WO2023139370A1

WO2023139370A1 - Aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: WO2023139370A1
Application number: PCT/GB2023/050100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darryl BAKER; Nicholas ROSSER; Connor BRUTON; Robert KERSEY; Mark Crosier
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2022-01-21
Filing date: 2023-01-19
Publication date: 2023-07-27
Also published as: GB202200800D0

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision system, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, a method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol provision system, and aerosol provision means.

Background

Aerosol provision systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated by a user to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then inhaled by the user. Modem systems can use consumable elements containing aerosol generating material which can be replaced. It can be desirable for the manufacturer to have control over the use of authentic consumables. In particular, it may be that the manufacturer devices operate best with authentic manufacturer consumables and that use of non-authentic consumables can reduce the lifetime of the device, or the performance of the device thereby impacting user experience.

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

Summary

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry.

Such a system is able to recognise the authenticity of an aerosol generating article such that operation of the device only occurs when the aerosol generating article is of an acceptable authenticity. In particular, in the event that an aerosol generating article is non-authentic, the device may be prevented from operating. In such a way, the system protects the device from being used with aerosol generating articles that are not known to interact in a desirable manner with the device. In particular, this allows the manufacturer to ensure that the user’s experience is standard over multiple uses thereby improving the user experience of the system. Indeed, preventing users from operating the device on non-authentic aerosol generating articles can improve both the user experience and the device lifetime as the manufacturer’s aerosol generating articles may be constructed so as to best interact with the device.

Accordingly, the user of the system can be protected and the system itself can be protected from use with non-authentic aerosol generating articles.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol provision system, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, providing an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; providing a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry; connecting the connector to the physical connection of the control circuitry, identifying an authenticity of the aerosol generating article, updating, based on the authenticity of the aerosol generating article, a performance state of the aerosol provision device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry means for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry means comprising physical connecting means, an aerosol generating article for storing aerosol generating means and; connecting means comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connecting means of the control circuitry means.

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

Figure l is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example; and, Figure 4 is a flow diagram according to an example.

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

Detailed Description

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

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision system 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol provision system 100 has an aerosol provision device 110. The aerosol provision device 110 has control circuitry 112 for identifying an aerosol generating article. The control circuitry 112 comprises a physical connection 114. The aerosol provision system 100 has an aerosol generating article 120 for storing an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 100 has a connector 130 comprising a complementary physical connection 132 for connecting to the physical connection 114 of the control circuitry 112.

The aerosol provision device 110 may be a device comprising a heater or atomiser or the like for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be provided to the aerosol provision device 110 in the form of an aerosol generating article 120. The aerosol generating article 120 may contain aerosol generating material and may be able to be removably inserted into the aerosol provision device 110. In an example, the aerosol generating article 120 is a refillable pod which can be inserted into and removed from the aerosol provision device 110 for use.

The example of Figure 1 has three main elements shown, the aerosol provision device 110, the aerosol generating article 120 and the connector 130. The connector 130 may connect physically to the physical connection 114 of the control circuitry 112 via the complementary physical connection 132. This physical connection may be achieved via one or more corresponding projections and recesses or slots or the like.

In use, the connector 130 is connected to the control circuitry 112 physically and the control circuitry 112 identifies the aerosol generating article 120. In particular, the control circuitry 112 identifies whether the aerosol generating article 120 is an authentic aerosol generating article or a non-authentic aerosol generating article. On identifying the aerosol generating article 120 as authentic, the control circuitry 112 may send a signal to the aerosol provision device 110 to allow operation of the aerosol provision device 110, whether by inhalation on the device 110 or by pressing an activation button.

In an example, the connector 130 may complete a circuit in the control circuitry 112 so that the control circuitry 112 is able to operate to identify the aerosol generating article 120. In this instance, the connector 130 provides an additional level of security for use of the aerosol provision device 110. The connector 130 is provided to an authorised user, and so only this authorised user is able to connect the connector 130 to the control circuitry 112. As such, the system 100 prevents use of unauthorised users as well as non-authentic aerosol generating articles 120. Furthermore, the use of a physical connection between the connector 130 and the control circuitry 112 increases the difficulty of producing a fraudulent, non-authentic connector 130 which can connect to the control circuitry 112 to enable a non-authorised user to use the device 110. As such, the use of the physical connection, rather than a software connection which might be hacked or vulnerable to attacks, improves the security of the system 100.

In another example, the connector 130 may have circuitry to enable identification of the aerosol generating article 120. In such a way, when the connector 130 is physically connected to the control circuitry 112, and the aerosol generating article 120 is inserted into the aerosol provision device 110, both the control circuitry 112 and the connector 130 can identify the aerosol generating article 120. In an example, the control circuitry 112 identifies one indicator of authenticity and the connector 130 identifies a different indicator of authenticity. In the event that both the control circuitry 112 and the connector 130 identify the aerosol generating article 120 as authentic, the control circuitry 112 will enable the aerosol provision device 110 to operate.

In the above example, the connector 130, upon successful authentication of the aerosol generating article 120, may send a signal to the control circuitry 112 through the physical connection 114, 132, which may also be an electrical connection, to indicate the aerosol generating article 120 has been authenticated by the connector 130. The control circuitry 112, upon receipt of this signal and upon authentication of the aerosol generating article 120 by the control circuitry 112, may enable the aerosol provision device 110 to be operated by a user. This operation may take the form of activating a heater or the like in response to a user inhaling on the device 110 or pressing an activation button.

In particular, the physical arrangement of the connection between the control circuitry 112 and the connector 130 may be such that the control circuitry 112 can identify a first identifier located at a first location on the aerosol generating article 120, while the controller 130 can identify a second identifier located at a second location on the aerosol generating article 120. In this way, a two factor check is provided by the connector 130 and control circuitry 112 as to the authenticity of the aerosol generating article 120. Furthermore, by requiring two identifiers at two locations on the aerosol generating article 120, the production of non- authentic aerosol generating articles that are able to operate within the aerosol provision device 110 is significantly increased in difficulty. Accordingly, the likelihood of successful use of a non-authentic aerosol generating article in the aerosol provision device 110 is significantly reduced.

In the example of Figure 1, the device 110, the aerosol generating article 120 and the connector 130 are three separate bodies that can be used together. Referring now to Figure 2, there is a shown a similar system 200 to the system 100 of Figure 1. Similar features, to those features used in Figure 1, are shown with the reference numerals increased by 100. For example, the system 100 of Figure 1 is similar to the system 200 of Figure 2. Similar or identical features may not be discussed for conciseness.

In Figure 2, the connector 230 is part of, or is also connected to, the aerosol generating article 220. In this example, the aerosol generating article 220 may be authenticated by the connector 230 by having a cooperating connection with which the connector 230 can be connected. The physical connection of the connector 230 to the aerosol generating article 220 may be a first authentication step of the aerosol generating article 220. The connector 230 may not be able to physically connect to non-authentic aerosol generating articles. The connector 230 may then connect to the control circuitry 212 for a second authentication step. In the example of Figure 2, the control circuitry 212 and physical connection 214 are within the device 210, this is such that, upon connection with the connector 230, the aerosol generating article 220 is within the body of the aerosol provision device 210.

The two step authentication of the example of Figure 2 increases the difficulty of production of a non-authentic aerosol generating article for use with the system 200. The first authentication step may be a circuit being completed within the connector 230 by the correct connection with the aerosol generating article 220. The second authentication step may be identification of the aerosol generating article 220 by the control circuitry 212 for example by recognition of an identifier in the aerosol generating article 220 (such as a QR code, RFID tag or the like). As above, until the authentications have occurred, the heater or atomizer of the device 210 cannot be operated, preventing use of non-authentic aerosol generating articles.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is a shown a similar system 300 to the system 200 of Figure 2. Similar features, to those features used in Figure 2, are shown with the reference numerals increased by 100. For example, the system 200 of Figure 2 is similar to the system 300 of Figure 3. Similar or identical features may not be discussed for conciseness.

In the system 300 of Figure 3, there is a further element 340 of which the connector 330 is a part. In an example, this element may be a communication device 340. The communication device 340 may be a smartphone, tablet, PC or the like that can provide control over, or provide signals to, elements of the system 300 via communication between the communication device 340 and the aerosol provision device 310. This may be via electrical communication through the physical connection 314, 332 or as well as via a remote communication.

In particular, while authentication of the aerosol generating article 320 may occur by any of the processes described above, authentication of the user can occur via the communication device 340. In particular, modem smartphones and tablets have access mechanisms, and authentication systems, such as fingerprint scanners, face recognition, passwords, passkeys, alphanumeric access sequences or software identity tokens that enable only authorised users to access the smartphone or tablet. Such mechanisms and systems can be used to identify that the user attempting to use the device 310 is an authorised user. In particular, the user may be required to access the communication device 340, connect the communication device 340 via the connector 330 to the control circuitry 312 for the user to be authenticated. Subsequently, the user inserts the aerosol generating article 320 into the aerosol provision device 310 for aerosol generating article authentication by the control circuitry 312 prior to the aerosol provision device 310 being allowed to operate. Such a system provides a highly robust and secure system 300 that resists both attempts by unauthorised users to use the device 310 and the use of non-authentic aerosol generating articles. Again, the two factor system proposed protects, in a robust way, both the user and the device. In an example, the communication device 340 may communicate to the aerosol provision device 310 via wired or wireless communication. While authentication of the aerosol generating article 320 may be via a wired, physical connection, the authentication of the user may occur via a system which relays the authentication via Bluetooth or WiFi or other wireless communication. Modern smartphones and tablets have such abilities and these can be utilised in this instance to communicate to the aerosol provision device 310 for sending signals of authorisation of the user. In such a way, control signals may be sent from the connector 330 to the control circuitry 312 of the aerosol provision device 310.

The communication device 340 may be used to interact with the aerosol provision device 310. This may take the form, as above, of merely authorisation steps. However, via an interface on the communication device 340, the communication device 340 may be able to control elements of the aerosol provision device 310 after the user of the communication device 340 has been confirmed as authorised. The communication device 340 may be used to alter the settings of the aerosol provision device 310, such as the heating profiles provided, the device parameters, or the like, so as to alter the aerosol provided by the aerosol provision device 310. In this way, an authorised user may control and personalise the aerosol provided by the aerosol provision device 310. The control signals sent from the connector 330 to the control circuitry 312 of the aerosol provision device 310 may therefore relate to controlling the functioning of the device 310. The control signals may also relate to enabling the device 310 to function (or not function) based on successful or unsuccessful user authentication.

Alternatively or additionally, the communication device 340 may be able to provide diagnostic or troubleshooting functions for the aerosol provision device 310. Indeed, when communicating with the aerosol provision device 310, whether via wireless or wired communication, the communication device 340 may be able to assess working criteria or conditions of components of the aerosol provision device 310. As such, the communication device 340 may be able to inform the user when replacement of a part might be necessary. The user may interact with the device 310 through the communication device 340 via an app on the communication device 340.

The system 300 of Figure 3 enables high level control over the production of aerosol production from the aerosol provision device 310 at a relatively low cost by virtue of utilising the communication device 340 as well as the connector 330 and control circuitry 312. There is no requirement for a power source in the aerosol generating material 320, as it is relatively passive in the authorisation processes and does not act to identify the user.

In any of the examples above, the connector 330 may comprise control circuitry of its own for communicating with the aerosol generating article 320. The aerosol generating article 320 may comprise an identifier, such as a QR code or RFID tag or the like, for identifying the aerosol generating article 320. The aerosol generating article 320 may contain two such identifiers one for identification by the connector 330 and one for identification by the control circuitry 312.

The identifier may indicate that the aerosol generating article 320 is authentic. Alternatively, or additionally, the identifier may indicate the chemical make up of the aerosol generating article 320. In this way, the control circuitry 312 may identify the aerosol generating article 320 and then select a suitable heating profile for use with the specific aerosol generating article 320. Upon identification of a different aerosol generating article 320, the control circuitry 312 may select a different heating profile. These predetermined heating profiles may be designed by the manufacturer and encoded into the identifier of the aerosol generating article 320. In such a way, the manufacturer can assist in production of a desirable aerosol from the aerosol generating article 320 without input being required from the user.

In an example, the connector 330 is a USB connector, with the physical connection 314 of the control circuitry 312, being a complementary USB connection. The system used herein may use a USB dongle or a USB drive or similar USB devices for providing the connection between the connector 330 and the control circuitry 312. The connector 330 may connect to the control circuitry 312 by moving in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3.

The connector 330 and control circuitry 312 may control the performance state of the aerosol provision device 310 based on authentication of the user and the aerosol generating article 320. A “performance state” of the aerosol provision device 310 may, broadly, be considered as one or more of operating or non-operating states. Signals provided by the connector 330 may be received by the control circuitry 312 and ultimately result in updating the aerosol provision device 310 from one performance state to another. In an “operating state”, elements of the aerosol provision device 310 used to generate an aerosol (such as an atomiser, heater or the like) may be activated. The specific activation of the device 310 may, as mentioned above, require an additional input which may be user inhalation on the device 310, a user pressing a button on the device 310 or the like, alternatively the device 310 may automatically generate aerosol by the heater upon receiving a signal, regarding the authentication of the user and/or the aerosol generating article 320, from the control circuitry 312.

In a “non-operating state”, elements of the aerosol provision device 310 used to generate an aerosol (such as an atomiser, heater or the like) may not be activated. In this example, inhaling on the device 310 or pressing a button makes no impact on the heater or atomiser etc. The aerosol provision device 310 may be put into a non-operating state prior to authentication of the user/aerosol generating article 320. Alternatively, the aerosol provision device 310 may be put in a non-operating state when an aerosol generating article 320 or potential user is not identified as authentic or authorised.

The term “operating state” may refer to a number of states in which the device 310 can be operated, with variations between these states (such as heating profile). Similarly the term “non-operating state” may refer to a number of states in which the device 310 cannot be operated, with variations between these states (such as the requirements for returning the device to an operating state).

The operating state selected by the aerosol provision device 310 may be based on properties of the aerosol generating article 320 that may be identified by the control circuitry 312 or connector 330. The property may be any of a chemical composition of the aerosolisable material of the aerosol generating article 320, a strength of the aerosolisable material of the aerosol generating article 320, a size of the aerosol generating article 320 which relates to the amount of the aerosolisable material in the aerosol generating article 320 and, a rating of the aerosol generating article 320. The rating of the aerosol generating article 320 may relate to whether the aerosol generating article 320 is from a batch that has a particularly high concentration of one compound, has multiple aerosolisable materials within the aerosol generating article 320, or any other relevant factor. Such properties may be associated with the aerosol generating article 320 and may impact subsequent actions of the aerosol provision device 310 such as the heating profile applied.

The identifier of the aerosol generating article 320 may be a coded identifier such as a QR code or a bar code or the like which can be read by the connector 320 or control circuitry 312. There is a correspondence between these elements such that, the connector 320 or control circuitry 312 can read the identifier. For example, if the identifier is a QR code, the connector 320 or control circuitry 312 may be a QR code reader. The identifier may be an RFID and the connector 320 or control circuitry 312 may be an RFID reader. Other identifier/detector combinations are possible.

The system 300 may have a memory (not shown) for storing a database. The memory may be part of the control circuitry 312. The database may store the identities of authentic aerosol generating articles and authorised users such that the system 300, when identifying an aerosol generating article or a user, can cross check against the database in the memory. The manufacturer can also set operating states in the memory for use with specific aerosol generating articles based on best use practices as understood at the factory. The operating states may alternatively or additionally be set by the user, and may be editable by a user, e.g. via the communication device 340. In this instance, the user has more flexibility of use and therefore the user experience is improved.

In an example, the database for storing the identities of authentic aerosol generating articles and authorised users may be held remotely in a data store and accessed by a communications element in the control circuitry 312 of the device 310 or by the communications device 340. The details for specific heating profiles for use with specific aerosol generating articles may also be stored in a remote database. In this way, updates to authenticities of aerosol generating articles, authorised users and the predetermined operating states for use with specific aerosol generating articles, can occur without needing to download such updates to be stored on the device 310, rather the device 310 can read the updated database remotely. In this way, if a change occurs, changes can be easily rolled out to or accessed by all relevant devices 310. Storing the database on board the device 310 or communications device 340, may be advantageous as the system 300 need not have a communications element in the system 300 and it need not be connected to a communications network to access a remotely held database prior to each use session.

Storing the database remotely and connecting to it via a communication element may be advantageous as the system 300 need not include the database in the memory and the database can be remotely updated ensuring the device 310 need not have the on board database regularly updated. In this way, recently amended aerosol generating articles 320 (amended in terms of composition, authentication, or the like) are accurately assessed, from the regularly updated remote database, in terms of their eligibility or in terms of the heating profiles to be used with those aerosol generating articles.

While the performance state, operating or non-operating, may be dictated by the control circuitry 312, the user may initiate activation of a heater from an additional input, such as a button or by puffing on the device 310. In this arrangement, the control circuitry 312 may determine that authentication of the aerosol generating article and user has not been met, and therefore prevent the heater from operating in spite of a user by pressing a button or puffing or the like.

In contrast, when authorisations have occurred, the control circuitry 312 may allow the heater to be activated in response to a button push or inhalation by the user. In this way, the system 300 provides secure delivery of aerosol only on authentic aerosol generating articles and to authorised users.

Figure 4 shows a method 400 of use of an aerosol provision system. In the method 400, the device may start in a default, non-operating, state 402. Prior to authorisation of the user and the identification of the aerosol generating article, it is advantageous for the device to be in a non-operating state. In this state, the user cannot activate the heater. Next, a user physically connects the device to the connector 404. The control circuitry and connector work to authenticate the aerosol generating article 406, in an example by identifying an identifier in the aerosol generating article. This may involve checking against an on-board or remote database. If the aerosol generating article is identified as authentic, the method continues to step 410. Subsequently, the performance state of the device is updated to an operating state 412. This operating state may be designed for use with the identified aerosol generating article (e.g. with specific heating temperatures, aerosol production or the like). After the use session is finished and if the aerosol generating article is removed and discarded for example, the method then goes back to step 402 with the device in a non-operating state. This way, upon introduction of a new aerosol generating article, a new round of authentication occurs to enable the system to be robust.

If the aerosol generating article is identified as non-authentic, the method moves to step 420. The performance state of the device is updated to a non-operating state 422. In this instance, the user may not be able to operate the device. Such a state may be overcome by, e.g., removing the non-authentic aerosol generating article and replacing it with one that is authentic.

A similar method can be envisaged for authentication of the user. Indeed, in examples set out herein, the device and connector assess both the user and the aerosol generating article for authenticity prior to proceeding to step 412 and enabling the device to be used.

In some instances, the non-operating state may be a locked state. A locked state may be used when repeated attempts to use the device while in a non-operating state have occurred. Alternatively, the performance state may be updated into a locked state after several attempts to use the device with non-authentic aerosol generating articles or by non-authorised users. In this way, the device can be protected against attempted hacks or misuse or the like. Similarly, the authorised user may be provided with an indication that such attempts have been made, in case an unauthorised user has attempted to use the device without permission, or that a large number of requests have occurred during a non-operating period. The authorised user may then act accordingly. The locked state may be changed back to a default, non-operating by the input of a password, passcode, passkey, alphanumerical sequence or the like as might be known only by the intended user. This may be done via the communication device shown in Figure 3. This increases the overall protection provided to the device by the present system. In a particular example, the device disclosed herein may operate with a flavour pod which is replaceable in the device. The flavour may be any of tobacco and glycol and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

When combined with an aerosol generating medium or aerosol generating article, the aerosol provision device as disclosed herein may be referred to as an aerosol provision system.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision system, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry.

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

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

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device. In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and optionally a mouthpiece.

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

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

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

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

In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic article.

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. An aerosol provision system, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry.

2. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry is part of the aerosol generating article.

3. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry is part of a communication device for communicating with the aerosol provision device.

4. An aerosol provision system according to claim 3, wherein the communication device is one of a smartphone, tablet, PC, and wherein the communication device is arranged to identify a user of the aerosol provision system.

5. An aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector further comprises control circuitry for communicating with the aerosol generating article, and wherein the aerosol generating article further comprises an identifier for identifying the aerosol generating article wherein the connector is arranged to identify the identifier.

6. An aerosol provision system according to claim 5, wherein control circuitry of the aerosol provision device is arranged to identify the identifier of the aerosol generating article.

7. An aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connector is at least one of a USB dongle or a USB drive.

8. An aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connector is arranged to provide control signals to the control circuitry of the aerosol provision device.

9. A method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol provision system, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry comprising a physical connection, providing an aerosol generating article for storing an aerosol generating material and; providing a connector comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connection of the control circuitry; connecting the connector to the physical connection of the control circuitry, identifying an authenticity of the aerosol generating article, updating, based on the authenticity of the aerosol generating article, a performance state of the aerosol provision device.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein providing a connector comprises providing a connector connected to a communication device for communicating with the aerosol provision device.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising identifying, by the communication device, an identity of a user, communicating, by the communication device to the aerosol provision device, the identity of the user.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: comparing the identity of the user against a database of authorised users; and, updating, based on the identity of the user, a performance state of the aerosol provision device.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of: identifying an authenticity of the aerosol generating article; and, comparing the identity of the user against a database of authorised users, comprises accessing a database in an on-board memory.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of: identifying an authenticity of the aerosol generating article; and, comparing the identity of the user against a database of authorised users, comprises remotely accessing an external database.

15. Aerosol provision means, for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising: control circuitry means for identifying an aerosol generating article, the control circuitry means comprising physical connecting means, an aerosol generating article for storing aerosol generating means and; connecting means comprising a complementary physical connection for connecting to the physical connecting means of the control circuitry means.