Patents by Inventor Oliver TALBOT

Oliver TALBOT has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260182672
    Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising; a smoking substitute device comprising; a control unit; a memory configured to store firmware for operating the smoking substitute device and a device-specific encryption key; and a communications interface; and an application server configured to communicate to the smoking substitute device a firmware update message that is encrypted with the device-specific encryption key, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to obtain an encrypted firmware image, wherein the firmware update message includes a firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image, and wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to use the device-specific encryption key to decrypt the firmware update message, to obtain the firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2025
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Kaikai Liu, Daniel Harden, Britt Jensen, Brian Leach
  • Publication number: 20260157447
    Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising; a smoking substitute device comprising; a control unit; a memory configured to store firmware for operating the smoking substitute device and a device-specific encryption key; and a communications interface; and an application server configured to communicate to the smoking substitute device a firmware update message that is encrypted with the device-specific encryption key, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to obtain an encrypted firmware image, wherein the firmware update message includes a firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image, and wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to use the device-specific encryption key to decrypt the firmware update message, to obtain the firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Kaikai Liu, Daniel Harden, Britt Jensen, Brian Leach
  • Patent number: 12628880
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and system e.g. a smoking substitute device and system. In particular an aerosol delivery device comprising: a movement detection unit configured to detect a movement of the device; a power source having a charge status; and a feedback element configured to provide feedback based on the charge status of the power source wherein the feedback element provides feedback in response to a movement of the device detected by the movement detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Marchbank, Thomas Sudlow, David Thomas, Oliver Talbot, Peter Lomas, Molly McGuinness, Carlos Fabrellas-Garcia
  • Publication number: 20260083178
    Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device is described. The system comprises a smoking substitute device; and a mobile device configured to have a wireless connection with the smoking substitute device; wherein the system is configured to activate a geographic lock function on the smoking substitute device thereby disabling the smoking substitute device if the smoking substitute device and/or the mobile device is determined to have a geographical location that is within one or more predetermined geographical areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Daniel Fard, Oliver Talbot, David Newns
  • Publication number: 20260047615
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is configured to record and store user data that is generated during operation of the device. Analyzing the user data can provide the user with useful information regarding their use of the smoking substitute device as well as useful information regarding the operational performance of the device. Typically, the analysis of the data would be conducted by a remote device and the smoking substitute device therefore includes a communication interface to connect and communicate with the remote device. The smoking substitute device and method of managing the smoking substitute device allows user data to be deleted from the device upon identification of a reset operation wherein the reset operation is able to be triggered from the connected remote device and/or the smoking substitute device. Providing a function to delete user data upon identification of a reset operation provides the user with some control over their information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventors: David Thomas, Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Daniel Harden, Cole Derby, KaiKai Liu
  • Publication number: 20250386878
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and system, e.g., a smoking substitute device and system. In particular an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a source of power, for providing power to a heater; a first charging connection, for charging the source of power, located at a first end of the aerosol delivery device; and a second charging connection, for charging the source of power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Harden, Cole DERBY, Akifusa NAKAZAWA, Cheng-Fu HSIEH, David THOMAS, Oliver TALBOT, Tom SUDLOW, Jonathan MARCHBANK
  • Patent number: 12495838
    Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising; a smoking substitute device comprising; a control unit; a memory configured to store firmware for operating the smoking substitute device and a device-specific encryption key; and a communications interface; and an application server configured to communicate to the smoking substitute device a firmware update message that is encrypted with the device-specific encryption key, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to obtain an encrypted firmware image, wherein the firmware update message includes a firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image, and wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to use the device-specific encryption key to decrypt the firmware update message, to obtain the firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Kaikai Liu, Daniel Harden, Britt Jensen, Brian Leach
  • Patent number: 12453382
    Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device is described. The system comprises a smoking substitute device; and a mobile device configured to have a wireless connection with the smoking substitute device; wherein the system is configured to activate a geographic lock function on the smoking substitute device thereby disabling the smoking substitute device if the smoking substitute device and/or the mobile device is determined to have a geographical location that is within one or more predetermined geographical areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Fard, Oliver Talbot, David Newns
  • Patent number: 12426642
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is configured to record and store user data that is generated during operation of the device. Analyzing the user data can provide the user with useful information regarding their use of the smoking substitute device as well as useful information regarding the operational performance of the device. Typically, the analysis of the data would be conducted by a remote device and the smoking substitute device therefore includes a communication interface to connect and communicate with the remote device. The smoking substitute device and method of managing the smoking substitute device allows user data to be deleted from the device upon identification of a reset operation wherein the reset operation is able to be triggered from the connected remote device and/or the smoking substitute device. Providing a function to delete user data upon identification of a reset operation provides the user with some control over their information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: David Thomas, Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Daniel Harden, Cole Derby, KaiKai Liu
  • Publication number: 20250295176
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is provided comprising a body housing a power source, an auxiliary component, and an airflow sensor for detecting airflow through the body. The body includes a coupling portion arranged to receive a consumable and is selectively operable in a shipping mode and an active mode. In the active mode, the power source is configured to supply power to the auxiliary component. In the shipping mode, the power source is restricted from supplying power to the auxiliary component. The body is configured to transition from the shipping mode to the active mode upon detection of a consumable being received in the coupling portion and a flow of air through the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2025
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Applicant: IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED
    Inventors: Oliver TALBOT, Daniel FARD, Kaikai LIU
  • Patent number: 12336562
    Abstract: Disclosed is a smoking substitute system comprising a connector configured to receive a main power supply from a mobile device and to supply the main power supply to a vaporizer. The system further comprises an auxiliary power source configured to provide an auxiliary power supply to the vaporizer and/or at least one auxiliary component of the smoking substitute system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Chris Lord
  • Patent number: 12295419
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is provided comprising a body housing a power source, an auxiliary component, and an airflow sensor for detecting airflow through the body. The body includes a coupling portion arranged to receive a consumable and is selectively operable in a shipping mode and an active mode. In the active mode, the power source is configured to supply power to the auxiliary component. In the shipping mode, the power source is restricted from supplying power to the auxiliary component. The body is configured to transition from the shipping mode to the active mode upon detection of a consumable being received in the coupling portion and a flow of air through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Daniel Fard, Kaikai Liu
  • Publication number: 20250082042
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device having: a control unit; a battery configured to supply power to the smoking substitute device; a movement sensing component configured to sense movement of the smoking substitute device; and a battery level indicator configured to, when activated, provide an indication of charge remaining in the battery. The control unit is configured to activate the battery level indicator when a predetermined movement of the smoking substitute device is detected using the movement sensing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Oliver TALBOT, Thomas SUDLOW, Jonathan MARCHBANK, Daniel HARDEN, Brian LEACH, Britt JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20250040616
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device is described. The smoking substitute device is provided with a printed circuit board assembly including a processor; a wire antenna, configured to allow the processor to wirelessly communicate with a remote device; and a battery, for powering the smoking substitute device; and wherein the wire antenna is positioned to solely overlap with a surface area of the printed circuit board assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Daniel FARD, Kaikai LIU
  • Publication number: 20250033257
    Abstract: A method of forming a consumable for use in a smoking substitute device, the method including: providing a machine readable component which stores information associated with the consumable; overmoulding the machine readable component with an overmoulding material to coat at least part of the machine readable component with the overmoulding material; and including the overmoulded machine readable component in the consumable. Associated devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Fard, Oliver TALBOT
  • Patent number: 12178260
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device having: a control unit; a battery configured to supply power to the smoking substitute device; a movement sensing component configured to sense movement of the smoking substitute device; and a battery level indicator configured to, when activated, provide an indication of charge remaining in the battery. The control unit is configured to activate the battery level indicator when a predetermined movement of the smoking substitute device is detected using the movement sensing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED
    Inventors: Oliver Talbot, Thomas Sudlow, Jonathan Marchbank, Daniel Harden, Britt Jensen, Brian Leach
  • Publication number: 20240407460
    Abstract: A system including a smoking substitute device and a smoking substitute device having a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly with a computing device. The smoking substitute device may be able to send information relating to usage of the smoking substitute device wirelessly to the computing device using the wireless interface and/or to change its behaviour based on instructions from the computing device that have been received wirelessly at the wireless interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel FARD, Oliver TALBOT
  • Patent number: 12162194
    Abstract: A method of forming a consumable for use in a smoking substitute device, the method including: providing a machine readable component which stores information associated with the consumable; overmoulding the machine readable component with an overmoulding material to coat at least part of the machine readable component with the overmoulding material; and including the overmoulded machine readable component in the consumable. Associated devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Fard, Oliver Talbot
  • Patent number: 12144379
    Abstract: A smoking substitute device and a method of operating a smoking substitute device. The smoking substitute device comprising: a control unit; and an accelerometer, configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit. The control unit is configured to trigger an alert when it determines from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. The control unit is configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vaporizable liquid for a predetermined period of time (t1), wherein the predetermined period of time is at least 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
    Inventor: Oliver Talbot
  • Publication number: 20240365882
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device (102) comprising a communication interface (124) configured to communicate with a mobile device (300), a user interface (160) configured to receive a user input sequence, and a memory (122) configured to store an access key (166). The device (102) further comprises a controller (120) configured to compare a user input sequence received by the user interface (160) with the stored access key (166). and control communication between the aerosol delivery device (102) and the mobile device (300) based on the comparison. Also disclosed is an access system for managing access to an aerosol delivery device. The system comprises a server (400) configured to store a server key (404) that corresponds to the access key (166) of the aerosol delivery device (102), the server (400) further configured to receive user verification data. determine whether the user verification data meets a user verification criteria. and provide the server key (404). upon request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Marchbank, Thomas Sudlow, David Thomas, Oliver Talbot