Abstract: An aerosol delivery or electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device may include smoking articles that produce aerosol. The device may operate upon authentication. The authentication may first include an age verification before an authentication allows for operation of the device. The authentication may include a control signal communication to the device. The control signal communication may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone that is detected by a microphone or pressure sensor on the device. The control signal communication may include a visual, optical, or light signal that is detected by a light sensor or photodiode on the device.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and a lock assembly configured to perform either one or both of preventing recharging the power source and preventing the application of the power from the power source to the device electronics in a locked state, and to enable recharging the power source and the application of power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The lock assembly may be configured to detect a wake event while the lock assembly is in the locked state, wake the lock assembly in response to the wake event, perform an authentication process, and, in response to completing the authentication process, transition the lock assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for access control of an aerosol provision device. The apparatus includes a housing, communication interface and processing circuitry. The housing is structured to engage the aerosol provision device, and thereby engage the aerosol provision device with the apparatus. The communication interface is configured to enable a data connection with the aerosol provision device, when the aerosol provision device is engaged with the apparatus. And the processing circuitry is configured to send an unlock signal to the aerosol provision device over the data connection to cause the aerosol provision device to unlock and thereby enable use of the aerosol provision device to power an aerosol generator to energize an aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol for delivery to a user.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized use of an aerosol provision device may include receiving a wireless signal including an unlock code for unlocking the aerosol provision device, processing the wireless signal to determine host device characterization information or environmental context information, tuning processing circuitry to process the unlock code based on the host device characterization information or environmental context information, and transitioning the aerosol provision device from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to processing the unlock code.

Abstract: A feedback portion for a feedback provision system including an aerosol provision system. The feedback portion provides a first feedback and second feedback to a user of the aerosol provision system. The feedback provision system is configured to not allow the first feedback to be selectively prevented from being provided by the feedback portion; and is configured to allow the second feedback to be selectively prevented from being provided by the feedback portion. In this way, feedback relating, for example, to critical operating mechanisms of the aerosol provision system may be displayed in a mandatory manner in order to ensure safe operation of the aerosol provision system. On the other hand, feedback relating, for example, to useful but not critical information may be selectively provided by the feedback portion, such that the user has the option to decide whether this non-mandatory feedback is provided by the feedback portion.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a feedback signal from an aerosol provision system to a hearing aid, wherein the hearing aid is configured to output acoustic feedback in response to receiving the feedback signal transmitted by the aerosol provision system, wherein the feedback signal is configured for controlling the hearing aid. In this way. the feedback signal can used as a means to ultimately provide the user, via the hearing aid, an indication of a current status of the aerosol provision system.

Abstract: A case for an aerosol generation device may include a housing, a power module and a cap. The housing may include a sleeve portion configured to engage a portion of the aerosol generation device to retain the portion of the aerosol generation device in the housing. The power module may be disposed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly provide power to the aerosol generation device. The cap may be operably coupled to the housing to cover a mouthpiece of the aerosol generation device in a closed state and enable access to the mouthpiece in an open state.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and a lock assembly configured to perform either one or both of preventing recharging the power source and preventing the application of the power from the power source to the device electronics in a locked state, and to enable recharging the power source and the application of power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The lock assembly may be configured to detect a wake event while the lock assembly is in the locked state, wake the lock assembly in response to the wake event, perform an authentication process, and, in response to completing the authentication process, transition the lock assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state.

Abstract: An aerosol provision system (1) for generating an aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision system (1) is configured to wirelessly transmit a feedback signal (290) to an audio output device (200). The feedback signal (290) is configured for controlling the audio output device (200), which may be a loudspeaker, headphone, or earphone. In some cases, the feedback signal (290) is configured to be wirelessly transmitted by the aerosol provision system (1) in response to a predetermined event being determined as being satisfied by the aerosol provision system (290). In this way, the feedback signal (290) can used as a means to ultimately provide the user, via the audio output device (200), an indication of a current status of the aerosol provision system (1).

Abstract: A mouthpiece (33) for an aerosol provision system (1). The mouthpiece (33) includes at least one aerosol outlet channel (62) for delivering an aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece (33). The mouthpiece (33) includes at least one thermal element (710) for controlling the temperature of a portion (705) of the mouthpiece (33). The portion (705) may include an exterior surface of the mouthpiece (33), and the thermal element (710) may be configured for heating and cooling the portion (705) of the mouthpiece (33). In this way, the thermal element (710) may allow for thermal feedback to be provide to the user, such as to their mouth, lips, or tongue whilst they are operating the aerosol provision system.

Abstract: A tactile indicator (200) for use in an aerosol provision system (300). The tactile indicator (200) may be supplied with a given aerosol provision system (1), or may be retrospectively used with, or attached to, an aerosol provision device (2). The tactile indicator (200) may be electrically operated, or may be mechanically operated and/or configured to remain stationary in use. The tactile indicator (200) may therefore facilitate the operation of an aerosol provision system (1), particularly to those users which have a visual impairment.

Abstract: A feedback portion (200) for use in an aerosol provision system (300). The feedback portion (200) may be supplied with a given aerosol provision system (1), or part thereof such as a cartridge (2) or mouthpiece (33). The feedback portion (200) may be configured to output electrical charge feedback, to a user of the aerosol provision system, in response to a predetermined criterion being satisfied. The feedback portion (200) may also be configured to output electrical charge feedback to enhance the flavour of any particular type of flavoured aerosolisable material which is configured to be delivered to the user when the aerosol provision device is being operated for generating an aerosol.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized use of an aerosol provision device may include receiving a wireless signal including an unlock code for unlocking the aerosol provision device, processing the wireless signal to determine host device characterization information or environmental context information, tuning processing circuitry to process the unlock code based on the host device characterization information or environmental context information, and transitioning the aerosol provision device from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to processing the unlock code.

Abstract: A charging system for charging a first battery of an aerosol generation device may include a charger having a corded connection to a power supply, and a charging case. The charging case may include a housing having a sleeve portion configured to engage a portion of the aerosol generation device, a power module disposed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly provide power to the aerosol generation device, and a wireless charging assembly operably coupled to the housing to provide power to the power module.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and an authentication module. The authentication module may include a separate chip or circuit board relative to the device electronics. The authentication module may be inserted into the aerosol delivery device between the power source and the device electronics to control provision of the power to the device electronics for generation of the aerosol or between the power source and a charge port of the aerosol delivery device to control charging of the power source.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery or electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device may include smoking articles that produce aerosol. The device may operate upon authentication. The authentication may first include an age verification before an authentication allows for operation of the device. The authentication may include a control signal communication to the device. The control signal communication may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone that is detected by a microphone or pressure sensor on the device. The control signal communication may include a visual, optical, or light signal that is detected by a light sensor or photodiode on the device.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and an authentication module. The authentication module may include a separate chip or circuit board relative to the device electronics. The authentication module may be inserted into the aerosol delivery device between the power source and the device electronics to control provision of the power to the device electronics for generation of the aerosol or between the power source and a charge port of the aerosol delivery device to control charging of the power source.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery or electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device may include smoking articles that produce aerosol. The device may operate upon authentication. The authentication may first include an age verification before an authentication allows for operation of the device. The authentication may include a control signal communication to the device. The control signal communication may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone that is detected by a microphone or pressure sensor on the device. The control signal communication may include a visual, optical, or light signal that is detected by a light sensor or photodiode on the device.

Abstract: A security device for an aerosol generation device includes an engagement assembly configured to releasably engage a portion of the aerosol generation device and a locking assembly operably coupled to the engagement assembly. The locking assembly is configured to have a locked state in which the engagement assembly is affixed to the portion of the aerosol generation device, and an unlocked state in which the engagement assembly is released from being affixed to the portion of the aerosol generation device. The engagement assembly is further configured to perform a benefit denial function responsive to removal of the security device from the aerosol generation device.