CN118541049A

CN118541049A - Aerosol supply system

Info

Publication number: CN118541049A
Application number: CN202380018053.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗伯特·克西; 尼古拉斯·罗瑟; 达里尔·巴克尔; 康纳·布鲁顿; 马克·克罗泽
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-21
Filing date: 2023-01-19
Publication date: 2024-08-23
Also published as: GB202200785D0; CA3242823A1; JP2025502951A; US20250098787A1; KR20240113962A; WO2023139373A1; EP4465848A1

Abstract

An aerosol supply system is provided, comprising: an aerosol supply device comprising: a control circuit for controlling a performance state of the aerosol supply device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store performance details of the aerosol supply device in the memory; and a detector for detecting properties of an aerosol generating product and providing a signal to the control circuit; and an aerosol generating product comprising a material that can be atomized, wherein the aerosol generating product contains a data storage unit, the data storage unit is configured to store an identifier that identifies the properties of the aerosol generating product, and wherein the detector is configured to detect the properties of the identifier and provide a signal to the control circuit, the control circuit is configured to store performance details of the aerosol supply device corresponding to the properties of the identifier and the use of the aerosol supply device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to provide a signal to a user in predetermined performance details and update the performance state of the aerosol supply device.

Description

Aerosol supply system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol supply system, an aerosol supply device, a method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol supply system, and an aerosol supply apparatus.

Background

Aerosol supply systems are known. Common systems use a heater that is activated by a user to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol-supply device, and then is drawn on by the user. The device may be activated by the user pushing a button or by the action of suction alone. Modern systems may use consumable elements containing aerosol-generating material. Manufacturers want to be able to control the activation of the system. This may avoid activating the system in an undesired situation.

The present invention aims to solve some of the above problems.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising a control circuit controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store in the memory performance details of the aerosol provision device, and a detector for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit; an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolizable (aerosolisabl, aerosolizable) material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identifier identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the detector is configured to detect the attribute of the identifier and to provide a signal to a control circuit, the control circuit being configured to store performance details of the aerosol-supplying device, the performance details of the aerosol-supplying device corresponding to the attribute of the identifier and use of the aerosol-supplying device, and wherein, at predetermined performance details, the control circuit is configured to provide a signal to a user and update a performance state of the aerosol-supplying device.

Such a system can ensure that the user is notified when the performance details of the aerosol provision device have reached predetermined performance details. In particular, in case the user has been using the device for too long a time (i.e. the performance details of the time of use have reached a predetermined level of time of use such that an indication is made), the user may be notified accordingly. In addition, the system may update the performance state of the aerosol provision device, such as to leave the device inactive for a subsequent period of time, which may have been selected or preprogrammed by the user or manufacturer. In this way, the user experience of the system may be enhanced by setting and adhering to objective criteria that the system should use or agree to.

Accordingly, the user of the system can be protected and the system itself can be protected from overuse. An additional element of protection is the provision of a signal to the user. Some users may wish that the system be able to track their usage and provide an indication of usage accordingly. In a system as presented herein, a signal is provided to a user when predetermined performance details are met or exceeded. In this way, the user may be notified and may act accordingly, such as changing their usage. Furthermore, if an update of the performance state of the aerosol provision device occurs, an indication ensures that the user knows the reason for the update of the performance state of the device. This correspondingly improves the user experience of the system. In this way, the proposed system protects both the system and the user, also improving the user experience of the system.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a control circuit for controlling the performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory; and a detector for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is arranged to store in the memory a property of the aerosol-generating article and provide a signal to the control circuit, wherein the detector is configured to store the property of the aerosol-generating article and the property of the aerosol-supplying device corresponds to a use of the aerosol-supplying device and wherein, at a predetermined property, the control circuit is configured to provide the signal to a user and update a property state of the aerosol-supplying device.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol supply system, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a control circuit and a detector, the control circuit controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store in the memory performance details of the aerosol provision device; and the detector is for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit; providing an aerosol-generating article comprising an nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identifier identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating article; detecting, by a detector, a property of the aerosol-generating article; storing, by the control circuit, performance details of the aerosol provision device, the performance details of the aerosol provision device corresponding to attributes of the identifier and use of the aerosol provision device; and providing a signal to a user via the control circuit and updating the performance state of the aerosol provision device at predetermined performance details.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-supply device comprising a control circuit unit, a detection unit and an aerosol-generating article, the control circuit unit controlling a performance state of the aerosol-supply device, the control circuit unit comprising a memory unit, the control circuit unit being arranged to store performance details of the aerosol-supply device in the memory unit; and the detection unit is for detecting an attribute of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit unit, and the aerosol-generating article comprises an nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identification means (IDENTIFYING MEANS) identifying the attribute of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the attribute of the identification means and provide the signal to the control circuit unit, the control circuit unit is configured to store a performance detail of the aerosol-supplying device, the performance detail of the aerosol-supplying device corresponding to the attribute of the identification means and the use of the aerosol-supplying device, and wherein, at a predetermined performance detail, the control circuit unit is configured to provide the signal to a user and update the performance state of the aerosol-supplying device.

Drawings

The teachings of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol supply system according to an example;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol provision system according to an example;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol provision system according to an example; and

Fig. 4 is a flow chart according to an example.

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

Detailed Description

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

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "e-cigarette" may be used at times, but it should be understood that the term may be used interchangeably with aerosol supply system/device and electronic aerosol supply system/device. Furthermore, and as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor", and related terms such as "evaporation (vaporise)", "volatilization (volatilise)" and "atomization (aerosolise)" are generally used interchangeably.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an aerosol provision system 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol provision system 100 has an aerosol provision device 110. The aerosol provision device 110 has a control circuit 112 that controls the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110. The control circuit 112 includes a memory 114. The control circuit 112 is arranged to store the performance details of the aerosol provision device in the memory 114. The aerosol-supplying device 110 has a detector 116, which detector 116 is adapted to detect a property of the aerosol-generating article 120 and to provide a signal to the control circuit 112. The aerosol-supply system 100 has an aerosol-generating article 120 comprising an nebulizable material. The aerosol-generating article 120 comprises a data storage unit 122. The data storage unit is configured to store an identifier 124 identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating article 120. The detector 116 is configured to detect the attribute of the identifier 124 and provide a signal to the control circuit 112. The control circuit 112 is configured to store performance details of the aerosol provision device 110, which correspond to the properties of the identifier 124 and the use of the aerosol provision device 110. At predetermined performance details, the control circuit 112 is configured to provide a signal to the user and update the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110.

The "performance state" of the aerosol provision device 110 may be generally regarded as one or more operational or non-operational states. The signal provided by the detector 116 may be received by the control circuit 112 and ultimately cause the aerosol provision device to update from one performance state to another.

In the "operating state", elements of the aerosol supply device 110 for generating an aerosol (such as a nebulizer, a heater, etc.) may be activated. The specific activation of the aerosol provision device 110 may require additional inputs, which may be a user's suction on the aerosol provision device 110, a user pressing a button on the aerosol provision device 110, etc., alternatively the aerosol provision device 110 may automatically generate an aerosol by a heater after receiving a signal from the control circuit 112 (regarding the performance details of the aerosol provision device 110).

In the "non-operational state", elements of the aerosol supply device 110 for generating an aerosol (such as a nebulizer, a heater, etc.) may not be activated. In this example, the suction or pressing of a button on the aerosol provision device 110 does not have any effect on the heater or atomizer, etc.

The term "operating state" may refer to a plurality of states in which the aerosol provision device 110 is operable, with a change between these states, such as a heating profile. Similarly, the term "non-operational state" may refer to a plurality of states in which the aerosol provision device 110 is inoperable, with a change between these states (such as a requirement to return the device to an operational state).

The "performance details" of the aerosol provision device 110 correspond to both the properties of the identifier 124 and the use of the aerosol provision device 110. In particular, the performance details may relate to operational details of the aerosol provision device 110, such as an operational time of the aerosol provision device 110 or an operational condition of the aerosol provision device 110, etc. Performance details may also relate to details of the user's use. The operating conditions may refer to the heating profile used by the aerosol provision device 110, the highest temperature used in the provision of the aerosol, the lowest temperature, the form of heating (which may be direct (e.g. via conduction) or indirect (e.g. via inductance)), the type of heater (which may be of the material used) or the shape of the heater, or the electrical properties of the relevant components (the voltage used, the current used, etc.). Details of the use of the user may relate to the number of puffs on the aerosol provision device 110, the depth or volume of those puffs, the regularity of use (regularity) of the aerosol provision device 110, etc.

The "properties" of the aerosol-generating article 120 relate to the composition of the aerosol-generating article 120. The property may be a chemical composition of the nebulizable material of the aerosol-generating article 120, a strength of the nebulizable material of the aerosol-generating article 120, a size of the aerosol-generating article 120, which relates to an amount of nebulizable material in the aerosol-generating article 120, and a grade of the aerosol-generating article 120. The grade of the aerosol-generating article 120 may relate to whether the aerosol-generating article 120 is from a batch having a particularly high concentration of one compound, having multiple nebulizable materials in the aerosol-generating article 120, or any other relevant factors. These properties enable the aerosol-supplying device 110 to identify the aerosol-generating article 120 and to determine the properties of the aerosol provided by the aerosol-supplying system 100 in an accurate manner. In an example, the detector 116 detects the identifier 124 and the system 100 records the attribute associated with the identifier 124. The system 100 may then act accordingly in accordance with this attribute, as described herein.

Where the performance details of the aerosol-supplying device 110 and the properties of the aerosol-generating article 120 are known, the system 100 is able to accurately characterize the use of the system 100 and the impact of that use. In particular, if the performance details of the aerosol apparatus 110 are such that: the user makes 8 puffs using the aerosol-supplying device 110 over a period of 1 minute via the heating device and the standard heating profile, and the properties of the aerosol-generating article 120 together with the performance details of the standard heating profile instruct the aerosol-generating article 120 to provide 0.1mg of nicotine per puff, notably that the user has been provided with 0.8mg of nicotine over a period of 1 minute. The system 100 may have predetermined performance details for the performance details of "nicotine delivered over a set period of time". If this performance detail is met or exceeded, the control circuit 112 may provide a signal to the user and alter or otherwise update the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110.

In instances where performance details for nicotine delivered within a set period of time are exceeded, the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110 may be updated from an operational state to a non-operational state. By updating the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110 to a non-operational state, the user may be prevented from overusing the system 100. In this way, predetermined levels may assist user compliance through the present system 100. Further, by changing the system 100 to a non-operational state, a greater level of predetermined control over the use of the system 100 may be provided. Specifically, if the predetermined level is programmed or agreed to by the user, the user will have a larger purchase to accept the adherence limit. In this way, the user experience of the system 100 is improved.

In another example exceeding the performance details for nicotine delivered within a set period of time, the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110 may be updated from the first operational state to the second operational state. The second operating state may have modified performance details such as heating the heater to a lower maximum temperature in order to release less of the specific compound or to provide less total aerosol per puff. In this way, use of the system 100 may be managed according to a predetermined performance level. Furthermore, by updating the performance state of the system 100 to an operational state, the user is able to continue to use the system 100 while remaining below a threshold value for particular performance details. In this example, continued use may raise the performance details above a second predetermined performance detail at which the control circuit 112 may provide a second signal and update the performance state of the aerosol provision device 110 to a non-operational state, or a third operational state, which may have further modified performance details.

The identifier 124 may be a coded identifier, such as a QR code or bar code, or the like, that may be read by the detector 116. The detector 116 corresponds to the identifier 124 and/or a data storage unit, whereby the detector 116 can obtain data about the identifier 124. For example, if the identifier 124 is a QR code, the detector 116 is a QR code reader. The identifier 124 may be an RFID and the detector 116 may be an RFID reader. Other identifier/detector pairs are possible. In an example, the detector 116 can detect the attribute of the identifier 124.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the aerosol-generating article 120 is shown as being located inside an aerosol-supply device 110 forming the aerosol-supply system 100. In this example, the aerosol-generating article 120 may be inserted into a housing of the aerosol-supplying device 110. In this way, the detector 116 may detect the properties of the aerosol-generating article 120 through the identifier 124 when located inside the aerosol-supply device 110. The aerosol-generating article 120 may be a consumable or cartridge containing an nebulizable material, which is inserted into the aerosol-supply device 110 and then discarded after use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 200 similar to system 100 in FIG. 1 is shown. Similar features (similar to those used in fig. 1) are shown with reference numerals increased by 100. For example, system 100 in FIG. 1 is similar to system 200 in FIG. 2. Similar or identical features may not be discussed for brevity.

The system 200 in fig. 2 has an indication element 218, which indication element 218 is used to indicate a signal from the control circuit 212 of the aerosol provision device 210 to a user. The indicator element 218 is connected to the control circuit 212 of the aerosol provision device 210.

The indicator element 218 may be a display for displaying visual signals to a user. The indicator element 218 may be a tactile mechanism for providing a tactile signal to a user. The indicator element 218 may be an array of lights for providing a visual signal to a user. In this way, the user may be notified that predetermined performance details have been met or exceeded. The user may be alerted by a message (which may be text or a picture, etc.) on the display that predetermined performance details have been met or exceeded. The haptic device may provide a series of signals (e.g., vibrations, etc.) to the user to indicate that predetermined performance details have been met or exceeded. The light array may provide a color associated with a level of performance detail, such as red indicating that the performance detail has exceeded (or met) a predetermined level, and green indicating that the performance detail is below the predetermined level.

In an example of the present system 200, the system 200 may provide an indication to the user prior to updating the performance state to the non-operational state. In this case, for example, the system 200 may function normally until a predetermined performance detail is exceeded, a predetermined performance detail is met, or depending on a particular performance detail, it falls below. At this point, the control circuitry 212 may provide an indication to the user via the indication element 218. In an example, the haptic mechanism provides a series of short vibrations and the system 200 is updated to a non-operational state. In this way, the user is prevented from excessively using the system 200, and the user is notified that the system 200 is in a non-operating state. This improves the user understanding of the system 200 and thus the user experience of the system 200.

An indication may be provided to the user when the specific performance details approach the predetermined performance details. For example, if the system 200 is used up to 9 times a day, the system 200 may provide a first indication (e.g., one short vibration) when used 3 times, a second indication (e.g., two short vibrations) when used 6 times, and then a final indication (e.g., three short vibrations) when used 9 times, and update the performance state to a non-operational state. In this way, the user is provided with an update of the use of the system 200 and understands why the device 210 was placed in the non-operational state.

In the above example, the control circuit 212 may be configured to provide a signal to the user via the indication element 218 and update the performance state of the aerosol provision device 210 to a different operating state after 3 uses and to a different operating state after 6 uses. Each operating state may be predetermined to provide a desired different effect, such as reducing the production of compounds or using the total aerosol of the system 200 during the course of a day.

The updated performance state may take into account identity (identity) of the aerosol-generating article 220. In an example, while the aerosol-supplying device 210 may be used 9 times a day, the corresponding aerosol-generating article 220 may be used for only one smoking period of 10 puffs. Therefore, after ten puffs using the aerosol-generating article 220, the control circuit 212 may update the aerosol-supply device 210 to the non-operational state and send an indication to the user that the aerosol-generating article 220 needs to be replaced. This may take the form of different signals to the user. In the above examples, a short vibration may be used to indicate use of the aerosol-supply device 210, while a long or continuous vibration may be used to indicate that the aerosol-generating article 220 is exhausted and should be replaced. Alternatively, different colors from a series of lights from a light array or LED or the like may be used to indicate different causes of the performance state change. Still alternatively, a message or picture may be displayed on the display.

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

The aerosol provision device 310 in fig. 3 has a heater 319. The heater 319 may be a heating element, atomizer, heater, vibrating disk, similar element suitable for forming an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article 320. The heater 319 is connected to the control circuit 312. After updating the performance state of the aerosol provision device 310, the control circuit 312 may send a signal to the heater 319 to cause it to operate, thereby generating an aerosol, or to cause it to not operate, thereby not generating an aerosol. In this way, the control circuit 312 may be configured to update the performance state of the aerosol provision device 310, for example, to a non-operational state after detecting that predetermined performance details have been met.

The predetermined level of performance detail may be set by the manufacturer and recorded in the memory 314 of the control circuit 312. The manufacturer can set these based on best use practices as understood at the factory. The predetermined level of performance detail may alternatively or additionally be set by a user and may be user edited. In this case, the user has more flexibility of use and more purchases, so the restrictions set by the user can be better adhered to by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined level of performance detail may be maintained remotely in the data storage device and accessed through a communication element in the control circuit 312 of the aerosol provision device 310. In this way, the predetermined level of performance detail may be updated without downloading such an update for storage on the aerosol provision device 310, but rather the aerosol provision device 310 may update the predetermined level remotely. In this way, if the level is deemed to be incorrectly set, the change is easily deployed to all in-use aerosol supplies 310.

The determination of the level of predetermined performance details depends on the properties of the aerosol-generating article 320 used and the relevant performance details of the aerosol-supplying device 310 used. For example, for the same aerosol-supplying device 310 with the same heating conditions, the high nicotine content aerosol-generating article 320 should have a different level setting, such as the number of inhalations, than a low nicotine content aerosol. Similarly, an aerosol provision device 310 using a higher temperature, longer heating protocol should have a different level setting for the number of inhalations than an aerosol provision device 310 using a lower temperature, shorter heating protocol. However, some performance details may remain the same, such as the amount of nicotine provided for a set period of time. It is therefore important that the determination of the level of predetermined performance details is accurate. This determination may be made by using details of the aerosol-generating article 320 and a model or desired heating profile of the aerosol-supplying device 310. Such quality may be checked against a database that may inform the control circuit 312 of the level of performance detail of interest. As described above, the database may be stored on-board the aerosol supply device 310, such as in the memory 314, or stored remotely and accessed through the communication elements of the aerosol supply device 310 as desired.

Storing the database on the aerosol provision device 310 may be advantageous because the system 300 does not require communication elements in the system 300 and does not require connection to a communication network to access a remotely maintained database prior to each use period.

Remotely storing a database and connecting to the database via a communication element may be advantageous because the system 300 need not contain the database in the memory 314 and the database may be updated remotely, thereby ensuring that the aerosol-supplying device 310 need not be updated periodically to the onboard database so that the most recently modified aerosol-generating article 320 (modified in terms of composition, etc.) is accurately assessed in terms of its contribution to a predetermined level of performance detail.

Although the performance status, operation or non-operation may be determined by the control circuit 312 (dictate), the user may initiate activation of the heater 319 from additional inputs, such as by a button or by suction on the aerosol provision device 310. In this arrangement, the control circuit 312 may determine that the performance details do not meet the predetermined performance details and allow the user to operate the heater 319 by a button or suction or the like. In this way, the user experience is uninterrupted when the performance details do not meet the predetermined performance details.

Conversely, when the performance details have met the predetermined performance details, the control circuit 312 may prevent the heater 319 from operating, although the user attempts to activate the heater 319 via a button or suction. In this way, protection for the user and the system 300 is provided by the proposed arrangement.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method 400 of use of an aerosol provision system. In method 400. The device may be started 402 in a default operating state. In this state, the user can activate the heater. When a user inserts the aerosol-generating article into the aerosol-supplying device, the detector detects a property 404 of the aerosol-generating article. The detector may send a signal to the control circuit in dependence of the detected property of the aerosol-generating article. As described above, the device may be used by a user to provide the aerosol 406. As described above, performance details 408 of the use of the control circuit memory device.

When no performance details reach their respective predetermined performance details (as calculated from the properties of the aerosol-generating article and the use of the device), the method continues to step 410. The performance state of the device is then updated to operational state 412. This operating state may be the same as the default operating state of step 402 or may be a modified operating state as described above (e.g., with reduced heating temperature, aerosol generation, etc.). The method then returns to the control circuit to store the performance details 408.

If the performance details reach predetermined performance details (as calculated from the properties of the aerosol-generating article and the use of the user), the method continues to step 420. The indication 422 is provided to the user, which as described above may be in the form of a visual or tactile signal, which may also or alternatively be an audible signal. From this signal, the user is aware that the predetermined performance details have been reached. The performance state of the device is updated to the non-operational state 424. In this case, the user cannot operate the apparatus. This state can be resolved by waiting until the predetermined level of performance detail has returned to an acceptable level. Alternatively, as mentioned above, this may involve the provision of a further aerosol-generating article.

In some cases, the non-operational state may be a locked state. The locked state may be used when repeated attempts to use the device occur in the non-operational state. In this way, the device can be protected from attempted illegal intrusion or misuse, etc. Similarly, in the event that an unauthorized user attempts to use the device without permission or makes a large number of requests during periods of non-operation, the user may be provided with an indication that such attempts have been made. The locked state may be changed back to the default, non-operational or operational state by entry of a password, unlock code, key, alphanumeric sequence, etc., as may be known only to the intended user. This increases the overall protection provided to the device by the present system.

As mentioned above, the term "operational state" refers to a state in which the system may be used to provide aerosols. The system may have a large number of "operating states" or just one. When the performance details approach predetermined performance details (e.g., as the total nicotine delivered to the user increases, a heating profile designed to produce less nicotine may be used to extend the period of time the user uses the device), a particular heating profile (fast, slow, high temperature, low temperature, etc.) or a particular heating mechanism (heater element, atomizer, vibrating disk, etc.) may be used or interchanged, etc. Furthermore, particularly effective or efficient heating profiles or mechanisms may be used as desired on the identified aerosol-generating article or programmed into the control circuit. Thus, a particular operating state may be indicative of the overall performance of the system, and thus the level of performance detail. In this way, once the performance details reach a level that approaches a predetermined level (but not a predetermined level suggesting non-operation of the device), the performance state may be updated to a different more appropriate operating state at step 412. This arrangement provides a higher level of editable control over the performance and output of the system than current systems.

Updates to the performance states described herein may be enforced or suggested. The devices may have built-in overlays that the user can activate in order to provide the device usage they wish. As described above, the overlay may require a password or the like.

Since the proposed system considers both the aerosol-generating article and the specific aerosol-supplying device, a database comparing performance details with properties of the aerosol-generating article is notable in that it may allow the device 1 to be operated on the aerosol-generating article 1 using the performance details 1 for 10 minutes over a2 hour period (taking the specific performance details as the operation time over a given period of time), while the device 2 may be operated on the aerosol-generating article 2 using the performance details 2 for 5 minutes over a2 hour period. In this way, the system provides custom protection and output across a wide range of variables for a wide range of users.

In a specific example, the device of the present disclosure can be operated with a replaceable condiment container in the device. The flavoring agent may be any of tobacco and ethylene glycol, and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, lygodium japonicum, japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, fennel, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, du Linbiao (Drambuie), bole, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, bitter wood, nutmeg, mao Mao, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, rapeseed, broccoli, jasmone, ylang (ylang-ylang), sage, fennel, multi-spice fruit, ginger, fennel, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any of the genus mentha), flavoring enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugar and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sorbitol, sucrose, other minerals, fruit, or other agents, fresh or other agents, and preparations of plant or such as, and/or fresh. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

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

Thus, an aerosol provision system has been described comprising an aerosol provision device and an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol provision device comprising: a control circuit for controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store in the memory performance details of the aerosol provision device; and a detector for monitoring an attribute of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit, the aerosol-generating article comprising nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identifier identifying the attribute of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the detector is configured to detect the attribute of the identifier and provide the signal to the control circuit, the control circuit is configured to store performance details of the aerosol-supplying device, the performance details (performance detail, performance details) of the aerosol-supplying device corresponding to the attribute of the identifier and use of the aerosol-supplying device, and wherein, at predetermined performance details, the control circuit is configured to provide the signal to a user and update the performance state of the aerosol-supplying device.

The aerosol supply system may be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-combustible aerosol supply systems.

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

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also referred to as an electronic smoking device.

In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette includes a heater; a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater; an nebulizable matrix (such as a liquid or gel); a housing and optionally a mouthpiece.

In one embodiment, the nebulizable substrate is contained within or on a substrate container. In one embodiment, the substrate container is combined with or includes a heater.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heated product that releases one or more compounds by heating (rather than burning) the matrix material. The matrix material is an nebulizable material, which may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

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

In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater; a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater; an nebulizable matrix (such as a solid or gel material).

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

In one embodiment, the heated product comprises an nebulizable matrix, such as a solid or gel material; and the ability to supply thermal energy to the nebulizable substrate without any heat source of the electronic means, such as by burning a burning material such as charcoal.

In one embodiment, the heated product further comprises a filter capable of filtering aerosol generated by the substrate atomized by the heating energy.

In some embodiments, the nebulizable matrix material may comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating or wetting agent, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system that generates aerosols by heating (rather than burning) a combination of matrix materials. The matrix material may comprise, for example, a solid, liquid or gel, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a liquid or gel matrix and a solid matrix. The solid substrate may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco product, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a liquid or gel matrix and tobacco.

To solve various problems and advance the art, the entire disclosure shows various embodiments by way of example, wherein the claimed invention may be practiced and provide a better electronic aerosol supply system. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure are not to be taken as limitations on the disclosure defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, components, steps, means, etc., consisting of, or consisting essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, components, steps, means, etc. In addition, the present disclosure encompasses other inventions not presently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol provision device comprising:

A control circuit for controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store performance details of the aerosol provision device in the memory; and

A detector for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit, an

The aerosol-generating article comprising an nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identifier identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating article, and

Wherein the detector is configured to detect the property of the identifier and provide a signal to the control circuit, the control circuit being configured to store performance details of the aerosol provision device corresponding to the property of the identifier and use of the aerosol provision device, and

Wherein the control circuit is configured to provide a signal to a user at predetermined performance details and update a performance state of the aerosol provision device.

2. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises at least one of:

a display for displaying a visual signal to the user;

A haptic mechanism for providing a haptic signal to the user; and

And the lamplight array is used for providing visual signals for the user.

3. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the property of the aerosol-generating article is at least one of:

A chemical composition of an nebulizable material of the aerosol-generating article;

The strength of the aerosol-generating article;

The size of the aerosol-generating article; and

Grade of the aerosol-generating article.

4. An aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the performance details are at least one of:

an operating time of the aerosol provision device;

operating conditions of the aerosol provision device; and

Details of the user's use.

5. An aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control circuit is configured to update the performance state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operational state upon detecting that the performance details of the aerosol provision device have reached predetermined non-operational performance details.

6. The aerosol provision system of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to update the performance state of the aerosol provision device to a locked state upon detecting that the performance detail has reached a predetermined locked performance detail.

7. An aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to update the performance state of the aerosol provision device to an operational state upon detecting that the performance details of the aerosol provision device have reached predetermined operational performance details.

8. An aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control circuit is arranged to access a database of properties of the aerosol-generating article and related performance details of the aerosol provision device.

9. An aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the memory stores a database of properties of the aerosol-generating article and related performance details of the aerosol provision device.

10. An aerosol provision device comprising:

A control circuit for controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory; and

A detector for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit,

Wherein the control circuit is arranged to store in the memory a performance detail of the aerosol provision device,

Wherein the detector is configured to detect the property of the aerosol-generating article and to provide a signal to the control circuit, the control circuit being configured to store performance details of the aerosol-supplying device corresponding to the property of the aerosol-generating article and use of the aerosol-supplying device, and

11. The aerosol provision device of claim 10, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises at least one of:

a display for displaying a visual signal to the user;

A haptic mechanism for providing a haptic signal to the user; and

And the lamplight array is used for providing visual signals for the user.

12. The aerosol provision system of claim 10 or 11, wherein the performance details are at least one of:

an operating time of the aerosol provision device;

operating conditions of the aerosol provision device; and

Details of the user's use.

13. A method of providing an aerosol from an aerosol supply system, the method comprising:

Providing an aerosol provision device comprising a control circuit controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit comprising a memory, the control circuit being arranged to store performance details of the aerosol provision device in the memory, and a detector for detecting a property of an aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit;

Providing an aerosol-generating article comprising an nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store an identifier identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating article;

Detecting, by the detector, the property of the aerosol-generating article;

storing, by the control circuit, performance details of the aerosol provision device corresponding to the attribute of the identifier and use of the aerosol provision device; and

At predetermined performance details, a signal is provided to a user by the control circuit and the performance state of the aerosol provision device is updated.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

a database of properties of the aerosol-generating article and related performance details of the aerosol-supplying device is accessed by the control circuit.

15. An aerosol provision apparatus comprising:

the aerosol provision device includes:

A control circuit unit for controlling a performance state of the aerosol provision device, the control circuit unit comprising a memory unit, the control circuit unit being arranged to store performance details of the aerosol provision device in the memory unit; and

A detection unit for detecting a property of the aerosol-generating article and providing a signal to the control circuit unit, an

An aerosol-generating article comprising an nebulizable material, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a data storage unit configured to store identification means for identifying properties of the aerosol-generating article, and

Wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the property of the identification means and to provide a signal to the control circuit unit, the control circuit unit being configured to store performance details of the aerosol provision device corresponding to the property of the identification means and the use of the aerosol provision device, and

Wherein the control circuit unit is configured to provide a signal to a user and update a performance state of the aerosol provision device at predetermined performance details.