor therein).

The memory of the firmware stored in the second device may be periodically updated by a remote server.

The mobile device may select the updated firmware from a firmware memory stored in the memory of the mobile device.

Alternatively or additionally, the recorded errors can then be transmitted from the mobile device to a remote server connected to the mobile device. The remote server may select the updated firmware from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the remote server, and the remote server may transmit the selected updated firmware to the mobile device.

The one or more errors recorded may include an indication of the number of times the smoking replacement device failed to connect to the mobile device within a given period of time. The server (or mobile device) may decide that the timeout period for the connection set in the smoking alternative is too short. The remote server (or mobile device) can choose updated firmware configured to resolve connection failures.

The step of updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device may include overwriting the firmware storage portion of the memory of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware.

One or more errors can include any one or more of the following:
Measurement of the voltage of a battery in a smoking alternative;
Measurement of the resistance of coils in smoking alternatives;
Indication of the number of times a consumable has been inserted into a smoking substitute device within a given period of time;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative device has failed to connect to a mobile device within a given period of time;
An indication that there is a problem charging the battery in the smoking alternative; and an indication that the pressure in the smoking alternative has fallen.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a smoking replacement device including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Record one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Transmitting one or more errors to the second device;
Receiving updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking replacement device from the second device, wherein the updated firmware is selected based on one or more errors encountered by the smoking replacement device; Receive the updated firmware to update the firmware of the smoking replacement device.

It may be advantageous to automatically provide firmware to the smoking alternative device that is capable of preventing or improving at least some of the one or more errors.

The second device may be a mobile device connected to the smoking substitute device, and the recorded error is transmitted to the mobile device.

The second device may be a remote server (such as described below).

The updated firmware may be selected from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the second device.

The "select" step can be used to imply the existence of multiple firmware items applicable to smoking alternative devices (e.g., using the multiple smoking device replacements based on one or more errors encountered in smoking alternative devices). One of the firmware items was selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor in it).

Therefore, the firmware memory stored in the memory of the second device may store multiple firmware items suitable for smoking alternative devices (eg, based on one or more errors encountered by smoking alternative devices, One of these multiple firmware items used in the smoking replacement device is selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor therein).

The memory of the firmware stored in the second device may be periodically updated by a remote server.

The mobile device may select the updated firmware from a firmware memory stored in the memory of the mobile device.

Alternatively or additionally, the recorded errors can then be transmitted from the mobile device to a remote server connected to the mobile device. The remote server may select the updated firmware from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the remote server, and the remote server may transmit the selected updated firmware to the mobile device.

The one or more errors recorded may include an indication of the number of times the smoking replacement device failed to connect to the mobile device within a given period of time. The server (or mobile device) may decide that the timeout period for the connection set in the smoking alternative is too short. The remote server (or mobile device) can choose updated firmware configured to resolve connection failures.

The step of updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device may include overwriting the firmware-containing portion of the memory of the smoking replacement device.

One or more errors can include any one or more of the following:
Measurement of the voltage of a battery in a smoking alternative;
Measurement of the resistance of coils in smoking alternatives;
Indication of the number of times a consumable has been inserted into a smoking substitute device within a given period of time;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative device has failed to connect to a mobile device within a given period of time;
An indication that there is a problem charging the battery in the smoking alternative; and an indication that the pressure in the smoking alternative has fallen.

A second aspect may provide a system including a smoking alternative.

The system may additionally include a mobile device as described herein (eg, as described in connection with the first aspect of the invention). The system may additionally include a remote server as described herein (eg, as described in connection with the first aspect of the invention).

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more errors encountered by the smoking substitute from the smoking substitute;
Do one of the following:
(I) updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking alternative device based on the received one or more errors; or (ii) transmitting the received one or more errors to a remote server And receives updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking substitute device from a remote server, wherein the updated firmware is selected based on errors encountered by one or more smoking substitute devices; and The updated firmware is transmitted to the smoking replacement device used for updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device.

It may be advantageous to automatically provide firmware to the smoking alternative device that is capable of preventing or improving at least some of the one or more errors.

The error received from the smoking substitute device may be an error recorded in the memory of the smoking substitute device by the smoking substitute device.

The mobile device may select the updated firmware from a firmware memory stored in the memory of the mobile device.

The "select" step can be used to imply the existence of multiple firmware items applicable to smoking alternative devices (e.g., using the multiple smoking device replacements based on one or more errors encountered in smoking alternative devices). One of the firmware items was selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor in it).

Therefore, the firmware store of the firmware stored in the memory of the mobile device can store multiple firmware items suitable for smoking alternative devices (for example, depending on one or more errors encountered by smoking alternative devices, One of these multiple firmware items used in the smoke replacement device is selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor in the).

The remote server can select the updated firmware from the firmware store stored in the memory of the remote server.

The step of updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device may include sending instructions to the smoking replacement device that cause the smoking replacement device to overwrite the firmware storage portion of the memory of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware.

One or more errors can include any one or more of the following:
Measurement of the voltage of a battery in a smoking alternative;
Measurement of the resistance of coils in smoking alternatives;
Indication of the number of times a consumable has been inserted into a smoking substitute device within a given period of time;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative device has failed to connect to a mobile device within a given period of time;
An indication that there is a problem charging the battery in the smoking alternative; and an indication that the pressure in the smoking alternative has fallen.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a remote server including a processor and a memory, where the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Directly or indirectly receiving one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking alternative device based on one or more errors; and transmitting the selected updated firmware directly or indirectly to the smoking alternative device used to use For updating the firmware of smoking replacement devices.

It may be advantageous to automatically provide firmware to the smoking alternative device that is capable of preventing or improving at least some of the one or more errors.

The error received from the smoking substitute device may be an error recorded in the memory of the smoking substitute device by the smoking substitute device. Directly may mean that the smoking substitute device forms a connection with a remote server. Indirectly may mean that the smoking substitute device makes a connection with another device (eg, a mobile device), and then the other device makes a connection with a remote server.

The remote server can select the updated firmware from the firmware store stored in the memory of the remote server.

The "select" step can be used to imply the existence of multiple firmware items applicable to smoking alternative devices (e.g., using the multiple smoking device replacements based on one or more errors encountered in smoking alternative devices). One of the firmware items was selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor in it).

As a result, the firmware store stored in the memory of the remote server can store multiple firmware items suitable for smoking replacement devices (e.g., based on one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices, One of these multiple firmware items used in the smoking replacement device is selected as the updated firmware for the smoking replacement device (the processor therein).

The step of updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device may include sending instructions to the smoking replacement device that cause the smoking replacement device to overwrite the firmware storage portion of the memory of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for updating the firmware of a smoking replacement device, and has the following steps:
Connecting a smoking alternative to an application running on a mobile device, said application communicating with a processor of the smoking alternative;
Retrieve updated firmware used by the processor in the smoking alternative device through the over-the-air receiving standard of the application on the mobile device;
Transmitting updated firmware from an application on a mobile device to a smoking alternative device; and using the updated firmware to update the firmware on the smoking alternative device.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Forming a network connection with the processor of the smoking alternative device;
Receiving updated firmware used by the processor in the smoking replacement device via an over-the-air receiving standard;
Transmitting the updated firmware to the smoking replacement device; and instructing the smoking replacement device to use the updated firmware to update the firmware on the smoking replacement device.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided. Thus, any one or more of the steps or features described in connection with any one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into any other aspect of the invention.
Invention 09

Most generally, the present invention is capable of monitoring the status of components in a smoking replacement device through a portable communication terminal (eg, a mobile phone). Smoking replacement devices are network enabled when they can wirelessly communicate with a portable communication terminal, for example to transmit component status information. The portable communication terminal can process the status information received from the smoking alternative device locally or in the cloud to provide feedback or other notifications to the user of the device or to other parties. Feedback can take preventative action before, for example, a component of the device fails or reaches the end of its useful life.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for monitoring the life of components in a smoking substitute device may be provided. The method includes the following steps: via wireless communication between the smoking substitute device and a portable communication terminal The channel transmits component data from the smoking replacement device to the portable communication terminal; according to the received component data, the predicted remaining component life information is calculated by the portable communication terminal; if the predicted remaining component life information meets a predetermined standard, then Post preventive notifications with portable communication terminals.

The smoking replacement device may be similar to any smoking replacement device discussed above, and further includes a wireless interface for establishing and communicating on a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal. The wireless interface can be used for any suitable wireless protocol. For example, the wireless interface can operate over a short-range network. For example, it may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) (eg, using Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, WiFi personal hotspot, or the like). The smoking replacement device can be paired with the portable communication terminal on the wireless communication channel. The portable communication terminal may be a master device, and the smoking substitute device may be a slave device.

The portable communication terminal may be any communication device capable of wirelessly interacting with the smoking alternative device (for example, via a short-range network). The portable communication terminal may be a mobile phone (for example, a smart phone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

The smoking substitute device may be configured to, for example, under the control of a control unit running on the smoking substitute device, and periodically (eg, periodically) or temporarily record, detect, or otherwise observe component status information. The method may include the following steps before establishing a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal: detecting the property measurement of the plurality of components by the smoking replacement device; and measuring the properties of the plurality of components by the smoking replacement device. Part data is generated from property measurements. The component information may indicate the use of a battery that supplies power to the smoking alternative, and / or the use of consumables that supply steam for the smoking alternative.

The received component data can be processed locally by the portable communication terminal (for example, using the processor and memory in the portable communication terminal itself). Alternatively, the received component data may be processed by a remote application server (for example, in the cloud), and the remote application server performs network communication with the portable communication terminal. The network communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be separated or independent of the wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal. Network communications can include connections on the global information network. For example, the network communication may utilize a cellular network or a WiFi network.

The communication between the portable communication terminal and the application server can be controlled by an application program running on the portable communication terminal. Applications can be run in the background of the portable communication terminal to receive component data and manage subsequent processing. The portable communication terminal may be arranged to retransmit the component data to the application server for use in calculating the predicted remaining component life information. The predicted remaining component life information can be returned to the portable communication terminal for use in determining subsequent actions. Alternatively, follow-up actions can be taken in the application server (for example, a decision as to whether to post a notification).

In one example, the method may include the step of transmitting usage data indicating one or more activation events at the smoking alternative device via a wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal. The activation event may correspond to the manner in which the user inhales from the smoking alternative device, causing the steam to be extracted from the consumable. The usage data may include information indicating the number and duration of activation events. After the usage data is transferred to the portable communication terminal, the usage data on the smoking alternative device can be reset. This ensures that redundant data is not transmitted unnecessarily, which saves battery life.

The step of calculating the predicted remaining component life information may include the following steps: obtaining an estimated total lifespan of the components of the smoking replacement device through the portable communication terminal; and using the received component data to determine the component through the portable communication terminal The estimated current life of the component; and the predicted remaining component life information of the component by the portable communication terminal based on the estimated total life and the estimated current life. Lifetime and useful life can be expressed in terms of time (for example, in hours, minutes, or seconds) or in discrete events (for example, the number of remaining start-up events or the like). The predicted remaining component life information for a component can be obtained by subtracting the estimated current life from the estimated total life.

The received component data may include configuration information of the smoking alternative. The configuration information may be related to the identification and / or setting of components within the smoking replacement device. Such a configuration may have an impact on the components during each start-up event and can therefore be used to determine the estimated total life.

The method may include the following steps: obtaining a component setting file of the component through a portable communication terminal. The component settings file may indicate expected component behavior, with reference to the component settings file to calculate the estimated total useful life. The part profile can be based on the part type (eg, brand or product number) and the known or estimated age of the part (eg, based on the number of completed launch events or the like).

The predicted remaining component life information may also be based on the received configuration information.

A precautionary notice can be any suitable message or reminder. The step of issuing the notification may include the following steps: generating visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device. The user can choose the nature of the notification (for example, via an application running on a portable communication terminal). Alternatively or additionally, the step of issuing a precautionary notice may include sending a notification to a third party through a portable communication terminal to, for example, arrange for component replacement or repair.

The predetermined criteria for issuing a notification may include a threshold, and a preventive notification is issued if the predicted remaining life of the component is below the threshold. Therefore, the method may include the following steps: comparing the predicted remaining component life information with the threshold information by the portable communication terminal to determine whether the predicted remaining component life information meets a predetermined standard.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a smoking replacement device including: a control unit; a memory storing computer-readable instructions for execution by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to record components of the device Data, and store component data in memory; and a wireless interface configured to: establish a wireless communication channel with a portable communication terminal, and transmit component data through the wireless communication channel.

The smoking replacement device may include a battery that supplies power to the smoking replacement device, where the component data indicates the use of the battery.

The smoking replacement device may include consumables that supply steam from the smoking replacement device, where the component data indicates the use of the consumables.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a device for monitoring the life of a component in a smoking replacement device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking replacement device via a wireless communication channel , Where the portable communication terminal is configured to: receive component data from the smoking substitute device via a wireless communication channel; calculate the predicted remaining component life information based on the received component data; if the predicted remaining component life information meets a predetermined standard, Issue preventive notices. The device may also include a smoking alternative as discussed above.

In another aspect, the present invention may include a computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium on which computer-readable instructions are stored, wherein the computer-readable instructions may be used as a portable communication terminal. Application to implement a method for monitoring the life of a component in a smoking replacement device disclosed above.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.
Invention 10

A first aspect of the present invention may provide a system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system including:
Smoking replacement device, including a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be connected to the main body;
Among them, the consumables are related to the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables used for the subject are valid;
Wherein the system is configured to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid by the availability status information, and if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the use of the consumables for the subject is prohibited.

In this way, the availability status information can be set in situations where it may not be expected to operate the subject with the consumable (for example, the expiry date of the consumable has expired, such as when the consumable is lost / stolen, such as Case of counterfeiting) The use of consumables in the subject is prohibited.

The system may include a mobile device with an application installed, wherein the smoking replacement device, preferably the body of the smoking replacement device, is configured to communicate with the application. The smoking replacement device (preferably the body of the smoking replacement device) may be configured, for example, via a wireless interface on the smoking replacement device (preferably on the body of the smoking replacement device) and a corresponding wireless interface on the mobile device. And wireless communication with the application.

The system may include an application server. An application on a mobile phone may be configured to communicate with an application server, such as via a network.

Any one or more of the subject, the application (if present), and the application server (if present) may be used to determine whether the consumable used for the subject is effective through the availability status information. To avoid any doubt, in some examples, a system for managing smoking alternatives may include a main body and consumables, without including other components.

For example, the availability status information associated with a consumable may include an expiration date. The step of deciding whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include checking whether the expiration date has been exceeded. If it is found that the expiration date has expired (as a result of this inspection), it can be determined that the consumables used for the subject are not effective. If it is determined by the subject that the consumable used for the subject is valid, the subject may include a clock (for determining local time and / or date) to determine whether the expiration date has been exceeded.

For example, the availability status information associated with the consumable may include one or more invalidity flags (eg, invalidity flags). One or more invalidity flags associated with the consumable may be configured to have (or include) an "active" status indicating that the consumable is valid and an "invalid" status indicating that the consumable is not valid. The step of deciding whether the consumable for the subject is valid may include checking that one or more invalidity flags associated with the consumable indicate that the consumable is valid or invalid. If (after inspection) one or more invalidity flags associated with the consumable indicate that the consumable is invalid, then it can be determined that the consumable used for the subject is not valid.

For example, the availability status information associated with the consumable may include compatibility information used to determine whether the subject is compatible with the consumable. Compatibility information may be provided, for example, in the form of a list of models of subjects compatible with consumables. The step of determining whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include checking compatibility information to indicate that the subject is compatible or incompatible with the consumable. If the subject is found to be incompatible with the consumables (as a result of this check), it can be determined that the consumables used for the subject are not effective.

The step of deciding whether the consumable used for the subject is effective may include determining that the consumable used for the subject is effective unless the consumable used for the subject is not effective based on the item of validity status information (for example, Check one or more).

The list of examples of validity status information as described above is not intended to be exhaustive. There are other examples in the field of knowledge of availability status information that may be conceived by ordinary knowledgeable persons in connection with consumables.

Each of the instances of validity status information listed above may be used alone or in combination with one or more other items of validity status information, whether listed above or otherwise.

As the first mechanism by which the system can obtain the availability status information associated with the consumables (which can therefore determine whether the consumables for the subject are effective), the system can be configured to obtain the effectiveness associated with consumables by the following steps Status information:
Read the ID information used to identify the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable; and use the ID information to find the availability status information associated with the consumable.

For example, the ID information can uniquely identify a consumable or a batch of consumables including the consumable. The ID information preferably allows the system to find availability status information associated with the consumable, such as using an application and / or an application server.

Preferably, the availability status information associated with the consumable is stored at the application server. The availability status information can be associated with the consumable by being stored at the application server in association with the ID information identifying the consumable (for example, the ID information identifying the consumable and the availability status associated with the consumable The information is stored in the same row as the table at the application server.)

The advantage of storing availability status information associated with consumables at the application server is that after the consumable has left the control of the consumable supplier (for example, the brand owner), the application server manager can update Availability status information. For example, if a consumable is found to be defective or stolen after it has left the supplier's control, and the supplier wants to prohibit or prevent the use of the consumable (for example, by setting invalidity associated with the consumable This may be useful if the flag is no (that is, to indicate that the consumable line is invalid), or by setting the expiration date associated with the consumable item to have expired.

The availability status information associated with consumables can also be stored locally by the mobile device / app or by the subject. For example, a mobile device / app or subject can maintain a local list of ID information for stolen consumables.

The identifier provided by the consumable is preferably included on or in the consumable. For example, the identifier may be integrated on the body of the consumable (eg, in the form of an ID number). However, for example, the identifier may also be included in the packaging that came with the consumable.

The identifier provided by the consumable can be provided in the form of a machine-readable label storing ID information. The machine-readable label is preferably included in a consumable.

The machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on or in the body of the smoking substitute device. The body of the smoking alternative device may be configured to transmit ID information read from the RFID tag to an application on the mobile device. The RFID reader and the RFID tag can be positioned separately, so that the RFID reader can read the RFID tag on the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body). .

Machine-readable tags can use visual patterns (such as linear or 2D barcodes) to store ID information. In this case, for example, you can use the camera on your mobile device and read the stored information with an app on your mobile device.

Instead of providing the identifier in the form of a machine-readable label, the identifier may alternatively be an ID number, and may be read, for example, by the system by the user manually entering the ID number into an application installed on the mobile device.

If the body of the smoking alternative device reads the ID information, the body is preferably an application that transmits the ID information to the mobile device.

The application on the mobile device can be configured to transmit ID information to the application server, so that the application server can look up the availability status information associated with the consumable. Once the application server has looked up the availability status information, the system's steps to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid (by availability status information) can be performed by either the application server, the application, or the subject To perform. For convenience, this decision can be made by an application or an application server.

As a second mechanism by which the system can obtain the availability status information associated with the consumables (which can therefore determine whether the consumables for the host are valid), the host can be configured to read from the machine-readable tags provided by the consumables Availability status information.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), the machine-readable label is preferably included in the consumable.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), the machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on or in the body of the smoking substitute device. The body of the smoking alternative device can be configured to transmit the validity status information read from the RFID tag to the application on the mobile device (but this is not a necessary step because there is no need to look up when reading directly from the RFID tag Availability status information). The RFID reader and the RFID tag can be located in the main body and the consumable respectively, so that the RFID reader can read the consumption when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the main body). RFID tag on the product.

Similar to the first mechanism (as described above), a machine-readable label can utilize a visual pattern (eg, a linear or 2D barcode) to store validity information. In this case, for example, you can use the camera on your mobile device and read the stored information with an app on your mobile device.

It should be noted here that in the case where the main body reads the validity status information from the machine-readable label provided by the consumable, the steps for determining whether the main consumable is effective and prohibiting the use of the consumable and the main can be performed by the main Runs without requiring the system to include any other components (for example, an application or application server).

If the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid through the availability status information, the system can be configured to prohibit the use of the consumables and the subject in various ways.

For example, if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the system can be configured to prohibit use by displaying a notification to notify the user that the consumables for the subject are not valid Consumables and subjects. This notification may, for example, involve operating lights on the subject (eg, lights operating in a predetermined order), and / or a notification displayed by an application on a mobile device.

As another example, if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid through the availability status information, the system can be configured to disable the use of the consumables and the subject by disabling the subject and preventing the subject from working with the consumables. .

Preferably, the step of disabling the subject so that it cannot work with a given consumable involves non-permanently disabling the subject.

For example, if, for example, the system determines the availability of another consumable for a subject through availability status information associated with another consumable, the user may be allowed to re-enable the subject for use with another consumable . The system can be configured to determine whether another consumable for a subject is effective based on the availability status information associated with another consumable according to any of the techniques described herein.

The user may be allowed to re-enable the subject for use with another consumable without the need to refer to availability status information associated with another consumable (eg, according to the descriptions in conjunction with the third and fourth aspects of the invention Technology), but this is not necessarily better, as it may allow the user to use the subject and consumables that are not effective for the subject.

Steps that disable a subject so that it cannot work with a given consumable can also (but is not necessarily better) permanently disable the subject, for example to provide users with access to supplies that are not effective for the subject (eg, counterfeit consumables) ) Deterrence.

To avoid any doubt, the system can be configured to prohibit the use of consumables and subjects by displaying a notification and disabling the subject. However, it is also possible to display the notification without disabling the subject, so that, for example, the notification can be ignored if the user intended.

For example, when a consumable entity is coupled to the subject (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject), the subject can be configured to be non-activated (eg, not to transfer electrical power to the smoking alternative device) Heating device) to disable the main body and prevent the main body from working with consumables.

To allow the subject to be disabled in this manner, the system may be configured to identify when a consumable for the subject that is determined by the system to be not valid is physically coupled to the subject (eg, such that when the consumable is physically coupled to the subject, the system "knows "The subject should not be activated).

As a first example, the system can be configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be not valid for the subject is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
The system is configured to obtain the validity information associated with the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject, and then determine whether the consumable used for the subject is valid based on the validity status information.

This can be done, for example, by the subject being configured to read from a machine-readable label provided by the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject (preferably only when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject). Availability status information (for example, as described above).

As a second example, the system may be configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be not valid for the subject is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
Prompt (for example, via an application installed on a mobile device) that the user presents the identifier provided by the consumable to a component of the system (for example, to the subject or mobile device), and physically connect the consumable to the user Before the main body or before the consumable entity is coupled to the main body, the component of the system can obtain / read the ID information for identifying the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable (for example, in the above manner);
Use ID information to find availability status information associated with consumables (for example, in the manner described above);
The availability status information is used to determine whether the consumables for the main body are effective.

In this second example, the system can be configured to disable the subject so that the subject cannot work with any consumables physically connected to the subject until it is determined based on the ID information obtained / read from the identifier provided by the consumable Consumables for the main body are effective.

The smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device including a main body and a consumable, or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device including a main body and a consumable.

A second aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

For example, the second aspect of the present invention may provide a method executed by a system for managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes a smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device includes a main body and a consumable, and the consumable is The configuration is physically connected to the subject, and the consumables are associated with the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid. The method includes the following steps:
The system determines whether the consumables for the subject are valid by using the availability status information, and prohibits the use of consumables and the subject if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by using the availability status information.

A method according to a second aspect of the invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or process described in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the present invention may provide a system for managing smoking alternative devices, including:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
An application server where a mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and the availability status information can be used to determine the usage Whether your smoking alternative is effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The smoking substitute device, the application program, and / or the application server are configured to determine the smoking substitute device to be used according to the ID information identifying the smoking substitute device and the validity status information associated with the smoking substitute device. Whether it is valid, and if the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking substitute device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued configured to disable the smoking substitute device.

In this way, a mechanism is provided that, after the consumable leaves the control of the consumable supplier (eg, the brand owner), the administrator changes the availability status information at the application server, and the application server The manager has disabled smoking alternatives. This may be useful if the smoking alternative is reported by the user as lost or stolen (for example, via an app or through customer support), or if the supplier finds that the smoking alternative is defective and should not be used. The existence of this mechanism can prevent the theft of smoking alternative devices and / or prevent children from using lost / stolen devices.

For example, the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device may include one or more invalidity flags (eg, invalidity flags). One or more invalidity flags associated with smoking replacement devices may be configured to have an "active" status (indicating that the smoking replacement device used is valid) and one or more "invalid" statuses (indicating that Smoking replacement devices used are not effective). It should be noted that there may be more than one "inactive" state (eg, a first invalid state indicating that the smoking alternative is invalid and should be permanently disabled and a second invalid state indicating that the smoking alternative is invalid and should be non-permanently disabled).

The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server may determine whether the smoking replacement device being used is valid. The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server may use ID information to check and verify The one or more invalidity flags associated with the smoking replacement device indicate whether the smoking replacement device used is valid or invalid. If (after the inspection) one or more invalidity flags associated with the smoking substitute device indicate that the consumable used is invalid, then it may be determined that the smoking substitute device used is not effective.

There are other examples of effective state information that a person of ordinary skill in the art can conceive of in connection with smoking alternatives.

A local copy of the validity status information stored at the application server may be stored by the application and / or smoking alternative device. The application server can periodically update each local copy.

In order to avoid any doubt, there are various ways in which the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server can be based on the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device and the validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device Decide if the smoking replacement device you are using is effective. For example, the smoking substitute device may store a local copy of the validity status information stored on the application server, and the smoking substitute device may use the ID information identifying the smoking substitute device and a local copy of the validity status information To determine if the smoking alternative used is effective. As another example, the smoking replacement device may send ID information identifying the smoking replacement device to the application, and the application may store a local copy of the validity status information stored on the application server, and the application may use The ID information sent by the smoking substitute device and a local copy of the validity status information are used to determine whether the smoking substitute device used is valid. As another example, the smoking substitute device may send ID information identifying the smoking substitute device to the application server (via the application), and the application server may use the ID information sent by the smoking substitute device (via the application) App) and availability status information stored on the app server to determine if the smoking alternative device used is valid. Those with ordinary knowledge in the field can envision other approaches.

Preferably, the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device uniquely identifies the smoking alternative device. The ID information identifying the smoking substitute device may instead identify a batch of smoking substitute devices to which the smoking substitute device belongs.

The ID information stored by the smoking replacement device may take the form of a unique ID number, for example.

The availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device may be associated with the smoking alternative device (eg, identifying the identity by storing the ID information identifying the smoking alternative device (eg, at an application server)) ID information for smoking alternatives and availability status information associated with smoking alternatives are stored in the same row of the table at the application server).

The disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking alternative (eg, configure itself to not activate by instructing the smoking alternative (eg, not to pass electrical power to the heating device of the smoking alternative)).

To avoid any doubt, the disable signal can be issued by smoking alternative devices, applications, and / or application servers. If the application server issues a disable signal, it is preferable to instruct the smoking substitute to be disabled via an application connected to the smoking substitute. To avoid any doubt, smoking alternatives can issue a disable signal to themselves.

The disabling signal may be configured to permanently or non-permanently disable the smoking alternative device (eg, depending on availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device (eg, stored at an application server)).

For example, if the validity status information associated with a smoking substitute device indicates that the smoking substitute device is not valid and should be disabled non-permanently (for example, it may be the case that the validity status information indicates that the smoking substitute device has been lost / stolen ), The disable signal can be configured to non-permanently disable smoking alternatives.

For example, if the validity status information associated with a smoking substitute device indicates that the smoking substitute device is invalid and should be permanently disabled (for example, it may be the case that the validity status information indicates that the smoking substitute device is defective) The signal can be configured to permanently disable smoking alternatives.

For example, as described above, one or more invalidity flags (eg, invalidity flags) associated with a smoking alternative device may be configured to have (in addition to a valid state) an indication of a smoking alternative device A first inactive state that is inactive and should be permanently disabled, and a second inactive state that indicates that the smoking alternative is ineffective and should not be permanently disabled.

If smoking alternatives are defective and should not be used, for example, because of security risks, then smoking alternatives can be appropriately disabled permanently (which can be referred to as a "super ban").

For example, the step of permanently disabling the smoking alternative device may involve disabling the smoking alternative device and preventing the user of the smoking alternative device from being allowed to re-enable the smoking alternative device (for example, even if the user satisfies one or More re-enabled standards).

If smoking alternatives are reported as lost / stolen, smoking alternatives may be appropriately non-permanently disabled (may be referred to as a "removable ban").

For example, the step of non-permanently disabling the smoking substitute device may involve disabling the smoking substitute device and allowing the user of the smoking substitute device to re-enable the smoking substitute device (eg, the user satisfies one or more of the following Multiple re-enable standards).

If the disable signal is configured to non-permanently disable the smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server may be configured to issue a re-enable signal that is configured to Multiple reactivation standards re-enable smoking alternatives.

The re-activation signal may be configured to re-enable the smoking alternative (eg, configure itself to be activated by instructing the smoking alternative (eg, a heating device that allows electrical power to be transferred to the smoking alternative)).

To avoid any doubt, the reactivation signal may be published by smoking alternative devices, applications, and / or application servers. If the application server issues a re-activation signal, it is preferable to re-enable the smoking alternative device via an application instruction connected to the smoking alternative device. Preferably, the re-enable signal is issued by an application and / or an application server. However, to avoid any doubt, smoking alternatives can issue a reactivation signal to themselves.

For example, exemplary re-enablement criteria may include:
Perform a predetermined action on the smoking substitute device; and / or the user instructs the activation of the smoking substitute device through a user interface provided by the external device (for example, if the external device is a mobile device, on the display screen of the mobile device) ).

For example, the predetermined action performed at the smoking alternative device may be a predetermined gesture performed using the smoking alternative device (which may be detected using, for example, one or more motion detection devices included in the smoking alternative device) .

The predetermined action performed using the smoking substitute device may be considered as a verification process for demonstrating that the user is authorized to use the device, because a person other than the device may not know the predetermined action of unlocking the device.

In general, it is useful to provide users with the ability to directly re-enable the device in the manner described above. However, this may not always be the case, because, for example, when a smoking replacement device is permanently disabled as described above, it may be desirable to prevent a user from directly activating the device in this manner. Even though smoking alternatives have been disabled non-permanently, sometimes if smoking alternatives have been disabled, it may be desirable to prevent users from successfully performing further verification processes (eg, age verification tests) to demonstrate that the user is authorized to use them Activate the device directly before the device. Here, because the execution of the predetermined action as described above can itself be regarded as a verification process for demonstrating that the user is authorized to use the device, the term "further" is only used to distinguish the "further" verification process from the use of smoking alternative devices and / Or a predetermined action performed by an external device. For example, the age verification test is discussed in GB1803033.8, the priority claimed in this case.

Exemplary re-enablement criteria may include the user passing authentication processing at the application, for example. The verification process may involve, for example, an application verifying that the smoking alternative device is registered with the user based on user input entered at the mobile device (information linking registered users to the smoking alternative device may be used as part of the validity status information Stored on the application server).

Another exemplary re-enablement criterion may include that the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device at the application server is changed (from indicating that the smoking device used is invalid) to indicating that the smoking replacement device used is valid (This can happen if users report that smoking alternatives are no longer lost / stolen).

Another exemplary reactivation criterion may include a user entering a valid code via a user interface on a smoking alternative device.

Therefore, if a user finds a previously lost / stolen device, they can re-enable the device.

However, if the smoking replacement device has been permanently disabled, it is preferred that the user cannot re-enable the device via any of the above-mentioned re-activation criteria.

The smoking replacement device is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the application.

The smoking replacement device is preferably configured to wirelessly communicate with the application via a communication channel established directly between the smoking replacement device and the mobile device on which the application is installed.

The system may include one or more additional smoking replacement devices configured to wirelessly connect to the smoking replacement device (eg, the smoking replacement device forms a wireless mesh network with the additional smoking replacement device). The smoking replacement device may be directly connected to each additional smoking replacement device, but the smoking replacement device may also be indirectly connected to one or more additional smoking replacement devices (eg, via another smoking replacement device).

The application server may store validity status information associated with each additional smoking alternative (a local copy of this information may also be stored at the application and / or smoking alternative).

Each additional smoking replacement device may store ID information identifying the additional smoking replacement device.

For each additional smoking replacement device, the smoking replacement device, the application, and / or the application server may be configured to rely on the ID information identifying the additional smoking replacement device and to communicate with the additional smoking replacement device. Associated validity status information to determine if the alternative smoking device used is valid, and if the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the alternative smoking device used is not valid , Issue a disable signal configured to disable additional smoking alternatives.

For example, this can be achieved by sending ID information to the smoking replacement device for each additional smoking replacement device, and the smoking replacement device, the application, and / or the application can determine the validity by using the above method, for example. Sex.

In this way, the smoking substitute device can be disabled even if the smoking substitute device itself is not directly connected to a mobile device having an application for managing the mobile device installed.

The smoking replacement device may be an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device. The smoking replacement device may include a main body and a consumable configured to be physically coupled to the main body (in this case, the main body may be regarded as a smoking replacement device and configured to perform this aspect of the invention described above Steps), but this is not necessary because, for example, smoking alternatives can be disposable "single-use" devices or open system devices (e.g., with storage tanks configured to be refilled by the user, And therefore the device can be used multiple times).

A fourth aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

For example, a fourth aspect of the present invention may provide a method performed by a system for managing smoking replacement devices, wherein the system includes:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
Application server where the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and can determine the smoking alternative device used is it effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The method includes the following steps:
The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server determines whether the smoking replacement device used is valid based on the ID information identifying the smoking replacement device and the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device, and If the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking alternative device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued that is configured to disable the smoking alternative device.

The method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention may include method steps or features corresponding to any feature or process described in connection with the third aspect of the present invention.

The invention includes combinations of such aspects and preferred features unless such combinations are clearly not allowed or explicitly avoided.

More specifically, the system for managing a smoking substitute device according to a first aspect of the present invention may also include features of the system for managing a smoking substitute device according to a third aspect of the present invention.

For example, the application server can store availability status information that can determine whether the consumable used by the subject for the smoking substitute device is effective and can determine whether the smoking substitute device used is effectively associated with the smoking substitute device. Availability status information.

For example, a system capable of combining the features of the system according to the first aspect of the present invention and the system according to the third aspect of the present invention is described below.

Similarly, a method for managing a smoking substitute device according to a second aspect of the present invention may also include features or method steps of a method for managing a smoking substitute device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention.
Invention 11

Therefore, the broadest aspect of the present invention relates to providing a cellular narrowband connector in a smoking alternative.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoking replacement device including: a controller; and a cellular narrowband connector connected to the controller and configured to provide a wireless cellular narrowband connection to a base station.

This advantageously allows the device to send and receive data to and from the base station via the cellular network without substantially reducing the device's battery life.

The cellular narrowband connector can be configured to use any one or more of the following cellular connection protocols: 2G, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, GSM, CDMA, 4G, LTE, LTE Cat 0, LTE Cat 1 , LTE Cat 3, LTE-M1, LTE-NB1, and NB-IoT.

The cellular narrow-band connector may have a maximum bandwidth of less than 250 kbps, preferably less than 100 kbps, preferably less than 50 kbps, or preferably less than 25 kbps.

The cellular narrow-band connector can be configured to operate with a delay of more than 500 milliseconds. The delay may exceed 10 seconds. The delay may exceed 2 minutes. The delay may exceed 12 hours. The delay may exceed 24 hours.

The cellular narrowband connector may be a cellular ultra-narrowband connector.

The device may include one or more sensors and be configured to monitor the use of smoking alternative devices. The cellular narrowband connector may be configured to send monitored usage to the base station.

The controller may be configured to render the smoking alternative device inoperable after receiving a signal from the base station via the cellular narrow-band connector.

The cellular narrowband connector may be configured to provide a unidirectional connection to the base station to allow data to flow from the cellular narrowband connector to the base station.
Invention 12

In the broadest sense, the present invention is related to technology associated with disabling smoking alternatives to, for example, prevent unauthorized use of smoking alternatives.

Some aspects of the present invention pertain to a smoking alternative device configured to operate within a predetermined period of time after purchase, measured by time or by use-related parameters, and subsequently required to pass age before the device continues to operate Verification Test.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoking replacement device including: a control unit; and an interface configured to communicate with an external device; wherein the control unit is configured to perform a predetermined action when using the smoking replacement device (for example, , By the user), after the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device are met and / or the predetermined time period has been exceeded, the smoking substitute device is disabled; and wherein the control unit is configured to When the interface receives a signal indicating that the user of the smoking alternative device has passed the age verification test, the interface enables the smoking alternative device.

Since the age check is usually performed at the time of purchase, this move advantageously allows users of smoking replacement devices to use the smoking replacement device immediately after purchase, while ensuring that it is at a predetermined point in time after purchase (for example, at a child or under age Of people may be exposed to smoking alternatives before performing age verification tests.

Preferably, the control unit is further configured to, after the user performs a predetermined action using the smoking substitute device, when the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device are met and / or the predetermined time period has been exceeded, if the smoking substitute The device (via the interface) avoids disabling smoking by meeting the predetermined criteria related to the use of smoking alternative devices and / or receiving a signal indicating that the user of the smoking alternative device has passed the age verification test before a predetermined period of time has passed Alternative device. In other words, the disabling of the smoking substitute device when the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device are met and / or the predetermined length of time has been exceeded is preferably only when the smoking substitute device has not received an instruction for smoking replacement at this time. Signal that the user of the device has passed the age verification test. To achieve this, the smoking replacement device may include an indicator (eg, a flag) (eg, stored in memory) that records whether the smoking replacement device 10 has been notified that it has passed the age verification test.

The control unit of the smoking substitute device may be configured to respond to disabling the smoking substitute device by transmitting a signal to an external device to request the execution of an age verification test or to indicate that the smoking alternative device is disabled before a successful age verification test.

In response to receiving such a signal, the external device may prompt the user to perform an age verification test. This test can be run on a mobile device (for example, in an app or via a web interface). The external device may also prompt the user to perform age verification elsewhere (for example, on another device or in a store) (for example, by providing the user with appropriate guidance). Examples of possible age verification tests are discussed below.

The step of disabling the smoking substitute device can be considered to mean that the smoking substitute device is placed in a state that cannot be used to generate aerosol vapor, unless / until the smoking substitute device is subsequently activated.

The step of disabling the smoking alternative may include disabling the heater of the smoking alternative. For example, the step of disabling the heater may include setting the maximum operating voltage of the heater to 0V, or prohibiting the supply of power to the heater from the battery of the smoking alternative device. In some examples, the heater may be a coil and a coil within a core assembly. Other techniques for disabling smoking alternatives will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the control unit may be configured to disable the smoking alternative by not sending a signal to trigger the supply of power to the heater.

The interface may be a wireless interface, and is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device, and may receive a signal indicating that a user of the smoking alternative device has passed the age verification test through the wireless interface. The interface can be a wired interface (for example, a ^USB® interface) and can receive signals through the wired interface that indicate that users of smoking alternative devices have passed the age verification test.

The user may perform a predetermined action, and thus the control unit may be configured to, after the user performs a predetermined action using the smoking alternative device, meet a predetermined criterion related to the use of the smoking alternative device and / or have exceeded a predetermined length of time When smoking, disable smoking alternatives.

The predetermined action may be the user's first activation of the smoking alternative device (eg, triggered by the user inhaling from the smoking alternative device). The predetermined action may be the first activation of the smoking alternative device (eg, triggered by the user pressing an actuator on the smoking alternative device or by turning on the smoking alternative device). The predetermined action may be a first activation of a smoking substitute device triggered by an entity associated with the manufacture of the smoking substitute device (eg, during a process performed by the entity to test the smoking substitute device for proper operation). The predetermined action may be the first activation of the smoking alternative device (eg, triggered by the user connecting the smoking alternative device to a charger). The predetermined action may be the first connection of the smoking substitute device with an external device. The predetermined action may be removing the tab from the smoking alternative. For example, the tab can electrically isolate the battery of the smoking substitute from the rest of the smoking substitute. The step of removing the tab may allow electrical power to be provided from the smoking alternative to the consumable. Alternatively, the step of removing the tab may cause the control unit to actively allow power to be provided from the smoking replacement device to the consumable (eg, by changing a software flag). The predetermined action may be the first connection of a consumable suitable for a smoking substitute device to the smoking substitute device. The predetermined action may be any combination of the previously disclosed predetermined actions.

The predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of activations of the smoking substitute. The number of starts may be, for example, 50 or 100 starts. The predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of coil activations of the smoking alternative (for example, when the smoking alternative includes a coil and a core heater assembly). The predetermined criterion related to use may be the cumulative time that the smoking replacement device has been activated. The predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of charging cycles of the smoking alternative. The predetermined criterion related to use may be the amount of power consumed by the smoking alternative. The predetermined criteria related to use may be any combination of the previously disclosed predetermined criteria.

The external device may be a mobile device. For example, the external device may be a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, or a smart vehicle.

The external device may be a remote server. For example, the manufacturer of the smoking replacement device may operate a remote server, and the user of the smoking replacement device may have an account with the manufacturer of the smoking replacement device.

The predetermined time can be 1 week or less. The predetermined time may be 48 hours or less. The predetermined time may be 24 hours or less.

In one example, the control unit may be configured to disable the smoking substitute device at a predetermined time after a predetermined criterion related to use is met. For example, the control unit may disable the device 24 hours after completing the first N activations until the smoking replacement device receives a signal indicating that the user of the smoking replacement device has passed the age verification test.

After the user has passed the previous age verification test, the control unit may be configured to disable the smoking substitute device when another predetermined criterion related to the use of the smoking substitute device is met and / or another predetermined length of time has been exceeded, And enable the smoking alternative when the user has passed subsequent age verification tests.

This can advantageously ensure that users of smoking alternatives do not just wait for the first age verification test before selling or giving them to users of an inappropriate age.

A further predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of activations of smoking replacement devices that have occurred after the previous age verification test. A further predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of coil activations of a smoking replacement device that has occurred after a previous age verification test. A further predetermined criterion related to use may be the cumulative time that the smoking replacement device has been activated after the previous age verification test. A further predetermined criterion related to use may be the number of charging cycles of the smoking replacement device that have occurred after the previous age verification test. A further predetermined criterion related to use may be the amount of power consumed by the smoking alternative device after the previous age verification test. The further predetermined criteria related to use may be any combination of the further predetermined criteria previously disclosed.

The predetermined criterion related to the usage may be a deviation from the usage setting file that satisfies a predetermined threshold. For example, the control unit and / or an external device (see below) may be configured to monitor the use of the smoking alternative device and derive a usage setting file associated with the user of the smoking alternative device. The control unit and / or external device (see below) may be configured to monitor deviations from this usage profile and disable the device in response (eg, in response to deviations meeting a predetermined threshold), for example, until an age verification test has been passed (For example, when the smoking replacement device receives a signal via the interface indicating that the user of the smoking replacement device has passed the age verification test).

The control unit may be configured to disable the smoking substitute device before successfully performing the age verification test in the event that the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device are met and / or the smoking substitute device has been disabled for a predetermined length of time ( For example, by setting one or more indicators (e.g., one or more flags) on the smoking substitute device (e.g., in the memory of the smoking substitute device) to indicate that age verification was successfully performed Disable the device before testing). Preferably, if the user has not passed the age verification test, the smoking substitute device is disabled only before the age verification test is successfully performed (as described above, if such a test has been performed, the Indicator).

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising: the smoking substitute device according to the first aspect of the present invention; and an external device configured to replace the smoking substitute When the user of the device has passed the age verification test, a signal indicating that the user of the smoking replacement device has passed the age verification test is sent through the interface of the smoking replacement device.

Since the age check is usually performed at the time of purchase, the features described above advantageously allow the user of the smoking replacement device to use the smoking replacement device for a specific amount of time immediately after purchase, while ensuring that it is at a predetermined point in time after purchase (for example, in Before a person under the age may touch a smoking alternative, perform an age verification test.

The external device may be a mobile device, but may be connected to a remote server and configured to connect to a smoking alternative device.

The external device may be a remote server and configured to connect to a smoking alternative device.

The external device may be configured to monitor the use of the smoking alternative device and derive a usage setting file associated with a user of the smoking alternative device. An external device (see below) may be configured to monitor deviations from this usage profile and disable the device in response (eg, in response to deviations that meet a predetermined threshold), for example, until the smoking alternative device receives an instruction to smoke via the interface. Signals that users of smoke replacement devices have passed age verification testing. As mentioned above, this signal can be sent by an external device.

The system may be configured to provide the user with an age verification test in response to a situation where the smoking replacement device becomes disabled prior to the age verification test to determine whether the user has a predetermined age or higher.

The steps of verifying that the user is of a predetermined age or higher may include: requesting and receiving information indicating the user's age from the user; and cross-checking the requested information with an external database (for example, as discussed below Remote server).

For example, the requested information may include or be a date of birth.

For example, the predetermined age may be 16. For example, the predetermined age may be 18.

Users can open an app on their smartphone or other device to verify their age. For example, the device can be wirelessly connected to a smoking alternative and can send a signal to the smoking alternative when verifying the user's age.

Age verification tests can be provided via a web interface (for example, on a mobile device or on another computer). For example, users can register their smoking alternatives with their vendor account as part of this age verification test.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that age verification tests are known per se, and any of these tests can be implemented using the system and / or smoking alternatives described above. Some examples are discussed in more detail below.

The second aspect of the system may include a remote server, and the remote server may be configured to disable the smoking alternative device if the number of devices registered to the same user exceeds a threshold.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising: a smoking substitute device; and a remote server; wherein the remote server is configured to decide to register for the same use If the number of devices exceeds the threshold, smoking alternative devices are disabled.

This can advantageously help prevent a single user with the required age from providing multiple smoking replacement devices to users who do not have the required age.

The system may disable the smoking alternative by transmitting a signal from an external device indicating that the smoking alternative should be disabled. This signal can be transmitted via an external device.

Accordingly, the system may include an external device (eg, a mobile device) and be configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device. The remote server may disable the smoking alternative by sending a signal to the external device indicating that the threshold has been exceeded, and then the external device sends a disable signal to the smoking alternative in response to receiving the signal from the remote server, where the disable The signal is configured to disable smoking alternatives (this disable signal can be an unconditional disable signal as described below).

The smoking substitute device of the third aspect of the system may be the smoking substitute device of the first aspect.

The third aspect of the system can be implemented on the second aspect and / or the fourth aspect of the system, and vice versa.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing smoking replacement devices, the system comprising:
Smoking alternative devices; and external devices configured to send one or more disable signals to the smoking alternative devices, each of which is one of the following:
Unconditionally disable signal configured to disable smoking alternative device; or conditionally disable signal configured to enable conditional disable function on smoking alternative device, wherein conditional disable function is configured to disable smoking if predetermined criteria are met Alternative device.

In this way, the external device can be used to control when and / or under which circumstances the smoking substitute device is disabled, for example to prevent unauthorized use of the smoking substitute device.

The smoking substitute device may include a control unit to control the operation of the smoking substitute device, for example.

The control unit may be configured to:
In response to the smoking replacement device receiving an unconditional disable signal from an external device, the smoking replacement device is disabled; and / or in response to the smoking replacement device receiving a conditional disable signal from an external device, and activating the conditional disable on the smoking replacement device Features.

The smoking replacement device may include an interface configured to communicate with an external device.

The external device may be a mobile device (eg, a mobile phone).

The interface may be a wireless interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device (eg, a mobile device) (eg, using a corresponding wireless interface) to establish a wireless connection (eg, a Bluetooth connection) between the smoking alternative device and the external device (For example, Bluetooth low energy connection)).

An application (for example, an app) can be installed on an external device (for example, a mobile device).

The ability to send an unconditionally disabled signal from a mobile device to a smoking alternative can be considered a manual lockout feature.

The inventors have envisioned a variety of possible conditional disable functions, and the ability to enable one or more of these functions can provide users with a high level of configurability to protect their devices while minimizing inconveniences.

An exemplary conditional disable function is a proximity lock function, where the proximity lock function is configured to, when activated on a smoking alternative device, if a wireless connection (eg, a Bluetooth connection) between the smoking alternative device and an external device does not exist (/ Lost) beyond a predetermined period of time, smoking alternatives are disabled. The predetermined time period may be a value that the user can change (for example, via an application). Alternatively, the predetermined time period may be a fixed value that cannot be changed by a user. To avoid any doubt, the predetermined time period may be zero (that is, when the wireless replacement between the smoking substitute device and the external device is lost when the proximity lock function is enabled, the smoking substitute device is disabled). Proximity locks can be used to prevent an unauthorized user from using the smoking alternative (for example, when the smoking alternative is out of sight of the primary user of the smoking alternative).

Another exemplary conditional disable function is a time lock function, where the time lock function is configured to, when activated on a smoking alternative device, if the smoking alternative device is not activated (ie, used by a user) exceeds For a predetermined period of time, smoking alternatives are disabled. The predetermined time period may be a value that the user can change (for example, via an application). Alternatively, the predetermined time period may be a fixed value that cannot be changed by a user. In order to avoid any doubt, the predetermined time period may be zero, but it may not be preferable because it may be inconvenient for the user. Time locks can be used to prevent unauthorized users from using the smoking alternative (for example, when the smoking alternative is out of sight of the primary user of the smoking alternative).

Another exemplary conditionally disabled function is a gesture lock function, wherein the gesture lock function is configured to disable the smoking substitute device if the user performs a predetermined gesture using the smoking substitute device when activated on the smoking substitute device. In this case, the smoking substitute device preferably includes one or more motion detection devices (eg, an accelerometer) to detect gestures performed by the user using the smoking substitute device. In addition, the control unit may be configured to determine whether a predetermined gesture has been performed using the smoking alternative device based on the output of one or more motion detection devices. Gesture detection is otherwise known. The predetermined gesture can be set by the user (for example, via an application). For example, the application may be configured to start recording gestures performed by a user using a smoking alternative device, and then set the recorded gestures to predetermined gestures. For example, the predetermined gesture may be predefined by the manufacturer of the device. There may be more than one predetermined gesture. Gesture lock can be used to allow the user of the device to prevent unauthorized users from using the smoking alternative (for example, when the device may be out of sight of the primary user of the smoking alternative).

Another exemplary conditionally disabled function is a geo-locking function, where the geo-locking function is configured to, when activated on a smoking alternative device, if the smoking alternative device and / or has a wireless connection to the smoking alternative device (eg, , Mobile devices with short-range wireless connections (eg, via Bluetooth) have decided to have a geographic location within one or more predetermined geographic areas, and the smoking alternative is disabled. In this case, the smoking alternative device and / or the mobile device preferably includes a geographic detection device (for example, a GPS unit) to detect the geographic location of the smoking alternative device and / or the mobile device. In order to avoid any doubt, the geographic location of the smoking alternative device can be determined by using the extrapolation of the geographic location of the mobile device determined by the geographic detection device (for example, a GPS unit) included in the mobile device. Also to avoid any doubt, a mobile device having a wireless connection with a smoking alternative device may be the external device referred to above. One or more predetermined geographic areas can be set by the user (e.g., via an application). For example, an application can have a map interface, and the user can set one or more predetermined geographic areas through the map interface (for example, by letting the user choose (for example, through a touchscreen interface) that smoking alternatives should be disabled One or more geographic areas of the device, and / or one or more geographic areas of the smoking device should not be disabled by having the user choose (eg, via a touch screen interface) (note that one or More pre-defined geographic areas)). As another example, the user may set the location of the home, and then define the predetermined geographic area as a geographical area within a predetermined distance of the location of the home. The predetermined distance may be a value that the user can change (for example, via an application). Geo-locking can be used to prevent unauthorized users from using smoking alternatives at home, for example, and children may be more likely to be exposed to smoking alternatives at home than they are taken away from home.

Another exemplary conditionally disabled function is an age lock function, wherein the age lock function is configured to, when activated on a smoking substitute device, if a user of the smoking substitute device successfully passes the age verification test has passed a predetermined time period , Disable smoking alternatives. The predetermined time period may be a value that the user can change (for example, via an application). Age verification testing is discussed in detail elsewhere in this disclosure. Age lock can be used to allow the user of the device to prevent unauthorized users from using the smoking alternative (for example, when the smoking alternative is out of sight of the primary user of the smoking alternative).

It should be noted that the above-mentioned proximity lock function, time lock function, gesture lock function, geographic lock function (where the smoking substitute device includes a geographic detection device), and the age lock function can be realized, so that even if the smoking substitute device does not have The wireless connection of external devices (for example, mobile devices), and smoking alternatives can also be disabled by themselves when the relevant criteria are met. In this way, if the smoking substitute device is misplaced, lost, or stolen, unauthorized use of the device can be avoided or minimized. These features can help prevent potential thieves from stealing the device, or they can prevent children or other unauthorized users from using the device when it is misplaced / lost.

The application may be configured to provide a user interface on an external device (eg, its display screen), where the user interface provides the user with one or more disable settings that the user can change. A mobile device (eg, an application installed on the mobile device) may be configured to trigger an external device to send each disable signal in response to a user changing each disable setting via a user interface.

A fourth aspect of the system may include a remote server.

The external device may be configured to send to the remote server one or more disable settings set by the user at the external device. In this way, the remote server can store one or more disabled settings associated with the user, and can push to a new smoking replacement device later obtained by the user without the user having to re-enter the selection Settings.

In any of the above aspects of the invention, the smoking substitute device and / or the external device, if present, may be configured to execute in response to using the smoking substitute device and / or the external device after the smoking substitute device is disabled. The intended action while enabling a smoking alternative (for example, allowing the smoking alternative to generate aerosol vapor).

This can provide the user with the ability to directly re-enable the device in the manner described above after disabling, for example because an unconditional disabling signal has been received at the smoking alternative device, or because a conditional disabling function activated on the smoking alternative device has caused The device is disabled, so when the device is disabled, users will not face excessively troublesome procedures in order to start using the device.

For example, a predetermined action to enable a smoking alternative (performed using a smoking alternative and / or an external device) may include:
Perform a predetermined action on the smoking substitute device; and / or the user instructs the activation of the smoking substitute device through a user interface provided by the external device (for example, if the external device is a mobile device, the ).

For example, the predetermined action performed at the smoking alternative device may be a predetermined gesture performed using the smoking alternative device (which may be detected using, for example, one or more motion detection devices included in the smoking alternative device) .

Predetermined actions performed using smoking alternative devices and / or external devices (if any) can be considered as a verification process to demonstrate that the user is authorized to use the device, as non-device users (eg, children) may not know to unlock the device Scheduled action.

In general, it is useful to provide users with the ability to directly re-enable the device in the manner described above. However, this may not always be the case because, for example, when it is desired to force a user to complete an additional authentication process to show that the user is authorized to use the device, it may be desirable to prevent the user from directly activating the device in this way, for example, with The first aspect of the present invention is the same, and it may be desirable to forcefully complete an age verification test before enabling the device.

Therefore, the smoking substitute device and / or external device, if present, may be configured to enable smoking in response to a predetermined action performed using the smoking substitute device and / or external device after the smoking substitute device is disabled. Replacement devices (eg, allowing smoking replacement devices to generate aerosol vapor) unless the smoking replacement device has been disabled before successfully performing further verification processing to demonstrate that the user is authorized to use the device.

Here, because the execution of the predetermined action as described above can itself be considered as a verification process for demonstrating that the user is authorized to use the device, the term "further" is only used to distinguish the further verification process from the use of a smoking alternative device and / or A predetermined action performed by an external device.

The further verification process may be an age verification test (eg, as described in connection with the first aspect of the invention).

The smoking substitute device may be disabled until the additional verification process is successfully performed (for example, by setting one or more indicators (eg, one or more flags) on the smoking substitute device to indicate that the additional verification is successfully performed Disable the device before processing). Without setting one or more indicators in this manner, the smoking substitute device and / or an external device, if present, may be configured to enable the smoking substitute device in response to a predetermined action performed.

For example, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the control unit of the smoking substitute device disables the smoking substitute device under the circumstances described in the first aspect of the invention (ie, when using the smoking substitute device) After performing the predetermined action, when the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device are met and / or the predetermined time period has been exceeded), the smoking substitute device can be set to instruct the smoking substitute device to successfully perform the age verification test Disabled indicators (for example, flags). In this way, users will not be able to simply bypass the age verification test by performing predetermined actions in these cases, but will need to successfully complete the age verification test before activating the device.

As another example, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the smoking replacement device is disabled by the proximity lock function, it is preferable not to set a flag indicating that the smoking replacement device is disabled before the further authentication processing is successfully performed. In this way, the user can more easily activate the device after the device is locked by the proximity lock function.

As another example, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the smoking replacement device is disabled by the time lock function, it is preferable not to set a flag indicating that the smoking replacement device is disabled before the further authentication processing is successfully performed. In this way, the user can more easily activate the device after the device is locked by the time lock function.

As another example, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the gesture lock function disables the smoking substitute device, it is preferable not to set a flag indicating that the smoking substitute device is disabled before the further authentication processing is successfully performed. In this way, the user can more easily activate the device after the device is locked by the gesture lock function.

As another example, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the geographic lock function disables the smoking substitute device, it is preferable not to set a flag indicating that the smoking substitute device is disabled before the further authentication processing is successfully performed. In this way, the user can more easily activate the device after the device is locked by the geo-locking function.

As another example, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the age-locking function disables the smoking substitute device, a flag indicating that the smoking substitute device is disabled before the age verification test is successfully performed may be set. In this way, mandatory age verification tests cannot be easily bypassed.

The system of the fourth aspect can be implemented on the system of the second aspect and / or the third aspect, and vice versa.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a smoking substitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to enable the smoking substitute device in response to a predetermined action performed using the smoking substitute device after the smoking substitute device is disabled. The device (eg, allowing the smoking substitute device to generate aerosol vapor) unless the smoking substitute device has been disabled before successfully performing further verification processing to demonstrate that the user is authorized to use the device.

A fifth aspect of the present invention may alternatively provide a system including a smoking substitute device and an external device, wherein the smoking substitute device and / or the external device is configured to respond to the use of smoking after the smoking substitute device is disabled. Prescribed actions performed by the replacement device and / or external device to enable the smoking replacement device (for example, allowing the smoking replacement device to generate aerosol vapor) unless the smoking replacement device has successfully performed further authentication processing to demonstrate that the user is authorized Disabled before using the device.

The smoking substitute device and / or system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention may include any one or more features of any one or more other aspects of the present invention as described above.

The smoking alternative device and / or system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention may be a device and / or system in another aspect of the present invention as described above, but is not limited to these devices or systems. For example, if the smoking substitute device determines that the subject entity of the smoking substitute device is coupled to a consumable item that is not effective for the subject, the smoking substitute device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can potentially pass through another (See, for example, co-pending patent application GB1803033.8 and its derivatives, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

Unless expressly prohibited, the invention includes any combination of the features and aspects described above and herein.

Invention 01

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via BluetoothTM). The wireless connection between the smoking replacement device 10 and the mobile device may be irregular or intermittent. For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 may also be configured (eg, via a suitable interface (eg, USB port; not shown) on the mobile device 2) to communicate non-wirelessly with an application installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via line).

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed-system e-cigarette device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 that is configured to hold an e-liquid, and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 127 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 3 (a) is a schematic diagram of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, a reader 140, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138 .

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory.

The reader 140 is configured to read information associated with the consumables 150 stored by the machine-readable component 170. The reader 140 and the machine-readable component 170 may be configured to read the machine-readable component 170 wirelessly (using, for example, one of NFC, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi technology) or non-wireless (using, for example, a wire). Stored information associated with consumables 150.

Preferably, the reader 140 includes an antenna 142 for wirelessly receiving a signal containing information associated with the consumable 150 from the machine-readable component 170. The machine-executable component 170 may include an antenna 176 for transmitting a signal containing information associated with the consumable 150 that can be read by the reader 140. In another example, the reader 140 may include a camera for optically reading information stored by the machine-readable part 170.

Preferably, the reader 140 is an RFID reader 140, and the machine-readable component 170 is an RFID tag 170, and the RFID reader 140 is configured to read the consumption that is transmitted with the RFID tag 170. The signal (in the form of electromagnetic waves, usually radio waves) associated with the product.

The machine-readable part 170 and the reader 140 may be respectively located on or in the consumable 150 and the main body 120, so that the RFID reader can read the machine-readable only when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body 120. Information stored by the component 170.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (for example, Wi-Fi) are also possible.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to transmit to the mobile device 2 information associated with the consumable 150 received by the reader 140 from the machine-readable component 170. The wireless interface 134 may be configured to directly transmit information associated with the consumables 150 to the mobile device on which the application is installed.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to a heating device of the consumable 150 (eg, via the Electrical interface 160 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the consumables 150 include a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a machine-readable component 170, a mouthpiece 166, and an optional one. Or more additional components 168. The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

The machine-readable part 170 is configured so that the reader 140 can read information associated with the consumables 150 from the machine-readable part 170.

The machine-readable component 170 may include a memory 172 and an antenna 176.

The memory 172 preferably includes a non-volatile memory. The memory 172 preferably stores information associated with the consumables 150 and may include one or more variables measured by the measurement component 273 (discussed with reference to FIG. 6). Additionally / alternatively, the memory 172 may be configured to store pre-programmed information associated with the consumables 150.

Preferably, the antenna 176 wirelessly transmits a signal containing information associated with the consumable 150, so that the antenna 142 of the reader 140 included in the main body 120 can receive the signal. Alternatively, the information can also be transmitted non-wirelessly from the machine-readable part 170 to the reader 140 via the electrical coupling of the main body 120 and the consumable 150.

Preferably, the machine-readable component 170 is a passive RFID tag, and the reader 140 is an RFID reader. RFID tags can also be active RFID tags.

In another example, the mobile device 2 may be configured to read information associated with the consumables 150 stored by the machine-readable component 170, such as via a camera or an RFID reader on the mobile device.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the smoking substitute device 110 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices may also be used. The smoking substitute device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 of FIG. 2 (a) including the overmolded machine-readable part 170.

In this example, the machine-readable component 170 has been covered with an overmold material 190 and is included in the body of the consumable 150.

FIG. 5 is a method of forming the consumable 150 of FIG. 4.

In the method of FIG. 5, a machine-readable component 170 (for example, an RFID tag) is first provided (S200). The machine-readable component 170 preferably contains a memory for storing information associated with the consumables 150.

The machine-readable component 170 is positioned in a mold suitable for overmolding, and is preferably suitable for overmolding by injection molding. Thereby, the mold can be configured to withstand the high temperature of the overmold material without deformation.

Second, the machine-readable component 170 is overmolded (S210). The process of overmolding by injection molding may involve injecting a liquid overmold material into a mold containing the machine-readable part 170 and then allowing the overmold material to cure. The shape of the mold and the position of the machine-readable part 170 may be selected depending on the desired shape of the overmolded consumable 150.

Preferably, an overmolding process is performed so that the machine-readable component 170 is covered, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the mold can be selected and has a suitable shape to allow the liquid overmold material to cure on each side of the machine-readable part 170.

If the machine-readable component 170 is covered with an overmolding material, the machine-readable component 170 generally needs to be capable of wireless communication with the reader 140.

Alternatively, an overmolding process may be performed so that the machine-readable part 170 is only partially coated with an overmolding material. In this case, the shape of the mold can be selected, and the machine-readable part is positioned in the mold, so that only a part of the machine-readable part is coated with the overmold material.

Where only a portion of the machine-readable component 170 is coated with an overmold material, the machine-readable component 170 may be configured for wireless or non-wireless communication. For non-wireless communication, the machine-readable component 170 may include an electrical interface configured to be coupled to the electrical interface of the reader 140 (or mobile device 2). In order to allow non-wireless communication, preferably, the overmold material is not coated with an electrical interface.

A portion of the coated or coated machine readable label 170 may be more waterproof, dustproof, less susceptible to corrosion, and / or more impact resistant than non-overmolded machine readable parts. In addition, overmolding can be used to securely connect multiple parts together without the need for an adhesive.

Alternatively, an overmolded label can be formed in a two-step process, where the original overmolded label itself is overmolded with another overmold material to utilize another overmolded material At least a portion of the original overmolded label is coated to, for example, further protect the label or facilitate attachment to other components within the consumable.

The overmolded machine-readable label 170 may be formed to form a part of the consumable 150. For example, the overmolded machine-readable label 170 may be formed into a container configured to contain a consumable material within the consumable 150. In this case, a mold may be selected to overmold the machine-readable label 170 with a suitable shape, and a desired container shape is established by the overmolded machine-readable label 170.

Forming the overmolded machine-readable label 170 into the shape of the component is advantageous because the need to separately form the component is removed, potentially reducing manufacturing costs, and / or minimizing the space occupied by the machine-readable label 170 . In addition, this means that fewer parts can be assembled when the consumable 150 is formed, and assembly can be made more direct.

Third, the overmolded machine-readable component 170 is included in the consumable 150 for the smoking substitute device 110 (S220). This step may include assembling a plurality of parts shown in FIG. 3 (b) to form a consumable 150, wherein at least one of the parts is an overmolded machine-readable part 170.

In an alternative method, step S220 may occur before step 210, which means that the machine-readable part 170 is included in the consumable 150, and then the machine-readable part 170 is placed in the appropriate position in the consumable 150 Overmolding. This can be done to secure the machine-readable part 170 to the consumable 150 without using an adhesive.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a machine-readable component 270 that can be used as the machine-readable component 170 of FIG. 2 (a) or FIG. 4.

The memory 272 and the antenna 276 of the machine-readable component 270 can operate in a similar manner to the memory 172 and the antenna 176 of the machine-readable component 170 of FIG. 2 (a), and need not be described in further detail.

In addition to the memory 272 and the antenna 276, the machine-readable component 170 of FIG. 2 (a) also includes a measurement component 273.

The measurement part 273 of the machine-readable part 270 is configured to measure a variable associated with the consumable device 150, which variable may be stored by the machine-readable part 270 in, for example, the memory 272. The machine-readable component 270 may include one or more additional measurement components (not shown) and configured to measure one or more additional variables associated with the consumable device.

For example, the measurement component 273 may be an integrated circuit and configured to measure, for example, the resistance of the consumable material included in the consumable, the capacitance of the consumable material included in the consumable, the consumption included in the consumable The inductance of the product material, or another measurable variable associated with the consumable 150.

The memory 272 is preferably configured to store variables measured by the measurement component 273. Additionally / alternatively, the memory 272 may be configured to store pre-programmed information associated with the consumables 150.

The antenna 276 is preferably configured to transmit a signal containing a variable measured by the measurement component 273 (and any additional variables measured by any additional measurement component) so that an external device (eg, the reader 140 of the main body 120) can Read one or more measured variables.

Alternatively, an external device (eg, the main body 120 or the mobile device 2) may utilize the above-mentioned alternative means to wirelessly or non-wirelessly read one or more measured variables stored in the machine-readable component 270.

The main body 120, the mobile device 2, or the application server 4 may be configured to determine information about the consumable material contained in the consumable 150 based on one or more measurement variables read from the machine-readable part 270 (For example, the taste of e-liquids contained in consumables). For example, the body 120, the application, or the application server 4 may be configured to use one or more measurement variables and a database (e.g., machine-readable The one or more measurement variables read by the taking unit 270 can be used as a "key" to find out information about the consumable materials contained in the consumable 150 in the database) for comparison to determine the Contains information about consumables. The database may be stored in the application server 4 and a copy may optionally be stored in the application or the body 120.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
A1. A method of forming a consumable for a smoking replacement device, the method comprising the following steps:
Providing a machine-readable component that stores information associated with the consumable;
Overmolding the machine-readable component with an overmolding material to coat at least a portion of the machine-readable component with the overmolding material; and the overmolding machine including the consumable Read the part.
A2. The method as described in statement A1, wherein the machine-readable part is covered with an overmold material.
A3. The method as described in statement A1, wherein the machine-readable part is partially coated with an overmold material.
A4. The method as recited in any of the preceding statements, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is overmolded with an additional overmold material to coat the overmolded material with the overmold material The machine can read at least a part of the part.
A5. A method as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the overmolded machine-readable part is a part formed into a consumable.
A6. The method of statement A5, wherein the step of including the overmolded machine-readable part in the consumable comprises the steps of assembling multiple parts together to form a consumable, wherein the parts One of these is an overmolded machine-readable part.
A7. The method as set forth in statement A6, wherein the machine-readable part overmolded is formed into a container configured to contain consumable materials within the consumable.
A8. The method as recited in statement A6, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is formed as a housing of the consumable.
A9. The method as in any of the preceding statements, wherein the machine-readable component includes a memory for storing the information associated with the consumable.
A10. The method as in any of the preceding statements, wherein the machine-readable component is an RFID tag.
A11. A method as described in any preceding statement, wherein the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part includes any one or more of the following:
ID information used to identify the consumable;
A taste of the consumable materials contained in the consumable;
An amount of consumable material contained in the consumable;
A temperature at which the consumable material contained in the consumable should be heated;
A parameter indicating how the consumable should be used;
A size of a storage tank contained in the consumable;
One or more measurement variables associated with the consumable device.
A12. A consumable for a smoking replacement device formed by a method according to any of the previously stated methods.
A13. A consumable for a smoking replacement device, comprising:
At least one measurement component is configured to measure a variable associated with the consumable device; and a machine-readable component is configured to store each measurement variable.
A14. A smoking alternative including:
A subject
A consumable configured to be physically coupled to the main body;
Wherein the consumable includes a machine-readable component storing information associated with the consumable, wherein the consumable is a consumable as described in statement A12 or A13.
A15. The smoking replacement device of statement A14, wherein the body includes a reader configured to read the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part.
A16. The smoking replacement device as described in statement A14 or A15, wherein the smoking replacement device is an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device.
A17. A system for managing a smoking alternative, comprising:
A smoking replacement device as described in any of statements A14 to A16;
A mobile device with an application installed, wherein the smoking alternative device is configured to communicate with the application.
A18. The system of statement A17, wherein the system includes an application server, and the application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server via a network.
A19. The system as recited in statement A17 or A18, wherein the subject includes a reader configured to read the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part, and the subject is configured To send the information associated with the consumable to the application.
A20. The system as described in any of statements A17 to A19, wherein the subject, application, and / or application server are configured to process associations with the consumables stored in the machine-readable part Of that information.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 01:
A method of forming a consumable for a smoking replacement device is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a machine-readable part storing information associated with the consumable; and overmolding the machine-readable part with an overmolding material To coat at least a portion of the machine-readable part with an overmolding material; and including the overmolded machine-readable part in a consumable. Associated devices and systems are also disclosed.
Invention 02

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The wireless connection between the smoking replacement device 10 and the mobile device may be irregular or intermittent. For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 7 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 7 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery. For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor. The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

In use, the control unit 130 may be configured to record information related to the use of the smoking substitute device 110 (see above) in the memory 132 of the smoking substitute device 110.

Preferably, the smoking substitute device 110 is configured to use the wireless interface 134 on the smoking substitute device 110 and a corresponding wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2 to wirelessly transmit information related to the use of the smoking substitute device 110. Sent to mobile device 2.

Various examples of information related to the use of the smoking substitute device 110 that can be transmitted to the mobile device 2 have been described above in detail. For example, this information can include any one or more of the following:
Statistical data related to the use of smoking alternatives 110;
Information about or describing the number of times the smoking replacement device 110 has been activated;
Information about or describing one or more lengths of time that the smoking replacement device 110 has been activated;
Information about or describing one or more flavors for the smoking alternative device 110;
Information about or describing one or more flavors of the consumables for the smoking replacement device 110;
Information about or describing the time of one or more events that occurred on the smoking replacement device 110.

Preferably, the smoking replacement device 110 is configured to change its behavior in accordance with instructions from the mobile device 2 that have been received wirelessly at the wireless interface 134.

Again, examples of instructions that can be received from the mobile device 2 at the wireless interface 134 have been described above in detail. For example, these instructions can include any one or more of the following:
Instructions for controlling the behavior of the heating device 162 included in the smoking replacement device 110;
Instructions for changing the operation mode of the smoking replacement device 110;
Instructions for resetting the smoking replacement device 110;
Instructions for changing the behavior of the lights 126, if included, in the smoking replacement device 110;
Instructions for changing the behavior of a gas flu detector (if included) for detecting airflow in the smoking replacement device 110;
An instruction for controlling wireless settings of the smoking substitute device 110.

The application installed on the mobile device 2 may be configured to send a change in behavior of the smoking alternative device 110 based on user input at the mobile device 2 (eg, visual control displayed by the application on the mobile device 2). Instructions.

The application installed on the mobile device 2 may be configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of the smoking replacement device 110 based on the information sent by the smoking replacement device 110 to the mobile device 2 (for example, if the application is based on smoking replacement Information sent by the device to the mobile device 2 to determine that one or more criteria have been met).

For example, if the application determines that one or more criteria indicating that the smoking substitute device 110 has a low battery level have been met based on information sent by the smoking substitute device 110 to the mobile device 2 (for example, Thereafter, the number of times the smoking alternative device 110 is activated), the application may be configured to send an instruction for setting the smoking alternative device 110 to a battery saving operation mode.

As a result, the app can infer the existence of low battery power without the need to measure the actual battery level. In addition, if the existence of a low battery power is inferred, the smoking substitute device may be set to a battery saving operation mode.

For example, the step of setting the smoking substitute device to a battery saving operation mode may involve setting the smoking substitute device to an operation mode that reduces the amount of electric power supplied to the heating device 162 of the consumable 150 when the smoking substitute device is activated ( (Compared to the previous operating mode) to reduce the rate at which the remaining power stored in the battery 128 runs out. Those of ordinary skill in the art can envision other battery saving operation modes.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can conceive of various criteria by which an application can infer that the smoking replacement device 110 has low battery power. For example, if the smoking replacement device 110 has been activated more than a threshold number of times since the last charge, the application may be configured to infer that the smoking replacement device 110 has low battery power.

The application installed on the mobile device may be configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of the smoking substitute device 110 based on the instructions received from the application server 4. This may be useful, for example, when pushing the updated firmware to the smoking replacement device 110.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or by means of performing a disclosed function or method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
B1. A system for managing a smoking alternative, comprising:
A smoking replacement device; and a mobile device, wherein the smoking replacement device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an application installed on the mobile device via a wireless interface on the mobile device.
B2. The system of statement B1, further comprising an application server, wherein the application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server via the network.
B3. The system as described in statement B1 or B2, wherein the application installed on the mobile device is configured to display information related to the use of a smoking alternative device.
B4. A system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the smoking device is configured to wirelessly send information to the mobile device about the number of times the smoking alternative device has been activated since the last charge, and if the application is based on Information on the number of activations after a charge to determine that one or more criteria indicating that the smoking alternative device has low battery power have been met, the application is configured to send a message for setting the smoking alternative device to a battery saving operation mode instruction.
B5. A system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the smoking alternative includes:
A control unit for controlling the operation of the smoking substitute device; and a memory for storing information related to the operation of the smoking substitute device.
B6. The system as described in statement B5, wherein the control unit is configured to record information on the number of times the smoking alternative device has been activated after the last charge in the memory.
B7. The system as in any previous statement, wherein the wireless interface is configured to intermittently communicate wirelessly with the mobile device.
B8. The system as in any previous statement, wherein the smoking replacement device is an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device.
B9. A system as described in any previous statement, wherein an application installed on a mobile device is configured to send instructions to a smoking alternative device via a wireless interface on the mobile device to change the behavior of the smoking alternative device.
B10. The system described in statement B9, wherein the application installed on the mobile device is configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of the smoking alternative device based on information sent to the mobile device by the smoking alternative device.
B11. The system as described in statement B9 or B10, wherein the application installed on the mobile device is configured to send instructions for changing the behavior of the smoking alternative device based on user input at the mobile device.
B12. A smoking alternative device having a wireless interface, wherein the wireless interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device.
B13. The smoking substitute device as described in statement B12, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to wirelessly send information about the use of the smoking substitute device to the computing device using a wireless interface.
B14. The smoking replacement device as described in statement B13, wherein the information related to the use of the smoking replacement device includes one or more of the following:
Information about or describing the number of times smoking alternatives have been activated;
Information about or describing one or more lengths of time the smoking replacement device has been activated;
Information about or describing one or more flavors used in smoking alternative devices;
Information about or describing one or more flavors of consumables used in smoking alternative devices;
Information about or describing when one or more events occurred on the smoking alternative.
B15. The smoking substitute device as described in any of statements B12 to B14, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to change its behavior in accordance with instructions from a computing device that have been received wirelessly at a wireless interface.
B16. The smoking alternative device as described in statement B15, wherein the instructions from the computing device include one or more of the following:
Instructions for controlling the behavior of heating devices included in smoking alternative devices;
Instructions for changing the mode of operation of a smoking substitute;
Instructions for resetting smoking alternatives;
Instructions for changing the behavior of lights included in smoking alternatives;
Instructions for changing the behavior of a flu detector for detecting airflow in a smoking replacement device;
Instructions for controlling wireless settings of smoking alternatives.
B17. The smoking replacement device as described in any of statements B12 to B16, wherein the smoking replacement device includes:
A control unit for controlling the operation of the smoking substitute device; and a memory for storing information related to the operation of the smoking substitute device.
B18. The smoking substitute device as described in statement B17, wherein the control unit is configured to record information related to the use of the smoking substitute device in a memory.
B19. The smoking alternative device as described in any of statements B12 to B18, wherein the wireless interface is configured to intermittently wirelessly communicate with the computing device.
B20. The smoking substitute device as described in any one of statements B12 to B19, wherein the smoking substitute device is an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 02:
A smoking replacement device with a wireless interface, wherein the wireless interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device. The smoking alternative device can wirelessly send information related to the use of the smoking alternative device to the computing device using a wireless interface, and / or change its behavior based on instructions received from the computing device wirelessly at the wireless interface. Also included are systems with smoking alternatives.
Invention 03

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The mobile device 2 may be any portable communication terminal capable of running an application program (for example, a mobile phone or a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer). The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 8 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 8 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 may include non-volatile memory for storing computer-readable instructions that control the operation of the device during execution. In this example, the memory may include storage for battery data logs and other device data discussed in more detail below.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device 2 via a short-range wireless network (eg, a wireless personal area network (WPAN)). The wireless interface 134 may include any suitable short-range wireless technology (eg, Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, wireless USB, or the like). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charge control circuit may instead be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are configured to cooperate in a manner that electrically couples the main body 120 to the consumable 150. The electrical coupling may allow electrical power and optional data to be transferred between the body 120 and the consumables 150. The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts, and is configured to physically contact the electrical interface 136 of the main body 120. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 only illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to, for example, the configuration and use of a network-enabled smoking alternative device, as discussed above, for transmitting information to a user regarding the state of the power source 128 in the body 120 of the device. More specifically, the subject is configured to wirelessly transmit information related to the power source to the mobile device 2. An application running on a mobile device can process the information received to calculate current battery status information and decide whether to generate notifications for users.

As mentioned above, the power source is usually a battery. The present invention may be particularly useful for devices having a rechargeable power source (eg, one or more rechargeable batteries), as an application can use information about the historical usage of the device to inform the calculation of the current battery status. Therefore, the calculated state is more sensitive to the way a particular user uses the device, and is therefore more likely to correspond to the user's experience.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps in a battery condition monitoring method 200 as an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 begins at step 202, which establishes a wireless connection between a smoking alternative device (eg, device 110 discussed above) and a mobile device (eg, mobile device 2 discussed above). The wireless connection may be via any suitable wireless protocol that allows information to be transmitted. For example, a smoking alternative device may be paired with a mobile device using a short-range transmission protocol (eg, Bluetooth ^™ or the like). The smoking alternative device can be wirelessly connected to the mobile device via any suitable personal area network.

The method continues at step 204, which transmits a battery data log from the smoking replacement device to the mobile device via the established wireless connection. The battery data log is a data structure indicating battery status measurements recorded by the smoking alternative. In one example, the control unit 130 of the main body 120 is arranged to perform an example of measuring the charging-related properties of the battery and record the result in the memory 132 along with a time stamp. The battery profile log can be a collection of battery status measurements of this type.

The charge-related properties of the battery may be any parameter that allows the calculation of the remaining power of the battery. For example, the property related to charging may be the voltage of the battery. The routine can be executed periodically, thereby allowing the battery data log to indicate changes in voltage over time. In another example, the charging-related properties may indicate the charge drawn from the battery (eg, by measuring the amount of current drawn along with the period of time drawn). In this example, a routine may be performed for each activation event of the device (eg, each time a user inhales to extract steam).

The battery profile log can be updated or restarted after successfully transferring to the mobile device. In this way, information from a specific time period need only be transmitted to the mobile device once. In this way, minimizing data transmission can reduce the load on the battery of the wireless communication module.

Step 204 of transmitting the battery data log may also include transmitting other device data to the mobile device to assist subsequent calculations. Other device data may include usage data that indicates how the user is using the device (eg, the nature of a startup event that draws power from the battery). The usage data may include information indicating the number and duration of activation events in the current charging cycle or after the device was last connected to the mobile device. Other device data may also include device information related to the battery type or the internal configuration of the device, which may affect the power drawn by each startup event.

The method continues at step 206, which calculates battery-related information based on the received battery data log by an application running on a mobile device associated with the smoking replacement device. After establishing a connection with the smoking alternative, the mobile device operates to execute, if not already running, the application. Apps can run in the background while receiving and processing data from smoking alternative devices. The application may be arranged to perform the calculation steps using the processing power of the mobile device. Alternatively, the received data may be retransmitted to the application server via the network via the mobile device. Calculations can be performed at the application server and the results returned to the mobile device.

The data received on the mobile device (or application server) can be used as input to the algorithm to determine battery-related information. Battery-related information directly indicates the nature of the battery (for example, how much charge is left (for example, as a percentage of full charge). Alternatively or additionally, the battery-related information may be information about the available and useable predictions derived from the input data. The predicted available use may include the number of remaining start-up events available in the current battery charge cycle.

To accurately calculate the availability of predictions, the algorithm can use other device data as input. For example, when other device data includes usage data, the algorithm can determine the average battery draw of the battery for each startup event. This may vary depending on the user (for example, due to the duration of the start-up event and / or the specific configuration of the heater and associated circuits). In addition, the impact of the startup event on the battery charge may also depend on the age of the battery and / or the number of battery charge cycles that have been experienced. Apps can include battery settings files, and battery settings files include age-related information. Based on the received data identifying the type of battery and its age or number of charge cycles completed, the application can use the battery setting file information to determine the proper performance characteristics of the battery for the calculation step.

The user can see the results of the calculation steps (for example, by opening the application and navigating to the appropriate status display). For this purpose, the calculation results can be stored locally (on a mobile device). However, the method of the present invention also allows the mobile device to automatically notify the user when certain events occur (eg, certain predetermined battery-related events).

To accomplish this, the method continues at step 208, which compares the calculated data with one or more thresholds. Each threshold can be associated with a battery-related event that guarantees notification to the user. Users can select battery-related events and corresponding thresholds (for example, via the appropriate user interface provided by the app). In one example, the battery-related event may be a low battery charge. In this case, the threshold may be a predetermined battery charge level (eg, expressed as a percentage) (eg, 15%, 10%, 5%, or the like). The calculated battery charge can be compared to this threshold. If the calculated battery charge level is below this threshold, the method may proceed to step 210 of issuing a notification to the user. In another example, the battery-related event may be the minimum number of remaining start-up events (eg, represented by the number of events or the ten-digit number of events). The calculated remaining startup events can be compared to this threshold. If the calculated battery charge level is below this threshold, the method may proceed to step 210 of issuing a notification to the user. In the latter example, it can be seen that by considering the user's historical behavior, this method can avoid unnecessary or erroneous notifications.

In step 210, the mobile device may be arranged to generate a suitable notification for the user. The notification may be visual, audible, tactile, or a combination thereof. For example, notifications can cause a mobile device to vibrate and simultaneously display a banner with a message indicating a battery-related event. Users can control the way notifications are published using known methods.

Although the above example is about a notification prompting the user to recharge the battery, it should be understood that the present invention can be used to notify other events. For example, in a single-use closed device, a notification can be used to indicate whether the use will cause the battery to lose power before emptying the storage tank. Therefore, the user can be prompted to modify the duration of each startup event and use the device effectively to avoid waste.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic example of various data structures that can be used in the above method. The data structure includes a battery data log 302 and other device data 304.

The battery profile log 302 contains a list of measured voltages of the batteries taken at different times (for example, corresponding to a periodic pattern). Each measured voltage is associated with a time stamp, which indicates the time taken.

Other device data 304 includes device information 306. The device information 306 lists various properties of the device and the battery. The application can use this to influence parameters in the algorithm used to calculate battery-related information. For example, the device information 306 includes a battery type field and a power allocation type field. The application can use the information in the battery type field to identify the battery settings file for the calculation step. The power configuration type field can be used to establish (eg, via a lookup table or the like) the average power or charge draw of the battery for each startup event. This parameter can be used in conjunction with the average startup event duration to convert the calculated remaining battery power into the predicted number of remaining startup events.

The other device data 304 also includes usage data 308 recorded for a specific device by an example executed by the control unit. In this example, the usage data 308 includes a field for the number of completed charging cycles, which can be used in conjunction with the information in the battery type field to determine the proper behavior of the battery through the battery setting file.

The usage data 308 may also include fields associated with the predicted number of remaining activation events determined for the remaining battery power. This may include one or both of an average start event duration for the current charge cycle and an average start event duration for battery life. It should be understood that the latter parameter may not apply to devices without a rechargeable battery. The usage data may also include other raw data (for example, the number of start-up events for the current charge cycle and the cumulative start-up duration (ie, the time the battery was in the "on" state during the current charge cycle)).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram when the battery condition monitoring device 300 as an embodiment of the present invention is used. The device 300 comprises the mobile device 2 and the smoking substitute device 10 discussed above. The smoking replacement device 10 wirelessly communicates with the mobile device through a suitable short-range network 301, and transmits the battery data log 302 and other device data 304 through the short-range network 301.

The mobile device 2 includes a conventional display screen. The application may be configured to display a notification 310 on a display screen. The notification 310 may display information used to indicate any one or more of remaining battery power, remaining activation events (also referred to as "smokes"), and remaining battery life. The display screen may be a touch screen, and the notification may include a selectable icon 312 to allow the user to open the application to access further information.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
C1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring the status of a battery in a smoking alternative, the method comprising the following steps:
The battery data log is transmitted from the smoking replacement device to the portable communication terminal via the wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal;
Calculate battery related information through the portable communication terminal according to the received battery data log;
If the battery-related information meets a predetermined standard, a battery event notification is issued by the portable communication terminal; and the battery data log is updated after being transmitted to the portable communication terminal.
C2. The method described in statement C1, further comprising the following steps before establishing a wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal:
A plurality of battery status measurements are recorded by the smoking replacement device; and a battery data log is generated by the plurality of battery status measurements by the smoking replacement device.
C3. The method as described in statement C1 or C2, wherein the battery data log is a data structure that associates the charging-related properties of the battery recorded by the smoking alternative with a time stamp indicating when the charging-related properties were recorded.
C4. The method described in statement C3, wherein the charge-related property is a voltage measured on the battery.
C5. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the battery-related information includes information indicating the nature of the battery.
C6. The method as described in statement C5, wherein the property of the battery is the remaining capacity.
C7. The method as set forth in statement C6, wherein the predetermined criterion includes a threshold power level, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the remaining power level is below the threshold power level.
C8. The method as set forth in statement C7, wherein the threshold power is adjustable.
C9. The method according to any of the preceding statements, further comprising the step of transmitting one or more of the smoking substitute devices instructed to draw power from the battery via a wireless communication channel between the smoking substitute device and the portable communication terminal. Usage information for multiple startup events.
C10. The method as described in statement C9, wherein the usage data includes information indicating the number and duration of activation events in the current charging cycle or after the smoking replacement device was last connected to the portable communication terminal.
C11. The method as set forth in statement C9 or C10, further comprising the step of: deriving, through the portable communication terminal, the predicted and available usage information for the smoking alternative device based on the battery data log and usage data, wherein the battery is related The information contains predicted availability information.
C12. The method as described in statement C11, wherein the predicted available usage information includes a predicted number of remaining start-up events available in the current battery charging cycle.
C13. The method as set forth in statement C11 or C12, wherein the predetermined criterion includes a start-up activity threshold, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the predicted available usage information is below the start-up activity threshold.
C14. The method as recited in statement C13, wherein the activation activity threshold includes a minimum remaining activation event limit, whereby a battery event notification is issued if the predicted available usage information indicates that the predicted number of remaining activation events is below the minimum remaining activation event limit. .
C15. The method as described in statement C13 or C14, wherein the threshold of the activation activity is adjustable.
C16. The method according to any of the preceding statements, further comprising the step of transmitting device information related to the configuration of the smoking alternative device via a wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal.
C17. The method as described in statement C16, further comprising the step of determining a battery setting file indicating the expected battery behavior through a portable communication terminal based on the device information received from the smoking substitute device, wherein the battery setting file is referred to Calculate battery related information.
C18. The method according to any of the preceding statements, further comprising the step of comparing the battery-related information with the threshold data by a portable communication terminal to determine whether the battery-related information meets a predetermined standard.
C19. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the step of issuing a battery event notification includes the steps of: generating a visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device.
C20. A smoking alternative comprising:
battery;
control unit;
Memory for storing computer-readable instructions for execution by the control unit;
A heater arranged to draw power from a battery during a start-up event; and a wireless interface configured to:
Establish a wireless communication channel with a portable communication terminal,
The battery data log is transmitted through the wireless communication channel, and the battery data log is updated after being transmitted to the portable communication terminal.
C21. The smoking alternative device of statement C20, wherein the control unit is configured to use a wireless interface to obtain and transmit usage data indicative of one or more activation events that draw power from the battery.
C22. A device for monitoring the status of a battery in a smoking replacement device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking replacement device via a wireless communication channel, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured To:
Receive battery information logs from smoking alternatives via wireless communication channels;
Calculate battery related information according to the received battery data log;
Comparing battery-related information with threshold data; and issuing a battery event notification if the battery-related information meets predetermined criteria relative to the threshold data, and wherein the smoking replacement device is configured to be updated after transmission to the portable communication terminal Battery profile log.
C23. The device described in statement C22, wherein the portable communication terminal is a mobile phone.
C24. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-readable instructions can be executed as an application in a portable communication terminal to execute statements C1 to C19 Any of the methods described.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 03:
The present disclosure relates to a technology capable of monitoring a state of a battery in a smoking alternative device through a portable communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone). The smoking replacement device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable communication terminal, such as via a wireless personal area network, to transmit status information about the battery. Status information is processed locally or in the cloud to provide feedback or other notifications to users of the device. Usage data can also be transmitted, whereby the predicted remaining usage (eg, the predicted number of remaining startup events) can be used to represent the battery status.
Invention 04

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The mobile device 2 may be any portable communication terminal capable of running an application program (for example, a mobile phone or a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer). The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 12 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 12 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 may include non-volatile memory for storing computer-readable instructions that control the operation of the device during execution. In this example, computer-readable instructions are operable to establish and maintain a connection with a mobile device, as discussed in more detail below.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device 2 via a short-range wireless network (eg, a wireless personal area network (WPAN)). The wireless interface 134 may include any suitable short-range wireless technology (eg, Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, wireless USB, or the like). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charge control circuit may instead be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a blower 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are configured to cooperate in a manner that electrically couples the main body 120 to the consumable 150. The electrical coupling may allow electrical power and optional data to be transferred between the body 120 and the consumables 150. The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts, and is configured to physically contact the electrical interface 136 of the main body 120. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in Figs. 2 and 12 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to the configuration and use of a network-enabled smoking alternative device, such as discussed above, to allow monitoring the position of the device relative to a connected mobile device. In the case where the mobile device has a position tracking function (for example, using GPS or the like), the current position of the mobile device can be used to affect the position monitoring function.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing steps in a position monitoring method 200 as an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 begins at step 202, which establishes a wireless connection between a smoking alternative device (eg, device 110 discussed above) and a mobile device (eg, mobile device 2 discussed above). The wireless connection may be via any suitable wireless protocol that allows information to be transmitted. For example, a smoking alternative device may be paired with a mobile device using a short-range transmission protocol (eg, Bluetooth ^™ or the like). The smoking alternative device can be wirelessly connected to the mobile device via any suitable personal area network.

When a wireless connection is established, the smoking alternative device can be configured to share information with the mobile device (eg, by sending data packets periodically or temporarily). The data packet may relate to the use of the device, for example to indicate a start-up event for a heating element. Mobile devices can run applications associated with smoking alternatives. Applications can be configured to run in the background on mobile devices and can receive and process data packets. As described below, an application can build a configuration file for a device from a data packet.

The application can be configured to monitor wireless connections to smoking alternative devices. For example, an app can control a mobile device to periodically, periodically, or temporarily poll a smoking alternative device to determine if the wireless connection still exists. Polling can be paused or interrupted during the transfer of information from the smoking alternative. The mobile device may be configured to act as a master of a wireless personal area network (eg, a Bluetooth piconet or the like), and the smoking alternative device is a slave unit associated with the network. After the initial registration, when the connection is enabled on both devices and the smoking alternative device is within range of the wireless personal area network (i.e., within a certain distance of the mobile device), the mobile device and the smoking alternative device can Automatic pairing on wireless personal area network.

In this arrangement, the presence of a connection therefore means that the smoking replacement device is in the same position as the mobile device. Conversely, a lost or broken connection may indicate that the smoking alternative device is in a different location than the mobile device.

The method continues at step 204, where an application running on the mobile device detects that the wireless connection between the smoking alternative device and the mobile device has been lost. Lost connections can be detected in any known way (for example, no detectable response to a polling request from a mobile device).

After detecting the disconnected connection, the method continues at step 206, which determines whether the disconnected connection is notifiable by an application running on the mobile device. Apps are often configured to use mobile devices to notify users when a connection to a smoking alternative device is lost. Apps can be configured to post a notification each time a connection is lost. However, it should be understood that in some cases, the user may be less concerned about the disconnection. In addition, in general, it is desirable to avoid publishing too many notifications because (i) may reduce efficiency (for example, because users are used to ignore or cancel), (ii) may be annoying to users, and (iii) waste mobile Processing and power sources.

As a result, applications can be configured (actually by the user) to ignore disconnected connections in some cases. In practice, an application can decide whether to meet one or more notification blocking criteria when it detects a disconnected connection. The notification blocking criteria can be about various factors. For example, one criterion may be the duration of a disconnection. In this example, a disconnected connection may be notified only after a certain amount of time or after a certain number of reconnection attempts. In another example, the notification blocking criteria may be related to the presence of a connection to one or more other smoking alternative devices. If the user has more than one smoking replacement device, it may not be necessary to notify the disconnection of a specific device, as long as there is a connection to another device.

The step 206 of deciding whether to notify the disconnected connection may take advantage of other functions present on the mobile device. For example, a mobile device may be equipped with a location tracking unit (eg, using GPS, assisted GPS, GSM positioning, or the like), and the location may be determined accordingly. The step 206 of deciding whether to notify the disconnected connection may utilize the current location of the mobile phone. The notification blocking criteria may include a list of places to block disconnect notifications (eg, a preset or user-configurable list). For example, users can decide to block notifications when the mobile device is at home or in the workplace.

The application may also be configured to utilize the location tracking unit in combination with the usage data received from the smoking alternative device to create a map of the usage location. A map can be represented by a data structure that correlates a location (from a location tracking unit) with usage information (ie, the number and / or time of initiation events). Maps can be stored locally (on a mobile device) and / or on an application server that the mobile device can access via an application associated with the smoking alternative. A step 206 of deciding whether to notify the disconnected connection may utilize a map of the use location. For example, after detecting a broken connection, the app uses the current location of the mobile device (for example, obtained from a location tracking unit) to query a map of the location to determine whether the current location is associated with the device's historical use . If the map indicates that there is no historical use at the current location, a lower emergency level can be used to block or issue a disconnection notification.

If step 206 determines that the disconnected connection is notifiable, the method continues with step 208 of issuing a connection disconnection notification. The notification may be visual, audible, tactile, or a combination thereof. For example, notifications can cause a mobile device to vibrate and simultaneously display a banner with a message indicating a disconnected connection. Users can control the way notifications are published using known methods. In one example, the application may be configured to send different types of notifications depending on the level of urgency associated with the notification. The step 206 of deciding whether to notify the disconnected connection may assign an emergency level to the notification according to the notification blocking criterion.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the notification decision process 300 that can be used as step 206 of deciding whether to notify the disconnected connection discussed above. It should be understood that the notification blocking criteria used in this process represent only one instance. In other embodiments, this process may include only one of these criteria, or it may be arranged to independently judge the criteria such that the notification is blocked if any of the criteria is met.

The notification decision process 300 begins at step 302, which determines whether the connection has been lost for more than a predetermined duration. The duration can be set based on a time period (for example, 30 seconds) or the number of polling or reconnection requests (for example, 10 times). If the predetermined duration has not been exceeded, the process is looped.

If the predetermined duration has been exceeded, the process moves to step 304 to determine whether the notification is blocked for the current mobile device location. The location can now be called from the location tracking unit of the mobile device, or the location may have been obtained by an application running in the background. If the notification is blocked for the current location, the process ends, and no action is taken for the disconnected connection.

If the notification is not blocked for the current location, the process moves to step 306 to determine whether the use of the smoking alternative device at the current location is above the notification threshold. In this step, the application can call a map using the location. The current location can be matched with a location stored on the map to find historical usage data for that location. Historical data can be compared to thresholds to decide whether to block notifications. For example, a map may indicate that a location is associated with a pattern of initiating events (eg, weekly or daily). If the current position and time do not match any pattern, you can block the notification.

However, if the historical usage at the current location matches the timing of the disconnected connection, the process moves to step 308 to issue a disconnection notification (eg, in the manner described above with respect to step 208).

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram when the position monitoring device 400 as an embodiment of the present invention is used. The device 400 comprises the mobile device 2 and the smoking substitute device 10 discussed above. The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device through a suitable short-range network 401 (the usage data may be transmitted through the suitable short-range network 401 as described above).

The mobile device 2 includes a conventional display screen. The application may be configured to display a notification 402 on the display screen. The notification 402 may display information indicating that the connection to the smoking substitute device 10 is disconnected.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
D1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring smoking alternatives, the method comprising the following steps:
In response to the detection of the loss of the wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and the smoking substitute device, the portable communication terminal determines whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable, and among which determines whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable The steps include determining whether one or more notification blocking criteria are met; and, after determining that the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable, issuing a disconnection notification via a portable communication terminal.
D2. The method described in statement D1, further comprising the following steps:
The loss of wireless connection is detected by a portable communication terminal.
D3. The method as described in statement D1 or D2, wherein the connection disconnection notification is blocked after determining that the loss of the wireless connection is not notifiable.
D4. The method as set forth in any one of statements D1 to D3, wherein the notification blockade criterion relates to any one or any of the following:
Duration of loss of wireless connection;
The existence of a wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and another smoking alternative device;
Current location of the portable communication terminal; and historical smoking replacement device usage information.
D5. The method as described in any one of statements D1 to D4, further comprising the following steps:
Obtaining the current location of the portable communication terminal from the location tracking unit of the portable communication terminal;
Comparing the obtained current location with the stored list of locations to be blocked for notification; and if the current location matches the location on the stored list, determining that the loss of the wireless connection is not notifyable.
D6. The method as set forth in any one of statements D1 to D4, further comprising the following steps:
After detecting the loss of the wireless connection, obtain the current position of the portable communication terminal from the location tracking unit of the portable communication terminal;
Comparing the obtained current position with a map of historical use positions; and if the current position matches a position on the map of historical use positions, determining that the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable.
D7. The method described in statement D6, before the loss of the wireless connection, further comprises the following steps:
Obtain usage information from smoking alternative devices through portable communication terminals;
Obtain the location information corresponding to the usage data from the location tracking unit of the portable communication terminal;
Use usage data and corresponding location information to create a map of historical usage locations.
D8. The method as recited in any of the preceding statements, wherein the step of issuing a disconnection notification includes the steps of generating a visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device.
D9. A device for monitoring a smoking substitute device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking substitute device via a wireless communication channel, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to:
In response to detecting the loss of the wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and the smoking alternative device, determining whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable, wherein the step of determining whether the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable includes determining whether a Or more notification blocking criteria; and issuing a disconnection notification after determining that the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable.
D10. The device as described in statement D9, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to detect the loss of a wireless connection.
D11. The device as described in statement D9 or D10, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to block the disconnection notification if it is determined that the loss of the wireless connection is not notifiable.
D12. Equipment as described in any one of statements D9 to D11, wherein the notification blockade criterion relates to any one or any of the following:
Duration of loss of wireless connection;
The existence of a wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and another smoking alternative device;
Current location of the portable communication terminal; and historical smoking replacement device usage information.
D13. The device as recited in any of statements D9 to D12, wherein the portable communication terminal includes a location tracking unit, and wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to:
Obtain the current position from the position tracking unit;
Comparing the obtained current location with the stored list of locations to be blocked for notification; and if the current location matches the location on the stored list, determining that the loss of the wireless connection is not notifiable.
D14. The device as described in any one of statements D9 to D12, wherein the portable communication terminal includes a location tracking unit, and wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to:
After detecting the loss of the wireless connection, obtaining the current position of the portable communication terminal from the position tracking unit;
Comparing the obtained current position with a map of historical use positions; and if the current position matches a position on the map of historical use positions, determining that the loss of the wireless connection is notifiable.
D15. The equipment described in statement D14, including a smoking substitute,
The smoking replacement device includes a wireless interface configured to transmit data to a personal communication terminal through a wireless communication channel.
Before the wireless connection is lost, the smoking substitute device is configured to transmit usage data to the portable communication terminal, and the portable communication terminal is configured to:
Obtain location information corresponding to usage data from a location tracking unit;
Use usage data and corresponding location information to create a map of historical usage locations.
D16. The device as described in any one of statements D9 to D15, wherein the portable communication terminal is a mobile phone.
D17. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium on which computer-readable instructions are stored, wherein the computer-readable instructions can be executed as an application in a portable communication terminal to execute statements D1 to D8 Any of the methods described.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 04:
The present disclosure relates to the technology of using a smoking substitute device to wirelessly connect to a portable communication terminal (eg, a mobile phone) via a wireless personal area network to provide a user with information about the location of the smoking substitute device. This technology can be used to issue notifications after detecting a disconnected connection (for example, to prevent the loss or theft of smoking alternatives). The technology can use other information from smoking alternatives and / or portable communication terminals to determine if a disconnected connection is notifiable. For example, it can be based on the duration of wireless connection loss, the existence of a wireless connection between the portable communication terminal and another smoking alternative device, the current location of the portable communication terminal, and the historical use of the smoking alternative device. To block notifications.
Invention 05

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^®). In some examples, the smoking replacement device 10 may be configured to communicate wirelessly directly with the application server (ie, not via the mobile device 2). For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi ^® network)) and communication via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

The consumable 150 may allow the main body 120 to identify the consumable 150 itself via an electrical interface, an RFID chip, or a barcode.

FIG. 16 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 16 (b) is a schematic diagram of a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions that, when implemented, cause the control unit 130 to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

Wireless interface 134 is preferably configured for wireless communication (e.g., via a Bluetooth ^®) and the mobile device 2. For this purpose, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (for example, WiFi ^® ) are also possible. As described above, the wireless interface 134 may be configured to perform wireless communication with the remote server 2.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6. The electrical interface 136 may also be used to identify the consumables 150 from a list of known consumables. By way of example, the consumables may be a specific taste and / or have a certain concentration of nicotine. When the consumable is connected to the main body, this can be recognized by the control unit 130 of the main body 120. Additionally or alternatively, a separate communication interface in the main body 120 and a corresponding communication interface in the consumable 150 may be provided, so that when connected, the consumable allows the main body 120 to identify the consumable itself.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use). For example, the gas flu meter can be used to determine the degree of suction on the mouthpiece by the user, or to determine the number of times the user suctions on the mouthpiece during a specific time period.

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 16 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

As an example of one of the one or more additional components 168, an interface for obtaining an identifier of a consumable may be provided. As described above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a bar code or QR code reader, or an electrical interface that enables the main body to identify consumables. Therefore, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a bar code or a QR code, or a memory having an identifier therein and interrogable via an electrical interface in the body.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 16 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. IQOS ^® alternative smoking device HNB-based device such as a smoking substitute discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

Figure 17 illustrates the method according to the invention. The diagram is a data flow diagram in which time is presented along the long (vertical) axis.

In a first step S401, the usage data is collected by the smoking substitute device 10. As mentioned earlier, this usage data can be collected in many different ways. For example, the control unit 130 may be configured to tag and store the number of times the smoking substitute device 10 is used within a predetermined time period (eg, 1 hour, 12 hours, etc.) in the memory 132. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 130 may be configured to record the remaining power in the power source 128 at different times during a given time period (eg, a day).

In this embodiment, the collected usage data is transmitted to the mobile device 2 in step S402. After that, in step S403, the mobile device derives one or more usage parameters. Alternatively, the usage parameters may be derived by the smoking replacement device itself. The usage parameter may be a processed form of the usage data (eg, time-ranked or linked to a smoking alternative device that collects usage data). In some embodiments, the usage parameters may be substantially the same as the collected usage data.

After the usage parameters are derived by the mobile device 2 or by the smoking substitute device 10, they are transmitted to the remote server 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, in step S404, the mobile device transmits the usage parameter to the remote server.

After receiving the usage parameters, and in step S405, the remote server 4 performs evaluation. By evaluation, it can mean that the remote server summarizes user types based on usage data. Two examples are discussed below:
Example 1:
The use parameter indicates that the device is running on a low battery level before the user normally charges the device.
Example 2:
The parameter of use indicates the degree to which the user sucks the device.

After evaluating one or more usage parameters in step S405, in step S406, the remote server derives a recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device. Again, associate these with the examples discussed above:
Example 1:
In this case, the recommended configuration can change the voltage of the heater in the device, or in some other way into a more economical mode to make the battery last longer.
Example 2:
In this case, the recommended configuration can increase the voltage of the heater in the device so that more nicotine is delivered per inhalation, so the user does not need such a heavy suction.

Although in the above embodiments, the remote server 4 has evaluated the use parameters and derived the recommended configuration, in some embodiments, the smoking substitute device itself can be evaluated and derived, or the mobile device can be evaluated and derived.

In the illustrated embodiment, after deriving the recommended configuration, it is transmitted to the mobile device in step S406. This allows the mobile device to implement step S408, where the recommended configuration is presented to the user for authorization. This presentation can be performed by, for example, an application installed on a mobile device, which presents information related to the recommended configuration and requests the user to authorize or reject the implementation of the recommended configuration.

Although the mobile device 2 presents the recommended configuration in this embodiment, in some embodiments, the recommended configuration may be presented visually or acoustically by the smoking alternative device itself.

When the user authorizes the implementation of the recommended configuration, the recommended configuration is transmitted to the smoking substitute device in step S409. Subsequently, in step 410, a recommended configuration is implemented on the smoking replacement device.

Figure 18 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In step S501, the processor in the smoking substitute device 10 or the mobile device 2 identifies a consumable connected to the smoking substitute device. Consumable means a separation box (eg, an atomizer or a transparent atomizer) as described above. Consumables can be identified by any one or more of the following: a processor within a consumable that communicates with a processor in a smoking alternative or mobile device; a corresponding read in a smoking alternative or mobile device RFID chips in consumables read by readers; or barcodes read optically by smoking readers or corresponding readers in mobile devices.

After determining the consumable identifier, the processor in the smoking alternative device or the mobile device determines whether the processor knows the consumable in step S502. Known means that the processor recognizes whether the recommended configuration has been associated with the identified consumable. This may involve checking a library of consumables with associated recommended configurations.

If the processor already knows the consumable "Yes", the associated configuration storage is queried in step S503 to identify the recommended configuration associated with the consumable currently connected to the smoking replacement device. This may be the last configuration of the type of consumable used in the smoking replacement device, or a pre-programmed configuration of the type of consumable set in the configured memory when the device was manufactured. In a subsequent step S504, an associated configuration identified on the basis of the identification of the consumable is implemented on the smoking substitute device.

If the processor does not know “No” of the consumable, the preset mode configuration is implemented in step S505. The preset mode configuration may mean achieving known values suitable for all consumables compatible with smoking alternative devices. Although these may not be optimal from the user's point of view (for example, not enough nicotine per inhalation), ensure that consumables are not damaged by the use of unsuitable configurations of smoking alternatives.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "connected" and "connected" should be understood to mean a network connection between one device and another (either directly or indirectly ( Via an intermediate device)).

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the adverb "about", it will be understood that a specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
E1. A computer-implemented method for adapting the configuration of a smoking alternative device, including the following steps:
Monitoring the use of smoking alternatives and deriving one or more usage parameters associated with the use of smoking alternatives from the monitored uses;
Assess one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device based on the one or more usage parameters; and implement the recommended configuration on the smoking replacement device.
E2. The method described in statement E1, wherein one or more usage parameters are transmitted from the smoking alternative device to an application installed on the mobile device, the application evaluates one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration .
E3. The method as described in statement E1, wherein one or more usage parameters are transmitted from the smoking substitute device to a remote server that evaluates one or more usage parameters to derive a recommended configuration.
E4. The method according to any of the previous statements, wherein the step of implementing the recommended configuration comprises the step of changing one or more values in the memory of the smoking replacement device.
E5. A method as described in any of the previous statements, wherein a derivation of a recommended configuration is performed to adapt the smoking alternative device in a manner that enhances the user's experience with the device.
E6. The method of any preceding statement, wherein one or more of the use parameters include at least one of:
The total usage time of the device during a given time period;
battery power;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative is used in a given time period;
An indication of the severity of the user smoking the smoking replacement device; and an indication of the number of times the consumable has been inserted or removed from the smoking replacement device.
E7. The method as recited in any of the previous statements, wherein the step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute includes the steps of setting a power level of a heater in the smoking substitute.
E8. The method as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the step of implementing the recommended configuration of the smoking alternative includes the step of replacing one or more settings of the smoking alternative from the list:
Power supplied to the heater of the smoking alternative;
Power setting files during inhalation; and power setting files associated with the type of consumable.
E9. The method as described in any of the previous statements, further comprising the following steps performed on the smoking alternative device:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement the associated recommended configuration on the smoking replacement device.
E10. A method as described in any of the previous statements, further comprising the following steps performed on a smoking alternative device:
Obtaining an identifier of a consumable connected to a smoking substitute device;
The identifier is used to determine an associated recommended configuration of the smoking replacement device that is not stored in the memory of the smoking replacement device; and to implement a preset mode configuration on the smoking replacement device.
E11. A method as in any preceding statement, wherein the step of evaluating one or more usage parameters includes the steps of comparing one or more usage parameters with a plurality of stored exemplary usage parameters, and from In the comparison, the type of the user of the identification device is identified, and the step of deriving the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device is performed by selecting a corresponding recommended configuration associated with the type of the identified user.
E12. The method as described in any of the previous statements, comprising the steps of presenting the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device to the user of the smoking substitute device for authorization before implementing the recommended configuration on the smoking substitute device.
E13. A smoking replacement device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions enabling the processor to perform the following steps:
Monitoring the use of smoking alternatives, and deriving one or more usage parameters associated with the use of smoking alternatives from the monitored uses;
Do one of the following:
(A) Evaluate one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration for a smoking alternative device, or (b) Transmit one or more usage parameters to an external device and receive from the external device Recommended configurations derived using parameters; and implementation of recommended configurations on smoking alternatives.
E14. A mobile device including a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more usage parameters from a smoking alternative device connected to a mobile device;
Do one of the following:
(A) Evaluate one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration for a smoking alternative device, or (b) Transmit one or more usage parameters to an external device and receive from one or more external devices Use the parameter-derived recommended configuration; and transmit the recommended configuration to the smoking alternative for implementation.
E15. A remote server including a processor and memory, the memory containing instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more usage parameters from a smoking alternative device connected to a remote server;
Assess one or more usage parameters and derive a recommended configuration of the smoking alternative; and transmit the recommended configuration to the smoking alternative for implementation.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 05:
A computer implementation method for adapting the configuration of a smoking substitute device, a smoking substitute device, a mobile device, and a remote server. The method includes the steps of: monitoring the use of a smoking substitute device and deriving one or more use parameters associated with the use of the smoking substitute device from the monitored use; evaluating one or more use parameters to One or more of the parameters are used to derive the recommended configuration of the smoking substitute device; and the recommended configuration is implemented on the smoking substitute device.
Invention 06

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The wireless connection between the smoking replacement device 10 and the mobile device may be irregular or intermittent. For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 19 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 19 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 19 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a blower 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary method related to the smoking replacement device 110 of FIG. 2 (a).

As mentioned previously, the application installed on the mobile device 2 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 20, the user opens an application on the mobile device 2 at S101, and at S102, the application asks the user if he wants to demonstrate a function or a plurality of functions. For example, the app might ask the user "Do you want to see some device characteristics?"

The user can be a new user (that is, a user who has not previously used the application) or a user who has not previously experienced a demonstration of the feature.

If the user inputs to the application as not wanting to demonstrate any function (that is, the user answers "No"), the smoking substitute device 110 will not demonstrate any function, and the process ends at S106.

If the user inputs into the application that they want to demonstrate a function or multiple functions (ie, the user answers "yes"), the application notifies the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking replacement device 110 (ie, At S103). The function may be that the smoking substitute device 110 provides feedback to the user indicating the status of the smoking substitute device 110.

For example, the application may notify the user that the flashing red light on the smoking alternative device 110 indicates low battery power. The blinking red light can be performed by the light 126 shown in FIG. 2 (b). Alternatively, a flashing red light may be at another light source.

The application may inform the user about the second function that can be performed by the smoking substitute device 110. For example, the application may notify the user that the flashing blue light on the smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the consumable 150 (eg, the separation box) is empty.

It should be noted that the application may inform the user about any number of functions of the smoking alternative device 110.

The application can communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8 and receive information about functions from the application server.

At S104, the application instructs the smoking replacement device 110 to wirelessly demonstrate the function via the wireless interface on the mobile device 2 and the wireless interface 134 on the smoking replacement device 110. The instructions may be based on information received from the application server 4.

At S105, the smoking substitute device 110 demonstrates a function. According to the above example, the smoking replacement device 110 may first demonstrate a blinking red light indicating a low battery level, and then demonstrate a blinking blue light indicating an empty consumable 150.

The presentation of a function (ie, feedback) does not necessarily require the function to be performed. For example, a flashing red light that typically indicates low battery power at a presentation may not necessarily require that the smoking replacement device 110 has low battery power at the time of the presentation. Instead, the application instructs the smoking alternative device to simulate a flashing red light indicating low battery power by providing feedback in the form of a flashing red light. Therefore, the user knows that the flashing red light usually indicates a low battery level, and the smoking replacement device 110 during the presentation is not a low battery level.

The application may be further configured to notify the user that the feature is being demonstrated. For example, when the smoking alternative device demonstrates the red flash function (ie, at S105), the application can notify the user that the smoking alternative device 110 is demonstrating the red flash function. Similarly, when the smoking alternative device demonstrates the blue flash function (ie, at S105), the application can notify the user that the smoking alternative device 110 is demonstrating the blue flash function.

Alternatively, the application may be configured to notify the user that the function will be demonstrated, or that the function has been previously demonstrated.

It should be noted that the function (ie, feedback) of the smoking replacement device 110 is not limited to flashing red or blue lights, but may be any one or more of the following (but not limited to): operating lights, operating a predetermined color Lights, operating flashing lights in a predetermined order and / or predetermined color, haptic feedback (eg, vibration of a smoking substitute), generating sound.

Exemplary states of the smoking substitute device 110 indicated by feedback include (i) the smoking substitute device 110 is charging; (ii) the power source 128 of the smoking substitute device has a low battery level; (iii) the Power source 128 has full battery power; (iv) smoking alternative device 110 is looking for a connection (eg, wireless connection) with an application on mobile device 2; (v) smoking alternative device 110 is connecting to mobile device 2 Applications; (vi) the smoking replacement device 110 is not connected to the mobile device 2; (vii) the smoking replacement device 110 is activated; (viii) the smoking replacement device 110 is not activated; (ix) Consumables 150 are not properly connected to the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110; (x) Consumables are properly connected to the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110; (xi) Consumables 150 are empty; (xii) Consumables 150 Is full.

FIG. 21 illustrates another exemplary method related to the smoking replacement device 110 of FIG. 2 (a). This method allows the user to learn how to operate the smoking substitute device 10 to perform the operation without having to read a paper instruction manual. More specifically, FIG. 21 illustrates a method for ensuring that the consumable 150 (herein referred to as a “separation box”) is properly inserted into the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110. It should be noted that a method similar to the method shown in FIG. 21 may be used to ensure that another operation is performed correctly.

At S201, the application asks the user to position the consumable 150 ("separation box") to the top 122 of the main body 120. For example, the app can display a message stating "Put the separator into the body".

At S202, the user inserts the separation box 150 into the main body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110. At S203, the user indicates at the application that the separation box 150 has been inserted into the main body 120.

At S204, the application wirelessly instructs the smoking substitute device 110 to check (ie, verify) whether the separation box 150 has been correctly inserted into the main body 120. At S205, the smoking replacement device 110 checks whether the separation box 150 has been correctly inserted into the main body 120. The smoking substitute device 110 may measure a value indicating the electrical power between the electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the separation box 150 to verify that the separation box 150 is correctly inserted into the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110.

At S206, the smoking substitute device 110 wirelessly transmits information (ie, "insertion information") about whether the separation box 150 is correctly inserted into the body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 to the application. Then, the application notifies the user whether the separation box 150 is correctly inserted into the body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 according to the insertion information. If the separation cassette 150 is correctly inserted, the application displays a message indicating that the separation cassette is correctly inserted (for example, at S207). If the separator box is not inserted correctly, the application displays a message indicating that the separator box is not inserted correctly (for example, at S208). If the separation box is not inserted correctly, the application can repeat S201 to S206 until the separation box 150 is correctly inserted into the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 19 only illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
F1. A mobile device on which an application is installed, the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, wherein the application is configured to:
Notify the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking alternative device; and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function.
F2. The mobile device as described in statement F1, wherein the function is to provide the user with feedback indicating the status of the device for the smoking alternative device.
F3. The mobile device as described in statement F1 or statement F2, wherein the application is configured to instruct the smoking device to wirelessly demonstrate the function via the wireless interface on the mobile device and the wireless interface on the smoking alternative device.
F4. A mobile device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the application is configured to communicate with the application server over a network.
F5. The mobile device as described in statement F4, wherein the application server is configured to transmit information about functions to the application.
F6. The mobile device as described in statement F5, wherein the application is configured to instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate functionality based on information transmitted from the application server.
F7. A mobile device as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the application is configured to notify the user that the feature is being demonstrated.
F8. The mobile device as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the application is further configured to inform the user about the second function that can be performed by the smoking alternative device, and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the second function.
F9. A system for managing a smoking alternative, comprising:
A mobile device as described in any of the previous statements; and a smoking substitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with an application.
F10. The system for managing smoking alternatives as described in statement F9, wherein the smoking alternatives are configured to demonstrate functionality when instructed by the application.
F11. A method for a mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, the method comprising performing the following steps:
Notify the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking alternative device; and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function.
F12. The method of statement F11, further comprising the step of demonstrating the function at a smoking alternative.
F13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to cause a mobile device to perform a method as described in statement F11 or statement F12.
F14. A mobile device on which an application is installed, the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, wherein the application is configured to:
Instruct the user to perform the action at the smoking alternative;
Verify that the user is performing the correct operation at the smoking alternative;
Notify the user if the operation has been performed correctly.
F15. A system for managing a smoking alternative, comprising:
A mobile device as described in statement F14; and a smoking replacement device, wherein the smoking replacement device is configured to communicate with an application.
F16. A method for a mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device, the method comprising performing the following steps:
Instruct the user to perform the action at the smoking alternative;
Verify that the user is performing the correct operation at the smoking alternative;
Notify the user if the operation has been performed correctly.
F17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to cause a mobile device to perform the method described in statement F16.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 06:
A mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the application is configured to communicate with a smoking alternative device. The application is configured to inform the user about the functions that can be performed by the smoking alternative device, and instruct the smoking alternative device to demonstrate the function. Related systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
Invention 07

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The wireless connection between the smoking replacement device 10 and the mobile device may be irregular or intermittent. For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 22 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 22 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 22 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an RFID reader. The RFID reader may be configured to read the RFID tag on the consumable 150 when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body, preferably only when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body.

As shown in FIG. 22 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

The additional component 168 of the consumable 150 may include an identifier in the form of a machine-readable label storing ID information for identifying the consumable. By way of example, the machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

FIG. 23 (a) illustrates an example of the availability status information associated with the plurality of consumables 150 that can be stored at the application server 4.

In this example, the availability status information associated with the plurality of consumables 150 is stored in the form of a table 401 at the application server 4.

In the table 401, the availability status information associated with each consumable 150 is stored in the same row as the ID information identifying the consumable, and thereby the availability status information associated with each consumable 150 is stored. It is stored in association with ID information identifying the consumable 150. For example, each item of the ID information may uniquely identify each consumable 150 among the plurality of consumables, or may uniquely identify each batch of consumables including the plurality of consumables 150.

In the table 401, the validity status information associated with each consumable 150 includes the expiry date of the consumable and the lost / stolen flag (as the invalidity flag as described above).

FIG. 23 (a) illustrates an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 that can be stored at the application server 4.

In this example, the validity status information associated with the plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 is stored in the form of a table 402 on the application server 4.

In the table 402, the validity status information associated with each alternative smoking device 110 is stored in the same row as the ID information identifying the alternative smoking device 110, thereby relating each alternative smoking device 110 The associated validity status information is stored in association with the ID information identifying the alternative smoking device 110. In this example, each item of the ID information uniquely identifies a respective subject 120 of a respective alternative smoking device 110 (because different consumables 150 can be used for a single subject 120).

In the table 401, the validity status information associated with each alternative smoking device 110 includes a lost / stolen flag (as an invalidity flag as described above).

Figure 24 (a) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed by the system 1 using the validity status information of Figure 23 (a).

In step S501, the body 120 of the smoking substitute device or the application installed on the mobile device 2 reads ID information for identifying the consumable 150 from a machine-readable tag provided on the consumable 150.

For example, the body 120 may include an RFID reader that is configured to when the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150 (preferably only when the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150) from The RFID tag included in the consumable 150 reads ID information for identifying the consumable 150. The body 120 may be configured to wirelessly pass this ID information to an application on a mobile device.

As another example, the application on the mobile device 2 may prompt the user to present the consumable to a component of the system 1 (for example, the main body 120 or the mobile device 2), so that the component of the system 1 can be used when the user presents the consumable Before the 150 entity is coupled to the main body 120 or when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body 120, ID information for identifying the consumable 150 is read from an identifier provided by the consumable (for example, in the manner described above).

In step S502, the ID information identifying the consumable 150 (for example, by an application or the application server 4) is used to find the validity status information associated with the consumable 150 in the table 401 (for example, using The method described above), and then in step S503, use the validity status information (for example, by the application server 4, the application, or the main body 120, for example, by using the method described above) to determine the Whether the consumable 150 is effective.

In step S504, if it is determined that the consumable 150 used for the main body 120 is not effective by using the availability status information associated with the consumable 150, the use of the consumable 150 and the main body 120 is prohibited, for example, by the following methods:
• notify the user that the consumables 150 for the main body 120 are not valid notifications (eg, notifications displayed by the lights 126 on the main body 120 and / or applications on the mobile device operating in a predetermined order); and / Or • Disable the main body 120 to work with the consumable 150 (for example, by configuring the main body 120 so that it cannot transfer electric power to the heating device 162 of the consumable 150 when the consumable 150 is physically connected to the main body 120).

For example, if the expiry date associated with the consumable 150 has expired, or the lost / stolen flag associated with the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 has been lost / stolen (for example, the consumable ID in table 401 000004), it can be determined that the consumables 150 used for the main body 120 are not effective. If the expiry date associated with the consumable 150 has expired, and the lost / stolen flag associated with the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 is not lost / stolen, the consumable 150 used for the body 120 may be determined to be valid .

The user may provide an option to revoke the notification and / or disable the main body 120 (eg, via an application), and the main body 120 may continue to be used even if it has been banned by the above steps.

Figure 24 (b) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed by the system 1 using the validity status information of Figure 23 (b).

In step S511, the user (for example, via an application or through a customer support helpline) reports the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110 as lost / stolen.

In step S512, the validity status information associated with the subject 120 is changed at the application server to indicate that the used subject 120 is invalid (for example, by setting a lost / stolen flag associated with the subject 120 To indicate that the subject 120 has been lost / stolen (as in the case of the device ID 000001 in the form 402).

A local copy of the validity status information stored at the application server 4 may be stored by the application and / or the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, stored in the memory 132 of the smoking substitute device). The application server can periodically update each local copy.

In step S513, the main body 120 is connected to the application on the mobile device 2, and wirelessly transmits ID information (for example, an ID number uniquely identifying the main body 120) to the application via the wireless interface 134 included in the main body.

In step S514, the application and / or the application server 4 determines whether the used subject 120 is valid according to the ID information and the validity status information associated with the subject 120. For example, the steps of the application and / or the application server 4 determining whether the subject 120 is valid may include the following steps: the application uses the local end of the ID information and validity status information sent by the smoking substitute device 110 A copy, and decide whether the lost / stolen flag associated with the subject 120 indicates that the subject 120 used is valid or invalid. Alternatively, this decision may include the following steps: the application sends ID information to the application server 4 so that the application server 4 can check whether the lost / stolen flag associated with the subject 120 indicates the used The body 120 is valid or invalid.

As an alternative, the main body 120 may determine whether to use the main body 120 by using a local copy of the ID information and the validity status information (for example, it may have been recently updated by the application server 4) to determine whether the main body 120 is valid. Whether the associated lost / stolen flag indicates that the subject 120 used is valid or invalid.

In step S515, if the application and / or the application server 4 determines that the subject 120 used is not valid (for example, because the validity status information associated with the subject 120 indicates that the subject 120 has been lost / stolen, such as a form 4021 device ID), the application and / or application server 4 may issue a disable signal. This disable signal can be sent to the main body 120 and can be received at the main body via the wireless interface 134 included in the main body.

In step S516, the main body 120 is disabled after receiving the disable signal (for example, the main body 120 is instructed to configure itself to be inactive by a signal (for example, electric power is not transferred to the heating device 162).

In another method (not shown) constructed based on the method of FIG. 24 (b), there may be one or more additional bodies 120 configured to wirelessly connect to the body 120. For example, the main body 120 may be connected to a first further main body 120, where the main body 120 is connected to the mobile device 2 on which the application is installed. Multiple bodies 120 can be linked together in this way or form a mesh network.

The application server 4 may store validity status information associated with each additional subject 120 (a local-side copy of this validity status information may also be stored at the application and / or the subject 120).

Each subject 120 may store ID information for identifying another subject 120.

For each additional subject 120, the subject 120, the application, and / or the application server 4 may be configured to rely on ID information identifying the additional subject 120 and validity status information associated with the other subject 120. To determine if the other subject 120 used is valid, and if the subject 120, the application, and / or the application server 4 decides that the other subject 120 used is not valid, the release is configured to disable the other subject 120 Disable the signal.

This another method may allow the body 120 to be disabled even if it is not (directly) connected to the mobile device 2.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 22 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, for the method of FIG. 24 (b), the open-system e-cigarette device including the main body, the refillable storage tank, and the mouthpiece can be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of smoking. The body 120 of the replacement device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, for the method of FIG. 24 (b), a completely disposable (single use) smoking substitute device can be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110. .

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
G1. A system for managing a smoking alternative, the system comprising:
Smoking replacement device, including a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be connected to the main body;
Among them, the consumables are related to the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables used for the subject are valid;
Wherein the system is configured to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid by the availability status information, and if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the use of the consumables for the subject is prohibited.
G2. The system described in statement G1, wherein the system includes a mobile device and an application server on which the application is installed, wherein the body of the smoking substitute device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the application, and the application on the mobile phone is Configured to communicate with the application server.
G3. The system as described in statement G1 or G2, wherein the validity status information associated with the consumables includes an expiration date, and wherein the system determines whether the consumables used for the entity are effective, including checking whether the expiration date has been exceeded.
G4. The system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the validity status information associated with the consumable includes an invalidity flag, and wherein the system determines whether the consumable used for the entity is valid including checking the association with the consumable The invalidity flag indicates whether the consumable line is valid or invalid.
G5. The system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the validity status information associated with the consumable includes compatibility information used to determine whether the subject is compatible with the consumable, and wherein the system determines whether the consumable used for the subject is valid The steps include checking whether the compatibility information indicates that the subject and the consumable are compatible or incompatible.
G6. A system as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the system is configured to obtain availability status information associated with consumables by:
Read ID information used to identify the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable; and use the ID information to find the availability status information associated with the consumable.
G7. The system described in statement G6, wherein the system includes a mobile device and an application server on which the application is installed, wherein the body of the smoking alternative device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the application, and the application on the mobile phone is Configured to communicate with the application server, where availability status information associated with the consumable is stored at the application server in association with ID information identifying the consumable at the application server.
G8. The system described in statement G6 or statement G7, wherein the identifier provided by the consumable is provided in the form of a machine-readable label storing ID information.
G9. The system of any preceding statement, wherein the subject is configured to read validity status information from a machine-readable tag provided by the consumable.
G10. The system as described in statement G9, wherein the machine-readable tag is an RFID tag and configured to be read by an RFID reader on the body of the smoking alternative device, wherein the RFID reader and the RFID tag They are respectively located in the main body and the consumable, and when the consumable is physically coupled to the main body, the RFID reader can read the RFID tag on the consumable.
G11. The system as described in any one of the preceding statements, wherein if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid through the availability status information, the system is configured to notify the user of the consumption for the subject by displaying Goods are not a valid notice to prohibit the use of consumables and subjects.
G12. The system described in statement G11, wherein the notification includes a notification displayed on a light on the operating subject and / or an application on a mobile device.
G13. The system as described in statement G11 or G12, wherein if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the system is configured to disable the subject to work with the consumable by disabling the subject To prohibit the use of consumables and the main body.
G14. The system as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the system can be configured to identify when consumables for the subject that the system determines are not valid are physically coupled to the subject.
G15. The system as described in statement G14, wherein the system is configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be ineffective as a subject is physically coupled to the subject by:
The system is configured to obtain the validity information associated with the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject, and then determine whether the consumable used for the subject is valid based on the validity status information.
G16. The system as described in statement G14 or G15, wherein the system is configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be not valid for the subject is physically coupled to the subject by:
Prompt the user to present the identifier provided by the consumable to the components of the system, and make the component of the system available from the consumable The provided identifier obtains / reads ID information for identifying consumables;
Use ID information to find availability status information associated with consumables;
The availability status information is used to determine whether the consumables for the main body are effective.
G17. A method performed by a system for managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes a smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device includes a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be physically connected to the main body, and wherein the consumable It is related to the validity status information, and the validity status information can be used to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid. The method includes the following steps:
The system determines whether the consumables for the subject are valid by using the availability status information, and prohibits the use of consumables and the subject if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by using the availability status information.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 07:
A system for managing a smoking substitute device. The system includes: a smoking substitute device including a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be connected with the main body, wherein the consumable line is associated with the validity status information, and can be borrowed. The availability status information determines whether the consumables for the subject are valid; wherein the system is configured to use the availability status information to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid, and if the system determines The body's consumables are not effective, and the use of consumables in the body is prohibited. A related method is also disclosed.
Invention 08

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^®). In some examples, the smoking replacement device 10 may be configured to communicate wirelessly directly with the application server (ie, not via the mobile device 2). For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi ^® network)) and communication via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 25 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 25 (b) is a schematic diagram of a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 25 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The control unit 130 may be configured to record one or more errors in the memory 132 of the smoking substitute device.

For example, the control unit may be configured to record any one or more of the following: a measurement of the voltage of a power source (eg, a battery) in a smoking replacement device; a measurement of the resistance of a coil in a smoking replacement device; consumption Indication of the number of times a smoking substitute device is inserted into a product within a given period of time; an indication of the number of times that a smoking alternative device has failed to connect to a mobile device within a given period of time; an indication that there is a problem charging the battery in the smoking alternative device ; And an indication that the pressure (e.g., air pressure) within the smoking replacement device has decreased.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions that, when implemented, cause the control unit 130 to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

Wireless interface 134 is preferably configured for wireless communication (e.g., via a Bluetooth ^®) and the mobile device 2. For this purpose, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (for example, WiFi ^® ) are also possible. As described above, the wireless interface 134 may be configured to perform wireless communication with the remote server 2.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 25 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 25 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

Figure 26 illustrates a method according to the invention. The diagram is a data flow diagram in which time is presented along the long (vertical) axis.

In a first step S401, one or more errors are recorded by the smoking substitute device 10. As mentioned earlier, one or more errors can be logged in different ways. For example, the control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device may be configured to mark and store the voltage of the battery 128 or the measurement of the resistance of the coil in the smoking substitute device in the memory 132.

In this embodiment, the recorded error is transmitted to the mobile device 2 in step S402. In step S403, it is received and stored in the memory of the mobile device. Then, in step S404, the recorded error is transmitted to the remote server 4.

Then, in step S405, the remote server evaluates the recorded errors. The evaluation may mean that the server summarizes a failure in the smoking replacement device into one or more errors recorded. For example, if the recorded error is an indication of the number of times the smoking substitute device has failed to connect to the mobile device within a given period of time, the server can determine the timeout for the connection set in the smoking substitute device The time period is too short.

Then, as a result of this evaluation, the remote server selects (in step S406) the updated firmware (for example, a memory from the firmware stored in the memory of the remote server, such as the firmware therein The memory stores a plurality of firmware items applicable to the smoking substitute device 10) and is intended to resolve (eg, configured to resolve) a fault identified in the smoking substitute device (eg, one or more of the records) Errors). Then, in step S407, the selected firmware is transmitted to the mobile device 2. In step S408, the mobile device receives the updated firmware. Here, the mobile device can also verify that the updated firmware is compatible with the connected smoking replacement device, and can prompt the user of the mobile device to request an update of the firmware on the smoking replacement device.

Then, the updated firmware is transmitted to the smoking substitute device 10 in step S409. Next, then in step S410, the smoking replacement device updates the firmware contained in the firmware storage portion of the memory. This update may involve overwriting existing firmware with updated firmware.

In this embodiment, the recorded errors are first transmitted to the mobile device 2 and then to the remote server 4. However, as described above, the smoking substitute device 10 may form a connection with the remote server 4 without going through the mobile device 2. For example, the smoking replacement device may include a WiFi adapter or a cellular network adapter.

In various embodiments, the recorded errors are transmitted from the smoking substitute device 10 to the mobile device 2 and then not passed to the remote server 4. In this embodiment, the mobile device 2 includes storage of the updated firmware, and selects the updated firmware from the storage of the updated firmware based on the evaluation of the recorded errors performed by the mobile device, To the smoking alternative device (for example, the firmware store therein stores a plurality of firmware items suitable for the smoking alternative device 10). In this embodiment, the remote server 4 may periodically update the storage of the updated firmware on the mobile device by pushing updates to the mobile device or in response to polling from the mobile device.

Figure 27 illustrates a method according to the invention. This diagram is a data flow diagram where time is presented along the long (vertical) axis.

In a first step S501, the updated firmware is developed and stored on the remote server 4. Then, as shown in S502, the updated firmware is published, and thus the mobile device 2 can see it. In one embodiment, information indicating publishing firmware can be actively pushed to the mobile device. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device may poll the remote server periodically to see if new firmware is available. Users of mobile devices can initiate polling at any time.

As pushed or responded to the poll, the remote server 4 sends the updated firmware to the mobile device in step S503. Then, in step S504, the mobile device receives the updated firmware. As mentioned above, the mobile device can also verify that the updated firmware is compatible with the connected smoking replacement device, and can prompt the user of the mobile device to request authorization to update the firmware on the smoking replacement device.

In addition to correcting general errors known to developers, this updated firmware can also provide new features on smoking replacement devices.

In this embodiment, the updated firmware is transmitted from the remote server 4 to the smoking substitute device 10 via the mobile device 2. However, as described above, the smoking substitute device 10 may form a connection with the remote server 4 without going through the mobile device 2. For example, the smoking replacement device 10 may include a WiFi adapter or a cellular network adapter.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "connected" and "connected" should be understood to mean a network connection between one device and another (either directly or indirectly ( Via an intermediate device)).

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the adverb "about", it will be understood that a specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
H1. A computer-implemented method for updating the firmware of a smoking alternative device, and having the following steps:
Record one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Transmitting one or more errors to the second device;
Selecting an updated firmware for use by a processor in a smoking alternative device based on one or more errors encountered by the smoking alternative device;
Transmitting the updated firmware from the second device to the smoking replacement device; and updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware received from the second device.
H2. The method of statement H1, wherein the smoking substitute device records errors into the memory of the smoking substitute device.
H3. The method as described in statement H1 or H2, wherein the updated firmware is selected from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the second device.
H4. The method as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the second device is a mobile device connected to a smoking alternative device and the recorded error is transmitted to the mobile device.
H5. The method as described in statement H4, wherein the mobile device selects the updated firmware from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the mobile device.
H6. The method as described in statement H5, wherein the memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the mobile device is periodically updated by a remote server.
H7. The method as described in statement H4, wherein the recorded errors are then transmitted from the mobile device to a remote server connected to the mobile device.
H8. The method as described in statement H7, wherein the remote server selects the updated firmware from a memory of the firmware stored in the memory of the remote server, and the remote server updates the selected updated To the mobile device.
H9. The method as described in statement H8, wherein the one or more errors recorded include an indication of the number of times the smoking substitute device has failed to connect to the mobile device within a given period of time, wherein the server decides on the smoking alternative device The set timeout period for the connection is too short, and the remote server chooses updated firmware that is configured to resolve the connection failure.
H10. The method as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the step of updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device includes overwriting the firmware storage portion of the memory of the smoking replacement device with the updated firmware.
H11. The method of any preceding statement, wherein one or more of the errors include any one or more of the following:
Measurement of the voltage of a battery in a smoking alternative;
Measurement of the resistance of coils in smoking alternatives;
Indication of the number of times a consumable has been inserted into a smoking substitute device within a given period of time;
An indication of the number of times a smoking alternative device has failed to connect to a mobile device within a given period of time;
An indication that there is a problem charging the battery in the smoking alternative; and an indication that the pressure in the smoking alternative has fallen.
H12. A smoking replacement device including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Record one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Transmitting one or more errors to the second device;
Receiving updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking replacement device from the second device, wherein the updated firmware is selected based on one or more errors encountered by the smoking replacement device; Receive the updated firmware to update the firmware of the smoking replacement device.
H13. A mobile device including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Receiving one or more errors encountered by the smoking substitute from the smoking substitute;
Do one of the following:
(I) updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking alternative device based on the received one or more errors; or (ii) transmitting the received one or more errors to a remote server And receives updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking substitute device from a remote server, wherein the updated firmware is selected based on errors encountered by one or more smoking substitute devices; and The updated firmware is transmitted to the smoking replacement device used for updating the firmware of the smoking replacement device.
H14. A remote server including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Directly or indirectly receiving one or more errors encountered by smoking replacement devices;
Updated firmware used by the processor of the smoking alternative device based on one or more errors; and transmitting the selected updated firmware directly or indirectly to the smoking alternative device used to use For updating the firmware of smoking replacement devices.
H15. A computer-implemented method for updating the firmware of a smoking alternative device, and having the following steps:
Connecting a smoking alternative to an application running on a mobile device, said application communicating with a processor of the smoking alternative;
Retrieve updated firmware used by the processor in the smoking alternative device through the over-the-air receiving standard of the application on the mobile device;
Transmitting updated firmware from an application on a mobile device to a smoking alternative device; and using the updated firmware to update the firmware on the smoking alternative device.
H16. A mobile device including a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions that enable the processor to perform the following steps:
Forming a network connection with the processor of the smoking alternative device;
Receiving updated firmware used by the processor in the smoking replacement device via an over-the-air receiving standard;
Transmitting the updated firmware to the smoking replacement device; and instructing the smoking replacement device to use the updated firmware to update the firmware on the smoking replacement device.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 08:
A computer-implemented method for updating the firmware of a smoking substitute device, a smoking substitute device, a mobile device, and a remote server. A computer-implemented method having the following steps: recording one or more errors encountered by a smoking replacement device; transmitting one or more errors to a second device; and depending on one or more errors encountered by the smoking replacement device Incorrect, selecting updated firmware for use by the processor in the smoking alternative device; transferring the updated firmware from the second device to the smoking alternative device; and utilizing the updated firmware received from the second device Body to update the firmware of the smoking alternative.
Invention 09

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The mobile device 2 may be any portable communication terminal capable of running an application program (for example, a mobile phone or a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer). The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 28 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 28 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 28 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 may include non-volatile memory for storing computer-readable instructions that control the operation of the device during execution. In this example, the memory may include components for storage as discussed in more detail below and usage data.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device 2 via a short-range wireless network (eg, a wireless personal area network (WPAN)). The wireless interface 134 may include any suitable short-range wireless technology (eg, Bluetooth ^™ , ZigBee, wireless USB, or the like). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charge control circuit may instead be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

As shown in FIG. 28 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are configured to cooperate in a manner that electrically couples the main body 120 to the consumable 150. The electrical coupling may allow electrical power and optional data to be transferred between the body 120 and the consumables 150. The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts, and is configured to physically contact the electrical interface 136 of the main body 120. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 28 only illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOS ^™ smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, an open-system electronic cigarette smoking device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used as the smoking substitute device 10 in FIG. 1 instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to, for example, the configuration and use of a network-enabled smoking replacement device, as discussed above, for monitoring the status of components in the device (specifically with regard to remaining life or risk of failure). The components for monitoring may include any one or more of a power source, a heating device, a consumable, and the like. In an embodiment of the invention, the subject may be configured to wirelessly transmit information related to the monitored component to the mobile device 2. An application running on a mobile device can process the received information to determine the status information of the part and use that status information to decide whether to issue a notification for preventive action.

The present invention can use the data recorded by the smoking replacement device (for example, regarding the device use or configuration) to establish the current state of the components of the device and the use configuration. This information can be used, for example, by an application running on a mobile device to obtain the predicted remaining life of the part. Because real information from the device is used in this process, the remaining life can be calculated more accurately than an arrangement based on average or standard observations.

In addition, the present invention can use the communication capabilities of a mobile device that can be connected to a smoking alternative, while being able to take preventive action before a component fails (eg, reaches the end of life or otherwise fails). Preventive actions can be taken directly (for example, automatically based on the status information of the determined part) or indirectly (for example, by issuing a notification to the user or supplier to suggest further action).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing steps in a component life monitoring method 200 as an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 begins at step 202, where step 202 records component data in a smoking alternative device (eg, the device 110 discussed above). A "component" herein may refer to any component of a smoking alternative. The component may be a part that can be replaced or repaired (for example, a power source in the main body). Alternatively or additionally, the component may be part of a consumable (eg, a storage tank, a heating device, or the like). Part data can be recorded on a regular (for example, periodic) or ad hoc basis. Part data can be obtained by measuring or otherwise detecting the properties of the parts, where the properties of the parts change with the life of the parts.

Therefore, step 202 may include detecting a plurality of component property measurements by a smoking replacement device. Component data can be generated from a plurality of component property measurements (for example, as a component data log).

In one example, the component may be a battery for the device, and the recorded data may include a battery data log. The battery data log may be a data structure indicating battery status measurements recorded by the smoking replacement device. In one example, the control unit 130 of the main body 120 is arranged to perform an example of measuring the charging-related properties of the battery and record the result in the memory 132 along with a time stamp. The battery profile log can be a collection of battery status measurements of this type.

The charge-related properties of the battery may be any parameter that allows the calculation of the remaining power of the battery. For example, the property related to charging may be the voltage of the battery. The routine can be executed periodically, thereby allowing the battery data log to indicate changes in voltage over time. In another example, the charging-related properties may indicate the charge drawn from the battery (eg, by measuring the amount of current drawn along with the period of time drawn). In this example, a routine may be performed for each activation event of the device (eg, each time a user inhales to extract steam).

In another example, the component may be a storage tank for the device, and the recorded material may include a usage material log. The usage data may indicate how the user is using the device (eg, the nature of a start-up event that consumes liquid from the tank). The usage data may include information indicating the number and duration of activation events.

In another example, the component profile may be related to the configuration of the device (eg, the type of battery or the power configuration of the device) that may affect the voltage applied to the heating element at each start-up event.

The component data may be stored in the memory of the smoking substitute device according to the routine executed by the control unit.

The method 200 continues at step 204 where a wireless connection is established between the smoking alternative device and a mobile device (eg, mobile device 2 discussed above). The wireless connection may be via any suitable wireless protocol that allows information to be transmitted. For example, a smoking alternative device may be paired with a mobile device using a short-range transmission protocol (eg, Bluetooth ^™ or the like). The smoking alternative device can be wirelessly connected to the mobile device via any suitable personal area network.

The method continues at step 206, where the recorded component data is transmitted from the smoking replacement device to the mobile device via the established wireless connection.

Component data (specifically any time-based usage data) can be updated or restarted after successful transfer to the mobile device. For example, after successfully transferring data, a portion (or partition) of memory in the device allocated for the component data can be cleared. In this way, information from a specific time period need only be transmitted to the mobile device once. In this way, minimizing data transmission can reduce the load on the battery of the wireless communication module.

The component data received at the mobile device can be stored locally on the device, or it can be retransmitted to the application server for subsequent processing. It should be understood that this disclosure is intended to be processed locally (at a mobile device) or remotely (eg, in a cloud-based application server). The received part data may be merged with previously received part data (eg, obtained from an earlier wireless connection between the smoking alternative and the mobile device). In this way, the mobile device (or application server) can get a complete part data history of the smoking alternative.

The method continues at step 208, which calculates the current status of one or more components in the device. In this example, this step is embodied in calculating the predicted remaining life of one or more components. It should be understood, however, that the current status may indicate other parameters (eg, risk of failure, remaining capacity, etc.).

The calculation step 208 utilizes the received part data (individually or as part of the part data history) in conjunction with the part setting file. The component setting file may be an estimated life of the component, or may be used to obtain an estimated life of the component. Fixed terminology can be used to indicate an estimated life (for example, the number of parts used (for example, a battery charge cycle or a heating device startup event)). Alternatively, the estimated lifetime may depend on how the components are used or how the device is configured. In this case, the usage or configuration information received from the smoking replacement device can be used to derive an estimated life based on the information in the component settings file. For example, for a given device power configuration, a heating element or battery may have different expected lifetimes. By considering the power allocation, the method can obtain an estimated lifetime that accurately reflects the particular device being monitored.

The received part data or part data history can be used to determine the estimated current life of the part. The estimated current life of the component is preferably expressed using the same terms as the estimated lifetime (for example, the number of completed charging cycles of the battery, or the number of start-up events for heating elements or consumables). Again, the actual use of the device (eg, appropriate power configuration settings for a start-up event) can be used to determine the estimated current life.

In one example, the component being monitored may be a battery (eg, a lithium battery). The component data may include information related to the battery's charge cycle (eg, the number of charge cycles), and / or more complex information about the duration of the charge event and the beginning and end capacity of each charge cycle. The battery component setting file may include a recommended usage period expressed by the number of charging cycles (for example, 300 charging cycles). The mobile device (or application server) may be arranged to determine the estimated number of completed charging cycles of the battery by configuring the data. This can be compared with the recommended life span to determine the predicted remaining life. As described below, a notification can be issued if the predicted remaining life is equal to or less than the threshold number of charging cycles.

In another example, the monitored component may be a consumable (or separation box) of the device. The component data may be related to the use of the device (ie, the number and / or duration of initiation events). For example, the component data (or the complete component data history) can indicate that the consumable has completed 150 startup events lasting 3 seconds each time, so that the total completed startup event duration of the consumable is 450 seconds. At the same time, the consumable part settings file can be used to obtain an estimate of the total available start-up event duration of the consumable. This parameter can depend on the configuration of the device (for example, the capacity of the storage tank, power configuration). As a result, mobile devices (or application servers) can use device information received from smoking alternative devices to obtain an estimated total available launch event duration. The estimated total available launch event duration can be compared to the total completed launch event duration to determine the predicted remaining launch event duration. As described below, a notification can be issued if the predicted remaining start event duration is equal to or less than a threshold.

After calculating the predicted remaining component life, the method continues at step 210 where a preventive notice is issued. The method may be arranged to issue notifications only under certain circumstances (eg, when the predicted remaining component life is below a threshold). Thresholds can be stored on mobile devices or application servers. Thresholds can be adjustable to, for example, allow users to control when notifications are issued. Therefore, the method may include the steps of comparing the predicted remaining component life with a corresponding threshold, and deciding whether to issue a notification based on the comparison.

The notification can be issued by the mobile device itself (for example, to the user). The notification may be visual, audible, tactile, or a combination thereof. For example, notifications can cause a mobile device to vibrate and simultaneously display a banner with a message indicating a battery-related event. Users can control the way notifications are published using known methods.

Alternatively or additionally, the notification may be posted to a third party (eg, a component supplier). Such notifications can be sent from a mobile device or application server (for example, as an email or the like).

In one example, where the monitored component is a battery, a notification may be issued to the user to recommend the purchase of a new battery. You can send a notification in a message (for example, an email or the like) with a link to buy the right battery online. Alternatively, a notification may be issued directly to the battery supplier to request a replacement be sent to the user (for example, if the user has prepaid the replacement or is entitled to an automatic replacement).

In another example, where the monitored component is a consumable, a notification may be issued to the user to recommend the purchase of a new separation box. Again, notifications can be sent in a message (for example, an email or the like) with a link that makes it easy to buy the right consumables online. Alternatively, a notification may be issued directly to the supplier to request a replacement be sent to the user (for example, if the user has prepaid the replacement or is entitled to an automatic replacement). Preventive notices can include other recommendations (for example, intended to extend the life of consumables). For example, the notification may suggest switching the device to a different power configuration to save liquid in the tank.

The methods discussed above can present preventive notifications to users (ie, information that enables users to take preventive or remedial actions before a component fails or runs out). Therefore, this method can prevent the device availability from being interrupted unexpectedly.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a component life monitoring apparatus 300 as an embodiment of the present invention. The device 300 comprises the mobile device 2 and the smoking substitute device 10 discussed above. The smoking replacement device 10 wirelessly communicates with the mobile device through a suitable short-range network 301, and transmits the component data 304 and other device information discussed above through the short-range network 301.

The mobile device 2 executes the application 305 (for example, in the background) to receive the component data 304, and in this example, retransmits it to the remote application server 4 via the network 8. The application server 4 executes the analysis engine 306 to process the received component data (for example, in combination with the component setting file information described above) to generate the component information 308. The component information 308 may include the predicted remaining life of the component. The application 305 may be configured to display this information after receiving a suitable request from a user (eg, via a user interface provided by the application). The component information 308 may further include instructions for issuing a notification. However, it should be understood that an application running on a mobile device may instead decide whether to issue a notification based on the component information 308 (eg, considering user preferences that can be stored locally).

The application 305 may be arranged to display a notification 310 on the mobile device 2 itself. The mobile device 2 may include a conventional display screen. The notification 310 may display information indicating the predicted remaining component life and any suggested preventive actions.

Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device 2 or the application server 306 may be arranged to issue a notification 312 to the vendor.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
I1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring component life in a smoking replacement device, the method comprising the following steps:
Transmitting component data from the smoking replacement device to the portable communication terminal via a wireless communication channel between the smoking replacement device and the portable communication terminal;
Calculating the predicted remaining component life by the portable communication terminal based on the received component data;
If the predicted remaining component life information meets a predetermined standard, a portable communication terminal issues a preventive notice.
I2. The method described in statement I1, further comprising the following steps before establishing a wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal:
The smoking substitute device detects a plurality of component property measurements; and the smoking substitute device generates a component data based on the plurality of component property measurements.
I3. The method as described in statement I1 or I2, wherein the component information indicates:
Use of batteries that supply power to smoking alternatives; or use of consumables that supply steam to smoking alternatives.
I4. The method of any preceding statement, further comprising the step of: transmitting, via a wireless communication channel between the smoking alternative device and the portable communication terminal, instructions indicating one or more activation events at the smoking alternative device Use of information.
I5. The method as described in statement I4, wherein the usage data includes information indicating the number and duration of initiation events.
I6. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the step of calculating the predicted remaining component life information includes the following steps:
Obtain an estimated total lifespan of the components of the smoking replacement device through the portable communication terminal;
The portable communication terminal uses the received component data to determine the estimated current life of the component; and the portable communication terminal determines the predicted remaining component life information of the component based on the estimated total service life and the estimated current life. .
I7. The method as set forth in statement I6, wherein the received component data includes configuration information for a smoking alternative device, and wherein the estimated total useful life is determined based on the configuration information.
I8. The method as described in statement I6 or I7, comprising the steps of: obtaining a component setting file of a component through a portable communication terminal, wherein the estimated total lifespan is based on the obtained component setting file.
I9. The method as recited in any of statements I6 to I8, wherein the received component data includes configuration information for a smoking alternative device, and wherein the predicted remaining component life information is based on the configuration information.
I10. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the predicted remaining component life information includes the predicted remaining component life.
I11. The method of statement I10, wherein the predetermined criteria include a threshold value, and a preventive notice is issued if the predicted remaining life of the component is below the threshold value.
I12. The method according to any of the preceding statements, comprising the steps of comparing the predicted remaining component life information with threshold information through a portable communication terminal to determine whether the predicted remaining component life information meets a predetermined standard.
I13. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the step of issuing a precautionary notice includes the step of generating a visual, audible, or tactile output on the portable communication device.
I14. The method of any preceding statement, wherein the step of issuing a precautionary notice includes the step of sending a notification to a third party through a portable communication terminal.
I15. A smoking alternative comprising:
control unit;
Memory, which stores computer-readable instructions for execution by a control unit, where the control unit is configured to record component data of the device and store the component data in the memory; and a wireless interface is configured to:
Establish a wireless communication channel with the portable communication terminal, and transmit component data through the wireless communication channel.
I16. The smoking substitute device as described in statement I15, further comprising a battery supplying power to the smoking substitute device, wherein the component information indicates the use of the battery.
I17. The smoking replacement device as described in statement I15 or I16, further comprising a consumable that supplies steam from the smoking replacement device, wherein the component information indicates the use of the consumable.
I18. A device for monitoring the life of a component in a smoking replacement device, the device comprising a portable communication terminal configured to communicate with the smoking replacement device via a wireless communication channel, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured To:
Receive component data from smoking alternative devices via wireless communication channels;
Calculate the predicted remaining component life based on the received component data;
If the predicted remaining component life information meets predetermined criteria, a precautionary notice is issued.
I19. The device of statement I18, wherein the portable communication terminal is configured to:
Obtain an estimated total useful life of the components of the smoking replacement device;
The received component data is used to determine the estimated current life of the component; and the estimated remaining component life information of the component is determined based on the estimated total service life and the estimated current life.
I20. The device described in statement I18 or I19, wherein the portable communication terminal is a mobile phone.
I21. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium on which computer-readable instructions are stored, wherein the computer-readable instructions can be executed as an application in a portable communication terminal to execute statements I1 to I14 Any of the methods described.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 09:
The present disclosure relates to a technology capable of monitoring the status of components in a smoking substitute device through a portable communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone). The smoking replacement device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable communication terminal, such as via a wireless personal area network, to transmit component status information. Status information is processed locally or in the cloud to provide feedback or other notifications to users of the device or to other parties. Part status information is used to calculate the predicted remaining part life. Feedback can take preventative action before, for example, a component of the device fails or reaches the end of its useful life.
Invention 10

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, and a smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The wireless connection between the smoking replacement device 10 and the mobile device may be irregular or intermittent. For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 4 via the network 8. For example, the application server 4 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The application and application server 4 installed on the mobile device may be configured to assist in use based on information passed between the smoking alternative device 10 and the application and / or information transmitted between the application and the application server 4 Use their smoking alternative 10.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10. For example, the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in In this case, a USB-compatible device will act as a charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station may be a docking station, which is specially configured to interface with the smoking substitute device 10, and charges the smoking substitute device 10 via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110 used as the smoking replacement device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

FIG. 31 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 31 (b) is a schematic diagram of a consumable 150 of the smoking replacement device 110.

As shown in FIG. 31 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 128 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth). To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (eg, WiFi) are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 128 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use).

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an RFID reader. The RFID reader may be configured to read the RFID tag on the consumable 150 when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body, preferably only when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body.

As shown in FIG. 31 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

The additional component 168 of the consumable 150 may include an identifier in the form of a machine-readable label storing ID information for identifying the consumable. By way of example, the machine-readable tag may be an RFID tag.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electric energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

FIG. 32 (a) illustrates an example of the availability status information associated with the plurality of consumables 150 that can be stored at the application server 4.

In this example, the availability status information associated with the plurality of consumables 150 is stored in the form of a table 401 at the application server 4.

In the table 401, the availability status information associated with each consumable 150 is stored in the same row as the ID information identifying the consumable, and thereby the availability status information associated with each consumable 150 is stored. It is stored in association with ID information identifying the consumable 150. For example, each item of the ID information may uniquely identify each consumable 150 among the plurality of consumables, or may uniquely identify each batch of consumables including the plurality of consumables 150.

In the table 401, the validity status information associated with each consumable 150 includes the expiry date of the consumable and the lost / stolen flag (as the invalidity flag as described above).

If a given consumable is found to have expired, it can be determined that the 150 consumable used is invalid.

If the missing / stolen flag of a given consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 is lost / stolen (shown as "yes" in Form 401 and corresponds to the "invalid" state as described above), then Decide that the consumable 150 used is not valid (as in the case of consumable ID 000004 in Table 401), and the system can prohibit the use of consumables and the main body (for example, by disabling the main body 120 and not working with the consumable 150) .

If the missing / stolen flag for a given consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 is not lost / stolen (shown as "No" in Form 401 and corresponds to the "active" state as described above), then Determine whether the consumable 150 used is valid (as in the case of consumable IDs 000001 to 000003 in Table 401).

FIG. 32 (a) illustrates an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 that can be stored at the application server 4.

In this example, the validity status information associated with the plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 is stored in the form of a table 402 on the application server 4.

In the table 402, the validity status information associated with each alternative smoking device 110 is stored in the same row as the ID information identifying the alternative smoking device 110, thereby relating each alternative smoking device 110 The associated validity status information is stored in association with the ID information identifying the alternative smoking device 110. In this example, each item of the ID information uniquely identifies a respective subject 120 of a respective alternative smoking device 110 (because different consumables 150 can be used for a single subject 120).

In the table 402, the validity status information associated with each alternative smoking device 110 includes a lost / stolen flag (as an invalidity flag as described above).

If the lost / stolen flag for a given smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the smoking replacement device 110 is lost / stolen (shown as "Yes" in Form 402), the smoking replacement device used can be determined 110 is not valid (as in the case of device ID 000001 in Form 402), and smoking alternative devices can be disabled.

If the lost / stolen flag for a given smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the smoking replacement device 110 has not been lost / stolen (shown as "No" in Form 401), the smoking replacement device used can be determined 110 is valid (as in the case of device IDs 000002 to 000004 in Table 402).

FIG. 32 (c) illustrates another example of the availability status information associated with the plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 that can be stored at the application server 4.

In this example, the validity status information associated with the plurality of alternative smoking devices 110 is stored in the form of a table 403 on the application server 4.

The form 403 is the same as the form 402, but in addition to the lost / stolen flag, the validity status information associated with each alternative smoking device 110 also includes a defect flag (as an invalidity flag as described above).

If the defect flag of a given smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the smoking replacement device 110 is defective (shown as "Yes" in Form 403), then it may be determined that the smoking replacement device 110 used is not valid (eg, Form 403 Device ID 000003), and can permanently disable smoking alternative devices.

If the lost / stolen flag for a given smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the smoking replacement device 110 is lost / stolen (shown as "Yes" in Form 403) and the defective flag indicates smoking replacement 110 is not defective (shown as "No" in Form 403), you can decide that the smoking replacement device 110 used is not valid (as in the case of Device ID 000001 in Form 403), and smoking can be non-permanently disabled Alternative device.

If the lost / stolen flag and defective flag for a given smoking replacement device 110 indicates that the smoking replacement device 110 is not lost / stolen and not defective (both shown as "No" in Form 403), It can be determined that the smoking replacement device 110 used is valid (such as the device IDs 000002 and 000004 in the table 403).

From the discussion above, it can be seen that the defect flag of a given smoking replacement device is "Yes" which corresponds to the first invalid state as described above (indicating that the smoking replacement device is invalid and should be permanently disabled).

It can also be seen from the above discussion that the defect flag of a given smoking replacement device is "No" and the lost / stolen flag is "Yes" corresponding to the second invalid state (indicating smoking replacement The device is inactive and should not be permanently disabled).

It can also be seen from the discussion above that the defect flag of a given smoking replacement device is "No" and the lost / stolen flag is "No" corresponding to the valid state as described above (indicating the smoking used Replacement devices are effective).

Figure 33 (a) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed by the system 1 using the validity status information of Figure 32 (a).

In step S501, the body 120 of the smoking substitute device or the application installed on the mobile device 2 reads ID information for identifying the consumable 150 from a machine-readable tag provided on the consumable 150.

For example, the body 120 may include an RFID reader that is configured to when the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150 (preferably only when the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150) from The RFID tag included in the consumable 150 reads ID information for identifying the consumable 150. The body 120 may be configured to wirelessly pass this ID information to an application on a mobile device.

As another example, the application on the mobile device 2 may prompt the user to present the consumable to a component of the system 1 (for example, the main body 120 or the mobile device 2), so that the component of the system 1 can be used when the user presents the consumable Before the 150 entity is coupled to the main body 120 or when the consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body 120, ID information for identifying the consumable 150 is read from an identifier provided by the consumable (for example, in the manner described above).

In step S502, the ID information identifying the consumable 150 (for example, by an application or the application server 4) is used to find the validity status information associated with the consumable 150 in the table 401 (for example, using The method described above), and then in step S503, use the validity status information (for example, by the application server 4, the application, or the main body 120, for example, by using the method described above) to determine the Whether the consumable 150 is effective.

In step S504, if it is determined that the consumable 150 used for the main body 120 is not effective by using the availability status information associated with the consumable 150, the use of the consumable 150 and the main body 120 is prohibited, for example, by the following methods:
• notify the user that the consumables 150 for the main body 120 are not valid notifications (eg, notifications displayed by the lights 126 on the main body 120 and / or applications on the mobile device operating in a predetermined order); and / Or • Disable the main body 120 to work with the consumable 150 (for example, by configuring the main body 120 so that it cannot transfer electric power to the heating device 162 of the consumable 150 when the consumable 150 is physically connected to the main body 120).

For example, if the expiry date associated with the consumable 150 has expired, or the lost / stolen flag associated with the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 has been lost / stolen (for example, the consumable ID in table 401 000004), it can be determined that the consumables 150 used for the main body 120 are not effective. If the expiry date associated with the consumable 150 has expired, and the lost / stolen flag associated with the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 is not lost / stolen, the consumable 150 used for the body 120 may be determined to be valid .

The user may provide an option to revoke the notification and / or disable the main body 120 (eg, via an application), and the main body 120 may continue to be used even if it has been banned by the above steps.

Figure 33 (b) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed by the system 1 using the validity status information of Figure 32 (b).

In step S511, the user (for example, via an application or through a customer support helpline) reports the body 120 of the smoking replacement device 110 as lost / stolen.

In step S512, the validity status information associated with the subject 120 is changed at the application server to indicate that the used subject 120 is invalid (for example, by setting a lost / stolen flag associated with the subject 120 To indicate that the subject 120 has been lost / stolen (as in the case of the device ID 000001 in the form 402).

A local copy of the validity status information stored at the application server 4 may be stored by the application and / or the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, stored in the memory 132 of the smoking substitute device). The application server can periodically update each local copy.

In step S513, the main body 120 is connected to the application on the mobile device 2, and wirelessly transmits ID information (for example, an ID number uniquely identifying the main body 120) to the application via the wireless interface 134 included in the main body.

In step S514, the application and / or the application server 4 determines whether the used subject 120 is valid according to the ID information and the validity status information associated with the subject 120. For example, the steps of the application and / or the application server 4 determining whether the subject 120 is valid may include the following steps: the application uses the local end of the ID information and validity status information sent by the smoking substitute device 110 A copy and determine whether the lost / stolen flag and / or defect flag (see Figure 32 (c)) associated with the subject 120 indicates that the subject 120 used is valid or invalid. Alternatively, this decision may include the following steps: the application sends ID information to the application server 4 so that the application server 4 can check for lost / stolen flags and / or defect flags associated with the subject 120 (See Figure 32 (c)) indicates whether the subject 120 used is valid or invalid.

As an alternative, the main body 120 may determine whether to use the main body 120 by using a local copy of the ID information and the validity status information (for example, it may have been recently updated by the application server 4) to determine whether the main body 120 is valid. Whether the associated lost / stolen flag and / or defect flag (see Figure 32 (c)) indicates that the subject 120 used is valid or invalid.

In step S515, if the application and / or the application server 4 determines that the subject 120 used is not valid (for example, because the validity status information associated with the subject 120 indicates that the subject 120 has been lost / stolen (for example, a form In the case of device ID 000001 in 402), or when the main body 120 is indicated to be defective (for example, in the case of device ID 000003 in table 403), the application and / or application server 4 may issue a disable signal. This disable signal can be sent to the main body 120 and can be received at the main body via the wireless interface 134 included in the main body.

As described above, if the defect flag (see FIG. 32 (c)) associated with the subject 120 indicates that the subject 120 used is invalid, the disable signal may be configured to permanently disable the smoking alternative. However, if only the lost / stolen flag indicates that the subject 120 used is invalid, the disable signal may be configured to non-permanently disable the smoking alternative.

In step S516, the main body 120 is disabled after receiving the disable signal (for example, the main body 120 is instructed to configure itself to be inactive by a signal (for example, electric power is not transferred to the heating device 162).

Step S517 is an optional step. If the disable signal is configured to non-permanently disable the smoking replacement device (see above), step S517 may exist. In this case, if one or more reactivation criteria are met, then The smoking replacement device 110, the application, and / or the application server 4 may issue a re-activation signal configured to re-enable the smoking replacement device 110 (for example, if the user is authenticated at the application, the application You can post a re-enable signal).

In another method (not shown) constructed based on the method of FIG. 33 (b), there may be one or more additional bodies 120 configured to wirelessly connect to the body 120. For example, the main body 120 may be connected to a first further main body 120, where the main body 120 is connected to the mobile device 2 on which the application is installed. Multiple bodies 120 can be linked together in this way or form a mesh network.

The application server 4 may store validity status information associated with each additional subject 120 (a local-side copy of this validity status information may also be stored at the application and / or the subject 120).

Each subject 120 may store ID information for identifying another subject 120.

For each additional subject 120, the subject 120, the application, and / or the application server 4 may be configured to rely on ID information identifying the additional subject 120 and validity status information associated with the other subject 120. To determine if the other subject 120 used is valid, and if the subject 120, the application, and / or the application server 4 decides that the other subject 120 used is not valid, the release is configured to disable the other subject 120 Disable the signal.

This another method may allow the body 120 to be disabled even if it is not (directly) connected to the mobile device 2.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in this field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 31 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices can also be used as Smoking substitution device 10 of Fig. 1.

For example, the HNB smoking replacement device including the main body and the consumables may be used as the smoking replacement device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the smoking replacement device 110. One such HNB smoking replacement device is the IQOSTM smoking replacement device discussed above.

As another example, for the method of FIG. 33 (b), the open-system electronic smoking device including the main body, the refillable storage tank, and the mouthpiece can be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of smoking. The body 120 of the replacement device 110. One such open system electronic cigarette smoking device is the blu PROTM electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, for the method of FIG. 33 (b), a completely disposable (single use) smoking substitute device can be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 instead of the body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110. .

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
J1. A system for managing a smoking alternative including:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
An application server where a mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and the availability status information can be used to determine the usage Whether your smoking alternative is effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The smoking substitute device, the application program, and / or the application server are configured to determine the smoking substitute device to be used according to the ID information identifying the smoking substitute device and the validity status information associated with the smoking substitute device. Whether it is valid, and if the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking substitute device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued configured to disable the smoking substitute device.
J2. The system described in statement J1, wherein the validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device includes one or more invalidity flags, and the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server The steps to determine whether the smoking substitute device used is valid include the smoking substitute device, the application, and / or the application server using the ID information to check one or more invalidity flags associated with the smoking substitute device Indicates whether the smoking replacement device used is effective or ineffective.
J3. The system as described in statement J1 or J2, wherein the validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device is related to the smoking alternative device by being stored in association with the ID information for identifying the smoking alternative device Link.
J4. The system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the disable signal is configured to permanently or non-permanently disable the smoking alternative device depending on the availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device.
J5. The system described in statement J4, wherein if the disable signal is configured to non-permanently disable the smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device, application, and / or application server is configured to issue a re-enable signal, re- The activation signal is configured to re-enable the smoking alternative device if one or more re-activation criteria are met.
J6. The system as described in statement J5, wherein one or more of the re-enablement criteria includes the user being authenticated at the application.
J7. The system as described in statement J5 or J6, wherein one or more of the re-enablement criteria includes changes at the application server to indicate that the smoking replacement device used is valid in association with the smoking replacement device Availability status information.
J8. The system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the application via a communication channel established directly between the smoking substitute device and the mobile device on which the application is installed.
J9. A system as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein:
The system includes one or more additional smoking replacement devices configured to wirelessly connect to the smoking replacement device;
The application server stores validity status information associated with each additional smoking replacement device;
Each additional smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying another smoking substitute device;
For each additional smoking replacement device, the smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server is configured to be based on the ID information used to identify the additional smoking replacement device and to communicate with the additional smoking replacement device. Device-related availability status information to determine if the alternative smoking alternative device used is valid, and if the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the alternative smoking alternative device used is not If active, a disable signal is issued configured to disable additional smoking alternatives.
J10. A method performed by a system for managing smoking alternatives, wherein the system includes:
Smoking alternatives;
App-installed mobile device where the smoking alternative is configured to communicate with the app;
Application server where the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server, and where the application server stores validity status information associated with the smoking alternative device, and can determine the smoking alternative device used is it effective;
The smoking substitute device stores ID information for identifying the smoking substitute device;
The method includes the following steps:
The smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server determines whether the smoking replacement device used is valid based on the ID information identifying the smoking replacement device and the validity status information associated with the smoking replacement device, and If the smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking alternative device used is not valid, a disable signal is issued that is configured to disable the smoking alternative device.
J11. A system for managing a smoking alternative, the system comprising:
Smoking replacement device, including a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be connected to the main body;
Among them, the consumables are related to the availability status information, and the availability status information can be used to determine whether the consumables used for the subject are valid;
Wherein the system is configured to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid by the availability status information, and if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by the availability status information, the use of the consumables for the subject is prohibited.
J12. The system described in statement J11, wherein the system includes a mobile device with an application installed, wherein the smoking alternative device is configured to communicate with the application.
J13. The system as described in statement J11 or J12, wherein the validity status information associated with the consumables includes an expiration date.
J14. The system as described in any one of statements J11 to J13, wherein the availability status information associated with the consumable includes one or more invalidity flags.
J15. The system as described in any of statements J11 to J14, wherein the availability status information associated with the consumable includes compatibility information used to determine whether the subject is compatible with the consumable.
J16. The system as described in any one of statements J11 to J15, wherein the system is configured to obtain availability status information associated with consumables by:
Read ID information used to identify the consumable from the identifier provided by the consumable; and use the ID information to find the availability status information associated with the consumable.
J17. The system described in statement J16, wherein the ID information uniquely identifies a consumable, or a batch of consumables including a consumable, and wherein the ID information is configured to allow the system to find validity status information associated with the consumable.
J18. The system described in statement J16 or J17, wherein the availability status information associated with the consumables is stored at an application server included in the system.
J19. The system as described in any one of statements J16 to J18, wherein the identifier provided by the consumable is included on or in the consumable.
J20. The system as described in any one of statements J16 to J19, wherein the identifier provided by the consumable is a machine-readable tag storing ID information.
J21. The system as described in statement J20, wherein the machine-readable tag is an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on or in the body of the smoking substitute device.
J22. The system described in statement J20, wherein the machine can read the tag to store the ID information in a visual pattern.
J23. The system as described in any of statements J16 to J22, wherein the application on the mobile device is configured to pass ID information to an application server included in the system, so that the application server finds and Availability status information associated with consumables.
J24. The system as described in any of statements J11 to J15, wherein the subject is configured to read validity status information from a machine-readable tag provided by the consumable.
J25. The system described in statement J16, wherein the machine-readable tag is an RFID tag configured to be read by an RFID reader on or in the body of the smoking substitute device.
J26. The system as described in any one of statements J11 to J25, wherein the system is configured to identify when a consumable for the subject that is determined by the system to be non-effective is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
The system is configured to obtain the validity information associated with the consumable when the consumable entity is coupled to the subject, and then determine whether the consumable used for the subject is valid based on the validity status information.
J27. The system as described in any one of statements J11 to J25, wherein the system is configured to identify when a consumable for a subject that is determined by the system to be non-effective is physically coupled to the subject by the following steps:
Prompt the user to present the identifier provided by the consumable to the components of the system, and before the user couples the consumable entity to the subject or before the consumable entity is coupled to the subject, the part of the system can The provided identifier obtains / reads ID information for identifying consumables;
Use ID information to find availability status information associated with consumables;
The availability status information is used to determine whether the consumables for the main body are effective.
J28. A method performed by a system for managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes a smoking substitute device, the smoking substitute device includes a main body and a consumable, the consumable is configured to be physically connected to the main body, and wherein the consumable It is related to the validity status information, and the validity status information can be used to determine whether the consumables for the subject are valid. The method includes the following steps:
The system determines whether the consumables for the subject are valid by using the availability status information, and prohibits the use of consumables and the subject if the system determines that the consumables for the subject are not valid by using the availability status information.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 10:
A system for managing smoking substitute devices includes: a smoking substitute device, a mobile device installed with an application program, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with an application program, and an application server where a mobile phone is configured with Communicate with the application server, and the application server stores the validity status information associated with the smoking substitute device, and can determine whether the smoking substitute device used is effective; where the smoking substitute device is used for storage ID information for identifying smoking alternatives. The smoking alternative device, application, and / or application server is configured to determine whether the smoking alternative device used is based on ID information identifying the smoking alternative device and availability status information associated with the smoking alternative device. Valid, and if the smoking replacement device, application, and / or application server determines that the smoking replacement device being used is not valid, a disable signal is issued configured to disable the smoking replacement device. A related method is also disclosed.
Invention 11

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110. In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

The consumable 150 may allow the main body 120 to identify the consumable 150 itself via an electrical interface, an RFID chip, or a barcode.

FIG. 34 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 34 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 34 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 140, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 140 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions that, when implemented, cause the control unit 130 to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

The wireless interface 134 is a cellular narrowband connector configured to provide a wireless cellular narrowband connection to a base station. For example, the wireless interface may be an interface suitable for using 2G or GSM protocols. Similarly, the wireless interface can be adapted to use any of the GPRS, EDGE, 3G, GSM, CDMA, 4G, LTE, LTE Cat 0, LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat 3, LTE-M1, LTE-NB1, and NB-IoT protocols. One or more.

By design, the wireless interface is limited at the maximum bandwidth. This interface usually provides a bandwidth of less than 250kbps. In some examples, the wireless interface will provide a bandwidth of less than 100 kbps, or less than 50 kbps, or less than 25 kbps.

The wireless interface can be provided as a cellular ultra-narrowband connector. For example, it can operate on a spectrum channel less than 1KHz, and can implement long-distance links (for example, 5km in developed areas, or more than 25km in less developed areas).

The wireless interface may be configured to allow only one-way communication from a smoking alternative to a remote server or base station. Because the risk of external servers executing malicious code in the processor can be removed, this can increase the security of the device.

The control unit 130 (eg, a controller) may be operated to render the device inoperable after receiving a signal from the base station via the cellular narrow-band connector. For example, if a device is lost or stolen, the owner of the device can transmit such a signal.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 140 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6. The electrical interface 136 may also be used to identify the consumables 150 from a list of known consumables. By way of example, the consumables may be a specific taste and / or have a certain concentration of nicotine. When the consumable is connected to the main body, this can be recognized by the control unit 130 of the main body 120. Additionally or alternatively, a separate communication interface in the main body 120 and a corresponding communication interface in the consumable 150 may be provided, so that when connected, the consumable allows the main body 120 to identify the consumable itself.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use). For example, the gas flu meter can be used to determine the degree of suction on the mouthpiece by the user, or to determine the number of times the user suctions on the mouthpiece during a specific time period.

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

In addition to or instead of the gas flu detector, the additional component 138 may include additional sensors capable of sensing the use of the device. The sensing data can be stored in the memory 132 of the device and provided to the wireless interface 134 for transmission to the base station.

As shown in FIG. 34 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a blower 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 140 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 140). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electrical energy from the power source 140 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

As an example of one of the one or more additional components 168, an interface for obtaining an identifier of a consumable may be provided. As described above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a bar code or QR code reader, or an electrical interface that enables the main body to identify consumables. Therefore, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a bar code or a QR code, or a memory having an identifier therein and interrogable via an electrical interface in the body.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 34 only illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices may be used. .

For example, instead of the smoking replacement device 110, an HNB smoking replacement device including a main body and consumables may be used. IQOS ^® alternative smoking device HNB-based device such as a smoking substitute discussed above.

As another example, instead of the smoking replacement device 110, an open-system e-cigarette suction device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device can be used as a smoking replacement device.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Feature list
110 smoking alternative
120 Subject
122 Top of the body
124 Bottom of the main body
126 lights
128 slot
130 control unit
132 memory
134 wireless interface
136 Electrical interface
138 Add-ons
140 power source
150 Consumables
152 Top of consumables
154 Bottom of consumables
156 Tank
158 windows
160 electrical interface
162 heating device
164 air inlet
166 mouthpiece
168 add-ons

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
K1. A smoking alternative (110), comprising:
A controller (130); and a cellular narrowband connector (134) connected to the controller and configured to provide a wireless cellular narrowband connection to the base station.
K2. The smoking alternative as described in statement K1, wherein the cellular narrowband connector is configured to use any one or more of the following cellular connection protocols:
2G, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, GSM, CDMA, 4G, LTE, LTE Cat 0, LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat 3, LTE-M1, LTE-NB1, and NB-IoT.
K3. The smoking replacement device as described in statement K1 or K2, wherein the cellular narrow-band connector has a maximum bandwidth of less than 250 kbps, preferably less than 100 kbps, preferably less than 50 kbps, or preferably less than 25 kbps.
K4. The smoking replacement device as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the cellular narrowband connector is a cellular ultra-narrowband connector.
K5. The smoking replacement device as described in any of the preceding statements, further comprising one or more sensors and configured to monitor the use of the smoking replacement device.
K6. The smoking alternative as described in statement K5, wherein the cellular narrowband connector is configured to send monitored usage to the base station.
K7. The smoking alternative device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the control unit is configured to render the device non-operational after receiving a signal from the base station via a cellular narrow-band connector.
K8. The smoking alternative as described in any one of statements K1 to K6, wherein the cellular narrowband connector is configured to provide a one-way connection to the base station to allow data to be transmitted only from the cellular narrowband connector Flow to the base station.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 11:
A smoking replacement device includes: a controller; and a cellular narrow-band connector. A cellular narrowband connector is connected to the controller and is configured to provide a wireless cellular narrowband connection to the base station.
Invention 12

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 1 for managing a smoking replacement device 10.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, an application server 4, an optional charging station 6 (also referred to as a “docking station”), and the text in the box labeled 6 in FIG. 1 may Therefore, it can optionally be changed to a "dock station"), and the smoking alternative device 10.

The smoking replacement device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2) with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (eg, via Bluetooth ^TM). The mobile device 2 may include one or more motion detection devices (eg, an accelerometer) to detect gestures performed by the user using the mobile device 2. The mobile device 2 may have a geographic detection device (for example, a GPS unit (not shown)) to detect the geographic location of the mobile device 2. These features are common in mobile phones, for example.

For example, the mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server 6 via the network 8. For example, the application server 6 may utilize cloud storage.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and / or the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile device 2 may be configured to communicate according to various communication channels, preferably wireless communication channels (eg, via a cellular network (eg, according to a standard protocol (eg, 3G or 4G)), Or via WiFi network)) and communicate via network 8.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate) the smoking alternative device 10 via a charging port on the smoking alternative device 10.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates an exemplary smoking replacement device 110. In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. Alternatively, the consumables 150 may be referred to as a "separation box".

In this example, the smoking replacement device 110 is a closed system electronic cigarette smoking device, in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed storage tank 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 2 (a) illustrates a smoking replacement device 110 in which a body 120 is physically coupled to a consumable 150.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumables 150.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

In this example, the body 120 and the consumables 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumables 150 into the apertures in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other or through, for example, a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (eg, an LED located behind a small translucent housing) is located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking alternative device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the top 152 of the consumable 150 and one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG. 2), so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn Suck into smoking replacement device 110. The e-liquid storage tank 156 is located at the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150. For example, the storage tank 156 may be a translucent body.

The storage tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, and the amount of e-liquid in the storage tank 156 can be visually evaluated. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, a window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen while the rest of the storage tank 156 is blocked.

If the storage tank 156 includes a window 158, the storage tank 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer", and if the window 158 is not included, it is referred to as a "nebulizer".

For example, the consumable 150 may allow the main body 120 to identify the consumable 150 itself via an electrical interface, an RFID chip, or a barcode.

FIG. 35 (a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

FIG. 35 (b) is a schematic diagram of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 35 (a), the main body 120 includes a power source 140, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 140 is preferably a battery, and more preferably a rechargeable battery.

For example, the control unit 130 may include a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably includes a non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions that, when implemented, cause the control unit 130 to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

Wireless interface 134 is preferably 2 to perform wireless communication with a mobile device, configured to establish a wireless connection between, for example, alternative smoking device with an external device (e.g., via WiFi ^®). For this purpose, the wireless interface 134 may include a Bluetooth ^® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (for example, WiFi ^® ) are also possible. As described above, the wireless interface 134 may be configured to perform wireless communication with the remote server 2.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in a hole in the top end 122 of the main body 120, and is preferably located at the bottom. When the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 140 to the consumable 150 (eg, its heating device) (eg, via Electrical interface 160 of consumable 150 (discussed below). When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6. The electrical interface 136 may also be used to identify the consumables 150 from a list of known consumables. By way of example, the consumables may be a specific taste and / or have a certain concentration of nicotine. When the consumable is connected to the main body, this can be recognized by the control unit 130 of the main body 120. Additionally or alternatively, a separate communication interface in the main body 120 and a corresponding communication interface in the consumable 150 may be provided, so that when connected, the consumable allows the main body 120 to identify the consumable itself.

The additional component 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lamp 126 discussed above.

If the power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 without the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, the additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a battery charging control circuit for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charging control circuit can also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a gas flu detector for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110 (eg, caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 of the smoking substitute device 110 (discussed below)). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when a gas flow detector detects airflow. Alternatively, this optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (but as in this example, this is less desirable in the event that the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use). For example, the gas flu meter can be used to determine the degree of suction on the mouthpiece by the user, or to determine the number of times the user suctions on the mouthpiece during a specific time period.

The additional part 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator (eg, a button). The smoking replacement device 110 may be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to a gas flu detector as a mechanism for activating the smoking alternative device 110.

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include one or more motion detection devices (eg, an accelerometer) to detect gestures performed by a user using a smoking alternative device.

The additional component 138 of the main body 120 may include a geographic detection device (eg, a GPS unit) to detect the geographic location of the smoking alternative device.

As shown in FIG. 35 (b), the consumable 150 includes a storage tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168 .

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other, and thus when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the main body 120 is electrically coupled to the consumable 150. In this manner, electrical energy (for example, in the form of electric current) can be supplied from the power source 140 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the storage tank 156 (eg, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 140). In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating wire and a core, wherein the first portion of the core extends into the storage tank 156 to withdraw the e-liquid from the storage tank 156, and wherein the heating wire is wound around the core located outside the storage tank 156 Around the second part. In this example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid of the storage tank 156 withdrawn by the core to generate aerosol vapor.

One or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking replacement device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

As described above, in use, the user activates the smoking alternative device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166. After startup, the control unit 130 can supply electrical energy from the power source 140 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), and can cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid extracted from the storage tank 156 to generate a user-transmitted The steam inhaled by the mouthpiece 166.

As an example of one of the one or more additional components 168, an interface for obtaining an identifier of a consumable may be provided. As described above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a bar code or QR code reader, or an electrical interface that enables the main body to identify consumables. Therefore, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a bar code or a QR code, or a memory having an identifier therein and interrogable via an electrical interface in the body.

Of course, those having ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the smoking substitute device shown in FIGS. 2 and 35 only illustrates an exemplary implementation of the smoking substitute device, and other forms of smoking substitute devices may be used. .

For example, instead of the smoking replacement device 110, an HNB smoking replacement device including a main body and consumables may be used. IQOS ^® alternative smoking device HNB-based device such as a smoking substitute discussed above.

As another example, instead of the smoking replacement device 110, an open-system e-cigarette suction device including a main body, a refillable storage tank, and a mouthpiece may be used. One such open system e-cigarette device is the blu PRO ^™ electronic cigarette discussed above.

As another example, a completely disposable (single use) smoking replacement device can be used as a smoking replacement device.

Figure 36 is a network flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In the diagram, time is along a vertical axis.

In a first step S401, the smoking replacement device 10 is activated for the first time, for example, by a user or by an entity associated with the manufacture of the smoking replacement device 10 (eg, a test smoking replacement performed at the entity). During proper processing of the device 10). As mentioned earlier, initiation can be performed through any one or more of a number of mechanisms. For example, activation can be achieved by removing the label or by the user or testing machine sucking air through the device (eg, inhaled by the user).

In the subsequent step S402, a predetermined criterion related to the use is satisfied, in this example N starts. The predetermined criteria may be any one or more of the previously identified predetermined criteria. Further, although not illustrated in this figure, additionally or alternatively, a predetermined time period may have been exceeded. In other words, step S402 may include a predetermined time period that has been exceeded, or replace it with a predetermined time period that may have been exceeded.

Next (ie, after step S402), in step S403, the control unit 130 disables the smoking substitute device 10. Preferably, the control unit 130 may disable the device (for example, by setting one or more indicators (eg, one or more flags) 10 on the smoking substitute device 10) before the age verification test is successfully performed. Indicates that the device is disabled before the age verification test is successfully performed).

As mentioned before, for example, the control unit may disable the supply of power to the heater 162 to disable the device. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that various means can be used to disable the device by disabling the supply of power to the heater 162 (for example, a register value in the memory of a smoking replacement device indicates that it can be provided for heating The maximum voltage of the device is set to 0V). Those of ordinary skill in the art can also envision other ways of disabling the device.

After the control unit 130 disables the device 10, a signal (in step S404) may be transmitted to the mobile device 2. The signal indicates that smoking alternatives were disabled before the age verification test was successfully performed or requested to perform an age verification test.

As shown in step S405, in response to the received signal, the mobile device 2 requests the user to verify the age. For example, an application running on the mobile device 2 may request the user to enter a date of birth, payment card information (eg, a cash card or credit card), and / or vendor account information (eg, a username and password). The vendor account information uniquely identifies the user and is associated with the vendor account that belongs to the user. As part of or prior to the age verification test, the user may register a smoking replacement device 10 with a vendor account.

Then, in this example, the mobile device 2 transmits the information provided by the user to the remote server 4 in step S406. Then, the remote server 4 cross-checks the data provided by the user in step S407. In an example where the data is vendor account information, the remote server 4 can verify that the date of birth associated with the account indicates that the user has the required age. If the data provided by the user passes the cross-check successfully, the remote server 4 sends a signal indicating successful passage to the mobile device 2 in step S408.

A person with ordinary knowledge in the field can conceive various processes of performing an age verification test at the mobile device 2 (which may be, for example, a mobile phone). Some exemplary processes for performing an age verification test will now be described.

In a first exemplary process, an application installed on a mobile device may first ask the user to enter some information to identify the user (eg, name, address, date of birth (optional social security number)). This information can be processed by trusted third parties and not shared with others (the app can notify users). Then, the application installed on the mobile device 2 may request the user to provide at least one image of the photo ID card (preferably the front and back sides of the photo ID card) (for example, using a camera on the mobile device 2). Once the image is provided, machine learning can be used (for example, by the remote server 4) to ensure that the photo ID card is real and not fake. Then, the user may be required to position the face relative to the camera of the mobile device 2 (preferably the rear camera of the mobile device 2), so that the face appears on the screen of the mobile device 2. Image data (eg, video data) of the user's face from this camera can be used to check the user's "activity" and / or check if the user's face viewed by this camera corresponds to a photo ID card Photos of users. This may help ensure the accuracy of the age verification test.

37 (a) and 37 (b) illustrate a second exemplary process for performing an age verification test at the mobile device 2 (which may be, for example, a mobile phone). First, as shown in FIG. 37 (a), the application installed on the mobile device 2 requires the user to provide a photo of the photo ID card (for example, using a front-facing camera on the mobile device 2). Then, as shown in FIG. 37 (b), the application asks the user to provide a photo of himself / herself holding the photo ID card (for example, using a rear camera on the mobile device 2). Figures 37 (a) and 37 (b) show the relevant camera views (front of Figure 37 (a) and back of Figure 37 (b)) in the box in the app for photo shooting processing Easier. The information provided by the user (in this case two photos) can then be cross-checked at or by the remote server 4. This processing may involve manual analysis at the remote server 4, but may be partially or fully automated (for example, using optical character recognition and / or face recognition technology).

In a third exemplary process for performing an age verification test on a mobile device 2 (which may be, for example, a mobile phone), an age verification test is performed via a video call between a user and a remote analyst (eg, in a video During the call, the user presents the photo ID card to the analyst). For example, a camera (eg, a rear camera) of the mobile device 2 may be used to perform a video call. The information provided by the user during the video call can be cross-checked at or by the remote server 4 (for example, based on information entered by the analyst as a result of the video call).

The above-mentioned first, second, and third processes (or elements thereof) may be combined with each other to provide further exemplary processes for performing an age verification test.

As an alternative to steps S406 to S408, the mobile device 2 may internally verify the information provided by the user and directly proceed to step S409.

In some embodiments, an age verification test may be performed on another device (eg, via a portal, and a user enters information in the portal to identify the smoking alternative device 10).

In step S409, the mobile device 2 verifies, for example, whether the age of the user matches or exceeds the threshold age based on the signal transmitted by the remote server 4 in step S408. This threshold age can be set by software on the mobile device 2 or by software on the remote server 4 according to local laws applicable to the user.

In step S410, the mobile device transmits a signal (which may be referred to as an activation signal) to the smoking substitute device to indicate that the user has passed the age verification test. After the age verification test is successfully performed, the smoking substitute device receives this signal in step S411, so that the control unit enables the smoking substitute device in step S412. It is preferable to change the indicator on the smoking substitute device at the same time, The device is no longer indicated to be disabled.

It should be understood that steps S401 to S404 and S411 and S412 can be performed by the control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device. Steps S405 to S410 may be performed entirely by the mobile device 2, completely performed by the remote server 4, or performed by a combination of the mobile device 2 and the remote server 4.

In some embodiments, an age verification test may be performed by an authorized agent at the time of purchase. For example, as mentioned earlier, as part of a sales transaction, the age check is usually performed by the salesperson at the time of purchase (for example, by the salesperson checking the photo ID of the buyer who belongs to the device). If the salesperson completes this age check and is authorized, the salesperson can additionally confirm (eg, via a web interface) that the new user of the smoking replacement device 10 has passed the age verification test to the remote server 4 and then remotely The device 4 confirms with the mobile device 2, and then the mobile device 2 confirms with the smoking substitute device 10. In this case, the smoking replacement device 10 may receive a signal indicating that the user of the smoking replacement device 10 has passed the age verification test before a predetermined criterion related to use is satisfied and / or a predetermined length of time has been exceeded. In these cases, the control unit 130 is preferably configured to avoid disabling the smoking substitute device 10 because the smoking substitute device 10 has been received before a predetermined criterion related to use is met and / or a predetermined length of time has been exceeded Signal for indicating that the user of the smoking substitute device 10 has passed the age verification test.

Although Figure 36 illustrates an age verification test performed in response to a smoking replacement device being disabled because it meets predetermined criteria related to use, the entity responsible for providing the smoking replacement device to the user may perform the attachment randomly (eg, manually) Age verification tests to, for example, ensure that users effectively pass age verification tests.

Figure 38 is a network flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The steps in FIG. 38 may be performed in parallel with or in place of the steps in FIG. 36.

In a first step S601, the device is started for the first time. As described above, the first startup can be achieved by a plurality of methods. This step may be performed in parallel with the equivalent step S401 in FIG. 36 or performed the same.

After activation, the smoking substitute device transmits a signal for identifying the smoking substitute device to the mobile device 2 (in step S602). For example, this signal may include a unique identification number associated with a smoking alternative. After receiving this signal, the mobile device registers the smoking substitute device in step S603 and associates the smoking substitute device with the user (for example, by registering the smoking substitute device with a manufacturer account belonging to the user).

In step S604, the mobile device 2 transmits one of the following to the remote server 4: identification of the smoking substitute device, or a signal indicating that the other smoking substitute device has been associated with the user. In response, in step S605, the remote server determines whether the number of devices associated with the user (eg, registered to a vendor account belonging to the user) has exceeded a threshold. If the threshold is not exceeded, no further action is taken. If the threshold is exceeded, the remote server 4 sends a signal to the mobile device 2 to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded (in step S606).

Although not shown, in an alternative example, step S605 may be performed by the mobile device 2 instead of the remote server 4. In such an example, the mobile device 2 may maintain a storage of all smoking alternative devices associated with the user.

After receiving this signal, in step S607, the mobile device 2 prepares and sends (step S608) a signal to the smoking substitute device to indicate that the smoking substitute device should disable itself.

The smoking substitute device receives a signal in step S609, and then disables itself in step S510.

It should be understood that steps S601, S602, S609, and S610 can be performed by the control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device. Steps S603 to S608 may be performed entirely by the mobile device 2, completely performed by the remote server 4, or performed by a combination of the mobile device and the remote server.

The threshold can be set to a value that prevents users from buying and reselling smoking replacement devices to users who do not have the required age. For example, the threshold may be set to 100 smoking substitute devices, 75 smoking substitute devices, 50 smoking substitute devices, or 20 smoking substitute devices.

Figure 39 is a network flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The steps in FIG. 39 may be performed in parallel with or in place of the steps in FIG. 36 and / or 38.

In a first step S701, the user changes the disable setting via a user interface provided on the display screen of the mobile device 2 (for example, via an application installed on the mobile device 2).

In a second step S702, in response to the user changing the disable setting via the user interface, the mobile device 2 sends a disable signal to the non-smoking alternative device. The disable signal sent to the smoking alternative device 10 may be a conditional or unconditional disable signal. Examples of such signals have been discussed in detail above.

The disable signal is preferably sent from the mobile device 2 to the smoking substitute device 10 via a wireless connection established between the smoking substitute device 10 and the mobile device 2.

For example, predetermined actions for setting the smoking alternative device to announce a mode that can form a new wireless connection may be performed, for example, at the smoking substitute device 10, and installation on the mobile device may be sought to establish a wireless connection Application on 2 (for example, a user instructs the application to seek a wireless connection to smoking alternative device 10 through a user interface provided on the display screen of mobile device 2 (for example, via a mobile device 2 Application)) to establish a wireless connection between the smoking alternative device 10 and the mobile device 2. The pairing process for establishing a wireless connection is well known and typically uses Bluetooth. In some examples, performing some predetermined actions at the smoking substitute device 10 for setting the smoking substitute device to announce a mode that can form a new wireless connection may be by one or more included in the smoking substitute device 10. Predetermined gestures (e.g., shake pairing) detected by a plurality of motion detection devices, or predetermined gestures by performing a predetermined sequence of one or more actuations of actuators included in the smoking replacement device (For example, shake the pairing).

In optional step S703, the mobile device 2 may send the disable setting changed by the user setting to the remote server 4. In this manner, the remote server 4 may store one or more disable settings associated with the user and may push to a new smoking replacement device later obtained by the user (for example, when the user utilizes a vendor account When registering a new device) without the user having to re-enter the selected settings.

In step S704, a disable signal is received at the smoking substitute device 10.

In step S705, if the disable signal received at the smoking substitute device 10 is an unconditional disable signal, the control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device 10 disables the smoking substitute device 10; The disable signal is a conditional disable signal. The control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device 10 activates the conditional disable function on the smoking substitute device.

The conditional disable function has been discussed in detail above, and is further discussed below in conjunction with Figs. 41 and 42 (a) to 42 (e).

Fig. 40 is a network flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The steps in FIG. 40 may be performed in parallel with the steps in FIG. 36, FIG. 38, and / or 39, or instead of the steps in FIG. 36, 38, and / or 39.

In step S801 of FIG. 40, the smoking substitute device 10 becomes disabled. This may occur, for example, as a result of a process described with reference to any of FIG. 36, FIG. 38, or FIG. 39. .

In step S802a, the user performs a predetermined action at the smoking substitute device 10 (for example, using a predetermined gesture performed by the smoking substitute device 10).

Alternatively, in step S802b, the user performs a predetermined action at the mobile device 2 (for example, instructs the activation of the smoking substitute device 10 via a user interface provided by the display screen of the mobile device 2 (for example, see FIG. 41). Button 930))). The next step is step S803, in which the mobile device 2 sends an activation signal to the smoking substitute device 10, and then receives it through the smoking substitute device 10.

In step S804, in response to step S802a or S802b, the control unit 130 of the smoking substitute device 10 enables the smoking substitute device 10 unless the smoking substitute device 10 successfully performs further verification processing (that is, performed by step S802a or S802b). Verification other than those) (which may be, for example, an age verification test (as is the case with the processing discussed above with reference to Figure 36)) was previously disabled.

Figure 41 illustrates an exemplary user interface (here in the form of a toggle switch) that allows the user to change various disable settings, including:

A manual lock switch 902 for changing the manual lock setting (convert this switch to "on" to trigger the mobile device 2 to send an unconditional disable signal to the smoking substitute device 10);

Proximity lock switch 910 for changing the proximity lock setting (convert this switch to "on" to trigger the mobile device 2 to send a conditional disable signal to activate the proximity lock function on the smoking substitute device 10);

Time lock switch 912 for changing the time lock setting (convert this switch to "ON" to trigger the mobile device 2 to send a conditional disable signal to activate the time lock function on the smoking substitute device 10);

A gesture lock switch 914 for changing the gesture lock setting (convert this switch to "on" to trigger the mobile device 2 to send a conditional disable signal to activate the gesture lock function on the smoking alternative device 10);

Geography (shown here as "GPS") for changing the geo-lock setting. Lock switch 916 (convert this switch to "on" to trigger mobile device 2 to send a conditional disable signal to activate the smoking alternative device 10). Geo-locking function);

An age lock switch 918 for changing the age lock setting (convert this switch to "on" to trigger the mobile device 2 to send a conditional disable signal to activate the age lock function on the smoking substitute device 10).

FIG. 41 also illustrates a button 930, and the button 930 can be pressed to enable the disabled device, and corresponds to step S802b in FIG. 40. This button 930 may not be available if the smoking substitute device 10 has been disabled before successfully performing further authentication processing (see above) (eg, gray or not shown). If the smoking replacement device 10 is currently disabled, switching one or more of 902, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918 may not be available (eg, gray or not shown).

Figure 41 also illustrates setting buttons 920, 922, 924, 926, 928 that allow changing the settings associated with the conditional disable function.

Figure 42 (a) illustrates the user interface on the mobile device 2 while allowing the user to change one or more settings associated with the proximity lock function. This user interface can be accessed via a setting button 920 shown in FIG. 41. As shown in the figure, this interface can be used to set the time before the device is locked without a wireless connection (when the proximity lock function is activated).

Figure 42 (b) illustrates the user interface on the mobile device 2 while allowing the user to change one or more settings associated with the time lock function. This user interface can be accessed via a setting button 922 shown in FIG. 41. As shown in the figure, this interface can be used to set the time before the device is locked when it is not in use (when the time lock function is activated).

Figure 42 (c) illustrates the user interface on the mobile device 2 while allowing the user to change one or more settings associated with the gesture lock function. This user interface can be accessed via a setting button 924 shown in FIG. 41. As shown, a new gesture for locking the smoking alternative device (when the gesture lock function is activated) can be recorded by pressing the relevant button 1030.

Figure 42 (d) illustrates the user interface on mobile device 2 and allows the user to change one or more of the geo-locking functions (referred to as "GPS lock function" in Figure 42 (d)) Settings. This user interface can be accessed via a setting button 926 shown in FIG. 41. As shown, a new geographic area where the device will be locked can be selected via the map interface (which can be a typical map interface known in the field (eg, Google Maps)) (when the geo-lock function is activated). This area can be selected by dragging a square on the map.

Figure 42 (e) illustrates the user interface on the mobile device 2 while allowing the user to change one or more settings associated with the age lock function. This user interface can be accessed via a setting button 928 shown in FIG. 41. As shown in the figure, this interface can be used to set the time before the device needs additional age verification (when the age lock function is activated). In some examples of the invention, the age lock function and associated user interface features may be omitted.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the scope of the subsequent patent application, or the accompanying drawings are expressed in a specific form or in a manner for performing a disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result, and The invention may be implemented in various forms, as appropriate or in any combination of these features.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, although the example discussed above is implemented in a smoking replacement device 10 that includes a body 110 and a consumable 150, implementations in a smoking replacement device that can be refilled without the consumable 150 are also contemplated.

Similarly, as mentioned previously, the present invention can be implemented in HNB devices.

In order to avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided to improve the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the entire specification, including the scope of subsequent patent applications, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "including" and "including" and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated thing or step or group of things or steps, It does not exclude any other thing or step or group of things or steps.

It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges herein can be expressed from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

Feature list
1 System
2 Mobile devices
4 Application server
6 Docking Station
8 Internet
10 smoking alternatives
110 smoking alternative
120 Subject
122 Top of the body
124 Bottom of the main body
126 lights
128 slot
130 control unit
132 memory
134 wireless interface
136 Electrical interface
138 Add-ons
140 power source
150 Consumables
152 Top of consumables
154 Bottom of consumables
156 Tank
158 windows
160 electrical interface
162 heating device
164 air inlet
166 mouthpiece
168 add-ons

The following statements form part of the description and provide a general statement of this disclosure:
L1. A smoking alternative comprising:
A control unit; and an interface configured to communicate with an external device;
Wherein the control unit is configured to disable the smoking substitute device when a predetermined action related to the use of the smoking substitute device is satisfied after the predetermined action is performed using the smoking substitute device and / or a predetermined length of time has been exceeded; and the control unit therein The smoking substitute device is configured to activate the smoking substitute device when it receives a signal indicating that the user of the smoking substitute device has passed the age verification test via the interface.
L2. The smoking substitute device as described in statement L1, wherein the step of disabling the smoking substitute device includes the following steps: disabling the heater of the smoking substitute device.
L3. The smoking alternative device as described in statement L1 or statement L2, wherein the interface is a wireless interface and is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device, and wherein the user receiving the instruction to smoke alternative device via the wireless interface has passed Signal for age verification test.
L4. A smoking replacement device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the predetermined action is one or more of the following:
The first activation of the smoking substitute device triggered by the user inhaling from the smoking substitute device;
The first activation of the smoking substitute device triggered by the user turning on the smoking substitute device;
The first activation of the smoking substitute device triggered by the user connecting the smoking substitute device to a charger;
The first connection of the smoking substitute to an external device;
Removal of tags in smoking alternative devices; and first connection of consumables suitable for smoking alternative devices to smoking alternative devices.
L5. A smoking replacement device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the predetermined criterion related to use is one or more of the following:
Number of activations of smoking alternatives;
Number of coil activations for smoking alternatives;
The cumulative time that the smoking alternative has been activated;
The number of charging cycles of the smoking alternative; and the amount of power consumed by the smoking alternative.
L6. A smoking replacement device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the predetermined time is any of the following:
1 week or less;
48 hours or less; or
24 hours or less.
L7. The smoking replacement device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein after the user has passed the previous age verification test, the control unit is configured to meet another predetermined criterion related to the use of the smoking replacement device and / Or, the smoking substitute device is disabled when another predetermined period of time has passed, and the smoking substitute device is enabled when the user has passed the subsequent age verification test.
L8. The smoking substitute device as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the control unit is further configured to, after the user performs a predetermined action using the smoking substitute device, meet predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking substitute device and / Or when the predetermined period of time has passed, if the smoking replacement device meets the predetermined criteria related to the use of the smoking replacement device and / or the user who has received an instruction that the smoking substitute has passed the predetermined time period has passed the age verification test Signal, avoid disabling smoking alternatives.
L9. A system for managing a smoking alternative, the system comprising:
A smoking replacement device as described in any of the previous statements; and an external device configured to send an instruction to use the smoking replacement device via the interface of the smoking replacement device when the user of the smoking replacement device has passed the age verification test The signal that the person has passed the age verification test.
L10. The system described in statement L9, wherein the external device is a mobile device.
L11. The system described in statement L9, wherein the external device is a remote server.
L12. A system as described in any one of statements L9 to L11, wherein the system is configured to provide age verification tests to users in response to a situation where smoking alternative devices become disabled prior to age verification tests to determine use Whether the person has a predetermined age or higher.
L13. The system as set forth in any one of statements L9 to L12, wherein the step of verifying that the user is of a predetermined age or higher includes the following steps:
Request and receive information from users indicating their age; and use an external database to cross-check the requested information.
L14. The system of any of statements L9 to L13, wherein the system includes a remote server configured to disable smoking if the number of devices registered to the same user exceeds a threshold Alternative device.
L15. A system for managing a smoking alternative, the system comprising:
Smoking alternatives; and remote servers;
The remote server is configured to disable the smoking substitute device if the number of devices registered to the same user exceeds a threshold.
L16. The system as described in statement L15, wherein the smoking replacement device is as described in any one of statements L1 to L8.
L17. A system for managing a smoking alternative, the system comprising:
Smoking alternative devices; and external devices configured to send one or more disable signals to the smoking alternative devices, each of which is one of the following:
Unconditionally disable signal configured to disable smoking alternative device; or conditionally disable signal configured to enable conditional disable function on smoking alternative device, wherein conditional disable function is configured to disable smoking if predetermined criteria are met Alternative device.
L18. The system as described in statement L17, wherein the smoking replacement device includes a control unit, and the control unit is configured to:
In response to the smoking replacement device receiving an unconditional disable signal from an external device, the smoking replacement device is disabled; and / or in response to the smoking replacement device receiving a conditional disable signal from an external device, and activating the conditional disable on the smoking replacement device Features.
L19. The system described in statement L17 or L18, wherein the external device is a mobile device.
L20. The system as described in any of statements L17 to L19, wherein the smoking alternative device includes a wireless interface and is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device to establish wireless communication between the smoking alternative device and the external device connection.
L21. The system as described in any of statements L17 to L20, wherein one of the one or more disable signals is a conditionally disable signal and is configured to activate the proximity lock function on the smoking alternative device Wherein, the proximity lock function is configured to disable the smoking substitute device if the wireless connection between the smoking substitute device and the external device does not exist for more than a predetermined period of time when activated on the smoking substitute device.
L22. The system as described in any one of statements L17 to L21, wherein one of the one or more disable signals is a conditional disable signal and is configured to activate the time lock function on the smoking alternative device The time lock function is configured to disable the smoking substitute device when the smoking substitute device is not activated for more than a predetermined time period when the smoking substitute device is activated.
L23. The system as described in any of statements L17 to L22, wherein one of the one or more disable signals is a conditionally disable signal and is configured to activate a gesture lock function on the smoking alternative device Wherein, the gesture lock function is configured to disable the smoking substitute device if the user performs a predetermined gesture using the smoking substitute device when activated on the smoking substitute device.
L24. The system as described in any one of statements L17 to L23, wherein one of the one or more disable signals is a conditionally disable signal and is configured to enable the geo-lock feature on the smoking alternative device , Wherein the geo-locking function is configured to, when activated on the smoking substitute device, if the smoking substitute device and / or the mobile device wirelessly connected to the smoking substitute device are determined to have within one or more predetermined geographic areas Location, smoking alternatives are disabled.
L25. The system as described in any one of statements L17 to L24, wherein one of the one or more disable signals is a conditionally disable signal and is configured to activate the age lock function on the smoking alternative device Wherein, the age lock function is configured to disable the smoking substitute device when the user of the smoking substitute device has passed the age verification test after a predetermined period of time has elapsed when activated on the smoking substitute device.
L26. The system as described in any of statements L17 to L25, wherein the external device is configured to send to a remote server a user to set one or more disable settings at the external device.
L27. A smoking replacement device or system as described in any of the previous statements, wherein the smoking replacement device and / or the external device may be configured to respond to the use of the smoking replacement device and / or after the smoking replacement device is disabled The external device performs a predetermined action while the smoking alternative device is enabled.
L28. The smoking replacement device or system as described in statement L27, wherein the predetermined actions to enable the smoking replacement device include:
Performing a predetermined action at the smoking substitute device; and / or the user instructs activation of the smoking substitute device through a user interface provided by the external device.
L29. A smoking substitute device or system as described in any of the preceding statements, wherein the smoking substitute device and / or the external device is configured to respond to the use of the smoking substitute device and / or the external device after the smoking substitute device is disabled The predetermined action performed by the device enables the smoking alternative device unless the smoking alternative device has been disabled before successfully performing further authentication processing to show that the user is authorized to use the device.
L30. A smoking replacement device or a system comprising a smoking replacement device and an external device, wherein the smoking replacement device and / or the external device is configured to respond to the use of the smoking replacement device after the smoking replacement device is disabled and / Or a predetermined action performed by an external device, the smoking substitute device is enabled unless the smoking substitute device has been disabled before successfully performing further authentication processing to show that the user is authorized to use the device.

The following description provides an abstract of Invention 12:
A smoking replacement device and a system for managing the smoking replacement device. In one example, the smoking replacement device includes a control unit and an interface configured to communicate with an external device. In this example, the control unit is configured to, after performing a predetermined action using the smoking substitute device, disable the smoking substitute device when a predetermined criterion related to the use of the smoking substitute device is met and / or a predetermined length of time has been exceeded . In this example, the control unit is configured to enable the smoking substitute device when the smoking substitute device receives a signal indicating that the user of the smoking substitute device has passed the age verification test. Other techniques related to disabling smoking alternatives are also disclosed.

1‧‧‧ system

2‧‧‧ mobile device

4‧‧‧ Application Server

6‧‧‧ Docking Station

8‧‧‧ Internet

10‧‧‧ Smoking Replacement Device

110‧‧‧ smoking alternative

120‧‧‧ Subject

122‧‧‧ Top of the body

124‧‧‧ bottom of the body

126‧‧‧ lights

128‧‧‧Slot

130‧‧‧control unit

132‧‧‧Memory

134‧‧‧Wireless interface

136‧‧‧Interface

138‧‧‧Additional parts

140‧‧‧Power source

150‧‧‧ consumables

152‧‧‧ Top of consumables

154‧‧‧ Bottom of consumables

156‧‧‧Storage tank

158‧‧‧window

160‧‧‧Electric interface

162‧‧‧Heating device

164‧‧‧Air inlet

166‧‧‧mouth

168‧‧‧Additional parts

170‧‧‧ machine readable parts

190‧‧‧ Overmolding material

200‧‧‧ Method

202‧‧‧step

204‧‧‧step

206‧‧‧step

208‧‧‧step

210‧‧‧ steps

270‧‧‧ machine readable parts

272‧‧‧Memory

273‧‧‧Measurement parts

276‧‧‧antenna

300‧‧‧ Equipment

301‧‧‧Short Range Network

302‧‧‧ Battery Information Log

304‧‧‧ Device Information

306‧‧‧Device Information

308‧‧‧Usage Information

310‧‧‧Notice

312‧‧‧ icon

400‧‧‧ Equipment

Form 401‧‧‧

402‧‧‧Form

403‧‧‧form

902‧‧‧Manual lock switch

910‧‧‧close lock switch

912‧‧‧Time lock switch

914‧‧‧ Gesture Lock Switch

916‧‧‧Geographically locked switch

918‧‧‧Age lock switch

920‧‧‧set button

922‧‧‧set button

924‧‧‧set button

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930‧‧‧ button

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Examples and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 illustrates a first exemplary system for managing the alternative smoking device.

Exemplary smoking section 2 (a) diagram illustrating an alternative apparatus used in the smoking system of the first alternate device in FIG.

Figure 2 ( b ) shows the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a) without consumables.

Figure 2 ( c ) shows the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a) without the main body.

Invention 01

Figure 3 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 3 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Fig . 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a consumable of the smoking substitute device of Fig. 2 (a) including an overmolded machine-readable part.

Fig . 5 illustrates a method of forming the consumables of Fig. 4.

FIG . 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a machine-readable component that can be used as the machine-readable component of FIG. 2 (a) or FIG. 4.

Invention 02

Section 7 (a) as a main smoking system of FIG alternative means of 2 (a) is a schematic view of FIG.

Figure 7 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Invention 03

Section 8 (a) as a main smoking system of FIG alternative means of 2 (a) is a schematic view of FIG.

Figure 8 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

FIG . 9 is a flowchart of a battery condition monitoring method as an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig . 10 is a schematic diagram of various data structures that can be used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG . 11 is a schematic diagram of a battery condition monitoring device as an embodiment of the present invention.

Invention 04

Section 12 (a) as a main smoking system of FIG alternative means of 2 (a) is a schematic view of FIG.

Figure 12 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

FIG . 13 is a flowchart of a position monitoring method as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG . 14 is a flowchart of a notification decision process that can be used for the position monitoring method of FIG. 13.

Fig . 15 is a schematic diagram of a position monitoring device as an embodiment of the present invention.

Invention 05

Figure 16 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a);

Figure 16 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a);

FIG 17 based on a flowchart for explaining the network according to the invention; and

FIG 18 is a flowchart of a sub-line process of the present invention is described.

Invention 06

Figure 19 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 19 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 20 is a system illustrating an exemplary method directed to an alternative smoking device according to 2 (a) is a block diagram of FIG.

Fig . 21 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary method of the smoking substitute device related to Fig. 2 (a).

Invention 07

Section 22 (a) as a main smoking system of FIG alternative means of 2 (a) is a schematic view of FIG.

Figure 22 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 23 ( a ) illustrates an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of consumables at an application server that can be stored in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 23 ( b ) illustrates an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of smoking replacement devices at an application server that can be stored in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 24 ( a ) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed using the validity status information of Figure 23 (a) and performed by the system of Figure 1.

Figure 24 ( b ) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed using the validity status information of Figure 23 (b) and performed by the system of Figure 1.

Invention 08

Figure 25 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a);

Figure 25 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a);

FIG 26 based on a flowchart for explaining the network according to the invention; and

FIG 27 is an explanatory based network flowchart of a method according to the invention.

Invention 09

Section 28 (a) as a main smoking system of FIG alternative means of 2 (a) is a schematic view of FIG.

Figure 28 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Fig . 29 is a flowchart of a component life monitoring method as an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig . 30 is a schematic diagram of a component life monitoring device as an embodiment of the present invention.

Invention 10

Figure 31 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 31 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a).

Figure 32 ( a ) shows an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of consumables at an application server that can be stored in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 32 ( b ) illustrates an example of availability status information associated with a plurality of smoking alternative devices at an application server that can be stored in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 32 ( c ) illustrates another example of availability status information associated with a plurality of smoking replacement devices at an application server that can be stored in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 33 ( a ) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed using the validity status information of Figure 32 (a) and performed by the system of Figure 1.

Figure 33 ( b ) illustrates an exemplary method that can be performed using the validity status information of Figure 32 (b) and performed by the system of Figure 1.

Invention 11

Figure 34 ( a ) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a); and

Figure 34 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (b).

Invention 12

Figure 35 ( a ) is a schematic diagram of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (a);

Figure 35 ( b ) is a schematic diagram of the consumables of the smoking substitute device of Figure 2 (b).

Fig . 36 is a flowchart illustrating the network of the present invention.

Figure 37 ( a ) illustrates a user interface on a mobile device that forms part of a process for performing age verification tests at a mobile device.

Figure 37 ( b ) illustrates another user interface on the mobile device that forms part of the process for performing an age verification test at the mobile device illustrated in Figure 37 (a).

Fig . 38 is another network flowchart illustrating the present invention.

Fig . 39 is another network flowchart illustrating the present invention.

Fig . 40 is a flowchart illustrating another network of the present invention.

User interface on a mobile device shown in FIG. 41, wherein the user interface provides a user can change the setting to disable the one or more users.

Figure 42 ( a ) illustrates a user interface on a mobile device, where the user interface allows the user to change one or more settings associated with the proximity lock function.

Figure 42 ( b ) illustrates a user interface on a mobile device, where the user interface allows the user to change one or more settings associated with the time lock function.

Figure 42 ( c ) illustrates a user interface on a mobile device, where the user interface allows the user to change one or more settings associated with the gesture lock function.

Figure 42 ( d ) illustrates the user interface on a mobile device, where the user interface allows the user to change the one or More settings.

Figure 42 ( e ) illustrates a user interface on a mobile device, where the user interface allows the user to change one or more settings associated with the age lock feature.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage organization, date, and number)
no

Information on foreign deposits (please note according to the order of the country, institution, date, and number)
no

Claims (20)

A method of forming a consumable for a smoking replacement device, the method comprising the following steps: Providing a machine-readable component that stores information associated with the consumable; Overmolding the machine-readable part with an overmolding material to coat at least a portion of the machine-readable part with the overmolding material; and Includes the machine-readable part of the consumable overmolded. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable component is covered with the overmold material. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable part is partially coated with the overmold material. A method as described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is overmolded with an additional overmolding material to coat the overmolded The machine can read at least a part of the part. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is formed as a part of the consumable. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of including the overmolded machine-readable part in the consumable comprises the steps of assembling multiple parts together to form the consumable, wherein One of the parts is the machine-readable part overmolded. The method of claim 6, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is formed into a container configured to contain a consumable material within the consumable. The method of claim 6, wherein the machine-readable part that is overmolded is formed as a housing of the consumable. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable component includes a memory for storing the information associated with the consumable. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable component is an RFID tag. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part includes any one or more of the following: ID information used to identify the consumable; A taste of the consumable materials contained in the consumable; An amount of consumable material contained in the consumable; A temperature at which the consumable material contained in the consumable should be heated; A parameter indicating how the consumable should be used; A size of a storage tank contained in the consumable; One or more measurement variables associated with the consumable device. A consumable for a smoking replacement device formed by a method according to any of the previous claims. A consumable for a smoking replacement device, comprising: At least one measurement component configured to measure a variable associated with the consumable device; and A machine-readable component is configured to store each measured variable. A smoking replacement device includes: A subject A consumable configured to be physically coupled to the main body; The consumable includes a machine-readable component storing information associated with the consumable, and the consumable is the consumable according to claim 12 or 13. The smoking replacement device of claim 14, wherein the body includes a reader configured to read the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part. The smoking substitute device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the smoking substitute device is an electronic cigarette replacement device or a non-combustion heating smoking replacement device. A system for managing a smoking replacement device includes: A smoking replacement device as described in any one of claims 14 to 16; A mobile device with an application installed, wherein the smoking alternative device is configured to communicate with the application. The system of claim 17, wherein the system includes an application server, and the application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server via a network. The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the subject includes a reader configured to read the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part, and the subject is configured to Send the information associated with the consumable to the application. The system of claim 17, wherein the subject, application, and / or application server are configured to process the information associated with the consumable stored in the machine-readable part.