WO2024180060A1

WO2024180060A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024180060A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/054950
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Rushforth; Connor BRUTON; Charanjit Nandra
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-27
Filing date: 2024-02-27
Publication date: 2024-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-27
Also published as: CN121079002A; GB202302822D0; TW202512955A

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol-generating system, a method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, and aerosol provision means.

Background

Aerosol-generating systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated by a user to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then provided for inhalation by the user. The device may be activated by a user at the push of a button or merely by the act of inhalation. Modem systems can use consumable elements containing the aerosol generating material. It can be desirable for the manufacturer to provide user control over the activation of the systems. This may avoid the activation of the system in undesirable circumstances.

Modern electronic aerosol-generating systems and aerosol provision devices and the like have been introduced as alternatives to other older systems, such as systems relying on combustion of material to provide an aerosol.

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

Summary

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

Such a system is able to detect a movement of an authorised user along a length of the aerosol provision device and provide an activation state and/or display condition suitable to the movement. This may allow the device to determine whether the handler of the device, in real time, is an authorised user of the device. While user movement is referred to above, this may be relative movement between the user and the length of the aerosol provision device. The present device can detect relative movement between the user and the device (on a reasonable scale) and can update the activation state and/or display condition accordingly.

An authorised user may be an owner of the device. An authorised user may be a user of a suitable age for use of the device. An authorised user may be a user with an active account relating to the device or the manufacturer of the device. A non-authorised user may therefore be a user that is not the owner, not of a suitable age or not registered with the device or the like.

In particular, by detecting such movements and comparing the movements to those of an authorised user (or users), the device may allow operation (or conversely deny operation) accordingly. Denial of operation occurs in the detection of movement associated with a nonauthorised user. This provides an increased in-use safety aspect for the aerosol provision device while avoiding unnecessary interference for authorised users. The device disclosed herein provides an excellent balance between level of security over device usage and ease of use of device. The user experience and safety of the aerosol provision device is therefore improved.

In particular, in the event that user 1 wishes to use the aerosol provision device, user 1 begins an attempt to operate the device. User 1 is an authorised user and uses a predetermined movement required to use the device. The movement may be movement of a finger, palm or thumb along a specific portion of the device from the proximal end towards the distal end. This movement is a predetermined movement known by the device as valid for activation. User 1 is therefore assessed by the control circuitry (based on at least one signal from the detector) to be an authorised user and the control circuitry provides a suitable update to the activation state and/or display condition of the device.

The user movement and/or device movement may be pre-programmed in the device or may be taught to the device by the user of the device (or a combination of both). For example, moving two fingers along a portion of the full length of the device may be a pre-set movement for activation. The user may teach the device that movement of one finger along a shorter portion of the length of the device is preferable for that user. This device then recognises this new taught movement as an activation movement from an authorised user. In this way, a user can personalise the movements required to activate the device. This may be particularly advantageous for a user with reduced mobility as such as user may prefer a different movement for activation to that set up by the manufacturer as default.

In an example, the movement of a finger along some portion of the length of the device away from the user (towards the distal end) may be reminiscent of the movement of striking a match. This may increase the familiarity with the aerosol provision device for users more familiar with combustible products. This may in turn increase the likelihood that users from combustible products will continue to use aerosol provision devices and systems, should they prefer it.

The present device and system, therefore, may prevent usage from non-authorised users (as non-authorised users are unaware of, or unable to recreate, the movement required for activation) while also reducing a delay time in the provision of aerosol for authorised users. The present system and device also have high inbuilt levels of user familiarity for users of other products, and this may increase the likelihood of a successful switching to the present device/system from older products.

In this way, user experience for authorised users is improved while unauthorised users may be prevented from use of the device or system.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosolgenerating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the method comprising: detecting, by a detector, a predetermined movement of a user of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the detector, a signal to control circuitry of the aerosol provision device; wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

The method described herein may be for updating an activation state for providing an aerosol to a user. This may occur in the event that the user is identified as an authorised user. The method described herein may be for preventing provision of an aerosol to a user. This may occur in the event that the user is identified as a non-authorised user. The method described herein may be for updating an activation state which may then lead to the provision of an aerosol, such as preparing the device for operation by the user. This may occur in the event the user is identified as an authorised user. The method described herein may be for updating an activation state which may then prevent provision of an aerosol, such as preventing the device from operation by the user. This may occur in the event the user is identified as a nonauthorised user. The method described herein may be for updating a display condition of the device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control means for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control means, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision means; wherein the control means is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means in response to receiving signals from the detecting means.

Description of Drawings

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

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

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

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

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

Detailed Description

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

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision device 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol provision device housing 110. The aerosol provision device 100 has control circuitry 120. The control circuitry 120 is arranged to control an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a detector 130 arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry 120. The predetermined movement is user movement along a length, L, of the aerosol provision device. The control circuitry 120 is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100 in response to receiving signals from the detector 130.

In an example, the user wishes to use their device 100. In this instance, the owner of an aerosol provision device 100 is deemed an authorised user. Checks relating to age appropriateness (which may be akin to authorised status, or ownership may be akin to authorised status) may occur at the point of sale or the like. Prior to use, a user of the device 100 may be shown, read, or otherwise be informed of the movements required to activate the device 100. On detection of a movement by the user (along a portion of the length L of the device 100), by the detector 130, the detector 130 sends a message (a signal) to the control circuitry 120. The control circuitry 120 determines whether the signal is associated with an authorised user or a non-authorised user. In the event that the signal is associated with authorised user, the control circuitry 120 updates an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device 100.

The movement, detected by the detector 130, may be device movement or user movement. This may be, in an example, moving a part of the user along a portion of the length L of the device 100 or conversely (but equivalently) moving the device along a part of a user along a portion of the length L of the device 100. There may be a combination of movements in the predetermined movement, for example a first finger moving along one portion and a second finger moving along a second portion. Each of these movements may be a pre-programmed movement that the control circuitry 120 is able to recognise against a database of known movements. Similarly, the movements may be predetermined user movements, such as swiping a finger, moving the hand over a section of the length L of the device 100, covering a portion of the length L of the device 100 with a palm or the like. Each of these user movements may be a preprogramed movement that the control circuitry 120 is able to recognise against a database of known movements.

When the detector 130 detects movement, a signal is sent to the control circuitry 120 and the movement detected is compared against known authorised movements. When the movement corresponds to a movement in the database of known movements, the device 100 may be updated to an operating state from a non-operating state.

In another example, the movement associated with an authorised user may be a learned movement. For example, the user may be able to teach the device 100 specific movements to cause certain updates to the activation state and/or display condition of the device 100. The user may be able to put the device 100 in a learning mode, wherein a movement is performed by the user, detected by the detector 120 and associated with an activation state and/or display condition by the control circuitry 120. These movements may be bespoke to the user and therefore increase the ease for the user to perform and increase the difficulty for an unauthorised user to mimic.

Such a movement may be distinctive and may be learned by the control circuitry 120 as belonging to an activation request of the (or an) authorised user. The detector 130 detects the movement and provides a signal to the control circuitry 120. The control circuitry 120 may compare the detected movement against a database of learned movements associated with the authorised user(s). If the movement is within the database, the activation state or display condition may be updated as per the request. In an example, it may be that the movement is a new activation movement, such that the device can be operated after such a movement is detected. Once the movement is learned, it may be deemed a predetermined movement. Such a movement may be “taught” to the device 100 during a first use session where the user is requested to demonstrate a typical use motion to be associated with the user. The user may initiate further demonstrations of the movement (or any other user taught movements, differing from preprogramed movements from the manufacturer) over time so that, if use patterns and movements differ, the system remains able to recognise the authorised user. In this way, the device 100 use by unauthorised users of the device 100 is significantly hindered, while use by authorised users may be safely provided without significantly hindering use by that user.

As used herein, authorised user may be akin to recognised user or registered user. The authorisation step may occur on registering the device to the user via an account or other set up system. The authorisation step may occur on sale by a manufacturer representative or the like.

The present invention involves updating an activation state of an aerosol provision device 100. In an “operating state”, elements of the aerosol provision device 100 used to generate an aerosol (such as an atomiser, heater, power source or the like) may be activated. The specific activation of the device 100 may require an additional input that may be inhalation on the device 100, pressing a button on the device 100 or the like. Alternatively, the device 100 may automatically generate aerosol by a heater in response to receiving a signal associated with an authorised user. The control circuitry 120 may receive such a signal from the detector 130 and send a signal to a heater arrangement or the like to provide an aerosol from an aerosol generating material that may be contained within, or separate to, the aerosol provision device 100. In a “non operating state”, such elements may not be used to generate an aerosol.

Updating the activation state may be to an operating or a non-operating state. Updating the display condition may relate to providing an indication to a user that the device 100 has been updated to an operating or non operating state. The display condition may be provided by a visual display, an audio indicator, a haptic indicator or the like. The display condition may correspond to the activation state of the device 100. For example, a first display condition may be associated with a first activation state of the device 100, while a second display condition may be associated with a second activation state of the device 100.

In an example, the control circuitry 120 may be arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device 100 to a non-operating state in response to receiving signals from the detector 130 associated with a non-authorised user. In this example, the default state of the device 100 may be an operating state. In an example, the control circuitry 120 is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device 100 to an operating state in response to receiving signals from the detector associated with an authorised user. In this example, the default state of the device 100 may be a non-operating state.

These examples provide contrasting advantages. Starting the device 100 in an operating state and preventing use after the user is characterised as non-authorised increases the authorised user experience of the device 100 as there is a reduced delay time to providing an aerosol in use, therefore the device 100 inhibits the authorised user use in only a very reduced manner. Starting the device 100 in a non-operating state and enabling use after the user is characterised as authorised increases the overall safety of the device 100 and fully prevents non-authorised users from accessing the device 100. The default state may be chosen by the manufacturer but amended by an authorised user.

In an example, the authorised user runs a finger along a portion of the length L of the device 100. This movement is recognised as an authorised user movement (it is predetermined, and/or learned and associated with the authorised user). The control circuitry 120 updates an activation state to an operating state. In an example, on update of the activation state to an operating state, the device 100 begins to heat the heater of the device 100 and aerosol generating material used, in use, with the device 100. The process of providing an aerosol is therefore begun prior to the first inhalation by a user, reducing wait time and increasing user experience. The process of providing an aerosol begins when the user completes the movement of moving their finger along a portion of the length L of the device 100. In this instance, a further action is not required of the user prior to beginning use, such as pressing a button. Such a secondary step may increase the difficulty of initiation use of the device 100 for users with reduced mobility. As such, the present example provides improved user experience in such circumstances.

The device 100 may also (or alternatively) update a display condition of the aerosol provision device 100. The display condition may correspond to the activation state of the aerosol provision device 100. In an example, the display condition may be audio and/or visual indications associated with use of an aerosol provision device 100 such as visual indications of embers or smoke puffs. The audio indications may be the crackle or fire or the popping of heated aerosol generating material or the like.

The authorised user is therefore able to provide movements to control use of the device 100 in a safe and user-friendly manner. The movements may be personalised to the user such that others are less easily able to use the device 100. The movements may be reasonably intricate and provided to the user on purchase, as part of a manufacturer how to use booklet or the like, or on start up such that unauthorised users are unlikely to replicate them when attempting to use the device 100 (e.g. moving a finger along a specific portion of the housing 110 of the device 100).

In an example, the control circuitry 120 is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device 100 to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector 130 associated with an authorised user. In an example, the control circuitry 120 is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device 100 to a non-operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector 130 associated with an authorised user. These two signals are associated with different movements.

In an example, the user after use may provide a movement for ending the use session. The user may move a finger in two short swipes (or any recognisable movement) along a portion of the length L of the device 100. The detector 130 detects the movement and provides a signal to the control circuitry 120. The control circuitry checks the movement against a list of known movements, one of which relates to updating the activation state to a non operating state, such as an off state. Others may include locked states or the like, where the device can be used once the device is “unlocked” which may occur via a number of different methods, including use of an unlock movement.

In another example, the user may provide a movement for the control circuitry 120 to learn and to update the activation state in response to. In an example, the user may choose a “match striking” motion wherein the user quickly flicks a finger (or perhaps a pinched finger and thumb) along a portion of the length L of the device 100. This may increase familiarity for users more used to combustible aerosol provision systems such as cigarettes or cigars or the like. It is broadly accepted that electronic aerosol provision devices can be used as alternatives to combustible aerosol provision systems and therefore increasing familiarity may improve the likelihood of user’s choosing these alternatives and continuing usage in the long term.

Movements of either user or device (or both) may control the status of the device. This may also relate to a boost operating state of the device. In a boost operating state, the device may provide a different aerosol to the operating state. In an example, this may be increased aerosol. This may be increased aerosol over a shorter period of time. This may also or alternatively be a series of puffs that are limited by number. The boost mode may be activated by a recognisable movement such as a double tap by a finger, or a double shake. Any motion may be suitable provided the movement is different to the motion/movement required to engage the other operating or non operating states.

The movements described above may be taps, slides, flicks or the like. The movement may be one movement or several. The movement may be a series of movements or the like. There is no limitation intended on the type of movement. The movements should be suitably different that the detector and control circuitry do not mistake one movement for another. For example, while the activate movement may be a flick, the deactivate movement may be a tap. Similarly, the boost movement may be a double slide or a slide then tap. The movement is performed along at least a portion of the length L of the device 100. This type of movement may emulate their existing habits or rituals and thereby generate familiarity for users of combustible aerosol provision systems as per the above. This may improve user experience for the use of newer devices.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an example of an aerosol provision device 200. The aerosol provision device 200 has a housing 210, control circuitry 220 and a detector 230. The housing 210 has a proximal end 211 and a distal end 212. Various possible movements are shown by arrows A, B and C. For example, an extended strike movement is shown by arrow A across a portion Z of the length L of the housing 211 of the device 200. A double shorter swipe is shown by arrows B. Such an action could be provided by two fingers on the housing 211. A series of short swipes or taps are shown by arrows C. Each of these, or combinations thereof, may be used to update the device 200 into new display conditions and/or activation states. In an example, the control circuitry 220 is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device 200 to an operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector 230 associated with an authorised user. The display may be fiery embers or the like or smoke puffs. In an example, the control circuitry 220 is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device 200 to a non-operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector 230 associated with an authorised user. The movement may be any predetermined or taught/leamed deactivation movement as discussed above. This may also cause the display condition to move to gentle, died down embers or a lack of smoke. In an example, the control circuitry 220 is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device 200 to a boost operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector 230 associated with an authorised user. The colour of the embers on the display may be different when the device 200 is in boost mode when compared to normal operating mode. The embers may be brighter or a different colour. The visual smoke output may be larger on a display as well as from the user.

The detector 230 may be at least one of: a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a housing- located capacitor; a heat sensor; an accelerometer; an altimeter; a light gate; and, a pressure sensor. In this way, preprogramed movements may be recognised and user movements may also be taught to and recognised by the device 200. In this way, improved use may be offered to the user in the form of personalising the movements for updating activation states. Each of these detector aspects allow for various movements of the user and the device to be detected and used to inform whether the user is or is not an authorised user.

In an example, the device has a display screen on which visual indications can be provided to a user during use. The display screen may represent the display condition of the device. The control circuitry may control the display on the display screen. The device may also or additionally have an audio element to provide audio indications to a user. The screen may be OLED or contain LEDs or the like. This may improve user experience as the display provides a confirmation check that the movement of the user has been recognised by the device. Specifically, if the user has similar movements to update the activation state to an operating state and to update the activation state to a boost operating state, the display can show the user which movement has been recognised by the device, whether to engage boost or to engage normal operation. This provides a more user-friendly device and improves the overall safety of the device.

The user may be able to interact with the indications physically. For example, the display may show smoke when the device is being operated. The user may be able to swipe through the smoke using movements detected by the detector.

In an example, the display screen may be a display screen with a full wrap-around display. The device may be broadly cylindrical in shape and the screen may be wrapped somewhat or entirely around a portion of the housing. Such an arrangement improves the indications provided by the screen as the screen is more easily visible for a user. As such, indications are more likely to be seen.

Each of these movements may be different such that e.g. a first predetermined movement updates an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating state, a second predetermined movement updates an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating state and so on for different activation states and different display conditions.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an example of an aerosol provision system 300. The aerosol provision system 300 shown in the example of Figure 3 is similar to the aerosol provision devices 100, 200 shown in the examples of Figures 1 and 2.

The aerosol provision system 300 of Figure 3 has control circuitry 320 arranged within an aerosol provision device 310 of the aerosol provision system 300. The control circuitry 320 is in communication with a detector 330. The detector 330 is arranged to detect a movement associated with an authorised user and provide a signal to the control circuitry. The detector 330 is shown, in the example of Figure 3, as being not integral with the aerosol provision device 310. In the example, therefore, the detector 330 is separate to the aerosol provision device 310 while being part of the aerosol provision system 300. The detector 330 may be wirelessly connected to the aerosol provision device 310. The detector 330 may therefore be provided by a further component, such that if the aerosol provision device 310 is lost the detector 330 may still be retained. Furthermore, use of a detector 330 outside the aerosol provision device 310 renders the aerosol provision device 310 simpler and cheaper to manufacture. As such, the aerosol provision system 300 may be a preferential arrangement for provision of the advantages described herein.

Figure 4 shows a method 400 of use of an aerosol provision device. The method 400 is shown as a flow chart. In the method 400, the device may start in a default state 402, which may be a non-operating state such that a user cannot use the device without being recognised as an authorised user via user movement and/or device movement. Alternatively, the default operating state may be an operating state so that authorised users may initiate activation sooner, thereby reducing the delay of operation for authorised users. The device begins in a default state as chosen by the manufacturer for preferential advantages as noted above.

When a user attempts to use the device, the device detects 404 a user movement and/or device movement associated with the user along a length of the aerosol provision device or system. This may be as described above, movements associated with pre-use user movements, and/or preprogramed movements to be satisfied prior to use. The device detects the movement (or movements) using a detector (which may contain a number of individual sensors/detectors). The detector may detect 404 the movement (or movements) as explained above.

The detector sends a signal accordingly to the control circuitry 406. An assessment is made as to whether the user is authorised or not. This assessment may involve comparing the detected movement (or movements) against a database of known authorised movements. If the movement corresponds to a movement on the database, the user is deemed authorised. If the movement does not correspond to a movement on the database, the user is deemed not authorised.

An activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device (or aerosol provision system) is updated 408, in response to the signal from the detector. This may take the form of updating a visual indicator or an audio indicator. In an example this may be a screen, such as a display screen, or (one or more) LEDs or a speaker arrangement or the like. This can be used to inform the user as to the mode of the aerosol provision device.

This method provides a user-friendly, user-recognition process that does not overly impede use for authorised users. The method offers a balance between overly strict and overly lenient access protection for the device. With distinct, easy to perform movements, the authorised user can be recognised while non authorised users are prevented from using the device.

The updating of the activation state may involve updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a movement of an authorised user along a length of the aerosol provision device. The updating of the activation state may involve updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a movement of a nonauthorised user along a length of the aerosol provision device.

The updating of the display condition may correspond with the activation state or otherwise. In an example, the movement from the user is to be within a first confidence threshold to be recognised by the device. If the movement from the user is within a second, more generous, confidence threshold the device may, in response, indicate to the user to try the movement again via updating the display condition. In this way, if the user has incorrectly, but nearly, provided an activation movement along a length of the aerosol provision device, the user can be informed to repeat the action. The user learns in this instance that the device did not recognise immediately this movement. Such an arrangement increases the overall experience for the user, as the user does not get frustrated repeating what the user believes is a correct activation movement, but the device believes is a close, but crucially not correct, movement.

The user may be able to amend the confidence thresholds for activation. In this way, a user with reduce mobility may increase the threshold so that a broader array of movements may be acknowledged as activation movements. This allows for reduced mobility users to access their device, while still providing an aspect of security against non authorised user attempts to access the device.

The detector as noted above may be a series of detectors. The detector as disclosed herein may include a series of instruments that operate simultaneously or together to provide high resolution movement detection of the movements of a potential user. For example, a series of light gates may be used to detect the speed of a user’s movement so as to determine between a quick swipe and a slow swipe. Alongside this, a pressure sensor may be used to determine a hard swipe from a soft swipe. Together, this enables the device to recognise many movements, such as: a hard quick swipe; a quick swipe; a soft quick swipe; a hard slow swipe; a slow swipe; and a soft slow swipe. Use of plural detectors synergistically enables far greater control to be provided to the user, in the form of a greater number of personalised functions being provided and in the form of more accurate detection of specific movements by the user, thereby increasing the likelihood of the user-intended function being provided to the user in response to the movement provided by the user along the length of the aerosol provision device or system.

The term “in response to” is used herein to indicate a second event (such as a signal or change of state of an aerosol provision device) that occurs subsequent to a first event. The second event may occur at a later time, after a predetermined time, or immediately after the first event.

The full range of operating states of the aerosol provision device (or system) disclosed herein may be very wide ranging assisting the aerosol provision device to provide different aerosols for the user. The operating states may be more than operational, non operational and boost as disclosed herein. Operating modes may be programed by users, if for example a user prefers certain operating characteristics. For example, longer or shorter puff lengths or a larger or lesser puff volume. This improves user experience.

The aerosol provision device may comprise heating arrangements or the like for providing an aerosol from a consumable - the consumable may contain an aerosol generating material or the like. The control circuitry may control the heating arrangement (or the like) according to the signal received from the detector. Once user authorisation status is satisfied, the device may offer the user one of a number of heating processes for use with the aerosol generating material, arranged in use in the aerosol provision device, to improve user experience. Alternatively, one movement may be associated with one heating process while another movement is associated with another heating process. This may be part of the updating of the activation state of the aerosol provision device.

Predetermined movements may be stored on a database that is remote to or on board the device or system as disclosed herein. The control circuitry may communicate with the database. The signal from the detector may be compared, by the control circuitry, to the database. If the signal is associated with an authorised user, the device is updated into an operational state.

An on board database arrangement may be advantageous as the device need not have a communications element in the device able to communicate with a remotely held database, and the device need not be connected to a communications network to access a remotely held database prior to each use session. This may allow use of the device in areas without connectivity. This may also provide a faster response than via communicating with a remote database.

In a different example, the database of predetermined movements is held remotely, and the control circuitry has a communication module to contact the database. The communication module may contact the database with a request for checking a specific detected movement. The communication module, and therefore the control circuity, is then provided with the authorisation of the user based on the movement, which is relayed to the control circuitry. This arrangement may be advantageous as the device need not include a memory element for carrying the database and the database of movements can be remotely updated ensuring the device need not have the on board database regularly updated. In this way up-to-date movement data can be provided to all devices as soon as the movement data is uploaded to the central database. This may happen during manufacture updates to preprogramed (predetermined) movements.

In this way, all users can be provided with the updates without each needing to update their own device. The remote database may be a manufacturer database or the like for linking a movement of a user along a length of the aerosol provision device to an authorisation status for that user. This may be advantageous if the manufacturer finds that specific movements are difficult to replicate reliably by users, or difficult to detect by the detector. The resilience of this system, and user experience, is therefore improved using a remote database.

The device and system herein are described as comprising several components that enable several advantages. The components may be disclosed as on-board the device or within the system. The components may be distributed and therefore not necessarily be located on- board the device. The functionality of the device can be provided by communicatively connected components, and such communication may be wireless, enabling such distribution. At which point it is reasonable to foresee that a distributed array of components will operate in the manner of the devices and systems disclosed herein. Components of the device or system may be contained in a further device such as a smartphone, computer, or remote server or the like.

The method and device disclosed herein enable protection over the use of the device without requiring an arduous authorisation process - the process is only as arduous as is desired by the manufacturer or the user of the device. This improves the user experience of the device and the safety of general use of the device. The default state of the device may also be controlled and amended by the user, to allow a shift between greater security or greater freedom of access. The processes discussed herein may also provide greater confidence and familiarity for new users of such devices, which can be important to ensure new users continue to use the devices.

The devices and systems disclosed herein may be used with consumables comprising aerosol generating material. Such consumables may be solid or liquid and may be cartridges or the like.

In a particular example, the device disclosed herein may operate with a flavour pod which is replaceable in the device - this may be referred to as a consumable. The flavour may be any of tobacco and glycol and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, j asmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

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

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

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

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

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.

In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and optionally a mouthpiece.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with an authorised user.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a first predetermined movement.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a second predetermined movement.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to an operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a third predetermined movement.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a nonoperating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a fourth predetermined movement.

7. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to a boost operating display condition in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a fifth predetermined movement.

8. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detector is at least one of: a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a surface-located capacitor; a heat sensor; an accelerometer; an altimeter; a light gate; and, a pressure sensor.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a display screen, the control circuitry arranged to control a display condition of the display screen.

10. An aerosol-generating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: an aerosol provision device for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control circuitry for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device; and, a detector arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control circuitry, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving signals from the detector.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the detector is not integral with the aerosol provision device.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update an activation state of the aerosol provision device to at least one of: an operating state; a non-operating state; and, a boost operating state, in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a predetermined movement.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to update a display condition of the aerosol provision device to at least one of: an operating display condition; a non-operating display condition; and, a boost operating display condition, in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a predetermined movement.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the detector is at least one of: a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a surface-located capacitor; a heat sensor; an accelerometer; an altimeter; a light gate; and, a pressure sensor.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a display screen, the control circuitry arranged to control a display condition of the display screen.

16. A method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the method comprising: detecting, by a detector, a predetermined movement of a user of an aerosol provision device; providing, by the detector, a signal to control circuitry of the aerosol provision device; wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision device, updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision device in response to receiving a signal from the detector.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device comprises updating an activation state of the aerosol provision device to an operating state in response to receiving a signal from the detector associated with a first predetermined movement.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein updating, by the control circuitry, an activation state of the aerosol provision device comprises updating an activation state of the aerosol provision device to a non-operating state in response to receiving signals from the detector associated with a second predetermined movement.

19. The method of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein updating, by the control circuitry, a display condition of the aerosol provision device comprises updating a display condition on a display screen of the aerosol provision device.

20. Aerosol provision means for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: control means for controlling an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means; and, detecting means arranged to detect a predetermined movement and provide a signal to the control means, wherein the predetermined movement is user movement along a length of the aerosol provision means; wherein the control means is arranged to update an activation state and/or display condition of the aerosol provision means in response to receiving signals from the detecting means.