WO2023144516A1 - État de veille pour un système et procédé de fourniture de vapeur électronique - Google Patents
État de veille pour un système et procédé de fourniture de vapeur électronique Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023144516A1 WO2023144516A1 PCT/GB2023/050135 GB2023050135W WO2023144516A1 WO 2023144516 A1 WO2023144516 A1 WO 2023144516A1 GB 2023050135 W GB2023050135 W GB 2023050135W WO 2023144516 A1 WO2023144516 A1 WO 2023144516A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- evps
- mode
- motion
- duration
- time
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 claims description 78
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 58
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000026058 directional locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001020 rhythmical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002560 therapeutic procedure Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002618 waking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003571 electronic cigarette Substances 0.000 description 51
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 43
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 31
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 21
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N (-)-Nicotine Chemical compound CN1CCC[C@H]1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N 0.000 description 14
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 14
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 14
- 229960002715 nicotine Drugs 0.000 description 14
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N nicotine Natural products CN1CCCC1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000004480 active ingredient Substances 0.000 description 9
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 8
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 7
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000011149 active material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000008204 material by function Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 3
- PUPZLCDOIYMWBV-UHFFFAOYSA-N (+/-)-1,3-Butanediol Chemical compound CC(O)CCO PUPZLCDOIYMWBV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BZTYNSQSZHARAZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,4-dichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)benzene Chemical compound C1=CC(Cl)=CC=C1C1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1Cl BZTYNSQSZHARAZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VZWGRQBCURJOMT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dodecyl acetate Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCOC(C)=O VZWGRQBCURJOMT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MWAYRGBWOVHDDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl vanillate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)C1=CC=C(O)C(OC)=C1 MWAYRGBWOVHDDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UYXTWWCETRIEDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tributyrin Chemical compound CCCC(=O)OCC(OC(=O)CCC)COC(=O)CCC UYXTWWCETRIEDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- SESFRYSPDFLNCH-UHFFFAOYSA-N benzyl benzoate Chemical compound C=1C=CC=CC=1C(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1 SESFRYSPDFLNCH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 botanical matter Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- POULHZVOKOAJMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N dodecanoic acid Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCC(O)=O POULHZVOKOAJMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MMXKVMNBHPAILY-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethyl laurate Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC MMXKVMNBHPAILY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013772 propylene glycol Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000001007 puffing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- URAYPUMNDPQOKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N triacetin Chemical compound CC(=O)OCC(OC(C)=O)COC(C)=O URAYPUMNDPQOKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229940058015 1,3-butylene glycol Drugs 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004348 Glyceryl diacetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005639 Lauric acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- MIYFJEKZLFWKLZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phenylmethyl benzeneacetate Chemical compound C=1C=CC=CC=1COC(=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1 MIYFJEKZLFWKLZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UWHCKJMYHZGTIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tetraethylene glycol, Natural products OCCOCCOCCOCCO UWHCKJMYHZGTIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DOOTYTYQINUNNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethyl citrate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)CC(O)(C(=O)OCC)CC(=O)OCC DOOTYTYQINUNNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229960002903 benzyl benzoate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000019437 butane-1,3-diol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- PEUGOJXLBSIJQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethyl octanedioate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)CCCCCCC(=O)OCC PEUGOJXLBSIJQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- UNXHWFMMPAWVPI-ZXZARUISSA-N erythritol Chemical compound OC[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO UNXHWFMMPAWVPI-ZXZARUISSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005669 field effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000245 forearm Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000019443 glyceryl diacetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001087 glyceryl triacetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013773 glyceryl triacetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010191 image analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008450 motivation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000615 nonconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004091 panning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008447 perception Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006461 physiological response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002250 progressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- RUOJZAUFBMNUDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene carbonate Chemical compound CC1COC(=O)O1 RUOJZAUFBMNUDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- TUNFSRHWOTWDNC-HKGQFRNVSA-N tetradecanoic acid Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCC[14C](O)=O TUNFSRHWOTWDNC-HKGQFRNVSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019505 tobacco product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229960002622 triacetin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000001069 triethyl citrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- VMYFZRTXGLUXMZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triethyl citrate Natural products CCOC(=O)C(O)(C(=O)OCC)C(=O)OCC VMYFZRTXGLUXMZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013769 triethyl citrate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCOCCO ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003039 volatile agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003245 working effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
- A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
- A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic vapour provision system and method.
- Aerosol provision systems (or equally, electronic vapour provision systems) are popular with users as they enable the delivery of active ingredients (such as nicotine) to the user in a convenient manner and on demand.
- electronic cigarettes generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation.
- An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking / capillary action.
- Other source materials may be similarly heated to create an aerosol, such as botanical matter, or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring.
- the e-cigarette may be thought of as comprising or receiving a payload for heat vaporisation.
- Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system.
- air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system.
- a user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source.
- There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it.
- the aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.
- an electric current is supplied to the heater when a user is drawing/ puffing on the device.
- the electric current is supplied to the heater, e.g. resistance heating element, in response to either the activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path as the user inhales/draw/puffs or in response to the activation of a button by the user.
- the heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporise a formulation.
- the released vapour mixes with air drawn through the device by the puffing consumer and forms an aerosol.
- the heating element is used to heat but typically not burn a botanical such as tobacco, to release active ingredients thereof as a vapour / aerosol.
- an electronic vapour provision system 'EVPS' is provided in accordance with claim 1.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapour / aerosol provision system, in accordance with embodiments of the present description.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the body 20 of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the present description.
- FIG 3 is a schematic diagram of a cartomiser 30 of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 4 is a schematic diagram a connector of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of functional components of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of functional components of a processor of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a delivery ecosystem, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of functional components of a mobile communication device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a method of electronic vapour provision, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
- Aerosol provision systems (or equally, electronic vapour provision systems) are similar terms for a delivery device for a user.
- 'delivery device' and by extension 'aerosol provision system' or 'electronic vapour provision system' may encompass systems that deliver a least one substance to a user, and include noncombustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.
- the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material and as appropriate, may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.
- an aerosol provision system e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system
- EVPS electronic vapour provision system
- e-cigarette e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system
- EVPS electronic vapour provision system
- e-cigarette e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system
- EVPS electronic vapour provision system
- e-cigarette e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system
- EVPS electronic vapour provision system
- the electronic vapour / aerosol provision system may be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery device (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating (e.g. aerosolisable) material is not a requirement.
- a non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
- Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
- the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolgenerating material and a solid aerosol-generating material.
- the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
- the non- combustible aerosol provision system generates a vapour / aerosol from one or more such aerosolgenerating materials.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article (otherwise referred to as a consumable) for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component e.g. an aerosol generator such as a heater, vibrating mesh or the like
- the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller.
- the power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source.
- the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolisable material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
- the power source such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision.
- the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material.
- the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol.
- the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating.
- the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.
- the aerosolisable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol forming material and optionally one or more functional materials.
- the active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials.
- a non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material which is included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception.
- the aerosol forming material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso- Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
- the one or more functional materials may comprise one or more of flavours, carriers, pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
- the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material.
- the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece.
- the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be a storage area for storing aerosolisable material.
- the storage area may be a reservoir.
- the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol generating area.
- the aerosol provision system need not provide the aerosol directly to the user, but may provide it to an intermediary device or conveyor that causes/enables the introduction of an active ingredient into the body of the user in a manner that allows the active ingredient to take effect.
- An example may thus include a device that disperses an aerosol into a receptacle, after which a user may take the receptacle from the device and inhale or sip the aerosol.
- the delivery device does not necessarily have to be directly engaged with by the user at the point of consumption.
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapour / aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette 10 (not to scale), providing a non-limiting example of a delivery device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
- the e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body 20 and a cartomiser 30.
- the cartomiser includes an internal chamber containing a reservoir of a payload such as for example a liquid comprising nicotine, a vaporiser (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35.
- a payload such as for example a liquid comprising nicotine
- a vaporiser such as a heater
- references to 'liquid' as a payload hereafter will be understood to be merely an example and can be substituted with any suitable payload such as botanical matter (for example tobacco that is to be heated rather than burned), or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring.
- the reservoir may be a foam matrix or any other structure for retaining the liquid until such time that it is required to be delivered to the vaporiser.
- the vaporiser is for vaporising the liquid
- the cartomiser 30 may further include a wick or similar facility to transport a small amount of liquid from the reservoir to a vaporising location on or adjacent the vaporiser.
- a heater is used as a specific example of a vaporiser.
- other forms of vaporiser for example, those which utilise ultrasonic waves
- the type of vaporiser used may also depend on the type of payload to be vaporised.
- the body 20 includes a re-chargeable cell or battery to provide power to the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette.
- the heater receives power from the battery, as controlled by the circuit board, the heater vaporises the liquid and this vapour is then inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 35.
- the body is further provided with a manual activation device 265, e.g. a button, switch, or touch sensor located on the outside of the body.
- the body 20 and cartomiser 30 may be detachable from one another by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as shown in Figure 1, but are joined together when the device 10 is in use by a connection, indicated schematically in Figure 1 as 25A and 25B, to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30.
- the electrical connector 25B on the body 20 that is used to connect to the cartomiser 30 also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is detached from the cartomiser 30.
- the other end of the charging device may be plugged into a USB socket to re-charge the cell in the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10.
- a cable may be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector 25B on the body 20 and a USB socket.
- the e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes (not shown in Figure 1) for air inlets. These holes connect to an air passage through the e-cigarette 10 to the mouthpiece 35.
- air inlet holes which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette.
- the heater is activated to vaporise the nicotine from the cartridge, the airflow passes through, and combines with, the generated vapour, and this combination of airflow and generated vapour then passes out of the mouthpiece 35 to be inhaled by a user.
- the cartomiser 30 may be detached from the body 20 and disposed of when the supply of liquid is exhausted (and replaced with another cartomiser if so desired).
- the e-cigarette 10 shown in Figure 1 is presented by way of example, and various other implementations can be adopted.
- the cartomiser 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge comprising the liquid reservoir and mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporiser comprising a heater (which is generally retained).
- the charging facility may connect to an additional or alternative power source, such as a car cigarette lighter.
- Figure 2 is a schematic (simplified) diagram of the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 2 can generally be regarded as a crosssection in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the body, e.g. such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from Figure 2 for reasons of clarity.
- the body 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for powering the e-cigarette 10 in response to a user activation of the device. Additionally, the body 20 includes a control unit (not shown in Figure 2), for example a chip such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller, for controlling the e-cigarette 10.
- the microcontroller or ASIC includes a CPU or micro-processor. The operations of the CPU and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the CPU (or other component). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which can be integrated into the microcontroller itself, or provided as a separate component. The CPU may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required.
- the microcontroller also contains appropriate communications interfaces (and control software) for communicating as appropriate with other devices in the body 10.
- the body 20 further includes a cap 225 to seal and protect the far (distal) end of the e-cigarette 10.
- a cap 225 to seal and protect the far (distal) end of the e-cigarette 10.
- the control unit or ASIC may be positioned alongside or at one end of the battery 210.
- the ASIC is attached to a sensor unit 215 to detect an inhalation on mouthpiece 35 (or alternatively the sensor unit 215 may be provided on the ASIC itself).
- the sensor unit 215, with or without the ASIC may be understood as an example of a sensor platform.
- An air path is provided from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the airflow sensor 215 and the heater (in the vaporiser or cartomiser 30), to the mouthpiece 35.
- the CPU detects such inhalation based on information from the airflow sensor 215.
- the connector 25B for joining the body 20 to the cartomiser 30.
- the connector 25B provides mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30.
- the connector 25B includes a body connector 240, which is metallic (silver- plated in some embodiments) to serve as one terminal for electrical connection (positive or negative) to the cartomiser 30.
- the connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 to provide a second terminal for electrical connection to the cartomiser 30 of opposite polarity to the first terminal, namely body connector 240.
- the electrical contact 250 is mounted on a coil spring 255.
- the connector 25A on the cartomiser 30 pushes against the electrical contact 250 in such a manner as to compress the coil spring in an axial direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to (co-aligned with) the longitudinal axis LA.
- this compression biases the spring 255 to expand, which has the effect of pushing the electrical contact 250 firmly against connector 25A of the cartomiser 30, thereby helping to ensure good electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30.
- the body connector 240 and the electrical contact 250 are separated by a trestle 260, which is made of a non-conductor (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between the two electrical terminals.
- the trestle 260 is shaped to assist with the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.
- a button 265, which represents a form of manual activation device 265, may be located on the outer housing of the body 20.
- the button 265 may be implemented using any appropriate mechanism which is operable to be manually activated by the user - for example, as a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, and so on. It will also be appreciated that the manual activation device 265 may be located on the outer housing of the cartomiser 30, rather than the outer housing of the body 20, in which case, the manual activation device 265 may be attached to the ASIC via the connections 25A, 25B.
- the button 265 might also be located at the end of the body 20, in place of (or in addition to) cap 225.
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cartomiser 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 3 can generally be regarded as a cross-section in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the cartomiser 30, such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from Figure 3 for reasons of clarity.
- the cartomiser 30 includes an air passage 355 extending along the central (longitudinal) axis of the cartomiser 30 from the mouthpiece 35 to the connector 25A for joining the cartomiser 30 to the body 20.
- a reservoir of liquid 360 is provided around the air passage 335. This reservoir 360 may be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam soaked in liquid.
- the cartomiser 30 also includes a heater 365 for heating liquid from reservoir 360 to generate vapour to flow through air passage 355 and out through mouthpiece 35 in response to a user inhaling on the e-cigarette 10.
- the heater 365 is powered through lines 366 and 367, which are in turn connected to opposing polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) of the battery 210 of the main body 20 via connector 25A (the details of the wiring between the power lines 366 and 367 and connector 25A are omitted from Figure 3).
- the connector 25A includes an inner electrode 375, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material.
- the inner electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20 to provide a first electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20.
- the inner electrode 375 pushes against the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the inner electrode 375 and the electrical contact 250.
- the inner electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which may be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material.
- the insulating ring is surrounded by the cartomiser connector 370, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material.
- the cartomiser connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20 to provide a second electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20.
- the inner electrode 375 and the cartomiser connector 370 serve as positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for supplying power from the battery 210 in the body 20 to the heater 365 in the cartomiser 30 via supply lines 366 and 367 as appropriate.
- the cartomiser connector 370 is provided with two lugs or tabs 380A, 380B, which extend in opposite directions away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet fitting in conjunction with the body connector 240 for connecting the cartomiser 30 to the body 20.
- This bayonet fitting provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20, so that the cartomiser and body are held in a fixed position relative to one another, with minimal wobble or flexing, and the likelihood of any accidental disconnection is very small.
- the bayonet fitting provides simple and rapid connection and disconnection by an insertion followed by a rotation for connection, and a rotation (in the reverse direction) followed by withdrawal for disconnection. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may use a different form of connection between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30, such as a snap fit or a screw connection.
- Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of certain details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure (but omitting for clarity most of the internal structure of the connector as shown in Figure 2, such as trestle 260).
- Figure 4 shows the external housing 201 of the body 20, which generally has the form of a cylindrical tube.
- This external housing 201 may comprise, for example, an inner tube of metal with an outer covering of paper or similar.
- the external housing 201 may also comprise the manual activation device 265 (not shown in Figure 4) so that the manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to the user.
- the body connector 240 extends from this external housing 201 of the body 20.
- the body connector 240 as shown in Figure 4 comprises two main portions, a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube, which is sized to fit just inside the external housing 201 of the body 20, and a lip portion 242 which is directed in a radially outward direction, away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e- cigarette.
- a collar or sleeve 290 Surrounding the shaft portion 241 of the body connector 240, where the shaft portion does not overlap with the external housing 201, is a collar or sleeve 290, which is again in a shape of a cylindrical tube.
- the collar 290 is retained between the lip portion 242 of the body connector 240 and the external housing 201 of the body, which together prevent movement of the collar 290 in an axial direction (i.e. parallel to axis LA). However, collar 290 is free to rotate around the shaft portion 241 (and hence also axis LA).
- the cap 225 is provided with an air inlet hole to allow air to flow when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35.
- the majority of air that enters the device when a user inhales flows through collar 290 and body connector 240 as indicated by the two arrows in Figure 4.
- Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the main functional components of the e-cigarette 10 of Figure 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
- Figure 5A is primarily concerned with electrical connectivity and functionality - it is not intended to indicate the physical sizing of the different components, nor details of their physical placement within the control unit 20 or cartomiser 30.
- the components shown in Figure 5A located within the control unit 20 may be mounted on the circuit board 28.
- one or more of such components may instead be accommodated in the control unit to operate in conjunction with the circuit board 28, but not physically mounted on the circuit board itself.
- these components may be located on one or more additional circuit boards, or they may be separately located (such as battery 54).
- the cartomiser contains heater 310 which receives power through connector 31B.
- the control unit 20 includes an electrical socket or connector 21A for connecting to the corresponding connector 31B of the cartomiser 30 (or potentially to a USB charging device). This then provides electrical connectivity between the control unit 20 and the cartomiser 30.
- the control unit 20 further includes a sensor unit 61, which is located in or adjacent to the air path through the control unit 20 from the air inlet(s) to the air outlet (to the cartomiser 30 through the connector 21A).
- the sensor unit contains a pressure sensor 62 and temperature sensor 63 (also in or adjacent to this air path).
- the control unit further includes a capacitor 220, a processor 50, a field effect transistor (FET) switch 210, a battery 54, input device 59 (or equivalently 265 in Figure 1), and output device 58.
- FET field effect transistor
- the operations of the processor 50 and other electronic components, such as the pressure sensor 62, are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor (or other components). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which can be integrated into the processor 50 itself, or provided as a separate component.
- the processor 50 may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required.
- the processor 50 also contains appropriate communications facilities, e.g. pins or pads (plus corresponding control software), for communicating as appropriate with other devices in the control unit 20, such as the pressure sensor 62.
- the output device(s) 58 may provide visible, audio and/or haptic output.
- the output device(s) may include a speaker 58, a vibrator, and/or one or more lights.
- the lights are typically provided in the form of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be the same or different colours (or multi-coloured).
- LEDs light emitting diodes
- different colours are obtained by switching red, green or blue LEDs on, optionally at different relative brightnesses to give corresponding relative variations in colour.
- red, green and blue LEDs are provided together, a full range of colours is possible, whilst if only two out of the three red, green and blue LEDs are provided, only a respective sub-range of colours can be obtained.
- the output from the output device may be used to signal to the user various conditions or states within the e-cigarette, such as a low battery warning.
- Different output signals may be used for signalling different states or conditions.
- the output device 58 is an audio speaker
- different states or conditions may be represented by tones or beeps of different pitch and/or duration, and/or by providing multiple such beeps or tones.
- the output device 58 includes one or more lights
- different states or conditions may be represented by using different colours, pulses of light or continuous illumination, different pulse durations, and so on.
- one indicator light might be utilised to show a low battery warning, while another indicator light might be used to indicate that the liquid reservoir 58 is nearly depleted.
- a given e-cigarette may include output devices to support multiple different output modes (audio, visual) etc.
- the input device(s) 59 may be provided in various forms.
- an input device (or devices) may be implemented as buttons on the outside of the e-cigarette - e.g. as mechanical, electrical or capacitor (touch) sensors.
- Some devices may support blowing into the e-cigarette as an input mechanism (such blowing may be detected by pressure sensor 62, which would then be also acting as a form of input device 59), and/or connecting/disconnecting the cartomiser 30 and control unit 20 as another form of input mechanism.
- a given e-cigarette may include input devices 59 to support multiple different input modes.
- the e-cigarette 10 provides an air path from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the pressure sensor 62 and the heater 310 in the cartomiser 30 to the mouthpiece 35.
- the processor 50 detects such inhalation based on information from the pressure sensor 62.
- the CPU supplies power from the battery 54 to the heater, which thereby heats and vaporises the nicotine from the liquid reservoir 38 for inhalation by the user.
- a different air path may be used (for example not entering the battery section).
- a FET 210 is connected between the battery 54 and the connector 21A.
- This FET 210 acts as a switch.
- the processor 50 is connected to the gate of the FET to operate the switch, thereby allowing the processor to switch on and off the flow of power from the battery 54 to heater 310 according to the status of the detected airflow.
- the heater current can be relatively large, for example, in the range 1-5 amps, and hence the FET 210 should be implemented to support such current control (likewise for any other form of switch that might be used in place of FET 210).
- a pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme may be adopted.
- a PWM scheme may be based on a repetition period of say 1ms. Within each such period, the switch 210 is turned on for a proportion of the period, and turned off for the remaining proportion of the period. This is parameterised by a duty cycle, whereby a duty cycle of 0 indicates that the switch is off for all of each period (i.e.
- a duty cycle of 0.33 indicates that the switch is on for a third of each period
- a duty cycle of 0.66 indicates that the switch is on for two-thirds of each period
- a duty cycle of 1 indicates that the FET is on for all of each period (i.e. in effect, permanently on). It will be appreciated that these are only given as example settings for the duty cycle, and intermediate values can be used as appropriate.
- the use of PWM provides an effective power to the heater which is given by the nominal available power (based on the battery output voltage and the heater resistance) multiplied by the duty cycle.
- the processor 50 may, for example, utilise a duty cycle of 1 (i.e. full power) at the start of an inhalation to initially raise the heater 310 to its desired operating temperature as quickly as possible. Once this desired operating temperature has been achieved, the processor 50 may then reduce the duty cycle to some suitable value in order to maintain the heater 310 at the desired operating temperature.
- the processor 50 includes a communications interface 55 for wireless communications, in particular, support for Bluetooth ® Low Energy (BLE) communications.
- BLE Bluetooth ® Low Energy
- the heater 310 may be utilised as an antenna for use by the communications interface 55 for transmitting and receiving the wireless communications.
- the control unit 20 may have a metal housing 202, whereas the cartomiser portion 30 may have a plastic housing 302 (reflecting the fact that the cartomiser 30 is disposable, whereas the control unit 20 is retained and therefore needs to be more durable).
- the metal housing acts as a screen or barrier which makes it difficult to locate an antenna within the control unit 20 itself.
- utilising the heater 310 as the antenna for the wireless communications avoids this metal screening because of the plastic housing of the cartomiser, but without adding additional components or complexity (or cost) to the cartomiser.
- a separate antenna may be provided (not shown), or a portion of the metal housing may be used.
- the processor 50 may be coupled to the power line from the battery 54 to the heater 310 (via connector 31B) by a capacitor 220.
- This capacitive coupling occurs downstream of the switch 210, since the wireless communications may operate when the heater is not powered for heating (as discussed in more detail below). It will be appreciated that capacitor 220 prevents the power supply from the battery 54 to the heater 310 being diverted back to the processor 50.
- the capacitive coupling may be implemented using a more complex LC (inductor-capacitor) network, which can also provide impedance matching with the output of the communications interface 55.
- LC capacitor-capacitor
- this impedance matching supports proper transfer of signals between the communications interface 55 and the heater 310 acting as the antenna, rather than having such signals reflected back along the connection).
- the processor 50 and communications interface are implemented using a Dialog DA14580 chip from Dialog Semiconductor PLC, based in Reading, United Kingdom. Further information (and a data sheet) for this chip is available at: http://www.dialog- semiconductor.com/products/bluetooth-smart/smartbond-dal4580.
- FIG. 5B presents a high-level and simplified overview of this chip 50, including the communications interface 55 for supporting Bluetooth ® Low Energy.
- This interface includes in particular a radio transceiver 520 for performing signal modulation and demodulation, etc, link layer hardware 512, and an advanced encryption facility (128 bits) 511.
- the output from the radio transceiver 520 is connected to the antenna (for example, to the heater 310 acting as the antenna via capacitive coupling 220 and connectors 21A and 31B).
- the remainder of processor 50 includes a general processing core 530, RAM 531, ROM 532, a one-time programming (OTP) unit 533, a general purpose I/O system 560 (for communicating with other components on the PCB 28), a power management unit 540 and a bridge 570 for connecting two buses.
- Software instructions stored in the ROM 532 and/or OTP unit 533 may be loaded into RAM 531 (and/or into memory provided as part of core 530) for execution by one or more processing units within core 530.
- These software instructions cause the processor 50 to implement various functionality described herein, such as interfacing with the sensor unit 61 and controlling the heater accordingly.
- the device shown in Figure 5B acts as both a communications interface 55 and also as a general controller for the electronic vapour provision system 10, in other embodiments these two functions may be split between two or more different devices (chips) - e.g. one chip may serve as the communications interface 55, and another chip as the general controller for the electronic vapour provision system 10.
- chips devices
- the processor 50 may be configured to prevent wireless communications when the heater is being used for vaporising liquid from reservoir 38. For example, wireless communications may be suspended, terminated or prevented from starting when switch 210 is switched on. Conversely, if wireless communications are ongoing, then activation of the heater may be prevented - e.g. by discarding a detection of airflow from the sensor unit 61, and/or by not operating switch 210 to turn on power to the heater 310 while the wireless communications are progressing.
- One reason for preventing the simultaneous operation of heater 310 for both heating and wireless communications is to avoid any potential interference from the PWM control of the heater.
- This PWM control has its own frequency (based on the repetition frequency of the pulses), albeit much lower than the frequency of the wireless communications, and the two could potentially interfere with one another. In some situations, such interference may not, in practice, cause any problems, and simultaneous operation of heater 310 for both heating and wireless communications may be allowed (if so desired). This may be facilitated, for example, by techniques such as the appropriate selection of signal strengths and/or PWM frequency, the provision of suitable filtering, etc.
- the e-cigarette 10 (or more generally any delivery device as described elsewhere herein) may operate within a wider delivery ecosystem 1.
- a number of devices may communicate with each other, either directly (for example via BlueTooth ®) or indirectly (for example via the internet 500). Examples include but are not limited to a mobile phone 400 and a remote server 1000.
- a delivery device 10 may communicate with a mobile communication device using Bluetooth ® or Bluetooth ® Low Energy communications (or similar schemes) to functionally link the delivery device 10 and an application (app) running on a smartphone 400 or other suitable mobile communication device (tablet, laptop, smartwatch, etc).
- Such communications can be used for a wide range of purposes, for example, to upgrade firmware on the e-cigarette 10, to retrieve usage and/or diagnostic data from the e-cigarette 10, to reset or unlock the e-cigarette 10, to control settings on the e-cigarette, etc, or to share processing operations.
- the e-cigarette 10 when the e-cigarette 10 is switched on, such as by using input device 59 (or equivalently 265), or possibly by joining the cartomiser 30 to the control unit 20, it starts to advertise for Bluetooth ® Low Energy communication. If this outgoing communication is received by smartphone 400, then the smartphone 400 requests a connection to the e-cigarette 10. The e-cigarette may notify this request to a user via output device 58, and wait for the user to accept or reject the request via input device 59. Assuming the request is accepted, the e-cigarette 10 is able to communicate further with the smartphone 400. Note that the e-cigarette may remember the identity of smartphone 400 and be able to accept future connection requests automatically from that smartphone.
- the smartphone 400 and the e-cigarette 10 operate in a client-server mode, with the smartphone operating as a client that initiates and sends requests to the e-cigarette which therefore operates as a server (and responds to the requests as appropriate).
- a Bluetooth ® Low Energy link (also known as Bluetooth Smart ®) implements the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, and operates at a frequency of 2.4-2.5 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength of about 12cm, with data rates of up to IMbit/s.
- the set-up time for a connection is less than 6ms, and the average power consumption can be very low - of the order 1 mW or less.
- a Bluetooth Low Energy link may extend up to some 50m. However, for the situation shown in Figure 4, the e-cigarette 10 and the smartphone 400 will typically belong to the same person, and will therefore be in much closer proximity to one another - e.g. Im. Further information about Bluetooth Low Energy can be found at: http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Bluetooth-Smart.aspx
- e-cigarette 10 may support other communications protocols for communication with smartphone 400 (or any other appropriate device).
- Such other communications protocols may be instead of, or in addition to, Bluetooth Low Energy.
- Examples of such other communications protocols include Bluetooth ® (not the low energy variant), see for example, www.bluetooth.com, near field communications (NFC), as per ISO 13157, and WiFi ®.
- NFC communications operate at much lower wavelengths than Bluetooth (13.56 MHz) and generally have a much shorter range - say ⁇ 0.2m. However, this short range is still compatible with many usage scenarios where the user holds or carries both devices.
- low-power WiFi ® communications such as IEEE802.11ah, IEEE802.11v, or similar, may be employed between the e-cigarette 10 and a remote device, for example via a wireless access point.
- a suitable communications chipset may be included on PCB 28, either as part of the processor 50 or as a separate component.
- the skilled person will be aware of other wireless communication protocols that may be employed in e-cigarette 10.
- a typical mobile communication device 400 such as a smart phone comprises a central processing unit (CPU) (410).
- the CPU may communicate with components of the smart phone either through direct connections or via an I/O bridge 414 and/or a bus 430 as applicable.
- the CPU communicates directly with a memory 412, which may comprise a persistent memory such as for example Flash ® memory for storing an operating system and applications (apps), and volatile memory such as RAM for holding data currently in use by the CPU.
- a persistent memory such as for example Flash ® memory for storing an operating system and applications (apps)
- volatile memory such as RAM for holding data currently in use by the CPU.
- persistent and volatile memories are formed by physically distinct units (not shown).
- the memory may separately comprise plug-in memory such as a microSD card, and also subscriber information data on a subscriber information module (SIM) (not shown).
- SIM subscriber information module
- the smart phone may also comprise a graphics processing unit (GPU) 416.
- the GPU may communicate directly with the CPU or via the I/O bridge, or may be part of the CPU.
- the GPU may share RAM with the CPU or may have its own dedicated RAM (not shown) and is connected to the display 418 of the mobile phone.
- the display is typically a liquid crystal (LCD) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, but may be any suitable display technology, such as e-ink.
- the GPU may also be used to drive one or more loudspeakers 420 of the smart phone.
- the speaker may be connected to the CPU via the I/O bridge and the bus.
- Other components of the smart phone may be similarly connected via the bus, including a touch surface 432 such as a capacitive touch surface overlaid on the screen for the purposes of providing a touch input to the device, a microphone 434 for receiving speech from the user, one or more cameras 436 for capturing images, a global positioning system (GPS) unit 438 for obtaining an estimate of the smart phones geographical position, and wireless communication means 440.
- a touch surface 432 such as a capacitive touch surface overlaid on the screen for the purposes of providing a touch input to the device
- a microphone 434 for receiving speech from the user
- one or more cameras 436 for capturing images
- GPS global positioning system
- the wireless communication means 440 may in turn comprise several separate wireless communication systems adhering to different standards and/or protocols, such as Bluetooth® (standard or low-energy variants), near field communication and Wi-Fi® as described previously, and also phone based communication such as 2G, 3G and/or 4G.
- Bluetooth® standard or low-energy variants
- Wi-Fi® wireless fidelity
- the systems are typically powered by a battery (not shown) that may be chargeable via a power input (not shown) that in turn may be part of a data link such as USB (not shown).
- smartphones may include different features (for example a compass or a buzzer) and may omit some of those listed above (for example a touch surface).
- a suitable mobile communication device such as smart phone 400 will comprise a CPU and a memory for storing and running an app, and wireless communication means operable to instigate and typically maintain wireless communication with the e-cigarette 10.
- the mobile communication device may be any device that has these capabilities, such as a tablet, laptop, smart TV or the like.
- Such a mobile communication device may also act as a bridge between the delivery device 10 and a remote device such as a server, by accessing the server over the internet via WiFi ® or mobile data.
- a remote device such as a server
- the delivery device 10 may be capable of internet access on its own.
- an electronic vapour provision system 'EVPS' (e.g. a delivery device or aerosol delivery device as described elsewhere herein) comprises the following.
- a sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of an interaction with the EVPS any suitable sensor may be considered, such as for example a capacitive touch sensor, or a thermal sensor for sensing when a user touches the device.
- a particulary useful example of such a sensor is a motion sensor.
- a motion sensor may for example be one or more accelerometers, typically mounted orthogonally to each other to detect different axes of movement. If only one accelerometer is used, it may be mounted at an angle that is not parallel to one or more major axes of the delivery device so that it can detect movement of the delivery device from a resting position parallel to the or each such major axis. This approach may also be used where two or three accelerometers are used.
- motion sensors may be used, such as for example a camera based image analysis in which the apparent panning direction of the image over time can be used to infer motion.
- a timer this may be a dedicated timer, or a counter set by processor 50 and/or processor 410.
- An interaction detection processor for example processor 50 and/or processor 410 operating under suitable software instruction.
- the EVPS is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode.
- the first mode may for example be a sleep mode, a power saving mode, a quiet mode, a standby mode, or similar.
- this mode does not involve activation of the heater to a vaporisation temperature, and optionally also does not involve activation of the heater to a pre-vaporisation temperature that is close to the vaporisation temperature (e.g. as non-limiting examples, one of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, or more of the required increase in temperature needed to reach the vaporisation temperature).
- the second mode may for example by a ready mode, a pre-heat mode, or a vaporisation mode.
- this mode does involve activation of the heater to a vaporisation temperature, and optionally also does involve activation of the heater to a pre-vaporisation temperature that is close to the vaporisation temperature (e.g. as non-limiting examples, one of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, or more of the required increase in temperature needed to reach the vaporisation temperature).
- the EVPS is configured to wake from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a motion signal from the motion sensor indicative of an interaction, as discussed later herein.
- the EVPS is also configured to modify one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode, as discussed later herein. This modification may be orchestrated for example by the processor 50 of the EVPS, optionally in response to instructions received from the companion device 400 or a server 1000.
- the EVPS comprises an aerosol generator, and is configured to modify one or more operational parameters to alter the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air, in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.
- the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air may be increased from a default amount by a predetermined amount if the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period. Alternatively or in addition it may be increased by an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. In this way, more generally the longer the aerosol delivery device has been in the first mode, the more aerosol is generated for a given inhalation volume. This means that when the user has not used the device for a while, the device will provide them with more aerosol in response and hence typically also more of the active ingredient. This approach may of course be subject to a cap or maximum delivery or delivery rate.
- the EVPS comprises at least a first active payload (for example nicotine, or a suspension or other botanical, medium, or matrix comprising nicotine), and the EVPS is configured to modify one or more operational parameters to alter the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.
- a first active payload for example nicotine, or a suspension or other botanical, medium, or matrix comprising nicotine
- This may be done for example by altering an effective flow rate or wicking of the payload to the heater / aerosol generator, altering an effective surface area of payload exposed to the effects of the heater / aerosol generator, or by altering a mix of payloads in a manner that affects the vaporisation rate or temperature of the payload, or by altering the effective concentration of the active payload, or the physiological update of the active ingredient.
- switching between payloads from one using a liquid medium consisting vegetable glycerin of to one using propylene glycol can increase the uptake of nicotine, all else being equal.
- the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air may also be altered by increasing the rate / amount of aerosol generated from the heater / aerosol generator (hence increasing the proportion of inhaled air that comprises the generated aerosol).
- the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by either a predetermined amount if the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period, or an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. Again in this way more generally the longer the device has been in the first mode, the more active payload gets delivered to the user, all else being equal. Again this may be subject to a cap or maximum delivery or delivery rate.
- the EVPS is configured to enter the first mode if the interaction detection processor detects a motion signal from the motion sensor that meets at least a first predetermined criterion.
- the EVPS can also transition from the second (or optionally one or more other) modes into the first mode.
- the motion signal meets one or more of the following criteria.
- a lack of motion for a predetermined period of time indicative of static positioning. This indicates that the EVPS has been put down, and the time period is indicative that it is not likely to be imminently picked back up (e.g. it is not momentarily at rest whilst otherwise being toyed with).
- the predetermined period may be for example 30 seconds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 minutes, or any suitable time period determined empirically to the representative of non-use to an extent deemed suitable to transition to the first mode.
- a net directional motion indicative of a device located within a moving vehicle (e.g. a static device positioned within such a vehicle, such as on a table on a train, or in a pocket in a car).
- a device located within a moving vehicle e.g. a static device positioned within such a vehicle, such as on a table on a train, or in a pocket in a car.
- a clear net motion in a particular direction typically being at a high speed, and/or being smooth (i.e. in a straight line or curve where motion in the main direction is typically one or more orders of magnitude greater than motion in other directions).
- This is indicative of being in a vehicle, even if the vehicle occasionally rocks or jolts, or the user moves around within it.
- the assumption is that the device should enter the first mode for example to be quiet, or for airline safety, or because vaping may not be permitted on such transport.
- a rhythmic motion with a net directional component for a predetermined period of time indicative of a user walking, running, or cycling.
- activities comprise a characteristic sway or cyclic component that may be detected, along with a typical range of speeds. Between them, these can be used to characterised the type of activity. For example the device may or may not enter the first mode when the user is walking (since a user may often walk and vape) but may enter the first mode if the user is running or cycling.
- the EVPS is configured to enter the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a motion signal from the motion sensor that meets at least a second predetermined criterion.
- the motion signal meets one or more of the following criteria.
- a cessation of a current criterion for entry into the first mode is maintained by the presence of a criterion for it (such as one of those listed previously herein), and if that criterion ends then the EVPS transitions to the second mode.
- an arcuate motion characteristic of bringing a hand held device up to the mouth characteristic of bringing a hand held device up to the mouth.
- an arcuate motion with a radius in a range of typically 20-40 cm i.e. a forearm curling to bring a hand into proximity with the mouth.
- the arcuate motion can start with a predominantly vertical component and end with a predominantly horizontal motion (more specifically characteristic of bringing a hand held device up to the mouth), to distinguish for example from the device being within a swaying bag.
- a reorientation of the device to a position typically for use may naturally rest on a flatter, wider, side surface, but when used this surface is naturally held against the palm and/or base of the fingers and so the device becomes reoriented in a characteristic fashion.
- the role of the interaction detection processor is provided by one or more selected from the list consisting of: i. the processor 50 of an electronic vapour delivery device; ii. the processor 410 of a mobile communication device wirelessly linked to the electronic vapour delivery device; and iii. the remote server 1000 (e.g. one or more real or virtual processors thereof, not shown).
- any suitable delivery device, aerosol provision system, or equally electronic vapour provision system may implement the methods inherent in the operations of the systems described herein.
- a non-therapeutic method of electronic vapour provision comprises the following steps. Firstly, a motion sensing step s810 to generate a motion signal, as described elsewhere herein. (Although, more generally, it should be understood the method may include an interaction sensing step for sensing an interaction with the delivery device.)
- a timing step s820 to count a duration of time, as described elsewhere herein.
- the electronic vapour provision method functions within at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode, as described elsewhere herein.
- the method then comprises a fourth step s840 of waking from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection step detects a motion signal from the motion sensing step indicative of an interaction, as described elsewhere herein.
- the method comprises a fifth step s850 of modifying one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode, as described elsewhere herein.
- the method comprises an aerosol generation step, as described elsewhere herein;
- the modifying step comprises altering the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode, as described elsewhere herein; in this instance, optionally the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by one selected from the list consisting of a predetermined amount if the duration of time spent in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period, and an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time spent in the first mode, as described elsewhere herein;
- the modifying step comprises altering the amount of an active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode, as described elsewhere herein; in this instance, optionally the amount of active payload
- a conventional equivalent device may be implemented in the form of a computer program product comprising processor implementable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, solid state disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory or any combination of these or other storage media, or realised in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or other configurable circuit suitable to use in adapting the conventional equivalent device.
- a computer program may be transmitted via data signals on a network such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020247024760A KR20240128049A (ko) | 2022-01-28 | 2023-01-20 | 전자 증기 제공 시스템 및 방법을 위한 슬립 상태 |
CN202380019119.0A CN118574535A (zh) | 2022-01-28 | 2023-01-20 | 电子蒸气供应系统和方法的睡眠状态 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/649,204 US20230240376A1 (en) | 2022-01-28 | 2022-01-28 | Electronic vapor provision system and method |
US17/649,204 | 2022-01-28 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2023144516A1 true WO2023144516A1 (fr) | 2023-08-03 |
Family
ID=85150861
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2023/050135 WO2023144516A1 (fr) | 2022-01-28 | 2023-01-20 | État de veille pour un système et procédé de fourniture de vapeur électronique |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230240376A1 (fr) |
KR (1) | KR20240128049A (fr) |
CN (1) | CN118574535A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2023144516A1 (fr) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180348844A1 (en) * | 2017-06-02 | 2018-12-06 | Apple Inc. | Techniques for adjusting computing device sleep states |
WO2020260885A1 (fr) * | 2019-06-28 | 2020-12-30 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Appareil pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol |
EP3817598A1 (fr) * | 2019-04-30 | 2021-05-12 | KT&G Corporation | Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et son procédé de fonctionnement |
WO2021140112A1 (fr) * | 2020-01-08 | 2021-07-15 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Système de fourniture d'aérosol électronique |
WO2021149178A1 (fr) * | 2020-01-22 | 2021-07-29 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Dispositif d'inhalation, procédé de commande et programme |
-
2022
- 2022-01-28 US US17/649,204 patent/US20230240376A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2023
- 2023-01-20 CN CN202380019119.0A patent/CN118574535A/zh active Pending
- 2023-01-20 KR KR1020247024760A patent/KR20240128049A/ko active Search and Examination
- 2023-01-20 WO PCT/GB2023/050135 patent/WO2023144516A1/fr active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180348844A1 (en) * | 2017-06-02 | 2018-12-06 | Apple Inc. | Techniques for adjusting computing device sleep states |
EP3817598A1 (fr) * | 2019-04-30 | 2021-05-12 | KT&G Corporation | Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et son procédé de fonctionnement |
WO2020260885A1 (fr) * | 2019-06-28 | 2020-12-30 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Appareil pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol |
WO2021140112A1 (fr) * | 2020-01-08 | 2021-07-15 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Système de fourniture d'aérosol électronique |
WO2021149178A1 (fr) * | 2020-01-22 | 2021-07-29 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Dispositif d'inhalation, procédé de commande et programme |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20230240376A1 (en) | 2023-08-03 |
KR20240128049A (ko) | 2024-08-23 |
CN118574535A (zh) | 2024-08-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3402559B1 (fr) | Procédé et dispositif de visualisation pour systèmes électroniques de distribution de vapeur | |
KR102229105B1 (ko) | 전자 증기 공급 시스템들을 위한 피처 동기화 시스템 및 방법 | |
JP6638063B2 (ja) | 電子蒸気供給システムのための機能同期システムおよび方法 | |
JP7244638B2 (ja) | デバイスの校正及び方法 | |
JP7201160B2 (ja) | ベイピング監視システムおよびベイピング監視方法 | |
WO2023144515A1 (fr) | Authentification d'utilisateur pour fourniture de vapeur électronique et procédé | |
US20230240376A1 (en) | Electronic vapor provision system and method | |
US20230240374A1 (en) | Electronic vapor provision system and method | |
WO2023144514A1 (fr) | Système et procédé de fourniture de vapeur électronique | |
US20240349817A1 (en) | Interactive aerosol provision system | |
US20240315355A1 (en) | Interactive aerosol provision system | |
CA3226409A1 (fr) | Systeme de fourniture d'aerosol interactif | |
JP2024530127A (ja) | 対話型エアロゾル供給システム |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 23702661 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 3242826 Country of ref document: CA |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 20247024760 Country of ref document: KR Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2023702661 Country of ref document: EP Effective date: 20240828 |