WO2025061982A1

WO2025061982A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2025061982A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/076491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wang Tianyi; Yin CHANGPENG
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-22
Filing date: 2024-09-20
Publication date: 2025-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-22

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (500) comprises an electrical interface (501) for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device. The controller is configured such that responsive to an external device (504) being connected to the electrical interface, it determines whether a property of the external device, such as a code encoded in a signal received from the external device, is within a predetermined range. Responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, the controller switches the operation of the aerosol provision device from a first mode to a second mode. In the first mode, functionality of the aerosol provision device to generate aerosol may be enabled, which in the second mode is disabled. The external device (504) may be dimensioned similarly to a consumable, but does not need to comprise aerosol generating material.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device, and a method of generating vapour.

BACKGROUND

The operation of delivery systems, such as aerosol provision systems, may be controlled by a controller. A delivery system may comprise an outer housing, a memory, a controller configured to control operation of the delivery system, a control interface for receiving inputs to the delivery system and providing outputs from the delivery system, and a power source configured to supply electrical power for operation of the delivery system. The delivery system may also comprise an aerosol generator, configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material, which may be in the form of a liquid, solid, or gel. The operation of the delivery system may be controlled by the controller comprised in the delivery system, or by a controller of a further device which communication circuitry of the control interface of the delivery system is configured to connect to and communicate data with. For example, the further device may send data comprising instructions to perform a control action to the communication circuitry of the delivery system. The operation of the delivery system may be controlled by a distributed system, comprising the delivery system and one or more further devices, such as an external power source device, and/or a computing device, which together control the operation of the delivery system.

Various approaches are described herein which seek to solve this problem in the context of delivery systems.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect there is provided an aerosol provision device, comprising: an electrical interface for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determine whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

The property may be i) a voltage, ii) a current, iii) frequency, iv) a resistance, v) a capacitance, vi) an impedance, and/or vii) a magnetic property.

To determine whether a property of the signal is within the predetermined range, the controller may be configured to determine whether a code encoded in a signal received from the external device is within a predetermined range.

The predetermined range may be a first predetermined range indicative that the external device is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, and the first predetermined range includes a range of values outside of a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

The first predetermined range may include a range of values below a lower predetermined threshold and above an upper predetermined threshold.

The lower predetermined threshold value may be below a value associated with a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

The upper predetermined threshold value may be above a value associated with a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

The controller may be configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determine whether a property of the external device is within the second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the second predetermined range, either switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode.

In the first mode, functionality of one or more first components of the aerosol provision device may be enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled.

In the first mode, functionality of the aerosol provision device to generate aerosol may be enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled. The aerosol provision device may comprise a memory, wherein in the first mode, functionality of the controller to generate, store in the memory, and/or send usage data relating to a user’s use of the aerosol provision device is enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled.

The usage data may comprise i) inhalation data relating to the occurrence of one or more inhalations, and/or ii) session data relating to the occurrence of one or more sessions.

In the first mode, functionality of one or more second components of the aerosol provision device may be disabled, which, in the second mode, is enabled.

After switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, the controller may be configured to continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

After switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, the controller is configured to continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is subsequently connected to the electrical interface.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a control interface configured to receive inputs, and provide input data to the controller relating to the received inputs.

The control interface may comprise one or more input components configured to receive inputs from a user, and provide corresponding input data to the controller; and/or communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further devices and communicate data with one or more further devices.

The controller may be configured to: responsive to the receipt of input data, determine whether the input data is from a secure source, and determine whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode. According to a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system, comprising: the aerosol provision device as described above; and a consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

The consumable may be configured such that when the consumable is connected to the electrical interface of the aerosol provision device, the controller will determine that the property of the consumable is not within the predetermined range.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a system, comprising: an aerosol provision device as described above; and an external device, wherein the external device is configured such that when the external device is connected to the electrical interface of the aerosol provision device, the controller will determine that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided method for an aerosol provision device, comprising: providing an aerosol provision device and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode; connecting, to an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, an external device; responsive to the external device being connected to the electrical interface, determining, by the controller, whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switching, by the controller, from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

The method may comprise: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determining whether a property of the external device is within the second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the second predetermined range, either switching from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continuing controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode.

The method may comprise: after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continuing controlling, by the controller, operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

The method may comprise: after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continuing controlling, by the controller, operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is connected to the electrical interface.

The may comprise providing inputs to a control interface of the aerosol provision device, and providing, by the control interface, input data to the controller corresponding to the received inputs.

The method may comprise: responsive to the receipt of input data, determining, by the controller, whether the input data is from a secure source, and whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switching, by the controller, from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a controller configured to control operation of an aerosol provision device, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, determine whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

The controller may be configured to, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

The controller may be configured to, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is connected to the electrical interface.

The controller may be configured to receive input data from a control interface of the aerosol provision device, the control interface being configured to receive inputs and provide input data to the controller relating to the received inputs.

The controller may be configured to: responsive to the receipt of input data, determine whether the input data is from a secure source, and determine whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode.

The method, system, device and controller of any aspect may comprise any features or functional steps described with respect to another aspect.

FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of system comprising an aerosol provision device, a consumable, an external power source device, a local computing device, and a remote computing device, in accordance with certain embodiments.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart representation a method of operating an aerosol provision system, in accordance with certain embodiments.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart representation a method of operating an aerosol provision system, in accordance with certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or 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 application is generally directed to the field of “delivery systems”, i.e. systems that deliver at least one substance to a user. Generally, the aim of delivering that substance to a user will be to satisfy a particular “consumer moment”. To this end, the substance may comprise constituents which impart a physiological effect on the user, a sensorial effect on the user, or both. In this context, the substance will generally be present in an aerosol-generating material or another material that is not intended to be aerosolised. The material itself (whether for aerosolisation or not) will typically contain a range of constituents. These are generally broken down as active substances, flavours, aerosol-former materials and other functional materials like fillers. An active substance, when delivered to a user, may result in some form of psychological effect on the user.

The delivery systems take many forms. Exemplary combustible aerosol provision systems include cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material). Exemplary non-combustible aerosol provision systems include heat-not-burn aerosol provision systems (such as Tobacco Heating Products (THPs) and Carbon-tipped Tobacco Heating Products (CTHPs)) in which a solid material is heated to generate aerosol without combusting the material, vapour aerosol provision systems (commonly known as “electronic cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes”) in which liquid material is heated to generate aerosol, and hybrid aerosol provision systems that are similar to vapour aerosol provision systems except that the aerosol generated from the liquid material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to pick up additional constituents before reaching the user. Exemplary aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

While various techniques will be described herein with regard to non-combustible aerosol provision systems, these may readily be applied in the context of any of the aforementioned delivery systems, for example by implementation within a delivery system where feasible, or in a “smart” container for delivery systems, e.g. for storing delivery systems.

In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a non- combustible aerosol provision system. A “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is an aerosol provision system where a constituent aerosol generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. The non-combustible aerosol provision system may be an aerosol generating material heating system, such as a heat- not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol provision system, which may (or may not) be an electronic non-combustible aerosol provision system. An aerosol provision system is used to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Aerosol generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. Aerosol generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non- fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid. The aerosol generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises a crystalline structure.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises any tobaccocontaining material, and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives including tobacco extracts, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol generating material also may include other, nontobacco, products, including for example flavourants, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine, filler materials such as chalk and/or sorbent materials, glycerol, propylene glycol or triacetin. The aerosol generating material may also include a binding material, for example, sodium alginate.

As is common in the technical field, the terms "vapour" and "aerosol", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably. In use, an inhalation on the aerosol provision system occurs when a user inhales aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material. A sequence of inhalations can be considered a “session”. A sequence may correspond to a characteristic pattern of inhalations. A sequence may correspond to a predetermined number, or range, or inhalations on the aerosol provision system by the user. For example, a session may be defined as 10 inhalations, or between 8 to 12 inhalations. Additionally or alternatively, a session may be defined by a predetermined time from an initial inhalation on the aerosol provision system (for example, with aerosol generating material being heated to a target temperature for the predetermined time). For example the predetermined time may be under 4 four minutes, under 6 minutes, or under 10 minutes. Hence, a session can be defined when the total number inhalations reaches a predetermined number, or range, of inhalations and/or when the time elapsed from the initial inhalation reaches the predetermined time. It should be appreciate that the values for the predetermined number of inhalations and predetermined time have been given purely as an example, and other numbers and times may be used in other implementations as appropriate.

Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment a session corresponds to a sequence of inhalations, the sequence separated from another session by a pause of more than a threshold duration. The threshold duration may be selected for ease of comprehension by the user (e.g. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or 55 minutes, or more preferably a period in the range 5-45 minutes, or more preferably a period in the range 10-30 minutes, or still more preferably a period in the range 15-20 minutes), or it may be selected on a pharmokinetic basis, such as the so-called half-life of nicotine in the body (approximately 2 hours) or a physiological basis, such as a perceived drop in brain stimulation by the nicotine (for example in the order of 15-25 minutes, averaging around 18-20 minutes). Optionally this half- life may in turn be individualised, e.g. on the basis of sex, build (size, weight etc), ethnicity and the like. A look-up table of half-life values, and/or a scaling value for one or more physiological factors of the user may be used to refine an otherwise generic half-life value. Hence an inhalation session may comprise a characteristic pattern and/or may be separated from another session by a threshold duration of non-use.

Typically, the aerosol provision system may comprise an aerosol provision device (e.g. a reusable part) and a consumable for use with the aerosol provision device (e.g. a disposable part). In many cases, the consumable is sold separately from the device, and often in a multipack. The terms “consumable” and “article” may generally be used interchangeably. Often the consumable will comprise the aerosol generating material, and the aerosol provision device will comprise a power source, controller, control interface, and memory (each of which will be discussed in more detail herein) enclosed at least partly within an outer housing which may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material or a metal. In use, the consumable may be engaged with the aerosol provision device. For example, at least part of the consumable may be received by the aerosol provision device, for example in a consumable chamber of the aerosol provision device which is configured to receive at least part of the consumable. The aerosol provision device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material of the consumable. Once the aerosol generating material of consumable has been exhausted, the user can remove the consumable, e.g. by disengaging the aerosol provision device and the consumable, dispose of it, and replace it with a (new) consumable. Devices conforming to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece aerosol provision devices, which together with a consumable may generally be referred to as two-piece aerosol provision systems.

In such two-piece aerosol provision systems, the consumable and aerosol provision device are able to engage with one another. For example, the consumable may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled to the aerosol provision device, using an engagement interface of the aerosol provision device and a corresponding engagement interface of the consumable. The engagement interface of the aerosol provision device may comprise mechanical engagement means for mechanical coupling with the consumable, e.g. with corresponding mechanical engagement means of the consumable. The engagement interface may comprise an electrical engagement interface for electrically connecting with the consumable, e.g. with a corresponding electrical engagement interface of the consumable. The electrical engagement interface of the aerosol provision device may be configured to supply electrical power to the consumable, for example to an aerosol generator of the consumable (as will be discussed in more detail herein).

While a consumable commonly comprises a single portion of aerosol generating material, in some cases the consumable may comprise a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material, each of which may be different. In such cases, the consumable may be received by an aerosol provision device which is configured to generate aerosol from one or more of the plurality of portions of aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol provision device may be configured to generate aerosol independently from each of the portions of aerosol generating material. Each portion of aerosol generating material may be a discrete portion, wherein the plurality of discrete potions are separate from one another such that each of the discrete portions may be energised (e.g. heated) individually, and/or may be energised (e.g. heated) independently, to generate an aerosol.

In some cases, the aerosol provision device may be configured to receive a plurality of consumables, which may each comprise different aerosol generating material respectively. In use, the plurality of consumables are received by the aerosol provision device, and the aerosol provision device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material of one or more of the consumables, each of which aerosol may be generated from independently. Devices conforming to this type of configuration may generally be referred to as multi-consumable devices, which together with the plurality of consumables may generally be referred to as multi-consumable systems. Multi-consumable devices and systems such as these may use any of the features used in a two-piece aerosol provision devices and systems, such as, but not limited to the aerosol generating material, aerosol generator, power source, control interface, controller, and memory (as will be discussed in more detail herein). Likewise, these components may be enclosed at least partly within an outer housing which may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material or a metal.

Embodiments are also envisaged in which the aerosol provision device is a one- piece aerosol provision device, which is not configured to receive a removable consumable, and instead the aerosol provision device itself comprises the aerosol generating material. The one-piece aerosol provision device may be configured to be refillable, such that when at least a portion of the (initial) aerosol generating material of the aerosol provision device is exhausted, it can be refilled with (new) aerosol generating material. Alternatively, the one-piece aerosol provision device may be a disposable one- piece aerosol provision device, which the user can dispose of once the aerosol generating material has been exhausted (for example, after a predetermined number of inhalations), and for example is not configured to be refillable by the user. A one-piece aerosol provision device such as these (either refillable or disposable) may use any of the features used in two-piece (and/or multi-consumable) aerosol provision systems, such as, but not limited to, the aerosol generating material, aerosol generator, power source, control interface, controller, and memory (as will be discussed in more detail herein). Likewise, these components may be enclosed at least partly within an outer housing which may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material or a metal.

The aerosol provision system comprises a mouthpiece, through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material. The mouthpiece may comprise a material that feels comfortable to the lips of the user, for example a plastic or rubber material. As a user inhales on the mouthpiece, air is drawn through the aerosol provision system, which combines with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material. The user can then inhale this combination of air and aerosol, such that substance of the aerosol can be delivered to the user. An aerosol provision system may comprise one or more air inlets, which can be located away from a mouthpiece of the system. When a user sucks on the mouthpiece, air is drawn in through the one or more air inlets, and past the location where the aerosol is generated. There may be a flow path connecting between this location and an opening in the mouthpiece, so that the air drawn in through the one or more air inlets continues along the flow path to the opening, carrying the aerosol with it. The aerosol then exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece, e.g. the opening thereof, for inhalation by the user. The mouthpiece may be a part of the consumable, or a part of the aerosol provision device, or may be a separate component which forms a part of the aerosol provision system in addition to the aerosol provision device and the consumable.

The construction of the aerosol provision system (and aerosol provision device thereof) may change depending upon the form of the aerosol generating material which it is configured to generate aerosol from. However, while examples will be discussed below with regard to various different forms of aerosol generating material, and correspondingly different aerosol provision device constructions, the techniques discussed herein may be applied in all forms of the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) comprises an aerosol generator configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator often, but not always, comprises a heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol generating material and cause it to volatise, thereby generating aerosol which can be inhaled by the user. While many features will be discussed herein with regard to an aerosol generator which comprises a heating assembly, we note that these features may likewise be applied to an aerosol generator which does not necessarily comprise a heating assembly.

The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) often comprises a heating chamber, which the heating assembly is configured to heat, such that aerosol generating material in the heating chamber is heated. The heating chamber is configured to receive aerosol generating material. The heating chamber may be comprised in the consumable. The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may comprise a consumable chamber configured to receive at least part of the consumable. The heating chamber may correspond to the consumable chamber, however, such as in arrangements where the heating chamber is comprised in the consumable, the heating chamber may not necessarily correspond to the consumable chamber, but rather a region within the consumable which, when connected to the aerosol provision device in use, is received in the consumable chamber. The consumable may be configured to be partially or fully inserted into the aerosol provision device by inserting it into the consumable chamber through an opening in the outer housing of the aerosol provision device.

The heating assembly may comprise a heating element, and the heating assembly is configured to heat the heating element. The heating element is for heating the aerosol generating material, e.g. by being configured to heat the heating chamber. The heating element may be a part of the aerosol provision device, or a part of the consumable, or may be a separate component which is a part of the aerosol provision system in addition to the aerosol provision device and the consumable. A plurality of corresponding heating elements may be used, which the heating assembly may be configured to heat independently, e.g. such that they can heat individually or in combination. In the case of a system comprising a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material (regardless of the plurality of portions being in the same consumable, a plurality of consumables, or in the aerosol provision device), a plurality of corresponding heating elements may be used, each being configured to heat a corresponding portion of aerosol generating material. A plurality of heating elements may also be configured to heat different regions of the same portion of aerosol generating material.

In some arrangements the heating assembly is configured to cause the heating element to become heated by resistive heating, wherein a current is passed through the heating element in order to cause heating to occur as a result of the electrical resistance of the heating element. In some arrangements the heating assembly is configured to cause a heating element to become heated by inductive heating, in which case a magnetic field generator of the heating assembly is configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating element, and causes susceptor material within the heating element to become heated. In other words, the susceptor material is configured to be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generator may comprise a coil, such as a helical coil, which may encircle at least part of the heating chamber.

The heating element may become heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field because the susceptor material comprises electrically conductive material, and the varying magnetic field causes the induction of eddy currents within the susceptor material that cause heating to occur. This may, in alternative or in addition, be because the susceptor material comprises magnetic material, and the varying magnetic field causes the heating of the susceptor material by the mechanism of magnetic hysteresis. In embodiments, the susceptor material may comprise material which is both electrically conductive and magnetic.

The heating element, e.g. the susceptor material thereof (when present), may comprise one or more materials selected from the group comprising a metallic material such as aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze, or a non-metallic material such as conductive carbon or graphite.

Arrangements are contemplated in which the heating assembly comprises a radiation heating component configured to generate radiation for heating the aerosol generating material, e.g. for heating the heating chamber. The radiation may comprise electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared radiation or microwave radiation, or sonic radiation, such as ultrasonic radiation. In such arrangements, as with arrangements discussed above with regard to a heating element, the heating assembly may be configured to heat independently different portions of aerosol generating material, or different regions of the same portion of aerosol generating material. Generally, this may be enabled by the heating assembly being configured to heat independently different regions of the heating chamber. Each of these heating techniques may be applied to any of the aerosol generating materials discussed above, and in the context of one-piece aerosol provision systems, two-piece aerosol provision systems, and multi-consumable aerosol provision systems, or any other form of delivery system which uses heating to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material.

In arrangements where the aerosol generating material is a liquid, the aerosol generating can be stored within a reservoir comprised in the aerosol provision system. The reservoir may a part of the aerosol provision device, particularly in the case that the aerosol provision device is a one-piece aerosol provision device, or may a part of the consumable (when present). In arrangements where the reservoir storing the aerosol generating material is a part of the consumable, the consumable may also comprise the heating element, which may be heated using resistive or inductive heating. In such arrangements where the consumable comprises a reservoir storing aerosol generating material, the consumable may be referred to as a cartridge.

The reservoir may have the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which aerosol generating material can be stored such that the liquid is free to move and flow within the confines of the tank. In arrangements in which the reservoir is comprised in the consumable, the reservoir may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the aerosol generating material is consumed, otherwise, it may have an inlet port through which new aerosol generating material can be added by the user. In such arrangements the heating element may be comprised in the consumable, and the heating element may be located externally of the reservoir tank for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the aerosol generating material by heating. A transfer arrangement which may comprise a wick or other porous element may be provided to deliver aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. The transfer arrangement may have one or more parts located inside the reservoir, or otherwise be in fluid communication with the aerosol generating material in the reservoir, so as to be able to absorb aerosol generating material and transfer it, e.g. by wicking or capillary action, to other parts of the transfer arrangement that are adjacent or in contact with the heating element. This aerosol generating material is thereby heated and vaporised, to be replaced by new aerosol generating material from the reservoir for transfer to the heating element by the wick transfer arrangement. The transfer arrangement may be thought of as a conduit between the reservoir and the heating element that transfers aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. Although discussed in the context of a reservoir and heating element comprised in the consumable, these features may likewise be applied in an aerosol provision device, for example in the case the aerosol provision device is a one-piece aerosol provision device. In arrangements where the aerosol generating material is a solid or a gel, the aerosol generating material can be provided in the consumable. The consumable may be in a rod format, which may also interchangeably be referred to as a “stick” format, and which may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In some cases, the consumable further comprises a filter and/or a cooling element. In such cases, the consumable may comprise the mouthpiece. The consumable may comprise a wrapper, which at least partially surrounds other components of the consumable, including one or more of a filter, a cooling element, a mouthpiece and the aerosol generating material. In some cases, the wrapper may comprise a paper layer. In some cases, the wrapper may comprise a non-combustible layer (e.g. a layer which is resistant to combustion), such as a metallic foil. Suitably, the wrapper may comprise an aluminium foil layer. The wrapper may comprise a laminate structure, and in some cases, the laminate structure may comprise a least one paper layer and at least one non-combustible layer.

The consumable may be provided in a differently shaped format such as a planar format, in which case the consumable comprises a sheet. The aerosol generating material can be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.

When present, the heating element may be a part of the aerosol provision device, such that it comes into proximity (e.g. in contact) with the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol provision device. Alternatively, the heating element may be a part of the consumable. This may be the case in arrangements where the aerosol generating material is liquid, solid, or gel.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source. The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. The power source is connected to the heating assembly and configured to supply power to the heating assembly, such that the power source is configured to supply power to the heating assembly, and the heating assembly is configured to use power supplied by the power source to heat aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) comprises a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system. It will be appreciated the functionality of the controller can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and I or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) I circuitry I chip(s) I chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality. It will be appreciated the controller may comprise a microcontroller (MCU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU), and/or a micro-processor. The operations of the controller are generally controlled at least in part by software programs executed on the controller. Generally, the aerosol provision device of the aerosol provision system comprises the controller, but this need not always be the case, and in arrangements the consumable may comprise the controller.

The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol generator, e.g. the heating assembly thereof. While many arrangements will be discussed with regard to the controller being configured to control operation of the heating assembly of the aerosol generator, these may be more generally applied to an aerosol generator which may or may not comprise a heating assembly. The controller is connected to the power source and the aerosol generator, and is configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the aerosol generator. As such, the controller may be configured to control the heating of aerosol generating material by the heating assembly.

The controller may be configured to heat aerosol generating material in accordance with a heating profile, e.g. by causing the heating assembly to heat the aerosol generating material in accordance with the heating profile. A heating profile refers to the variation of temperature of a material over time. For example, the varying temperature of a heating element measured at the heating element for the duration of a session of use may be referred to as the heating profile of that heating element (or equally as the heating profile of the heating assembly unit comprising that heating element). The heating element provides heat to the aerosol generating material during use, to generate an aerosol. The heating profile of the heating element therefore induces the heating profile of aerosol-generating material, e.g. which is disposed near the heating element.

The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may also comprise a memory. The memory may comprise volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or flash memory, and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable read only memory (EEROM), or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In embodiments, this memory comprises controller memory which is a part of the controller, and which may be integrated in the controller. The memory may additionally or alternatively comprise external memory, connected to the controller, and external to the controller. The external memory may be removable from the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), and may comprise an SD card or a microSD card. Software programs for execution by the controller may be stored on the memory.

The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may also comprise a control interface for receiving inputs and/or providing outputs. For instance, the control interface may be configured to receive inputs, and provide input data to the controller corresponding to the received inputs. The control interface may be configured to receive output data from the controller, and provide outputs corresponding to the output data received from the controller.

The control interface may comprise a user interface comprising one or more input components for receiving inputs from a user, and one or more output components for providing outputs to a user. The one or more input components are configured to receive inputs from a user, and provide corresponding input data to the controller. The one or more input components may be configured to receive the inputs from a user in the form of physical manipulation by the user. The one or more input components may comprise a button, a switch, a dial, a rolling button, a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer, a touchscreen, or any plurality or combination thereof. The one or more input components may be assigned to functions such as switching the aerosol provision device on and off, and selecting an operating mode of the aerosol provision system (as will be discussed in more detail herein). The one or more output components are configured to receive output data from the controller, and provide corresponding outputs to a user. The one or more output components may comprise a light, such as an LED, a speaker, a haptic component, a display, such as a screen, or any plurality or combination thereof. The controller may be configured to cause the one or more output components to provide an output indicative of a property of the aerosol provision system, for example a property of the aerosol generating material, or the remaining power of the power source, and so forth.

The control interface may comprise one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties relating to the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), which may be configured to provide input data to the controller comprising sensor data relating to the detected one or more properties. The one or more sensors may comprise a puff sensor configured to detect a user inhalation on the aerosol provision system. The one or more sensor may comprise a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature relating to the aerosol provision system, e.g. the temperature of the heating assembly, the heating element, the consumable, the aerosol generating material, the environment surrounding the aerosol provision system. The one or more sensors may comprise a consumable detection sensor configured to detect when a consumable has been engaged with the aerosol provision device, e.g. at least partly received by the aerosol provision device. The one or more sensors may comprise a consumable identification sensor configured to detect a property of a consumable, e.g. a property of the aerosol generating material of a consumable. The one or more sensors may comprise a biometric sensor configured to detect a biometric property relating to the user, e.g. a fingerprint, a heart rate, a breathing property.

The control interface may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further devices, and/or communicate data with one or more further devices. For example, the communication circuitry may be configured to establish a data connection with one or more further devices. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry is integrated into the controller, and in other embodiments it is implemented separately (comprising, for example, separate application-specific integrated circuit(s), circuitry, chip(s), and/or chipset(s)). The data connection may be impermanent or otherwise transient, in the sense that the channel may be established for a period of time necessary to carry out specific functionalities, but may also be disconnected when not required. In this context, a further device to the aerosol provision device may be another aerosol provision device, a consumable, or (as described further herein) an external power source device, or a computing device.

The communication circuitry may be configured to receive inputs, comprising data, from a further device, and provide outputs, comprising data, from a further device. The communication circuitry may be configured to provide input data to the controller corresponding to inputs, comprising data, received from a further device, and configured to provide (e.g. send) outputs, comprising data, to a further device corresponding to output data provided by the controller. As such, the controller may receive (via the communication circuitry) data sent to the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) by a further device, and the controller may send (via the communication circuitry) data from the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) to a further device. The data received from the further device may comprise instructions for the controller of the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) to perform one or more control actions. The data provided to the further device may comprise instructions for the further device to perform one or more control actions.

The communication circuitry may comprise a wireless communication module configured to establish a wireless data connection with one or more further devices, and/or communicate data with one or more further devices using a wireless data connection. For example, the wireless communication module may comprise a Bluetooth module (e.g. a Bluetooth Low Energy module), a ZigBee module, a WiFi module (e.g. a Wifi Direct module), a 2G module, a 3G module, a 4G module, a 5G module, an LTE module, an NFC module, an RFID module, an optical communication module configured to communicate data using optical signals, an audio communication module configured to communicate data using audio signals, or other wireless communication module. As a result, the wireless data connection may correspondingly be a Bluetooth connection (e.g. a Bluetooth Low Energy connection), a ZigBee connection, a WiFi connection (e.g. a WiFi Direct connection), a 2G connection, a 3G connection, a 4G connection, a 5G connection, an LTE connection, and NFC connection, and RFID connection, an optical data connection, and audio data connection, or other wireless data connection. More generally, it will be appreciated that any wireless protocol can in principle be used for the wireless data connection.

The communication circuitry may also or alternatively comprise a wired communication module configured to establish a wired data connection with one or more further devices, and/or communicate data with one or more further devices using a wired data connection. For example, the wired communication module may comprise a wired interface such as a USB interface (e.g. a USB-A interface, a USB-B interface, a mini- USB interface, a micro-USB interface, a USB-C interface, or a USB-3 interface), a Thunderbolt interface, or other wired data interface. As a result, the wired data connection may correspondingly be a USB connection (e.g. a USB-A connection, a USB- B connection, a mini-USB connection, a micro-USB connection, USB-C connection, or a USB-3 connection), a Thunderbolt connection, or other wired data connection. More generally, it will be appreciated the wired module may comprise any wired interface using a wired protocol which enables the transfer of data, according to, for example, a packet data transfer protocol, and may comprise pin or contact pad arrangements configured to engage cooperating pins or contact pads on a further device which can be connected to the aerosol provision system (e.g. aerosol provision device thereof).

The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system in dependence of input data received from the control interface. This input data may comprise input data provided from the one or more user interface, input data provided from the one or more sensors comprising sensor data, and input data provided from the communication circuitry corresponding to data received from a further device. In dependence of an event (e.g. responsive to the event) such as the receipt of input data, the controller may be configured to perform a control action, such as initiate functionality of a component of the aerosol provision system (e.g. cause the heating assembly to begin heating, cause the one or more output components to provide outputs to a user, or cause the communication circuitry to provide outputs to further device), change the parameters associated with functionality of a component of the aerosol provision system, enable or disable functionality of a component of the aerosol provision system.

The controller may be configured to perform a control action in dependence of an event, in which case the controller will determine whether and how to perform the control action depending on the occurrence or not of the event, and e.g. depending on the properties of the event. For example, the controller may cause a heating assembly to heat aerosol generating material in dependence of a detected property of a consumable, such that a particular heating profile is used for a particular detected property of a consumable when heating is initiated by the controller, and for another particular detected property of a consumable no heating is used. However, while this control action may be performed directly after the event, i.e. as triggered by the event, this need not be the case, and the control action may be performed at a later time. The controller may be configured to perform a control action responsive to an event, in which case the controller will then perform the action, i.e. the performance of the action is triggered by the event. For example, the controller may cause a heating assembly to heat aerosol generating material responsive to a puff sensor detecting a user inhalation, directly after the inhalation is detected.

The controller may also be configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) according to a selected mode (or plural selected modes). Each mode is associated with predetermined rules regarding the functionality of one or more components of the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof). For example, operating parameters and/or logic may vary between modes. These components can include, but are not limited to, the memory, the control interface, the aerosol generator, and the power source. In some modes, particular functionality of one or more components may be enabled, such that the controller can cause the functionality to be performed by the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) when input data comprising an instruction to perform the functionality is received by the controller. However, in some modes, particular functionality of one or more components may be disabled, such the controller does not cause the functionality to be performed by the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) when input data comprising an instruction to perform the functionality is received by the controller.

The consumable itself may comprise either or both of a controller and memory. The controller and memory of the consumable may use any of the discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. The consumable may also likewise comprise a control interface for receiving inputs and/or providing outputs, which may use any of the features of the control interface discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. For instance, the control interface may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further devices, and enable a data connection to be established with one or more further devices. In this context, a further device to the consumable may be the aerosol provision device, another consumable, or (as described further herein) an external power source device, or a computing device.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a charging interface for receiving power from an external power source. For example, the charging interface may be for receiving power from an external power source comprising a charging cable. Also provided as part of a system comprising the aerosol provision system may be an external power source device configured to connect to the aerosol provision device, for example the charging interface thereof, and supply power to the aerosol provision device. The external power source device may comprise an electrical power source, comprising a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. The external power source device may be configured to provide power to charge the electrical power source of the aerosol provision device. The external power source device may be a “charging case”, comprising a recess configured to receive at least part of the aerosol provision device, wherein the external power source device is configured to connect to the charging interface when the aerosol provision device is received in the recess.

The external power source device may comprise either or both of a controller and memory. The controller and memory of the external power source device may use any of the features discussed with regard to the controller and memory discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. The controller of the external power source device may be configured to control the supply of power to the aerosol provision device. The external power source device may also likewise comprise a control interface for receiving inputs and/or providing outputs, which may use any of the features of the control interface discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. For instance, the control interface may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further devices, and enable a data connection to be established with one or more further devices. In this context, a further device to the external power source device may be the aerosol provision device, the consumable, another external power source device, or (as described further herein) a computing device.

The charging interface of the external power source device may also be configured to communicate data with the external power source, when connected. In such arrangements, the charging interface corresponds to a wired communication component (i.e. of the communication circuitry of the external power source device) configured to communicate data using a wired data connection. The charging interface may comprise a wired interface such as a USB interface (e.g. a USB-A interface, USB-B interface, mini-USB interface, micro-USB interface, USB-C interface, or USB-3 interface), Thunderbolt interface, or other wired interface.

A system comprising the aerosol provision system may also comprise one or more computing devices, configured to connect to the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), and communicate with the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) using a data connection (e.g. wired or wireless). The one or more computing devices may comprise a local computing device which may be controlled or owned by the user, which may comprise a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer (PC), a wearable device (e.g. a smart watch), a refilling device for refilling an aerosol provision device or consumable with aerosol generating material, or a connectivity hub. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more computing devices may comprise a remote computing device, which may be not controlled or owned by the user, such as a server.

The computing device may comprise either or both of a controller and memory. The controller and memory of the computing device may use any of the features discussed with regard to the controller and memory discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. The computing device may also likewise comprise a control interface for receiving inputs (e.g. from a user) and/or providing outputs (e.g. to a user), which may use any of the features of the control interface discussed above in regard to the aerosol provision system. The control interface may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to a further device, and communicate data with a further device. In this context, a further device to the computing device may be the aerosol provision device, the consumable, the external power source device, or another computing device.

The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may establish communication with a remote computing device directly, using one of the wireless protocols described above, for example by connecting with a communication node (such as a telecommunications “base station”) which provides connectivity with the remote computing device. Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may establish communication with the remote computing device via a local computing device, for example using a wired or wireless communication protocol to communicate with a local computing device, which then communicates with the remote communication device. The local computing devices may also communicate indirectly with the remote computing device via a relay device (which may be a further computing device), either to fulfil an aspect of their own functionality, or on behalf of the aerosol provision system (for example as a relay or co-processing unit).

The computing devices may also transfer data with each other, either directly or indirectly via any of the wired or wireless communication protocols set out above. Thus, in embodiments, a given first device and second device (e.g. any of the aerosol provision device, consumable, external power source device, and computing devices) may generally be in either a connected or unconnected state with respect to each other. The unconnected state may also be referred to as an idle state, and in such a state a given first device may not be detectable by other second devices (i.e. the first device is not transmitting any signalling enabling its existence and/or identity to be determined), or it may be available for establishing a data connection with a second device (i.e. it may be advertising its existence and/or identity using advertisement signalling). In a connected state, the first and second devices are configured such that data may be transferred from the first to the second device (e.g. ‘uplink’ transmission) and/or transferred from the second to the first device (e.g. ‘downlink’ transmission). Accordingly, establishment of a data connection between a first and second device may be considered to comprise the establishment of any state wherein the two devices can exchange data, regardless of the direction of data transfer. Non-limiting examples of connected states are the establishment of an RRC connected state according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, or a connected state according to the Bluetooth (e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) standard.

When a first and second device are configured to communicate wirelessly, a transition from an unconnected to a connected state will generally follow a procedure such as the following. In an initial enquiry step, a first device (for example, an aerosol provision device or consumable) establishes the existence of a second device (for example, a computing device) by receiving a beacon signal or other identifying signal from the second device. In an authentication step, the first and second devices exchange messaging to establish information relating to the data transfer protocol to be used for exchanging data (for example comprising coding and encryption parameters to be used when exchanging data packets). In a data transfer step, the first and second devices transfer data over an air interface established in accordance with an agreed data transfer protocol. This data transmission may be bi- or uni-directional. The data communication process for wired communications may be broadly similar with the difference that data is transmitted over a wired interface as opposed to a wireless interface.

A system comprising any aerosol provision system and any combination of an external power source device and computing devices, as described further herein, may be used to support functions of the aerosol provision system. These functions may be referred to as “connected” functions, in that they relate to the transmission of data between the aerosol provision system and other connected devices (e.g. one or more computing devices). Such an arrangement may be considered advantageous for enhancing aspects of the operation of an aerosol provision system. For example, an aerosol provision device enabled to receive data from further devices may be able to receive software updates or updated parameters (e.g. relating to the generating of aerosol by an aerosol generator) from a computing device. Determination of suitable parameters may entail significant processing overheats which are more efficiently carried out on computing devices, having higher processing capability than is typically provided on an aerosol provision system, where low energy consumption (for extended battery life) and reduced complexity (for cost reduction) are generally considered advantageous.

A computing device (such as a smartphone) may also be used by a user to provide inputs to the control interface of the aerosol provision system, which may be particularly advantageous where motivations exist to keep input components or output components on an aerosol provision system to a minimum, for example to reduce complexity and cost. Thus an application (“app”) running on a computing device may support what are in effect offloaded or relayed functions for an aerosol provision device which has a direct or indirect (e.g. relayed) data connection with the computing device according to the approaches described above. Hence, the aerosol provision system may, via its communication circuitry, transmit data to a computing device (e.g. data based on sensor data received by the controller of the aerosol provision system, relating to the usage of the aerosol provision system), and the computing device may provide information relating to the aerosol provision system to the user via the app. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may select a control action via the app, and data relating to the control action may be transmitted by the computing device to the aerosol provision system, whereupon the controller of the aerosol provision system performs the control action.

Herein will be described various methods of operating an aerosol provision system. While these methods may be described in the context of control of an aerosol provision system by a controller of the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), it is recognised that these methods may be performed by any of the controllers of a broader system comprising any combination of one or more aerosol provision devices, one or more of consumables, one or more external power source devices, and one or more computing devices, or by any of these controllers in combination. In particular, as each of these controllers may be able to communicate with some or any of the other controllers in a system comprising any of an aerosol provision device, a consumable, an external power source, and a computing device, data such as instructions to perform one or more control actions may be communicated between any of these, either directly or indirectly. As such, a method of operating an aerosol provision system may be performed by a “distributed” system comprising any combination of the aerosol provision device, the consumable, the external power source device, and the computing device discussed above. Accordingly, even though particular method steps may be described in the context of the controller of a particular device, it is anticipated that such control actions may be, where feasible, in alternative arrangements be performed by another of these controllers.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a two- piece aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments.

The aerosol provision system 1 is a two-piece aerosol provision system, comprising an aerosol provision device 100 and a consumable 150 comprising aerosol generating material 170. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an outer housing 105, an engagement interface 101 configured to engage with a consumable, a memory 110, a controller 120 configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system 1, a control interface 130 for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device 100, and a power source 140 configured to supply electrical power for operation of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 also comprises a charging interface 102, for receiving power from an external power source.

The outer housing 105 may also enclose at least partly the other components of the aerosol provision device 100, namely the engagement interface 101, memory 110, controller 120, the control interface 130, the power source 140, and the charging interface 102. The aerosol provision device 100 is a handheld device, meaning that the outer housing 160 enclosing the other components is dimensioned and configured to be held in the hand of a user. In other words, the device is portable.

The consumable 150 comprises a reservoir containing liquid aerosol generating material 170, and a mouthpiece 190 through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material 180. The consumable also comprises a heating assembly 160 configured to heat the aerosol generating material 170. In use, the engagement interface 101 of the aerosol provision device 100 is engaged with an engagement interface 151 of the consumable, each of these engagement interfaces comprising mechanical engagement means for mechanically coupling to one another. Each engagement interface 101, 151 also comprises an electrical interface, such that the aerosol provision device 100 can be electrically connected with the consumable 150. The electrical interface 101 of the aerosol provision device is configured to supply electrical power, from the power source 140, to the consumable, in particular to the heating assembly 160 of the consumable. The controller 120 is configured to control the supply of electrical power from the power source 140 to the heating assembly 160, so as to control the heating of the aerosol generating material 170 by the heating assembly 160.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of the two-piece aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments.

As shown in Fig. 2, the consumable 150 has been connected to the aerosol provision device 100 by the mechanical engagement of the engagement interface 151 of the consumable with the engagement interface 101 of the aerosol provision device 100. As a result, the controller 120 can cause electrical power to be supplied from the power source 140, to the heating assembly 160 of the consumable 150, such that the aerosol generating material 170 is heated, and aerosol is generated therefrom. While the consumable 150 is connected to the electrical interface 101 of the aerosol provision device 100, the controller 120 may be able to determine various properties of the consumable 150, for instance from the electrical response received from the consumable 150 when power is supplied to the heating assembly 160. In some embodiments, the heating assembly 160 comprises a heating element, and the heating assembly 160 is configured to heat the heating element. In some cases the heating assembly 160 may be configured to cause the heating element to become heated by resistive heating, wherein a current is passed through the heating element in order to cause heating to occur as a result of the electrical resistance of the heating element. In some cases the heating assembly 160 comprises a magnetic field generator which is configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating element, and causes susceptor material within the heating element to become heated by inductive heating. In either case, when power is supplied to the heating assembly 160 by the controller 120, an electrical response is received by the controller 120, which the controller can assess to determine various properties of the consumable 150, such as whether the heating assembly 160 uses resistive heating or inductive heating, or properties of a heating element such as resistance or temperature.

Fig. 3 shows a cross sectional view through a schematic representation of a two- piece aerosol provision system 3 in accordance with certain embodiments.

The aerosol provision system 3 is a two-piece aerosol provision system, comprising an aerosol provision device 300 and a consumable 350 comprising aerosol generating material 370. The aerosol provision device 300 comprises an outer housing 305, an engagement interface 301 configured to engage with a consumable, a memory 310, a controller 320 configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system 3, a control interface 330 for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device 300, a heating assembly 360 configured to heat aerosol generating material, and a power source 340 configured to supply electrical power for operation of the aerosol provision device 300. The aerosol provision device 300 also comprises a charging interface 302, for receiving power from an external power source.

The outer housing 305 may also enclose at least partly the other components of the aerosol provision device 300, namely the engagement interface 301, the memory 310, the controller 320, the control interface 330, the heating assembly 360, the power source 340, and the charging interface 302. The aerosol provision device 300 is a handheld device, meaning that the outer housing 305 enclosing the other components is dimensioned and configured to be held in the hand of a user. In other words, the device is portable.

The consumable 350 comprises aerosol generating material 370 which is in the form of a solid or gel. The consumable 350 is in a rod format, and is received by a heating chamber 305 of the aerosol provision device 300. The heating assembly 360 is configured cause the heating chamber 305 to become heated, and the aerosol generating material 370 of the consumable 350 within the heating chamber 305. To do this, the heating assembly comprises a heating element arranged at least partly around the heating chamber 305. The heating assembly 360 is configured to cause the heating element to become heated, for example by resistive heating or inductive heating, which heats the aerosol generating material 370 in the heating chamber 305.

In this arrangement, the consumable comprises a mouthpiece 390, through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material 370. The consumable 350 also comprises an engagement interface 351 , which is configured to engage with the engagement interface 301 of the aerosol provision device 300. As with the arrangements depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the engagement interface 301 comprises an electrical interface for connecting to the consumable 350, and the engagement interface 351 comprises an electrical interface for connecting to the consumable 351. The electrical interface of the aerosol provision device 300 is configured to establish a wired data connection with a further device, such as the consumable 350, and communicate data with the further device. Likewise, the electrical interface of the consumable 350 is configured to establish a wired data connection with a further device, such as the aerosol provision device 300, and communicate data with the further device. As such, the electrical interface of the aerosol provision device 300 can be considered a part of the control interface 330 of the aerosol provision device 300, and the electrical interface of the consumable 350 can be considered a part of a control interface of the consumable 350.

The consumable 350 also comprise a controller 321 , which is configured to control operation of the consumable 350, and in embodiments is configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system 3 including both the consumable 350 and the aerosol provision device 300. The controller 321 of the consumable can use the electrical interface of the consumable 350 to send data to the aerosol provision device 300, and receive data from the aerosol provision device 300. The consumable 350 also comprises a memory 321, and the controller 320 of the aerosol provision device 300 may, via the electrical interfaces, send a request for data on the memory 321. As such, data on the memory 321 of the consumable can be read by the controller 320 of the aerosol provision device 300. These techniques, where a controller and memory are implemented on the consumable, can also be applied in the arrangements of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of system, comprising an aerosol provision system 4 comprising an aerosol provision device 400 and a consumable 450, an external power source device 460, local computing devices 471 , 472, 473, and a remote computing device 480. The aerosol provision device 400 and consumable 450 may have any of the properties of the aerosol provision devices 100 , 300, and consumables 150, 350 discussed above. In this arrangement, the remote computing device 480 is a server, which exists on the cloud 490. The aerosol provision system 4 may correspond to any of the aerosol provision systems 1 or 3 discussed above, or any other aerosol provision system. Each of the local computing devices 471 , 472, 471 are connected to each other, as well as being connected to each further device. Various data connections 40 between each of these devices is depicted, illustrating how data may be transmitted between any given first and second device.

In use, when these data connections 40 are established (either using wired or wireless protocols), data can be transmitted from a first device, such as the aerosol provision device 400, to a second device, such as the remote computing device 480, either directly via the direct data connection between these two devices (if it exists), or indirectly, relayed by another device or multiple devices.

In the case of the aerosol provision device 400 and the remote computing device 480, data such as usage data collected by the aerosol provision device can be transmitted to the remote computing device 480 by transmitting the data to the external power source device 460 through a wired data connection. Then, the external power source device transmits the data to first local computing device 471, which is a smartphone 471. The wireless data connection between the smartphone 471 and the external power source device 460 is a Bluetooth connection, established using a Bluetooth module of the smartphone 471 and a Bluetooth module of the external power source device 460.

The smartphone 471 then transmits the data to the remote computing device 480 through a wireless data connection. The wireless data connection between the smartphone 471 and the remote computing device 480 is a 3G wireless connection, established using a 3G module of the local computing device, connected with a corresponding communication node (such as a telecommunications “base station”) which provides connectivity with the remote computing device 480.

A user may also use this network of data connections 40 to cause control actions to be performed on the aerosol provision device 400 by the controller thereof. Using an app on second local computing device 472 which is a personal computer, the user can select a control action, and the personal computer 472 then transmits data relating to the control action to the remote computing device 480 through a wired data connection. The remote computing device 480 then transmits data relating to the control action to the smartphone 471 , using the 3G wireless connection discussed above.

The smartphone 471 then transmits data relating to the control action to the external power source device 460 using the Bluetooth connection discussed above, and the external power source device 460 then transmits data relating to the control action to the aerosol provision device 400 through the wired data connection between the aerosol provision device 400 and the external power source device 460. The data relating to the control action is received by the controller of the aerosol provision device 400, and the controller causes the aerosol provision device 400 to perform the control action.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a schematic representation of an aerosol provision device 500 in accordance with certain embodiments.

The aerosol provision device 500 has a memory, a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device, a control interface for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device, and a power source configured to supply electrical power for operation of the aerosol provision device 500. The aerosol provision device 500 may be a part of an aerosol provision system also comprising a consumable comprising aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision device 500 may have any of the features of the aerosol provision devices 100, 300 discussed above.

The controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device 500. For instance, the controller is configured to control the control interface. As discussed above, the control interface is for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device 500 and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device 500. The control interface comprises communication circuitry which is configured to connect with further devices, such as a computing device, and communicate data with these further devices. For example, the control interface may receive data comprising instructions for the controller to perform a control action from a further device, or may send data relating to the aerosol provision device 500 to a further device.

The controller may also be configured to generate usage data, relating to a user’s use of the aerosol provision device 500. The controller may be configured to store this usage data in the memory of the aerosol provision device 500. This usage data may comprise inhalation data relating to the occurrence of one or more inhalations performed by a user, as well as session data relating to the occurrence of one or more sessions performed by a user. The usage data may also comprise location data relating to one or more locations of the aerosol provision device 500, and consumable data relating to one or more consumables which the user has used the aerosol provision device 500 to generate aerosol from.

The aerosol provision device 500 also comprises an electrical interface 501 for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material. Any of the features of the electrical interface 501 discussed here can be applied to, for example, any of the electrical interfaces 101 or 301 of Figs 1 or 3. While the arrangement depicted in Fig. 5 shows the electrical interface 501 comprising a wired electrical interface, other embodiments are also contemplated in which the electrical interface 501 comprises a wireless electrical interface. The aerosol provision device 501 also comprises a consumable chamber 505, for receiving a consumable comprising aerosol generating material. When fully inserted into the consumable chamber 505, a consumable becomes connected to the electrical interface 501 , establishing an electrical connection between the consumable and the aerosol provision device 500.

When connected, the controller of the aerosol provision device is configured to control a supply of power from the power source of the aerosol provision device 500 to the consumable, to supply power to a heating assembly of the consumable, in order to cause aerosol generating material to be heated and generate aerosol. As discussed above with regard to Fig. 2, the controller may be configured to assess various properties of the consumable, by assessment of the electrical response of the consumable when power is supplied to the heating assembly of the consumable.

Additionally, in cases where the consumable connected to the electrical interface 501 comprises a controller and/or memory, the electrical interface 501 can be configured to establish a data connection with the consumable, and communicate data with the consumable. In such arrangements, the controller of the aerosol provision device 500 can receive input data from the electrical interface 501 corresponding to data received from the controller and/or memory of the consumable. In other words, the controller of the aerosol provision device 500 may be configured to read the memory of the consumable. In such arrangements where the electrical interface 501 is configured to establish a data connection with the consumable, and communicate data with the consumable, the electrical interface 501 can be considered part of the control interface of the aerosol provision device 500.

The controller of the aerosol provision device is also configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to a selected mode (or plural selected modes). Each mode is associated with predetermined rules regarding the functionality of components of the aerosol provision device 500, or, more broadly, of the aerosol provision system. For example, operating parameters and/or logic may vary between modes. These components can include, but are not limited to, the memory, the control interface, the aerosol generator, the power source, and the charging interface. In some modes, particular functionality of components may be enabled, such that the functionality may be performed by the aerosol provision device 500 when an instruction to is received. However, in some modes, particular functionality of components may be disabled, such that the functionality is not performed by the aerosol provision device 500, even when an instruction is received, for example from a user. During manufacture of an aerosol provision device 500 by an authorised person, it may be helpful to control operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to one or modes which are most suited to a user’s preferred experience. This user may be, for example, an end user who is a member of the general public, and who has purchased the aerosol provision device 500, and is more generally using it to generate aerosol for inhalation. For instance, an authorised person who is manufacturing a device for sale to a user who does not wish for their usage data to be stored by the aerosol provision device 500 may cause the controller to switch to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to a mode where functionality of the controller to generate user data, store the user data in the memory of the aerosol provision device 500, and/or send the user data from the aerosol provision device 500 to a further device is disabled.

Additionally, it may be desirable to sell the aerosol provision device 500 with the controller controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a mode in which functionality to cause an aerosol generator, for example comprising a heating assembly, to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material is disabled. For example, in this mode, functionality of the power source of the aerosol provision device 500 to supply power to an aerosol generator may be disabled, possibly as a result of the requirements of a jurisdiction in which the aerosol provision device 500 has been sold. The user may then be required to verify that they are suitable to use the aerosol provision device to generate aerosol, for example by age verification, in order to cause the controller to switch to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to a mode in which functionality to cause an aerosol generator to generate aerosol is enabled.

As such, while there may be a mode of the controller in which such functionality as these (e.g. generating and storing user data, generating aerosol) is enabled, it may be desirable to sell the aerosol provision device 500 with the controller controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to one or more modes in which this functionality is disabled. A conventional approach for causing an aerosol provision device 500 to switch to a particular mode may be by a user applying inputs to one or more input components of the aerosol provision device 500, such as one or more buttons, or by sending data comprising instructions to the communication circuitry of the aerosol provision device 500, such as to a Bluetooth component. However, these approaches may be readily accessed by a normal user, and having the normal user accidentally switch into these modes may be undesirable. In this regard, the inventors of the present application have recognised that a secure way to instruct an aerosol provision device 500 to switch into a given mode is to connect an external device 504 to the electrical interface 501. In order to connect to the electrical interface 501, the external device 504 may be, at least in part, dimensioned similarly to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material. However, the external device 504 does not need to comprise aerosol generating material, or even an aerosol generator. The external device 504 has an electrical interface 506 which is configured to engage with the electrical interface 501 of the aerosol provision device 500, such that the external device 504 can connect to the electrical interface 501.

The external device 504 may have particular properties selected which allow it to be distinguished from a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material by the aerosol provision device 500. As discussed above, the controller of the aerosol provision device 500 may be configured to assess various properties of a consumable connected to the electrical interface 501, and in the same way is configured to assess various properties of an external device 504 connected to the electrical interface 501. As such, the controller can determine whether a property of the external device 504, such as a voltage, a current, a frequency, a resistance, a capacitance, an impedance, a magnetic property, and/or data received from the external device 504, is within a first range indicative that the external device 504 is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, or a second range indicative that the external device 504 is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material. For example, the external device may comprise a magnetic component which interacts with the electrical interface 501 when the external device 504 is connected to the electrical interface 501. As such, the controller may be configured to assess a magnetic property of the external device 504, by assessment of an electrical or magnetic response received by the electrical interface 501 when the external device 504 is connected thereto. In such arrangements, the connection of the external device 504 to the electrical interface 501 does not necessarily require physical contact between the electrical interface 501 and an electrical interface 506 of the external device 504.

If the property of the external device 504 is determined by the controller to be indicative that the external device 504 is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, then the controller may not switch modes. Alternatively, the controller may switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to the current (first) mode (e.g. a first mode associated with the aerosol provision device 500 not being connected to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material) to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to a different (e.g. third) mode associated with the aerosol provision device 500 being connected to a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

However, if the property of the external device 504 is determined by the controller to be indicative that the external device 504 is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material and is associated with an instruction to switch to a mode in which particular functionality is disabled, the controller may switch to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a mode in which particular functionality is disabled. This may involve a determination by the controller that the property of the external device 504, such as voltage, current, frequency, resistance, or a code encoded in a signal received from the external device 504, is within a first predetermined range. For example, the controller may determine whether the property is within a voltage, current, frequency, or resistance range significantly above (or below) that of a standard charging signal.

If the controller does determine that the property is within this first predetermined range, then the controller will switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to the current, first mode (e.g. a normal mode) to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device 500 according to a second mode (e.g. a restricted functionality mode). In this second mode, particular functionality of one or more components of the aerosol provision device 500 may be disabled which are enabled in the first mode. In embodiments, functionality of the aerosol provision device 500 to cause aerosol to be generated from aerosol generating material is disabled. In arrangements in which a heating assembly for heating aerosol generating material is in a consumable, this may be achieved because functionality of the supply of power from the power source of the aerosol provision device 500 to the consumable for activating the heating assembly of the consumable is disabled. In arrangements where the heating assembly is (at least in part) in the aerosol provision device 500, this may be achieved because functionality of the heating assembly to heat aerosol generating material is disabled.

In embodiments, functionality of the controller to generate and/or store usage data relating to a user’s use of the aerosol provision device which is enabled in the first mode is disabled in the second mode. For example, functionality of the controller to store usage data may be disabled because the functionality of the controller to write usage data to the memory is disabled, or because the controller is configured to delete usage data written to the memory. In embodiments, functionality of the controller to cause the communication circuitry to send data comprising usage data to a further device may be disabled. As a result of any of these, the aerosol provision device 500 may be prevented, in the second mode, from collecting usage data which is accessible to a further device.

In order to ensure that the aerosol provision device 500 remains in the second mode, the controller may be configured to, after switching to the second mode, continue controlling operation according to the second mode after the external device 504 (which is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material) has been disconnected from the electrical interface 501. In order to prevent the normal user from accidentally switching out of the second mode, the controller may be configured such that it switches from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode (e.g. the first mode) responsive to an instruction received from a secure source.

A secure source may be a computing device, such as a local or remote computing device, with which the user has submitted a request to switch out of the second mode. For example, as discussed above, if the aerosol provision device 500 is in the second mode in which the generation of aerosol is disabled, the user may be required to verify that they are suitable to use the aerosol provision device 500 to generate aerosol. This may involve a process of age verification, in which the user verifies that they are of sufficient age to use the aerosol provision device 500 to generate aerosol. In other cases, such as the case that the aerosol provision device 500 is in the second mode in which particular functionality relating to usage data is disabled, this may involve a process of the user confirming that they wish for user data to be generated, stored, and shared.

The secure source can send data to the communication circuitry of the control interface of the aerosol provision device 500, either directly or indirectly, comprising an instruction to switch from the second mode to a different mode, and an indication that the data is provided by a secure source. In general, the secure source is characterised by not being under the control of a user of the aerosol provision device, but instead is controlled or operated by an authorised person, such as an employee of the manufacturer of the aerosol provision device. The user may also input the data at one or more input components of the control interface. Regardless of the technique used, once the data is input to the communication circuitry, the communication circuitry provides corresponding input data to the controller.

The controller then assesses the input data, to determine whether it comprises an instruction to switch from the second mode to a different mode, and an indication that the data is provided by a secure source. The indication that the data is provided by a secure source may be provided by encryption of the data, or a key, which can be assessed by the controller to determine that the data is provided by a secure source. Responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, the controller will then switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode (e.g. the first mode).

The method of Fig. 6 may be applied in the context of any of the aerosol provision devices 100, 300, 500, of Figs. 1 , 3, 5. A first step S1 comprises providing an aerosol provision device, such as aerosol provision device 100, 300, or 500. Step S1 also comprises providing a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device. The controller may be a controller of the aerosol provision device, such as controller 120 or 320. The controller may be a controller of a further device, which is connected to the aerosol provision device and configured to communicate data with the aerosol provision device, such as a consumable, an external power source device, or a computing device. When the aerosol provision device is provided in S1 , the controller is controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode, such as the first mode discussed above in regard to Fig 5.

A second step S2 comprises connecting, to an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, an external device. The electrical interface may be an electrical interface such as 101, 301 , 501, and the external device may be the external device 504 shown in Fig. 5. Connecting the external device may involve inserting the external device into a consumable chamber of the aerosol provision device, such that when fully inserted into the consumable chamber an electrical interface of the external device becomes connected with an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device.

A third step S3 comprises, determining, by the controller, whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range. This can be done responsive to the external device being connected to the electrical interface. As discussed above with regard to Fig. 5, this may involve a determination by the controller of whether a property of the external device, such as voltage, current, frequency, resistance, or a value (e.g. a code) encoded in a signal received from the external device, is within a first predetermined range. This first predetermined range includes a range of values outside of a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable, for example comprising aerosol generating material. If the property is within the first predetermined range, it can be understood that the connection of the external device to the electrical interface corresponds to an instruction to switch, by the controller, from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first (current) mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

A fourth step S4 comprises responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the (first) predetermined range, switching, by the controller, from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first (current) mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode. In other words, if it is determined that the property is within the (first) predetermined range, then the controller switches from the first (current) mode to the second mode. As discussed above with regard to Fig. 5, this second mode may be associated with a determination that the user who will use the device is suitable to the aerosol provision device to generate aerosol. In the second mode particular functionality of one or more components of the aerosol provision device may be enabled which are not enabled in the first mode.

A fifth step S5 comprises responsive to determining that the property of the signal is within a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, either switching, by the controller, from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continuing controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode. As discussed above with regard to Fig. 5, the third mode may be associated with operation of the aerosol provision device when connected to a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device, comprising: an electrical interface for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determine whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 , wherein the property is i) a voltage, ii) a current, iii) frequency, iv) a resistance, v) a capacitance, vi) an impedance, and/or vii) a magnetic property.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein to determine whether a property of the signal is within the predetermined range, the controller is configured to determine whether a code encoded in a signal received from the external device is within a predetermined range.

4. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the predetermined range is a first predetermined range indicative that the external device is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, and the first predetermined range includes a range of values outside of a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

5. The aerosol provision device of claim 4, wherein the first predetermined range includes a range of values below a lower predetermined threshold and above an upper predetermined threshold.

6. The aerosol provision device of claim 5, wherein the lower predetermined threshold value is below a value associated with a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

7. The aerosol provision device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the upper predetermined threshold value is above a value associated with a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 4-7, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determine whether a property of the external device is within the second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the second predetermined range, either switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode.

9. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein, in the first mode, functionality of one or more first components of the aerosol provision device is enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled.

10. The aerosol provision device of claim 9, wherein in the first mode, functionality of the aerosol provision device to generate aerosol is enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled.

11. The aerosol provision device of claim 9 or 10, comprising a memory, wherein in the first mode, functionality of the controller to generate, store in the memory, and/or send usage data relating to a user’s use of the aerosol provision device is enabled, which, in the second mode, is disabled.

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 11 , wherein the usage data comprises i) inhalation data relating to the occurrence of one or more inhalations, and/or ii) session data relating to the occurrence of one or more sessions.

13. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein, in the first mode, functionality of one or more second components of the aerosol provision device is disabled, which, in the second mode, is enabled.

14. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, the controller is configured to continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

15. The aerosol provision device of claim 14, wherein, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, the controller is configured to continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is subsequently connected to the electrical interface.

16. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, comprising a control interface configured to receive inputs, and provide input data to the controller relating to the received inputs.

17. The aerosol provision device of claim 16, wherein the control interface comprises one or more input components configured to receive inputs from a user, and provide corresponding input data to the controller; and/or communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further devices and communicate data with one or more further devices.

18. The aerosol provision device of claim 16 or 17 , wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to the receipt of input data, determine whether the input data is from a secure source, and determine whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode.

19. An aerosol provision system, comprising: the aerosol provision device of any preceding claim; and a consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

20. The aerosol provision system of claim 19, wherein the consumable is configured such that when the consumable is connected to the electrical interface of the aerosol provision device, the controller will determine that the property of the consumable is not within the predetermined range.

21. A system, comprising: an aerosol provision device of any of claims 1-18; and an external device, wherein the external device is configured such that when the external device is connected to the electrical interface of the aerosol provision device, the controller will determine that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range.

22. A method for an aerosol provision device, comprising: providing an aerosol provision device and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode; connecting, to an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, an external device; responsive to the external device being connected to the electrical interface, determining, by the controller, whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switching, by the controller, from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined range is a first predetermined range indicative that the external device is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, and the first predetermined range includes a range of values outside of a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determining whether a property of the external device is within the second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the second predetermined range, either switching from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continuing controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode.

25. The method of any of claims 22, 23, or 24, comprising: after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continuing controlling, by the controller, operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

26. The method of claim 25, comprising: after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continuing controlling, by the controller, operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is connected to the electrical interface.

27. The method of any of claims 22-26, comprising providing inputs to a control interface of the aerosol provision device, and providing, by the control interface, input data to the controller corresponding to the received inputs.

28. The method of claim 27, comprising: responsive to the receipt of input data, determining, by the controller, whether the input data is from a secure source, and whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switching, by the controller, from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode.

29. A controller configured to control operation of an aerosol provision device, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to an electrical interface of the aerosol provision device for connecting to a consumable comprising aerosol generating material, determine whether a property of the external device is within a predetermined range; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the predetermined range, switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a second mode.

30. The controller of claim 29, wherein the predetermined range is a first predetermined range indicative that the external device is not a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material, and the first predetermined range includes a range of values outside of a second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

31. The controller of claim 30, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to an external device being connected to the electrical interface, determine whether a property of the external device is within the second predetermined range indicative that the external device is a standard consumable comprising aerosol generating material; and responsive to determining that the property of the external device is within the second predetermined range, either switch from controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to a third mode, or continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the first mode.

32. The controller of any of claims 29, 30, or 31, configured to, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode after the external device is disconnected from the electrical interface.

33. The controller of claim 32, configured to, after switching to controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode, continue controlling operation of the aerosol provision device according to the second mode when a consumable comprising aerosol generating material is connected to the electrical interface.

34. The controller of any of claims 29-33, configured to receive input data from a control interface of the aerosol provision device, the control interface being configured to receive inputs and provide input data to the controller relating to the received inputs.

35. The controller of any of claims 29-34, configured to: responsive to the receipt of input data, determine whether the input data is from a secure source, and determine whether the input data comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode; and responsive to determining that the input data is from a secure source and comprises an instruction to switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode, switch from controlling operation according to the second mode to controlling operation according to a different mode.