WO2025210352A1 - Aerosol provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol provision device is described comprising a near-field communication tag (for use, in combination with an external device, for unlocking said aerosol provision device from an initially locked state) and a near-field communication reader (configured to read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device).

Description

Aerosol Provision Device

Technical Field

The present specification relates to an aerosol provision device, a method of controlling such as device, and a system including an aerosol provision device. The present specification also relates to an aerosol provision device, a method of controlling such as device, a system including an aerosol provision device, and a pack that acts as a receptable for a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in an aerosol provision device.

Background

Aerosol provision devices are known that produce an aerosol during use, which is inhaled by a user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate (such as tobacco) to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. There remains a need for further developments in this field.

Summary

In a first aspect, this specification describes a method (e.g. a method of controlling an aerosol provision device), the method comprising: using a near-field communication tag of an aerosol provision device to provide an identifier for the aerosol provision device to an external device in response to a prompt from a near-field communication reader of the external device, wherein the identifier is used to transition the device from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of said external device; and using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device in said unlocked state. The external device may be a mobile communication device (or similar device). Alternatively, or in addition, the external device may be a point-of-sale device.

The method may further comprise using the near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to identify said article.

Some example embodiments further comprise managing the article based, at least in part, on information obtained from said article by said near-field communication reader.

Some example embodiments further comprise communicating information obtained from said article by said near-field communication reader to said external device. In a second aspect, this specification describes an aerosol provision device comprising: a near-field communication tag for use, in combination with an external device, for unlocking said aerosol provision device from an initially locked state; and a near-field communication reader configured to read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device. The external device may be a mobile communication device (or similar device). Alternatively, or in addition, the external device may be a point-of-sale device.

The near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device may be configured to identify said article.

Some example embodiments further comprise a wireless communications module for communicating with said external device in the unlocked state.

In some example embodiments, the wireless communication module is configured to communicate information obtained from said article by said near-field communication reader to said external device.

In a third aspect, this specification describes a system (e.g. an aerosol provision system), the system comprising an aerosol provision device as defined above with respect to the second aspect and further comprises said external device. The external device may be configured to unlock the aerosol provision device in the event that the identifier is recognised by the external device. The external device may comprise a user interface. The external device may be a mobile communication device (or similar device). Alternatively, or in addition, the external device may be a point-of-sale device.

In a fourth aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the method of the first aspect described above).

In a fifth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing (at least) any method as described herein (including the method of the first aspect described above). In a sixth aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the method of the first aspect described above).

In a seventh aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: provide an identifier for an aerosol provision device as stored at a near-field communication tag of the aerosol provision device to an external device in response to a prompt from a near-field communication reader of the external device, wherein the identifier is used to transition the device from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of said external device; and read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device in said unlocked state using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read a near-field communication.

In an eighth aspect, this specification describes an aerosol provision device comprising a near-field communication reader and a controller. The near-field communication reader is configured to read a near-field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device. The controller is configured to: activate the aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by the near-field communication tag; initialise a counter of said controller based on the number of articles as indicated by the near- field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.

The counter may be initialised based on an indication of a number of said articles stored by said pack.

In some example embodiments, de-activating the aerosol provision device does not de-activate the near-field communication reader.

The aerosol provision device may be configured to communicate with a remote device. Furthermore, the aerosol provision device may be configured to provide information relating to said pack to the remote device. The aerosol provision device may be configured to obtain user input from a user interface of the remote device. In a ninth aspect, this specification describes a pack comprising a near-field communication tag configured to provide information to a near-field communication reader of an aerosol provision device, wherein the pack acts as a receptable for a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device. The pack may further comprise said articles. The tag may comprise a near-field communication chip, a memory and an antenna.

In a tenth aspect, this specification describes a system comprising a pack (e.g. the pack of the ninth aspect) and an aerosol provision device (e.g. the device of the eighth aspect), wherein: the pack comprises a near-field communication tag configured to provide information to the aerosol provision device, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; and the aerosol provision device comprises a near-field communication reader for reading the near-field communication tag of the pack and a controller configured to: activate the aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by the near- field communication tag; initialise a counter of said controller based on the number of articles as indicated by the near-field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used. The pack may further comprises said articles.

The system may further comprise a remote device (e.g. comprising a user interface). In some example embodiments, the aerosol provision device is configured to provide information relating to said pack to the remote device.

In some example embodiments, de-activating the aerosol provision device of the system does not de-activate the near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device.

In an eleventh aspect, this specification describes a method (e.g. a method of controlling an aerosol provision device), the method comprising: activating an aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by a near-field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; initalising a counter based on the number of articles as indicated by the near-field communication tag; decrementing the counter each time an article of the plurality is used by said aerosol provision device; and de-activating the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used. Some example embodiments further comprise using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read the near-field communication tag of the pack.

The counter may be initialised based on an indication of a number of said articles stored by said pack.

In some example embodiments, de-activating the aerosol provision device does not de-activate the near-field communication reader.

In a twelfth aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the eleventh aspect described above).

In a thirteenth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the eleventh aspect described above).

In a fourteenth aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the eleventh aspect described above).

In an fifteenth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: activate an aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by a near-field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; initialise a counter based on the number of articles as indicated by the near-field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.

Brief Description of the Drawings Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device that may be used in some example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device that may be used in some example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment; FIGS. 15 to 17 are flow charts showing algorithms in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device in example embodiments;

FIG. 19 depicts an example implementation of the device of FIG. 1 with the outer cover removed;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a processing system that may be used to implement one or more of the example embodiments. Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

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

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolgenerating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosolgenerating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the noncombustible aerosol provision device.

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

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

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

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

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

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. The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosolgenerating film. The aerosol-generating film 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. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, that may be used in some example embodiments.

The aerosol provision device 10 comprises a battery 11, a control circuit 12, a heater 13 and a consumable 14 (e.g. a tobacco consumable, for example in the form of a tobacco stick, or some other replaceable consumable). The device also includes a connector 15 (such as a USB connector). The connector 15 may enable connection to be made to a power source for charging the battery 11, for example under the control of the control circuit 12.

In the use of the device 10, the heater 13 is inserted into the consumable 14, such that the consumable may be heated to generate an aerosol (and tobacco flavour, in the case of a tobacco consumable) for the user. When a user inhales at the end of the consumable, as indicated by arrow 17, the air is drawn into the device 10, through an air inlet as indicated by arrow 16, then passes through the consumable, delivering the aerosol (and tobacco flavour, in the case of a tobacco consumable) to the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, that may be used in some example embodiments.

The device 100 is an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating medium/material. In broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat a replaceable article 110 comprising an aerosol generating medium to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. The device 100 and replaceable article 110 together form a system.

The device 100 comprises a housing 102 (in the form of an outer cover) which surrounds and houses various components of the device 100. The device 100 has an opening 104 in one end, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by a heating assembly. In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the heating assembly where it may be heated by one or more components of the heating assembly.

The device 100 of this example comprises a first end member 106 which comprises a lid 108 which is moveable relative to the first end member 106 to close the opening 104 when no article 110 is in place. In FIG. 1, the lid 108 is shown in an open configuration, however the lid 108 may move into a closed configuration. For example, a user may cause the lid 108 to slide in the direction of arrow "B".

The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 112, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 112.

The device 100 may also comprise an electrical component, such as a socket/port 114, which can receive a cable to charge a battery of the device 100. For example, the socket 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port.

The device 100 may also comprise a near-field communication (NFC) reader that is configured to read an NFC tag of another device, as discussed in detail below.

The aerosol provision devices 10 and 100 are described by way of example only. Many alternative aerosol provision devices may be used in example implementations of the principles described here. For example, a vaping device may be provided in which an aerosol generating material (e.g. a liquid) is heated to generate the aerosol.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 200, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 200 includes an aerosol provision device 202 (such as one of the non-combustible aerosol provision devices 10 and 100 discussed above), an external device 204 (e.g. a mobile communication device (such as a mobile phone or some other mobile computing device) or a point-of- sale device) and one or more articles 206 for use with the an aerosol provision device 202. The article(s) 206 may be the consumable 14, the article 110 or some similar article. As discussed in detail below, the device 202 may be in two-way communication with the external device 204 and/or the article(s) 206.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 210, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 210 may be implemented at the aerosol provision device 202 of the system 200 described above.

The algorithm 210 starts at operation 212 where a near-field communication (NFC) tag of the aerosol provision device 202 is used to provide an identifier for the aerosol provision device to the external device 204 in response to a prompt from an NFC reader of the external device. As discussed in detail below, the identifier can be used to transition the device 202 from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of the external device.

At operation 214, an NFC reader of the aerosol provision device 202 is used to read an NFC tag of the article 206 for use in the aerosol provision device in said unlocked state.

Note that although the operations 212 and 214 are shown as separate steps, this is not an essential feature of all example embodiments. The operations 212 and 214 may be performed in a different order, or in parallel.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 220, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 220 includes the aerosol provision device 202 and the external device 204 described above. The system 220 may be used to implement the operation 212 of the algorithm 210.

The aerosol provision device 202 comprises a near-field communication (NFC) tag 222, an NFC reader 223 and other circuitry 224. The other circuitry 224 may implement other features of the aerosol generating device (such as some or all of the features of the device 10 or the device 100 described above). For example, the other circuitry 224 may be include a heater for heating article 206. The other circuitry may include one or more processors or control modules.

The external device 204 comprises a near-field communication (NFC) reader 226 and other circuitry 227. The other circuitry 1 7 may, for example, include a user interface and/or a controller/processor.

When in sufficiently close proximity, a two-way communication is provided between the NFC tag 222 of the device 202 and the NFC reader 226 of the external device 204 (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5). The link may enable the NFC reader 226 to identify the aerosol provision device 202 based on an identifier stored by the NFC tag 212.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 230, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 230 may be implemented (at least in part) at the aerosol provision device 202 described above. The algorithm 230 starts at operation 232, where the near-field communication (NFC) tag 222 of the aerosol provision device 202 receives a prompt to provide an identifier for the aerosol provision device to an external device (i.e. the external device 204).

At operation 234, the requested identifier (which may be stored in a memory of the NFC tag 222) is provided to the external device in response to the prompt. The operations 232 and 234 are therefore example implementations of the operation 212 of the algorithm 210 described above.

At operation 236, action is taken by (or under the control of) the external device 204 based, at least in part, on the identifier received in the operation 234 (i.e. the identifier stored by the NFC tag 222). For example, if the device 202 is in a locked state, the identifier may be used to transition the device 202 from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of said external device. Other actions that might take place during the operation 236 include setting up a communication link (e.g. a Bluetooth® link) between the device 202 and the external device 204, authenticating a user and/or launching an application (App) at the external device 204. Such an application may, for example, be used to control aspects of the aerosol provision device 202 (e.g. in response to controls from a user) and/or to provide a user interface to display information to and/or receive commands from a user.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 240, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 240 may be implemented at the external device 204 described above.

The algorithm 240 starts at operation 242, where the prompt discussed above is provided by the NFC reader 226 of the external device 204 to the aerosol provision device 202. The prompt provided in the operation 242 is the prompt received in the operation 232 discussed above.

At operation 244, an identifier is received at the external device 204. The identifier received in the operation 244 is the identifier provided in the operation 234 discussed above.

At operation 246, action is taken by (or under the control of) the external device 204 based on the identifier received in the operation 244 (i.e. the identifier stored by the NFC tag 212). For example, as discussed above, if the device 202 is in a locked state, the operation 246 may comprise the device 204 controlling the unlocking of the device 202 based on the identifier received in the operation 234. Other actions that might take place during the operation 236 might include setting up a communication link (e.g. a Bluetooth® link) between the device 202 and the external device 204.

Thus, the NFC tag 222 and the NFC reader 226 may work together to unlock the aerosol provision device 202 from an initially locked state. In some example embodiments, the other circuitry 1 7 of the external device 204 may include a fingerprint reader, face recognition software or a simple passcode or password entry system that enables the external device 204 to control user access to the system. A further verification step (such as a passport verification procedure) may be implemented the first time that a user accesses the system. The skilled person will be aware of many other unlocking and verification procedures that could be used.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 250, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 250 comprises the aerosol provision device 202 and the article 206 described above. As discussed above, the aerosol provision device 202 comprises an NFC tag 222, an NFC reader 223 and other circuitry 224. The article 206 includes an NFC tag 252 and also includes other elements not shown in FIG. 7 (such as elements of the consumable 14 or the article 110 described above).

When the device 202 and the article 206 are in sufficient proximity, the NFC reader 223 of the device 202 can be in two-way communication with the NFC tag 252 of the article 206 (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8). For example, the NFC reader 223 may be used to read the NFC tag 252 for use in the control of the use of the article 206 by the device 202 (thereby implementing operation 214 of the algorithm 200 described above).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 260, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The algorithm 260 starts at operation 214 where, as discussed above, the NFC reader 223 reads the NFC tag 252 of the article 206.

At operation 262, the article 206 is identified based on the information obtain in the operation 214 (e.g. based on an identifier stored within a memory of the NFC tag 252). The information obtained from the tag may include other information, such as a number of puffs that can be provided by the article 206. At operation 264, the article is manged (by the device 202) based, at least in part, on information obtained said article by the NFC reader 223. The operation 264 may include controlling drive signals (e.g. duration and amplitude of such signals) for a heater for heating the article. Other or alternative operations might include authenticating the article (e.g. verifying that the article is a genuine article) or managing a puff count (e.g. decrementing a puff count on use of the article).

As discussed above, the NFC tag 222 of the aerosol provision device 202 can be used, for example, during a device-unlock process (e.g. in communication with an external device such as a mobile communication device). Once unlocked, the NFC tag 222 may no longer be needed. Instead, device NFC reader 223 can be used in normal operation, for example to detect or identify inserted articles (e.g. pods, sticks or other consumables), having NFC tags.

The control of the article 206 may be independent of the interaction with the external device 204. Indeed, the external device may not be present when the algorithm 260 is implemented.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 270, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The algorithm 270 starts at operation 214 where, as discussed above, the NFC reader 223 reads the NFC tag 252 of the article 206.

At operation 262, the article 206 is identified based on the information obtain in the operation 214 (e.g. based on an identifier stored within a memory of the NFC tag 252). The information obtained from the tag may include other information, such as a number of puffs that can be provided by the article 206.

The algorithm 270 then proceeds to operation 274 where details related to the identified article (as obtained by the NFC reader 223) are provided to the external device 204. For example, such information may be provided to a user interface (for presentation to a user) and/or to an application (App) being operated by the external device 204. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 280, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 280 includes the aerosol provision device 202 and the external device 204 described above.

The aerosol provision device 202 comprises the near-field communication (NFC) tag 222, the NFC reader 223 and the other circuitry 224 described above, and further comprises a first wireless communications module 282. The external device 204 comprises the NFC reader 226 and the other circuitry 221 described above, and further comprises second wireless communications module 283. The wireless communication modules 282, 283 may be Bluetooth® modules (although many other communications protocols could be used).

The NFC reader 226 of the external device 204 and the NFC tag 222 of the aerosol provision device 202 may be in two-way communication (when the devices 202 and 204 are sufficiently close together). Furthermore, the first and second wireless communication modules 282 and 283 may be in two-way communication with one another. The communication modules 282, 283 may be able to communicate over greater separate distances than the NFC tag and reader pair. Alternatively, or in addition, the communication protocol between the wireless communication modules may be simpler that the NFC tag and reader pair, or may operate more reliably.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 290, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The algorithm 290 starts at operation 214 where, as discussed above, the NFC tag 252 of the article 206 is read by the NFC reader 223 of the aerosol provision device 202.

At operation 292, data obtained from the NFC tag 252 is provided to the external device 204. For example, data may be sent from the first wireless communication module 282 of the aerosol provision device 202 to the second wireless communication module 283 of the external device 204. Thus, the algorithm 290 may use an NFC connection to trigger communications over a wireless connection. Sending communications over the wireless communication may be easier or more reliable than sending communications over an NFC connection, as mentioned above.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1100, in accordance with an example embodiment. The device 1100 is an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating medium/material. In broad outline, the device 1100 may be used to heat a replaceable article 1110 comprising an aerosol generating medium to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 1100. The device 1100 and replaceable article 1110 together form a system.

The device 1100 comprises a housing 1102 (in the form of an outer cover) which surrounds and houses various components of the device 1100. The device 1100 has an opening 1104 in one end, through which the article 1110 may be inserted for heating by a heating assembly. In use, the article 1110 may be fully or partially inserted into the heating assembly where it may be heated by one or more components of the heater assembly.

The device 1100 of this example comprises a first end member 1106 which comprises a lid 1108 which is moveable relative to the first end member 1106 to close the opening 1104 when no article 1110 is in place. In FIG. 13, the lid 1108 is shown in an open configuration, however the lid 1108 may move into a closed configuration. For example, a user may cause the lid 1108 to slide in the direction of arrow "B".

The device 1100 may also include a user-operable control element 1112, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 1100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 1100 by operating the switch 1112.

The device 1100 may also comprise an electrical component, such as a socket/port 1114, which can receive a cable to charge a battery of the device 1100. For example, the socket 1114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port.

The device 1100 may also comprise a near-field communication (NFC) reader 1202 that is configured to read an NFC tag of another device, as discussed in detail below.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1200, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 1200 comprises the device 1100 described above with reference to FIG. 13 and further comprises a pack 1210 that is configured, in use, to act as a receptacle for a plurality of aerosol generating articles (e.g. e-cigarettes, cartomisers, consumables, pods or similar removable articles, such as the removable article 1110) for use by the device 1100. In use, the pack 1210 may include the said aerosol generating articles.

The pack 1210 includes a near-field communication (NFC) tag 1212. The aerosol provision device 1100 comprises the near-field communication (NFC) reader 1202 described above for reading the NFC tag 1212 of the pack. The aerosol provision device 1100 further comprises a controller 1204 (not shown in FIG. 13).

The NFC tag 1212 of the pack is configured to provide information to the NFC reader 1202 of the aerosol provision device 1100. The tag 1212 may comprise a near-field communication chip, a memory and an antenna. The pack 1210 acts as a receptable for a plurality of articles (such as instances of the removable article 1110) for use in the aerosol provision device and may further contain instances of said aerosol generating articles.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1300, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 1300 may be implemented at the device 1100 (e.g. by the controller 1204).

The algorithm 1300 starts at operation 1310 where the NFC tag 1212 (or a similar tag) is read. The operation 1310 may be implemented by the NFC reader 1202 of the device 1100 described above. Then, at operation 1320, activation of the device 1100 is controlled based, at least in part, on the tag details read in the operation 1310.

The algorithm 1300 may include determining that the tag identifies a pack that has not previously been used. If the pack has been previously used, the algorithm 1300 may terminate without activating the device 1100.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1400, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 1400 is an example implementation of the operation 1320 of the algorithm 1300 described above.

The algorithm 1400 starts at operation 1410, where an aerosol provision device (e.g. the device 1100) is activated based on an identifier provided by an NFC tag of a pack (e.g. the tag 1212). For example, the device (e.g. the controller 1204) may check the identifier to check whether the pack has previously been used with the aerosol provision device; as noted above, if the pack has previously been used, then the algorithm 1400 may terminate without activating the device 1100. Thus, in some example embodiments, a pack that has been used to activate a first device will not be able to active a second device.

At operation 1420, a counter is initialised based on the number of articles as indicated by the NFC tag. For example, the number of articles contained within the pack may be stored in a memory of the tag and provided as part of data provided by the NFC tag to the NFC reader (e.g. from the tag 1212 to the reader 1202). Note that the operations 1410 and 1420 may be implemented at the same time, or in a different order. A number of alternatives to the operation 1420 are possible. For example, a look-up table may be stored in the device and a tag identifier (stored at the tag 1212) may link to data in the look-up table. Such data may include a number of articles provided by the pack, and may therefore be used to initialise the counter. By way of example, an identifier stored by the NFC tag 1212 of a particular device 1210 may link to an entry in a look-up table (e.g. stored at the device 1100 or otherwise available to device 1100) indicating that the pack includes 20 articles, having flavour X and heating temperature profile Y.

At operation 1430, the counter is decremented each time one of the articles of the pack is used (i.e. consumed by a user using the device 1100).

At operation 1440, the aerosol provision device (e.g. the device 1100) is de-activated when the counter indicates that all articles have been used. Note that de-activating the aerosol provision device does not generally de-activate the NFC reader 1202 since the NFC reader may be required to identify a new pack. In some example embodiments, the device may be de-activated by default; for example, the device (such as the device 1100) may in a deactivated stated unless the counter has a value greater than or equal to 1.

Thus, the algorithm 1400 enables an aerosol provision device to be activated when a pack containing aerosol generating articles (e.g. e-cigarettes, cartomisers, consumables, pods or similar removable articles) is newly identified. When the algorithm determines that all of those articles have been used, the aerosol provision device is de-activated.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1500, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 1500 may be implemented at the NFC tag 1212. The algorithm 1500 starts at operation 1510 in which an NFC tag of a pack receives an NFC prompt (for example from the NFC reader 1202). The NFC tag may be a passive device that receives power from the prompt (i.e. from the NFC reader 1202).

At operation 1520, the NFC tag provides data in response to the prompt. The data may include an identifier of the NFC tag (identifying the pack) and/or other data stored by the NFC tag, such as the number of articles stored by the pack. The information provided may be used in the operation 1410 and/or the operation 1420 of the algorithm 1400 described above. For example, an identifier may be used by a look-up table to obtain information relating to the pack.

FIG. 18 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1001, for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, such as the device 1100 described above. The pack 1210 described above may contain a plurality of articles 1001. The article 1001 is therefore an example implementation of the removable article 1110 described above.

The article 1001 comprises a mouthpiece 1002, and a cylindrical rod of aerosol generating material 1003 (e.g. tobacco material) connected to the mouthpiece 1002. The aerosol generating material 1003, also referred to herein as an aerosol generating substrate 1003, comprises at least one aerosol forming material (such as glycerol). In alternative examples, the aerosol forming material can be another material as described herein or a combination thereof. The aerosol forming material has been found to improve the sensory performance of the article, by helping to transfer compounds such as flavour compounds from the aerosol generating material to the consumer.

The part of the mouthpiece which comes into contact with a consumer's lips may be a paper tube, which is either hollow or surrounds a cylindrical body of filter material.

As shown in FIG. 18, the mouthpiece 1002 of the article 1001 comprises an upstream end 1002a adjacent to the aerosol generating substrate 1003 and a downstream end 1002b distal from the aerosol generating substrate 1003. At the downstream end 1002b, the mouthpiece 1002 has a hollow tubular element 1004 formed from filamentary tow. This has advantageously been found to significantly reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the mouthpiece 1002 at the downstream end 1002b of the mouthpiece which comes into contact with a consumer's mouth when the article 1001 is in use. In addition, the use of the tubular element 1004 has also been found to significantly reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the mouthpiece 1002 even upstream of the tubular element 1004.

In the present example, the article 1001 has an outer circumference of about 21 mm (i.e. the article is in the demi-slim format). In other example embodiments, the article can be provided in other formats.

The outer circumference of the mouthpiece 1002 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of the rod of aerosol generating material 1003, such that there is a smooth transition between these components. In the present example, the outer circumference of the mouthpiece 1002 is about 20.8mm. A tipping paper 1005 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 1002 and over part of the rod of aerosol generating material 1003 and has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the mouthpiece 1002 and rod 1003. In the present example, the tipping paper 1005 extends 5 mm over the rod of aerosol generating material 1003 but it can alternatively extend by other lengths. The tipping paper 1005 can have a basis weight which is higher than the basis weight of plug wraps used in the article 1001, for instance a basis weight of 40 gsm to 80 gsm. The outer circumference of the tipping paper 1005, once wrapped around the mouthpiece 1002, is about 21mm.

The mouthpiece 1002, in the present example, includes a body of material 1006 upstream of the hollow tubular element 1004, in this example adjacent to and in an abutting relationship with the hollow tubular element 1004. The body of material 1006 and hollow tubular element 1004 each define a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape and share a common longitudinal axis. The body of material 1006 is wrapped in a first plug wrap 1007.

In the present example the hollow tubular element 1004 is a first hollow tubular element 1004 and the mouthpiece includes a second hollow tubular element 1008, also referred to as a cooling element, upstream of the first hollow tubular element 1004.

The second hollow tubular element 1008 is located around and defines an air gap within the mouthpiece 1002 which acts as a cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber through which heated volatilised components generated by the aerosol generating material 1003 flow. In the present example, the first hollow tubular element 1004, body of material 1006 and second hollow tubular element 1008 are combined using a second plug wrap 1009 which is wrapped around all three sections.

In the present example, the aerosol generating material 1003 is wrapped in a wrapper 1010. The wrapper 1010 can, for instance, be a paper or paper-backed foil wrapper. The wrapper may comprise aluminium foil.

The aerosol generating material 1003 may be provided as a cylindrical rod of aerosol generating material, for example having a length of about 10 mm to 100 mm. The aerosol generating material or substrate may be formed from tobacco material as described herein, which includes a tobacco component. In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco component may contain paper reconstituted tobacco. The tobacco component may also contain leaf tobacco, extruded tobacco, and/or bandcast tobacco. The tobacco material may be provided in the form of cut rag tobacco.

In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco material may contain a filler component. The filler component is generally a non-tobacco component, that is, a component that does not include ingredients originating from tobacco.

In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco material contains an aerosol forming material. In this context, an "aerosol forming material" is an agent that promotes the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol forming material may promote the generation of an aerosol by promoting an initial vaporisation and/or the condensation of a gas to an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol forming material may improve the delivery of flavour from the aerosol generating material. In general, any suitable aerosol forming material or agents may be included in the aerosol generating material of the invention, including those described herein. Other suitable aerosol forming materials include, but are not limited to: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a nonpolyol such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming material may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. Glycerol may be present in an amount of from 10 to 20 % by weight of the tobacco material, for example 13 to 16 % by weight of the composition, or about 14% or 15% by weight of the composition. Propylene glycol, if present, may be present in an amount of from 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of the composition.

The aerosol forming material may be included in any component, for example any tobacco component, of the tobacco material, and/or in the filler component, if present. Alternatively or additionally the aerosol forming material may be added to the tobacco material separately. In either case, the total amount of the aerosol forming material in the tobacco material can be as defined herein.

The tobacco material described herein can contain an aerosol modifying agent, such as any of the flavours described herein. In one embodiment, the tobacco material contains menthol, forming a mentholated article.

FIG. 19 depicts an example implementation of the device 1100 (as shown in FIG. 13) with the outer cover 1102 removed and without an article 1110 present. The device 1100 is provided by way of example only; the skilled person will be aware of many alternative embodiments. The device 1100 defines a longitudinal axis 1134.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first end member 1106 is arranged at one end of the device 1100 and a second end member 1116 is arranged at an opposite end of the device 1100. The first and second end members 1106, 1116 together at least partially define end surfaces of the device 1100. For example, the bottom surface of the second end member 1116 at least partially defines a bottom surface of the device 1100. Edges of the outer cover 1102 may also define a portion of the end surfaces. In this example, the lid 1108 also defines a portion of a top surface of the device 1100.

The end of the device closest to the opening 1104 may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) of the device 1100 because, in use, it is closest to the mouth of the user. In use, a user inserts an article 1110 into the opening 1104, operates the user control 1112 (e.g. a button) to begin heating the aerosol generating material and draws on the aerosol generated in the device. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 1100 along a flow path towards the proximal end of the device 1100. Of course, the control 1112 may be omitted in many example embodiments (e.g. if user draw detection is used to trigger heating).

The other end of the device furthest away from the opening 1104 may be known as the distal end of the device 1100 because, in use, it is the end furthest away from the mouth of the user. As a user draws on the aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows away from the distal end of the device 1100.

The device 1100 further comprises a power source 1118. The power source 1118 may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller (not shown) to heat the aerosol generating material. In this example, the battery is connected to a central support 1120 which holds the battery 1118 in place.

The device further comprises at least one electronics module 1122. The electronics module 1122 may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB 1122 may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory. The PCB 1122 may also comprise one or more electrical tracks to electrically connect together various electronic components of the device 1100. For example, the battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB 1122 so that power can be distributed throughout the device 1100. The socket 1114 may also be electrically coupled to the battery via the electrical tracks. The electronics module 1122 may include the NFC reader 1202 and/or the controller 1204 described above (although one or both of these components could be provided elsewhere).

In the example device 1100, the heating assembly is an inductive heating assembly and comprises various components to heat the aerosol generating material of the article 1110 via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting object (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive heater and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application. It should be noted that whilst inductive heating is described herein, other forms of heating could be used in some example embodiments (e.g. resistive heating).

The induction heating assembly of the example device 100 comprises a susceptor arrangement 1132 (herein referred to as "a susceptor"), a first inductor coil 1124 and a second inductor coil 1126. The first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are made from an electrically conducting material. In this example, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are made from Litz wire/cable which is wound in a helical fashion to provide helical inductor coils 1124, 1126. Litz wire comprises a plurality of individual wires which are individually insulated and are twisted together to form a single wire. Litz wires are designed to reduce the skin effect losses in a conductor. In the example device 1100, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are made from copper Litz wire which has a rectangular cross section. In other examples the Litz wire can have other shape cross sections, such as circular. It should be noted that although two inductor coils are shown, this is not essential to all example embodiments; a single inductor coil could be provided, or more than two inductor coils could be provided.

The first inductor coil 1124 is configured to generate a first varying magnetic field for heating a first section of the susceptor 1132 and the second inductor coil 1126 is configured to generate a second varying magnetic field for heating a second section of the susceptor 1132. In this example, the first inductor coil 1124 is adjacent to the second inductor coil 1126 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 1134 of the device 1100 (that is, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 to not overlap). The susceptor arrangement 1132 may comprise a single susceptor, or two or more separate susceptors. Ends 1130 of the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 can be connected to the PCB 1122.

It will be appreciated that the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126, in some examples, may have at least one characteristic different from each other. For example, the first inductor coil 1124 may have at least one characteristic different from the second inductor coil 1126. More specifically, in one example, the first inductor coil 1124 may have a different value of inductance than the second inductor coil 1126. In FIG. 19, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are of different lengths such that the first inductor coil 1124 is wound over a smaller section of the susceptor 1132 than the second inductor coil 1126. Thus, the first inductor coil 1124 may comprise a different number of turns than the second inductor coil 1126 (assuming that the spacing between individual turns is substantially the same). In yet another example, the first inductor coil 1124 may be made from a different material to the second inductor coil 1126. In some examples, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 may be substantially identical.

In this example, the first inductor coil 1124 and the second inductor coil 1126 are wound in opposite directions. This can be useful when the inductor coils are active at different times. For example, initially, the first inductor coil 1124 may be operating to heat a first section/portion of the article 1110, and at a later time, the second inductor coil 1126 may be operating to heat a second section/portion of the article 1110. Winding the coils in opposite directions helps reduce the current induced in the inactive coil when used in conjunction with a particular type of control circuit. In FIG. 19, the first inductor coil 1124 is a right-hand helix and the second inductor coil 1126 is a left-hand helix. However, in another embodiment, the inductor coils 1124, 1126 may be wound in the same direction, or the first inductor coil 1124 may be a left-hand helix and the second inductor coil 1126 may be a right-hand helix.

The susceptor 1132 of this example is hollow and therefore defines a receptacle within which aerosol generating material is received. For example, the article 1110 can be inserted into the susceptor 1132. In this example the susceptor 1120 is tubular, with a circular cross section.

The susceptor 1132 may be made from one or more materials. Preferably the susceptor 1132 comprises carbon steel having a coating of Nickel or Cobalt.

The device 1100 further comprises an insulating member 1128 which may be generally tubular and at least partially surround the susceptor 1132. The insulating member 1128 may be constructed from any insulating material, such as plastic for example. In this particular example, the insulating member is constructed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The insulating member 1128 may help insulate the various components of the device 1100 from the heat generated in the susceptor 1132.

The insulating member 1128 can also fully or partially support the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are positioned around the insulating member 1128 and are in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member 1128. In some examples the insulating member 1128 does not abut the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126. For example, a small gap may be present between the outer surface of the insulating member 1128 and the inner surface of the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126.

In a specific example, the susceptor 1132, the insulating member 1128, and the first and second inductor coils 1124, 1126 are coaxial around a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor 1132.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1800, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 1800 comprises the aerosol provision device 1100 and a remote device 1810. The remote device may be a mobile phone or similar device (such as a smartwatch or other wearable device). The device 1100 is in two-way communication with the remote device 1810, for example using a wireless communications technology, such as Bluetooth®. The device 100 may also be in communication with the pack 1210 described above (although in some implementations, the device need only be in communication with the pack 1210 once in order to obtain information such as the pack identity and how many devices are stored by the pack).

The aerosol provision device 1100 may be configured to provide information relating to the pack 1210 to the remote device 1810. For example, a pack identifier and/or a number of articles contained within the pack may be provided to the remote device. The remote device may include a user interface so that information (such as the number of articles remaining to be used) can be displayed. For example, an implementation of the operation 1430 described above (i.e. decrementing the counter of usable articles) may result in a corresponding counter displayed on the user interface being decremented.

The device 1100 may be configured to obtain user input from a user interface of the remote device 1810. For example, a user may be prompted to indicate whether or not an identified pack should be used. Such a prompt may be requested before the algorithm 1400 is implemented. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1900, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 1900 may be implemented by the system 1800 described above.

The algorithm 1900 starts at operation 1900, where a pack (e.g. the pack 1210) is identified. This may be based on an identifier provided by an NFC tag of the pack, as discussed in detail above.

At operation 1920, details of the identified pack are provided to the remote device 1810. The device 1100 is typically close to the pack 1210 enabling the device to use NFC principles to obtain data stored with an NFC tag of the pack. On successful receipt of such data, the device 1100 may provide some sort of success indication (such as an audible deep or a vibration that it detectable by a typical user).

At operation 1930, a user is able to interface with the remote device (e.g. via a user interface). The operation 1930 may include the display of information to the user and/or the input of instructions by the user via the user interface.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a processing system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 2000, that may be used to implement one or more of the example embodiments described previously. The processing system 2000 may, for example, be (or may include) the apparatus(es) referred to in the claims below.

The processing system 2000 may comprise a processor 2004, a memory 2002 coupled to the processor (e.g. comprising a random access memory (RAM) and/or a read only memory (ROM)). The processing system 2000 may also comprise one or more input/output (I/O) modules 2006, such as one or more user interface modules.

The memory 2002 may comprise code which, when executed by the processor 2004 implements aspects of the methods and algorithms described herein.

The memory 2002 and the processor 2004 may form part of the controller 1204 of the aerosol provision device 1100 described above. The I/O module 2006 may form part of the device 1100, but may also (or alternatively) or part of the remote device 1810 described above. The I/O module 2006 may form part of the aerosol provision device 202 but may also (or alternatively) or part of the external device 204 described above. 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

Claims

1. A method comprising: using a near-field communication tag of an aerosol provision device to provide an identifier for the aerosol provision device to an external device in response to a prompt from a near-field communication reader of the external device, wherein the identifier is used to transition the device from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of said external device; and using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device in said unlocked state.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising using the near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to identify said article.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising managing the article based, at least in part, on information obtained from said article by said near- field communication reader.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising communicating information obtained from said article by said near-field communication reader to said external device.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the external device is a mobile communication device.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external device is a point-of-sale device.

7. An aerosol provision device comprising: a near-field communication tag for use, in combination with an external device, for unlocking said aerosol provision device from an initially locked state; and a near-field communication reader configured to read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device.

8. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the near-field communication reader is configured to identify said article.

9. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising a wireless communications module for communicating with said external device in the unlocked state.

10. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wireless communication module is configured to communicate information obtained from said article by said near-field communication reader to said external device.

11. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the external device is a mobile communication device and/or a point-of-sale device.

12. A system comprising an aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 and further comprising said external device.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said external device is configured to unlock the aerosol provision device in the event that the identifier is recognised by the external device.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the external device comprises a user interface.

15. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: provide an identifier for an aerosol provision device as stored at a near-field communication tag of the aerosol provision device to an external device in response to a prompt from a near-field communication reader of the external device, wherein the identifier is used to transition the device from a locked state to an unlocked state under the control of said external device; and read a near-field communication tag of an article for use in the aerosol provision device in said unlocked state using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read a near-field communication.

16. An aerosol provision device comprising: a near-field communication reader for reading a near-field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; and a controller configured to: activate the aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by the near-field communication tag; initialise a counter of said controller based on the number of articles as indicated by the near-field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.

17. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the counter is initialised based on an indication of a number of said articles stored by said pack.

18. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein deactivating the aerosol provision device does not de-activate the near-field communication reader.

19. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to communicate with a remote device.

20. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to provide information relating to said pack to the remote device.

21. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to obtain user input from a user interface of the remote device.

22. A pack comprising a near-field communication tag configured to provide information to a near-field communication reader of an aerosol provision device, wherein the pack acts as a receptable for a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device.

23. A pack as claimed in claim 22, further comprising said articles.

24. A pack as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the tag comprises a near- field communication chip, a memory and an antenna.

25. A system comprising a pack and an aerosol provision device, wherein: the pack comprises a near-field communication tag configured to provide information to the aerosol provision device, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; and the aerosol provision device comprises a near-field communication reader for reading the near-field communication tag of the pack and a controller configured to: activate the aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by the near-field communication tag; initialise a counter of said controller based on the number of articles as indicated by the near-field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a remote device.

27. A method comprising: activating an aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by a near-field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; initalising a counter based on the number of articles as indicated by the near- field communication tag; decrementing the counter each time an article of the plurality is used by said aerosol provision device; and de-activating the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising using a near-field communication reader of the aerosol provision device to read the near-field communication tag of the pack.

29. A method as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the counter is initialised based on an indication of a number of said articles stored by said pack.

30. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: activate an aerosol provision device based on an identifier provided by a near- field communication tag of a pack, wherein the pack is configured to contain a plurality of aerosol generating articles for use in the aerosol provision device; initialise a counter based on the number of articles as indicated by the near- field communication tag; decrement the counter following use of each article of the plurality; and de-activate the aerosol provision device when the counter indicates that all articles have been used.