WO2024083836A1

WO2024083836A1 - Remaining puffs calculation for aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024083836A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/078847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Hodgson; Dean Cowan
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2022-10-21
Filing date: 2023-10-17
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: GB202215580D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision device comprises: an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising aerosol generating material; a memory configured to store article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article, the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an in progress aerosol generation session for the article; and a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol generation session, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data relating to a remaining number of puffs of the article.

Description

REMAINING PUFFS CALCULATION FOR AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol provision system and an article.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising aerosol generating material; a memory configured to store article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article, the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an in progress aerosol generation session for the article; and a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol generation session, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data relating to a remaining number of puffs of the article.

The processor may be configured to start the aerosol generation session for the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.

The aerosol provision device may further comprise a user controllable element, wherein the processor is configured to start the aerosol generation session when a user activates the user controllable element.

The processor may be configured to receive a partially used article indication, the partially used article indication indicating whether the article is a previously partially used article or a new article, the article data comprising the partially used article indication, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the partially used article indication to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol provision device may further comprise an article recognition element, the article recognition element configured to determine whether the article is a previously partially used article or a new article, the article recognition element configured to provide the partially used article indication to the processor.

The memory may be configured to store previous puffs information for a previously partially used article, the previous puffs information relating to a number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, wherein the processor is configured to receive the previous puffs information, the article data comprising the previous puffs information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puffs information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol provision device may further comprise a user interface, the user interface configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user, the processor configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user interface.

The user interface is configured to receive previous puffs information from the user, the previous puffs information relating to a number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, wherein the processor is configured to receive the previous puffs information, the article data comprising the previous puffs information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puffs information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a user interface, the user interface configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user, the processor configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user interface.

The user interface may be configured to receive previous puffs information from the user, the previous puffs information relating to a number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, wherein the processor is configured to receive the previous puffs information, the article data comprising the previous puffs information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puffs information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The article data may comprise article energy data, the article energy data specifying the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material of the article, wherein the activation data comprises activation energy data, the activation energy data specifying the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the article energy data and the activation energy data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol generating material may be a film coated on a carrier. The aerosol generating material may be a gel.

The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be less than 1000 Joules (J). The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be less than 800 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be less than or equal to 720 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be greater than 300 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be greater than 500 J. The energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material may be greater than or equal to 600 J.

The activation data may comprise session puffs data, the session puffs data specifying a number of puffs taken in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the activation energy data and the session puffs data to determine an average energy per puff, the remaining puffs calculation using the average energy per puff to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The article data may comprise article puffs data, the article puffs data specifying an expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article, wherein the activation data comprises previously taken puffs data, the previously taken puffs data specifying a number of puffs taken in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the article puffs data and the previously taken puffs data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be greater than or equal to 6. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be greater than or equal to 8. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be greater than or equal to 10. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be less than or equal to 16. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be less than or equal to 14. The expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article may be less than or equal to 12.

The article data may comprise an expected energy consumption per puff. The remaining puffs calculation may use the expected energy consumption per puff to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs (for example, by subtracting the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session from the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material of the article and dividing by expected energy consumption per puff).

The expected energy consumption per puff may be greater than 10 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be greater than 20 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be greater than 30 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be greater than 40 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be greater than 50 J.

The expected energy consumption per puff may be less than 100 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be less than 90 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be less than 80 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be less than 70 J. The expected energy consumption per puff may be substantially 60 J.

The article data may comprise a total area of the aerosol generating material exposed to the aerosol generator and the activation data comprises a used area of the aerosol generating material, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the total area and the used area to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The article data may comprise a total number of discrete portions of the aerosol generating material and the activation data comprises a used number of discrete portions of the aerosol generating material in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the total number of discrete portions and the used number of discrete portions to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol generator comprises a first aerosol generating element and a second aerosol generating element, wherein the first aerosol generating element is configured to generate aerosol from a first portion of the aerosol generating material and the second aerosol generating element is configured to generate aerosol from a second portion of the aerosol generating material.

The activation data may comprise a number of activated aerosol generating elements in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the number of activated aerosol generating elements to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The aerosol generator may comprise a magnetic field generator and a susceptor or a resistive heater element.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a display element, the processor configured to control the display element to display the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

The processor may be configured to adjust a total aerosol generation session length in response to the data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article.

The article data may comprise first article type data for a first type of article and second article type data for a second type of article, the processor configured to receive a type of the article to determine whether to use the first article type data or the second article type data in the remaining puffs calculation.

The processor may be configured to receive the type of the article from a user input.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a article type recognition element, the article type recognition element configured to determine the type of the article, the processor configured to receive the type from the article type recognition element.

The processor may be configured to perform the remaining puffs calculation periodically during the aerosol generation session. The processor may be configured to perform the remaining puffs calculation on user request.

The processor may be configured to perform the remaining puffs calculation following a puff.

The data relating to the remaining number of puffs may comprise an expected remaining number of puffs, such that the remaining puffs calculation determines the expected remaining number of puffs.

The data relating to the remaining number of puffs may comprise a remaining proportion of the aerosol generating material in the article, such that the remaining puffs calculation determines the remaining proportion of the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a communication unit, the communication unit configured to send the data relating to the remaining number of puffs to an external device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device described above and the external device, the external device configured to receive the data relating to the remaining number of puffs and display the data relating to the remaining number of puffs to a user.

The external device may be a mobile device.

The external device may be a pack configured to store articles.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device as described above and an article.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of determining data relating to a remaining number of puffs of a article in an aerosol generation session, the method comprising: receiving, at a processor of an aerosol generating device, article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article; receiving, at the processor, activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session; and using the article data and the activation data to determine, at the processor, data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article. The apparatus of the aspects of the present disclosure can include one or more, or all, of the features described above, as appropriate. The method of the of the present disclosure can include one or more, or all, of the features described above, as appropriate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol provision system;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol provision system;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of an aerosol provision system;

Fig. 4 shows a method of determining data relating to a remaining number of puffs; and

Fig. 5a and 5b show cross-sectional side views of an aerosol provision system.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosolgenerating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”. The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosolgenerating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and an article, typically a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

With reference to Fig. 1 , an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a receptacle 106 defined by a wall 108. The receptacle 106 is substantially cylindrical to receive a substantially cylindrical article 110. The article 110 is received in the receptacle 106 through the article aperture 104.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator 112. The aerosol generator 112 comprises an inductive element 114. The aerosol generator 112 comprises a susceptor element 108, which, in the present example, is the wall 108. The inductive element 114 comprises a coil surrounding the susceptor element 108.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a power source 116 for supplying power to the aerosol generator 112. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generating assembly, and the aerosol generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosolgenerating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The controller may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input.

The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a processor 118 and a memory 120.

The aerosol provision device comprises an article recognition element 122. The article 110 comprises an identifier 124, which is readable by the article recognition element 122. In the present example, the identifier 124 is a QR code and the article recognition element 122 is a QR code reader. The identifier 124 indicates a type of the article 110, for example a strength, a size and/or an aerosol generating material mass of the article 110. The identifier 124 also comprises a unique identifier of the article 110, such that the specific article may be identified by the identifier 124.

In use, the article 110 is partially inserted into the aerosol provision device 100. The article recognition element 122 recognises the identifier 124 of the article 110. The article recognition element 122 sends an article received signal to the processor 118. In response to receiving the article received signal, the processor 118 begins an aerosol generation session. During the aerosol generation session, the processor 118 controls the power supply 116 to supply power to the aerosol generator 112 to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generation session defines a duration in which a user makes multiple puffs on the article 110 to draw aerosol from the aerosol generating system 10.

The memory 116 stores article data relating to a characteristic of the article. The article data comprises first article type data for a first type of article and second article type data for a second type of article.

The article data comprises unique article data that is specific to the article 110. The memory 116 stores unique article data for a plurality of articles that have previously been received by the aerosol provision device. The memory 116 stores unique article data for a plurality of articles that have previously been received by the aerosol provision device during an aerosol generation session.

The article recognition element 122 determines from the indicator 124 the type of the article 110. The article recognition element 122 determines from the indicator 124 the unique article identifier. The processor 118 receives the type of the article 110 from the article recognition element 122. The processor 118 receives the unique article identifier from the article recognition element 122. The processor 118 determines from the memory 116 the article data for the article 110 using the type of the article. The processor determines from the memory 116 the article data for the article 110 using the unique article identifier.

The article data comprises article energy data, the article energy data specifying the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material of the article 110. The article energy data is specific to the type of the article.

In the present example, the aerosol generating material comprises a film. The article comprises a carrier onto which the film is coated. The aerosol generating material comprises a gel. The aerosol generating material has a mass of 0.013g. The applicant has found that in such an article, the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material is between 600 and 720 Joules (J). This may be based on an expected number of puffs taken from the article in the session (10-12 puffs) and an expected energy consumption per puff (60 J).

The article data further comprises article puffs data. The article puffs data specifies an expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article 110 before the aerosol generating material is used up. The article data comprises a partially used article indication. The partially used article indication indicates, for the specific article 110, whether the article has previously been received by the aerosol provision device 100 or used in a previous aerosol generation session (e.g. is a “previously partially used article”), or has not previously been received by the aerosol provision device 100 or used in a previous aerosol generation session (e.g. is a “new article”).

Where the article 110 is a previously partially used article, the article data comprises previous puffs information. The previous puffs information relates to a number of puffs previously taken from the article 110 in the previous aerosol generation session. The previous puffs information comprises previous aerosolisation energy data. The previous aerosolisation energy data is an estimate of the energy supplied to the aerosol generator 112 in the previous aerosol generation session. In other examples the previous puffs information comprises a previous puff number, with the previous puffs number being a number of puffs taken on aerosol generating system 10 in the previous aerosol generating session.

Throughout the aerosol generation session the processor 118 records activation data in the memory 116. The activation data relates to activation of the aerosol generator during the in progress (e.g. current) aerosol generation session. The activation data comprises activation energy data. The activation energy data specifies the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session. The processor 118 determines the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session by monitoring a voltage of the power source 120. The processor 118 may monitor current to determine the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session (e.g. by determining power according to P = IV and integrating over time). In such examples, voltage supplied to heater may be held constant, and only current may be monitored to determine energy supplied. In other examples, the power supplied during heating may be relatively constant and known, and it may be possible to determine energy supplied by monitoring heating time.

During the aerosol generation session, the processor 118 performs a remaining puffs calculation. In the remaining puffs calculation, the processor 118 uses the article data and the activation data to determine data relating to a remaining number of puffs of the article 110. The processor 118 uses the activation energy data and the article energy data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article 110.

The data relating to the remaining number of puffs comprises an expected remaining number of puffs, such that the processor 118 determines the expected remaining number of puffs in the remaining puffs calculation.

The processor 118 determines from the activation energy data and the article energy data a proportion of the expected energy still to be supplied to the aerosol generator 112 during the aerosol generation session. The processor 118 uses this and the article puffs data to determine the expected remaining number of puffs.

In other examples, the article data does not comprise article puffs data, and the processor 118 monitors a number of puffs taken in the aerosol generation session to determine session puffs data. The processor 118 then uses the session puffs data and the activation energy data to determine an average energy per puff. The processor 118 uses the activation energy data and the expected energy still to be supplied during the aerosol generation session to determine the expected remaining number of puffs.

The processor 118 may monitor the number of puffs using a dedicated puff sensor (e.g. a pressure sensor), by monitoring heater activation or temperature, by monitoring battery level and/or by monitoring puffing behaviour (e.g. a motion sensor configured to detecting movement of the device indicating a puff, a monitoring activation of a button required to be pressed for each puff or monitoring proximity to a face of the user).

The processor 118 may also monitor puff intensity (e.g. with a pressure sensor), with an increase in puff intensity indicating greater usage of the aerosol generating material. The activation data may comprise puff intensity and the data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article may be based on puff intensity.

In other examples, rather than monitoring energy supplied to the aerosol generator and/or using the activation energy, the processor uses only the session puffs data and the article puffs data to determine the data relating to the expected number of puffs.

Where the article 110 is a previously partially used article, the processor 118 uses the previous puffs information to perform the remaining puffs calculation. The processor 118 uses the previous aerosolisation energy data, as well as the activation energy data and the article energy data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article 110. The processor 118 may subtract the previous aerosolisation energy data and the activation data from the article energy data to determine the energy still to be supplied to the aerosol generator 112 during the aerosol generation session.

In other examples, the previous puffs information comprises a number of puffs taken from the article 110 during the previous aerosol generation session, which may be used to perform the remaining puffs calculation.

The processor 118 performs the remaining puffs calculation periodically during the aerosol generation session. In other examples, the processor performs the remaining puffs calculation on user request. In other examples, the processor performs the remaining puffs calculation following the user taking a puff on the aerosol provision system 10. The processor may comprise a puff sensor to determine when the user takes a puff.

The processor 118 controls a (not shown) display element to display the data relating to the remaining number of puffs. In other examples, the processor 118 adjusts the duration of the aerosol generation session in response to the data relating to the remaining number of puffs. In other examples, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a communication unit (e.g. a Bluetooth unit) configured to send the data relating to the remaining number of puffs to an external device. The external device may receive the data relating to the remaining number of puffs and display it to a user. In some examples, the external device is a mobile device. In some examples, the external device is a “smart” pack (e.g. for storing articles), which comprises a display element to display the data.

At the end of the aerosol generation session or if the article 110 is removed from the aerosol provision device 110, the processor 118 clears the activation data from the memory. The processor 118 stores the article data from the aerosol generation session in the memory 116. The processor 118 assigns to the article data a partially used article indication to indicate that the article is a partially used article. Removal of the article 110 from the aerosol provision device 110 may be detected by the article recognition element 122. In other examples, in which the aerosol provision device 100 is configured to communicate with an external server or device, article data may be stored on the external server or device rather than in the memory 116.

With reference to Fig. 2, a second aerosol provision system 210 comprises a second aerosol provision device 200. The second aerosol provision system comprises many features which are substantially the same as those of the aerosol provision system 10, for which the same reference numerals are used in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In the following description of the second aerosol provision system 210, differences between the second aerosol provision system 210 and the aerosol provision system 10 are described and repeated description of features common to the systems is omitted.

The second aerosol provision system 210 comprises a second aerosol generator 212. The second aerosol generator 212 comprises a first aerosol generating element 214a, a second aerosol generating element 214b and a third aerosol generating element 214c. Each of the first, second and third aerosol generating elements 214a-c is an inductive element. The aerosol generator 212 comprises a susceptor element, which, in the present example, is the wall 108. Each of the first, second and third aerosol generating elements 214a-c comprises a coil surrounding the wall 108. The aerosol generating elements 2214a-c are distributed longitudinally along the receptacle 106, such that each of the aerosol generating elements covers an area of an outer surface of the article 110 and is configured to heat a respective portion of the article. The aerosol generating material in the article 110 may be separated into discrete portions, with a respective one of the aerosol generating elements being configured to heat one of the discrete portions.

During the aerosol generation session, the processor 218 controls the power supply 120 to supply power to one of the aerosol generating elements 214a- c at a time, such that the respective portions of the article 110 are heated consecutively during the aerosol generation session.

The activation data comprises a number of activated aerosol generating elements in the aerosol generation session. The processor 218 performs the remaining puffs calculation using the number of activated aerosol generating elements to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs. In other examples, the article data comprises a total area of the aerosol generating material exposed to the aerosol generator and the activation data comprises a used area of the aerosol generating material. The remaining puffs calculation uses the total area and the used area to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

In other examples, the article data comprises a total number of discrete portions of the aerosol generating material and the activation data comprises a used number of discrete portions of the aerosol generating material in the aerosol generation session. The remaining puffs calculation uses the total number of discrete portions and the used number of discrete portions to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

With reference to Fig. 3, a third aerosol provision system 310 comprises a third aerosol provision device 300. The third aerosol provision system comprises many features which are substantially the same as those of the aerosol provision system 10, for which the same reference numerals are used in Fig. 3 and Fig. 1. In the following description of the third aerosol provision system 210, differences between the third aerosol provision system 310 and the aerosol provision system 10 are described and repeated description of features common to the systems is omitted. Additionally, many features are omitted from Fig. 3 for clarity.

In contrast to the aerosol provision device 10, the third aerosol provision device 310 does not comprise an article recognition element, which may simplify the construction of the aerosol provision device. The third aerosol provision device 310 comprises a user interface 330. The user interface 330 receives the partially used article information from the user. The user interface 330 receives previous puffs information from the user. As described above, the partially used article information and the previous puffs information are used by the processor in the remaining puffs calculation.

With reference to Fig. 4, a method 300 of determining data relating to a remaining number of puffs of an article in an aerosol generation session comprises an article data receiving step 302, an activation data receiving step 304, and a remaining number of puffs calculation step 306. The method 300 is performed by the processors of each of the aerosol provision device 10, the second aerosol provision device 210 and the third aerosol provision device 310. The method 300 may further comprise steps described above with respect to the processors of the aerosol provision device 10, the second aerosol provision device 210 and the third aerosol provision device 310.

In the article data receiving step 302, a processor of an aerosol generating device receives article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article.

In the activation data receiving step 304, the processor receives activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session.

In the remaining number of puffs calculation step 306, the processor uses the article data and the activation data to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article.

With reference to Fig. 5a and 5b, a fourth aerosol provision device 410 comprises a body 402 and a fourth aerosol generator 412. The aerosol generator 412 extends away from the body 402. The aerosol generator 412 is external to the body 402. The aerosol generator 412 is inserted into a fourth article 410 in use. The fourth article 410 comprises a recess 414 in which the fourth aerosol generator 412 is received. The fourth aerosol generator 412 heats aerosol generating material of the fourth article 410 to generate aerosol.

The fourth article 410 and the fourth aerosol provision device 400 may comprise any of the features mentioned above with respect to the articles and devices of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. In particular, the fourth article 410 and the fourth aerosol provision device 400 may comprise any of the features which permit the remaining puffs calculation to be performed. The fourth aerosol provision device 400 performs the method of Fig. 4.

In other examples, the aerosol provision device may be operable in a plurality of modes, in which heating temperature and time may vary. The article data may comprise multiple data sets corresponding to the modes.

In the above described embodiments, the aerosol provision device comprises a heating arrangement that is an inductive heating arrangement. In embodiments, other types of heating arrangement are used, such as resistive heating. The configuration of the device is generally as described above and so a detailed description will be omitted. In such arrangements the aerosol generating assembly comprises a resistive heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating component, and the resulting flow of current in the heating component causes the heating component to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating component comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating assembly comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material.

In embodiments, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In embodiments the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention 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 of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device comprising: an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an article comprising aerosol generating material; a memory configured to store article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article, the memory further configured to store activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during an in progress aerosol generation session for the article; and a processor configured to perform a remaining puffs calculation during the aerosol generation session, the remaining puffs calculation using the article data and the activation data to determine data relating to a remaining number of puffs of the article.

2. The aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to start the aerosol generation session for the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.

3. The aerosol provision device according to claim 1 and further comprising a user controllable element, wherein the processor is configured to start the aerosol generation session when a user activates the user controllable element.

4. The aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor is configured to receive a partially used article indication, the partially used article indication indicating whether the article is a previously partially used article or a new article, the article data comprising the partially used article indication, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the partially used article indication to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

5. The aerosol provision device according to claim 4 and further comprising an article recognition element, the article recognition element configured to identify the article to determine whether the article is a previously partially used article or a new article, the article recognition element configured to provide the partially used article indication to the processor.

6. The aerosol provision device according to claim 5, wherein the memory is configured to store previous puffs information for a previously partially used article, the previous puffs information relating to a number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, wherein the processor is configured to receive the previous puffs information, the article data comprising the previous puffs information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puffs information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

7. The aerosol provision device according to claim 4, and further comprising a user interface, the user interface configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user, the processor configured to receive the partially used article indication from the user interface.

8. The aerosol provision device according to claim 7, wherein the user interface is configured to receive previous puffs information from the user, the previous puffs information relating to a number of puffs previously taken from a partially used article, wherein the processor is configured to receive the previous puffs information, the article data comprising the previous puffs information, such that the remaining puffs calculation uses the previous puffs information to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

9. The aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the article data comprises article energy data, the article energy data specifying the energy required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material of the article, wherein the activation data comprises activation energy data, the activation energy data specifying the energy supplied to the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the article energy data and the activation energy data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

10. The aerosol provision device according to claim 9, wherein the activation data comprises session puffs data, the session puffs data specifying a number of puffs taken in the in progress aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the activation energy data and the session puffs data to determine an average energy per puff, the remaining puffs calculation using the average energy per puff to determine data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

11. The aerosol provision device according any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the article data comprises article puffs data, the article puffs data specifying an expected number of puffs that can be taken from the article, wherein the activation data comprises previously taken puffs data, the previously taken puffs data specifying a number of puffs taken in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the article puffs data and the previously taken puffs data to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

12. The aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a first aerosol generating element and a second aerosol generating element, wherein the first aerosol generating element is configured to generate aerosol in a first portion of the aerosol generating material and the second aerosol generating element is configured to generate aerosol in a second portion of the aerosol generating material.

13. The aerosol provision device according to claim 12, wherein the activation data comprises a number of activated aerosol generating elements in the aerosol generation session, wherein the remaining puffs calculation uses the number of activated aerosol generating elements to determine the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

14. The aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 13 and further comprising a display element, the processor configured to control the display element to display the data relating to the remaining number of puffs.

15. The aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the processor is configured to adjust a total aerosol generation session length in response to the data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article.

16. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the article data comprises first article type data for a first type of article and second article type data for a second type of article, the processor configured to receive a type of the article to determine whether to use the first article type data or the second article type data in the remaining puffs calculation.

17. An aerosol provision device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to receive the type of the article from a user input.

18. An aerosol provision device according to claim 16 and further comprising an article type recognition element, the article type recognition element configured to determine the type of the article, the processor configured to receive the type from the article type recognition element.

19. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the processor is configured to perform the remaining puffs calculation periodically during the aerosol generation session.

20. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the data relating to the remaining number of puffs comprises an expected remaining number of puffs, such that the remaining puffs calculation determines the expected remaining number of puffs.

21. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the data relating to the remaining number of puffs comprises a remaining proportion of the aerosol generating material in the article, such that the remaining puffs calculation determines the remaining proportion of the aerosol generating material.

22. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 21 and comprising a communication unit, the communication unit configured to send the data relating to the remaining number of puffs to an external device.

23. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device according to claim 22 and the external device, the external device configured to receive the data relating to the remaining number of puffs and display the data relating to the remaining number of puffs to a user.

24. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 22 and the article.

25. A method of determining data relating to a remaining number of puffs of an article in an aerosol generation session, the method comprising: receiving, at a processor of an aerosol generating device, article data, the article data relating to a characteristic of the article; receiving, at the processor, activation data, the activation data relating to activation of the aerosol generator during the aerosol generation session; and using the article data and the activation data to determine, at the processor, data relating to the remaining number of puffs of the article.