INTERACTIVE AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Abstract

An aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol delivery device, at least a first motion detection sensor configured to generate motion signals in response to motion, a motion classification processor configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation based on the generated motion signals, and a control processor configured to alter one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to a classification by the motion classification processor of motion signals generated by the motion detection sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an interactive aerosol provision system.

BACKGROUND

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Aerosol provision systems are popular with users as they enable the delivery of active ingredients (such as nicotine) to the user in a convenient manner and on demand.

As an example of an aerosol provision system, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation. An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking/capillary action. Other source materials may be similarly heated to create an aerosol, such as botanical matter, or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring. Hence more generally, the e-cigarette may be thought of as comprising or receiving a payload for heat vaporisation.

While a user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporise the aerosol source (a portion of the payload) in the vicinity of the heating element, to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system. When a user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it. The aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

Usually an electric current is supplied to the heater when a user is drawing/puffing on the device. Typically, the electric current is supplied to the heater, e.g. resistance heating element, in response to either the activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path as the user inhales/draw/puffs or in response to the activation of a button by the user. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporise a formulation. The released vapour mixes with air drawn through the device by the puffing consumer and forms an aerosol. Alternatively or in addition, the heating element is used to heat but typically not burn a botanical such as tobacco, to release active ingredients thereof as a vapour/aerosol.

The secure, efficient and/or timely operation of such an aerosol provision system can benefit from responding appropriately to how the user interacts with it.

It is in this context that the present invention arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects and features of the present invention are defined in the appended claims and within the text of the accompanying description.

In a first aspect, an aerosol delivery system is provided in accordance with claim 1.

In another aspect, a method of control of an aerosol delivery system is provided in accordance with claim 19.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cartomiser of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a body of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a delivery ecosystem in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a delivery device in accordance with embodiments of the description.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of control of an aerosol delivery system in accordance with embodiments of the description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An interactive aerosol provision system is disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to a person skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice embodiments of the present disclosure. Conversely, specific details known to the person skilled in the art are omitted for the purposes of clarity where appropriate.

The term ‘interactive aerosol provision system’, or similarly ‘delivery device’ may encompass systems that deliver a least one substance to a user, and include 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; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

The substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.

Currently, the most common example of such a delivery device or aerosol provision system (e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system) is an electronic vapour provision system (EVPS), such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” is sometimes used but this term may be used interchangeably with delivery device or aerosol provision system except where stated otherwise or where context indicates otherwise. Similarly the terms ‘vapour’ and ‘aerosol’ are referred to equivalently herein.

Generally, the electronic vapour/aerosol provision system may be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery device (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating (e.g. aerosolisable) material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco 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 aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Meanwhile in some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system generates a vapour/aerosol from one or more such aerosol-generating materials.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article (otherwise referred to as a consumable) for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component (e.g. an aerosol generator such as a heater, vibrating mesh or the like) may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolisable material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the power source, such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol forming material and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material which is included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception. The aerosol forming material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials may comprise one or more of flavours, carriers, pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving aerosolisable material may be a storage area for storing aerosolisable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol generating area.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapour/aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette 10 (not to scale), providing a non-limiting example of a delivery device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body 20 and a cartomiser 30. The cartomiser includes an internal chamber containing a reservoir of a payload such as for example a liquid comprising nicotine, a vaporiser (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. References to ‘nicotine’ hereafter will be understood to be merely an example and can be substituted with any suitable active ingredient. References to ‘liquid’ as a payload hereafter will be understood to be merely an example and can be substituted with any suitable payload such as botanical matter (for example tobacco that is to be heated rather than burned), or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavouring. The reservoir may be a foam matrix or any other structure for retaining the liquid until such time that it is required to be delivered to the vaporiser. In the case of a liquid/flowing payload, the vaporiser is for vaporising the liquid, and the cartomiser 30 may further include a wick or similar facility to transport a small amount of liquid from the reservoir to a vaporising location on or adjacent the vaporiser. In the following, a heater is used as a specific example of a vaporiser. However, it will be appreciated that other forms of vaporiser (for example, those which utilise ultrasonic waves) could also be used and it will also be appreciated that the type of vaporiser used may also depend on the type of payload to be vaporised.

The body 20 includes a re-chargeable cell or battery to provide power to the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette. When the heater receives power from the battery, as controlled by the circuit board, the heater vaporises the liquid and this vapour is then inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 35. In some specific embodiments the body is further provided with a manual activation device 265, e.g. a button, switch, or touch sensor located on the outside of the body.

The body 20 and cartomiser 30 may be detachable from one another by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as shown in FIG. 1, but are joined together when the device 10 is in use by a connection, indicated schematically in FIG. 1 as 25A and 25B, to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The electrical connector 25B on the body 20 that is used to connect to the cartomiser 30 also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is detached from the cartomiser 30. The other end of the charging device may be plugged into a USB socket to re-charge the cell in the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other implementations, a cable may be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector 25B on the body 20 and a USB socket.

The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes (not shown in FIG. 1) for air inlets. These holes connect to an air passage through the e-cigarette 10 to the mouthpiece 35. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into this air passage through the one or more air inlet holes, which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporise the nicotine from the cartridge, the airflow passes through, and combines with, the generated vapour, and this combination of airflow and generated vapour then passes out of the mouthpiece 35 to be inhaled by a user. Except in single-use devices, the cartomiser 30 may be detached from the body 20 and disposed of when the supply of liquid is exhausted (and replaced with another cartomiser if so desired).

It will be appreciated that the e-cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1 is presented by way of example, and various other implementations can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the cartomiser 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge comprising the liquid reservoir and mouthpiece (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporiser comprising a heater (which is generally retained). As another example, the charging facility may connect to an additional or alternative power source, such as a car cigarette lighter.

FIG. 2 is a schematic (simplified) diagram of the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2 can generally be regarded as a cross-section in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the body, e.g. such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from FIG. 2 for reasons of clarity.

The body 20 includes a battery or cell 210 for powering the e-cigarette 10 in response to a user activation of the device. Additionally, the body 20 includes a control unit 205, for example a chip such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller, for controlling the e-cigarette 10. The microcontroller or ASIC includes a CPU or micro-processor. The operations of the CPU and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the CPU (or other component). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which can be integrated into the microcontroller itself, or provided as a separate component. The CPU may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required. The microcontroller also contains appropriate communications interfaces (and control software) for communicating as appropriate with other devices in the body 10.

The body 20 further includes a cap 225 to seal and protect the far (distal) end of the e-cigarette 10. Typically there is an air inlet hole provided in or adjacent to the cap 225 to allow air to enter the body 20 when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. The control unit or ASIC may be positioned alongside or at one end of the battery 210. In some embodiments, the ASIC is attached to a sensor unit 215 to detect an inhalation on mouthpiece 35 (or alternatively the sensor unit 215 may be provided on the ASIC itself). An air path is provided from the air inlet through the e-cigarette, past the airflow sensor 215 and the heater (in the vaporiser or cartomiser 30), to the mouthpiece 35. Thus when a user inhales on the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette, the CPU detects such inhalation based on information from the airflow sensor 215.

At the opposite end of the body 20 from the cap 225 is the connector 25B for joining the body 20 to the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B provides mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B includes a body connector 240, which is metallic (silver-plated in some embodiments) to serve as one terminal for electrical connection (positive or negative) to the cartomiser 30. The connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 to provide a second terminal for electrical connection to the cartomiser 30 of opposite polarity to the first terminal, namely body connector 240. The electrical contact 250 is mounted on a coil spring 255. When the body 20 is attached to the cartomiser 30, the connector 25A on the cartomiser 30 pushes against the electrical contact 250 in such a manner as to compress the coil spring in an axial direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to (co-aligned with) the longitudinal axis LA. In view of the resilient nature of the spring 255, this compression biases the spring 255 to expand, which has the effect of pushing the electrical contact 250 firmly against connector 25A of the cartomiser 30, thereby helping to ensure good electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30. The body connector 240 and the electrical contact 250 are separated by a trestle 260, which is made of a non-conductor (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between the two electrical terminals. The trestle 260 is shaped to assist with the mutual mechanical engagement of connectors 25A and 25B.

As mentioned above, a button 265, which represents a form of manual activation device 265, may be located on the outer housing of the body 20. The button 265 may be implemented using any appropriate mechanism which is operable to be manually activated by the user—for example, as a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, and so on. It will also be appreciated that the manual activation device 265 may be located on the outer housing of the cartomiser 30, rather than the outer housing of the body 20, in which case, the manual activation device 265 may be attached to the ASIC via the connections 25A, 25B. The button 265 might also be located at the end of the body 20, in place of (or in addition to) cap 225.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the cartomiser 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3 can generally be regarded as a cross-section in a plane through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the cartomiser 30, such as wiring and more complex shaping, have been omitted from FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity.

The cartomiser 30 includes an air passage 355 extending along the central (longitudinal) axis of the cartomiser 30 from the mouthpiece 35 to the connector 25A for joining the cartomiser 30 to the body 20. A reservoir of liquid 360 is provided around the air passage 335. This reservoir 360 may be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam soaked in liquid. The cartomiser 30 also includes a heater 365 for heating liquid from reservoir 360 to generate vapour to flow through air passage 355 and out through mouthpiece 35 in response to a user inhaling on the e-cigarette 10. The heater 365 is powered through lines 366 and 367, which are in turn connected to opposing polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) of the battery 210 of the main body 20 via connector 25A (the details of the wiring between the power lines 366 and 367 and connector 25A are omitted from FIG. 3).

The connector 25A includes an inner electrode 375, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material. When the cartomiser 30 is connected to the body 20, the inner electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20 to provide a first electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20. In particular, as the connectors 25A and 25B are engaged, the inner electrode 375 pushes against the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the inner electrode 375 and the electrical contact 250.

The inner electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which may be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. The insulating ring is surrounded by the cartomiser connector 370, which may be silver-plated or made of some other suitable metal or conducting material. When the cartomiser 30 is connected to the body 20, the cartomiser connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20 to provide a second electrical path between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20. In other words, the inner electrode 375 and the cartomiser connector 370 serve as positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for supplying power from the battery 210 in the body 20 to the heater 365 in the cartomiser 30 via supply lines 366 and 367 as appropriate.

The cartomiser connector 370 is provided with two lugs or tabs 380A, 380B, which extend in opposite directions away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet fitting in conjunction with the body connector 240 for connecting the cartomiser 30 to the body 20. This bayonet fitting provides a secure and robust connection between the cartomiser 30 and the body 20, so that the cartomiser and body are held in a fixed position relative to one another, with minimal wobble or flexing, and the likelihood of any accidental disconnection is very small. At the same time, the bayonet fitting provides simple and rapid connection and disconnection by an insertion followed by a rotation for connection, and a rotation (in the reverse direction) followed by withdrawal for disconnection. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may use a different form of connection between the body 20 and the cartomiser 30, such as a snap fit or a screw connection.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of certain details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure (but omitting for clarity most of the internal structure of the connector as shown in FIG. 2, such as trestle 260). In particular, FIG. 4 shows the external housing 201 of the body 20, which generally has the form of a cylindrical tube. This external housing 201 may comprise, for example, an inner tube of metal with an outer covering of paper or similar. The external housing 201 may also comprise the manual activation device 265 (not shown in FIG. 4) so that the manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to the user.

The body connector 240 extends from this external housing 201 of the body 20. The body connector 240 as shown in FIG. 4 comprises two main portions, a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube, which is sized to fit just inside the external housing 201 of the body 20, and a lip portion 242 which is directed in a radially outward direction, away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e-cigarette. Surrounding the shaft portion 241 of the body connector 240, where the shaft portion does not overlap with the external housing 201, is a collar or sleeve 290, which is again in a shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is retained between the lip portion 242 of the body connector 240 and the external housing 201 of the body, which together prevent movement of the collar 290 in an axial direction (i.e. parallel to axis LA). However, collar 290 is free to rotate around the shaft portion 241 (and hence also axis LA).

As mentioned above, the cap 225 is provided with an air inlet hole to allow air to flow when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments the majority of air that enters the device when a user inhales flows through collar 290 and body connector 240 as indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the e-cigarette 10 (or more generally any delivery device as described elsewhere herein) may operate within a wider delivery ecosystem 1. Within the wider delivery ecosystem, a number of devices may communicate with each other, either directly (shown with solid arrows) or indirectly (shown with dashed arrows).

In FIG. 5, as an example delivery device an e-cigarette 10 may communicate directly with one or more other classes of device (for example using Bluetooth® or Wifi Direct®), including but not limited to a smartphone 100, a dock 200 (e.g. a home refill and/or charging station), a vending machine 300, or a wearable 400. As noted above, these devices may cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

Alternatively or in addition the delivery device, such as for example the e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with one or more of these classes of device via a network such as the internet 500, for example using Wifi®, near field communication, a wired link or an integral mobile data scheme. Again, as noted above, in this manner these devices may cooperate in any suitable configuration to form a delivery system.

Alternatively or in addition the delivery device, such as for example the e-cigarette 10, may communicate indirectly with a server 1000 via a network such as the internet 500, either itself for example by using Wifi, or via another device in the delivery ecosystem, for example using Bluetooth® or Wifi Direct® to communicate with a smartphone 100, a dock 200, a vending machine 300, or a wearable 400 that then communicates with the server to either relay the e-cigarette's communications, or report upon its communications with the e-cigarette 10. The smartphone, dock, or other device within the delivery ecosystem, such as a point of sale system/vending machine, may hence optionally act as a hub for one or more delivery devices that only have short range transmission capabilities. Such a hub may thus extend the battery life of a delivery device that does not need to maintain an ongoing WiFi® or mobile data link. It will also be appreciated that different types of data may be transmitted with different levels of priority; for example data relating to the user feedback system (such as user factor data or feedback action data, as discussed herein) may be transmitted with a higher priority than more general usage statistics, or similarly some user factor data relating to more short-term variables (such as current physiological data) may be transmitted with a higher priority than user factor data relating to longer-term variables (such as current weather, or day of the week). A non-limiting example transmission scheme allowing higher and lower priority transmission is LoRaWAN.

Meanwhile, the other classes of device in the ecosystem such as the smartphone, dock, vending machine (or any other point of sale system) and/or wearable may also communicate indirectly with the server 1000 via a network such as the internet 500, either to fulfil an aspect of their own functionality, or on behalf of the delivery system (for example as a relay or co-processing unit). These devices may also communicate with each other, either directly or indirectly.

It will be appreciated that the delivery ecosystem may comprise multiple delivery devices (10), for example because the user owns multiple devices (for example so as to easily switch between different active ingredients or flavourings), or because multiple users share the same delivery ecosystem, at least in part (for example cohabiting users may share a charging dock, but have their own phones or wearables). Optionally such devices may similarly communicate directly or indirectly with each other, and/or with devices within the shared delivery ecosystem and/or the server.

Turning now to FIG. 6, in which features similar to those of FIG. 1 are similarly numbered, an aerosol delivery device may comprise at least one motion detection sensor (610) operable to generate motion signals in response to motion.

Alternatively or in addition to the at least one motion detection sensor 610 on the aerosol delivery device, optionally at least one motion detection sensor 610 may be provided on a companion device, e.g. a closely associated device within the delivery ecosystem, such as the user's phone, smartwatch, fitness tracker, or the like.

Accordingly, in embodiments of the present description an aerosol delivery system 1 comprises an aerosol delivery device 10, and at least one motion detection sensor 610 configured to generate motion signals in response to motion.

Example motion detection sensors include but are not limited to one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more cameras, and a barometric pressure sensor, as described elsewhere herein.

For example, one or more accelerometers and/or one or more gyroscopes may be deployed to detect motion, and where more than one accelerometer or more than one gyroscope is used, they may be mounted orthogonally to each other to detect motion in respective axes.

Similarly, one or more cameras may be used to detect motion for example based on detected panning of a scene within successive captured images.

Likewise, a barometric pressure sensor may be used to detect motion based on a change in altitude, for example on a plane or in an elevator.

Other examples of motion detection may be considered, such as GPS tracking. In this case, optionally the tracking determines motion based on relative positioning rather than absolute position, as this advantageously allows the GPS system to not be reliant on a potentially large set of map data or access to such data via a network or mobile connection.

The aerosol delivery system also comprises a motion classification processor (e.g. control unit 205) configured (for example by suitable software instructions) to classify whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation, based on the generated motion signals. Similarly, it also comprises a control processor (e.g. control unit 205) configured (again for example by suitable software instructions) to alter one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to a classification by the motion classification processor of motion signals generated by the motion detection sensor.

It will be appreciated therefore that aerosol delivery system is thus able to use gross motion detection to inform device behaviour, by classifying a current mode of transport based on such motion and setting one or more operational parameters according to that mode of transport (and the likely type of user or interaction with the aerosol delivery device, or lack thereof, that may be associated with that mode of transport).

Optionally, in addition to the aerosol delivery device itself, as noted above the aerosol delivery system may comprise a companion device, such as the user's mobile phone or smartwatch from the wider delivery ecosystem.

In this case then optionally a companion device may comprise at least one motion detection sensor, typically if the companion device is habitually carried or worn by the user.

Similarly, a companion device may comprise the motion classification processor and/or the control processor, or the role or either processor may be shared between the companion device and the aerosol delivery device.

In embodiments of the description, the motion classification processor is configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of motorised transportation, based on the generated motion signals

Motion signals that may be indicative of motorised transportation include speed of motion, and whether it is substantially linear or arcuate with little or no noise (e.g. rocking or jolting).

Hence for example a frequency decomposition of the motion signal and/or of one or more integrals or derivatives (e.g. to access position, velocity, and/or acceleration, as appropriate) may reveal a characteristic distribution of motion frequencies, being predominantly DC or below a predetermined frequency in the range 0.1 Hz-1 Hz.

The ratio between one or more low frequency motion characteristics (e.g. at or below 0.1 Hz, 0.5 Hz, or 1 Hz) and one or more high frequency characteristics (e.g. above 0.5 Hz, 1 Hz, or 5 Hz), depending on the mode of transport, may thus also be characteristic of motorised transport.

Similarly one or more ratios may be characteristic of motorised transport, such as the ratio of orthogonal speeds (e.g. where the direction of travel is much faster than any lateral movement).

In either case, a threshold ratio may be considered indicative of motorised transport.

Hence the motion classification processor may implement one or more rules or heuristics based on the above distinguishing characteristics. Alternatively or in addition, the motion classification processor may comprise a machine learning system previously trained on characteristic motion of motorised transport to recognise such and output a value indicting its detection.

Example modes of motorised transportation include car, bus, lorry, train, boat, plane, motorbike, and mobility vehicle. Other vehicles can also be envisaged, such as hovercraft, snowmobile, escalator, or lift.

Each of these forms of transport may have different characteristic motion signals, with for example trains and planes having particularly strong linear or arcuate motion signals compared to any orthogonal or noise signals. Meanwhile for other forms of transport, different aspects of motion may distinguish them. For example speed and acceleration may distinguish motorbikes and cars from lorries and busses, whilst turning actions distinguish motorbikes from cars, and average speed and stopping times may distinguish lorries and busses.

Similarly boats, elevators, lifts, and mobility vehicles will also have characteristic patterns of motion and speed.

Optionally, different forms of motorised transport can be grouped into different subsets. For example, motorbikes, lorries, mobility vehicles and cars can be grouped together as a first subset of vehicles, where the user of the aerosol delivery device is likely to be the driver. By contrast planes, trains, boats, and busses can be grouped together as a second subset of vehicles, where the user of the aerosol delivery device is likely to be the passenger.

Optionally the subsets can be further divided, for example with boats being classified at typically open vehicles (as opposed to closed vehicles such as planes or trains, or lifts). Hence as a passenger there may be a different likelihood of use of the aerosol delivery device by the passenger of a boat compared to a plane.

Similarly detection of motion characteristic of a car may or may not indicate that the user is the driver. In this case potentially other motion signals may be used to determine this; for example if the user has a smartwatch, then motion characteristic of handling the steering wheel may be detected. Meanwhile a passenger may either be much more still, or occasionally turn in a direction more than a threshold different to the direction of travel, typically unlike the driver. A default assumption that the user is or is not the driver may be made in the absence of differentiating signals; for example this may be initially set to assume ‘driver’, but may be changed by the user themselves via a UI if, in fact they are habitually the passenger.

Accordingly, if a classified mode of transportation is one of the first subset of motorised transport, then optionally the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a first activity state, as described elsewhere herein.

Meanwhile, if a classified mode of transportation is one of the second subset of motorised transport, then optionally the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a second activity state, as described elsewhere herein.

In contrast to motorised transport, the motion classification processor may similarly be configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of non-motorised transportation, based on the generated motion signals.

In this case the primary direction of motion is likely to be associated with a relatively slop velocity, and a significant and typically rhythmic orthogonal/swaying action (e.g. when cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, windsirfing, or the like, or indeed when riding a horse).

In these cases the user is very likely to be the driver (i.e. the transportation is user powered, and/or the person in control of the transportation).

Optionally all such transportation may be treated as the set of non-motorised transport, but alternatively transportation that is user powered may be distinguished from other forms (such as horse-riding). In any event, if a classified mode of transportation is one of a first subset of non-motorised transport (being typically either all such transport, or user powered transport, as noted above), then the control processor may configured to place the aerosol delivery device in the first activity state, as described elsewhere herein.

It will be similarly be appreciated that travel without transport may also be detected. Hence the motion classification processor may be similarly configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of travel without transportation based on the generated motion signals.

In this case, motions characteristic of as walking, jogging, or running will be detectable and classified appropriately. Again, a characteristic combination of speed in a dominant direction, orthogonal and typically rhythmic motions, and impacts (e.g. threshold changes in vertical velocity, acceleration, or jerk), will typically be indicative of self-locomotion.

Typically in these circumstances the user is not actively controlling a vehicle, and when walking, at least is not necessarily exerting themselves. Accordingly, if the classified motion is walking, the control processor may optionally be configured to place the aerosol delivery device in the second activity state (in a similar manner to an assumed vehicle passenger, for example). Optionally if the classified motion is jogging or running, then the control processor may be configured to place the aerosol delivery device in the first activity state (in a similar manner to a vehicle driver).

In addition to transportation or locomotion, the motion sensors described elsewhere herein may optionally be configured to sense motion related to the user's use or preparation to use the delivery device, and similarly the motion classification processor may optionally be configured to classify that a motion is characteristic of user interaction with the aerosol delivery device.

Examples of such motion would include the delivery device being rotated on one or more axes and the user manipulates the device, or it describing a substantially vertical arc with a radius less than 1 meter (e.g. due to being brought up towards the user's mouth). These motions may be superposed on motions related to transportation or locomotion (e.g. when a user is riding a vehicle or walking), but are qualitatively different to such motions and may thus be detected separately.

Optionally, the motion classification processor may be configured to estimate an emotional state of a user in addition to a classification of motion, and the control processor may be configured to alter one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to the estimated emotional state. For example, the user may exhibit micro-tremors indicative of stress when holding the delivery device, or toy with the device for protracted periods, or be detectable as pacing or looping in an agitated manner. Conversely the user may be recognised as being relaxed, due to limited movement of the user, or that movement due to travel comprises few deviations over time from a repeated pattern or signature. If the user appears stressed, then the control processor may for example place the system in the second activity state.

Optionally, the motion classification processor may be configured to estimate the emotional state of the user responsive to one or more additional factors other than motion. For example, data fusion may be used to include other factors, such as day of the week and/or time of day, or inform whether the current travel is to work, or is running late. Other information such as historical records of habitual travel can indicate if the travel is running slow. Further information may include contents of calendar apps, voice stress analysis, biometric sensor signal analysis, and the like.

The use of motion detection as described elsewhere herein enables the aerosol delivery system to determine with a high degree of certainty whether the user is travelling, and if so, then how. However, this degree of certainty can be improved in some cases using data fusion to integrate other indicators into the motion classification processor's classification process.

In particular, the aerosol delivery system may comprise a wireless signal receiver (for example as part of a companion device such as a mobile phone, and/or in the delivery device itself). In this case, the motion classification processor may optionally be configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation additionally based upon a classification of one or more received wireless signals.

Hence for example receiving the user's home WiFi militates against current travel, whereas transitioning through multiple Wifi hotspots, or receiving in-car Bluetooth, are both strongly suggestive of it. The motion classification processor may thus use appropriate rules and heuristics to detect motion in this manner.

Clearly also GPS can indicate travel, but whilst it may be able to differentiate some classes of transport (e.g. in the user is travelling faster than is possible by bicycle), this is not always possible, and GPS is not able to determine the quality of motion and hence the set or optionally subset of transport involved.

As noted elsewhere herein, the control processor can set an activity state responsive to type of transport (e.g. respective subsets of transport) and optionally user emotion and the like, and a first state and a second state are referred to.

For example, the first activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of display of a first set of information; display of a first level of detail of information; a lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission; a lower duty cycle or lower power pre-heating; a lower duty cycle or lower power lighting; and a lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness, where ‘lower’ is lower than in the second state. By contrast, for example second activity state may include one or more selected from the list consisting of display of a second set of information (being separate to or a superset of a first set of information); display of second higher level of detail of information; a higher duty cycle or higher power data transmission; a higher duty cycle or higher power heating; a higher duty cycle or higher power lighting; and a higher duty cycle or higher power situational awareness, where ‘higher’ is higher than in the first state.

These may be thought of as respective groupings of one or more settings for one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system.

Hence optionally the first activity state can be characterised as one or more of a lower power state, a lower situational awareness state, a lower notification (e.g. to the user or companion devices) state, a lower wakefulness state, a lower UI information state, a quieter state, a cooler state, and the like, compared to the second state.

In the above examples a lower situational awareness state may mean a slower duty cycle for a wireless scan, or less complex data analysis by the identification process or correlation processor, and the like.

Meanwhile first and second sets of information and levels of detail of information can relate to information relevant to the different states and the likely level of engagement of the user with the device at that time.

Hence for example in the first state the delivery device could appear to be off entirely, or may only display (or periodically report to a companion device) the state of its battery and payload (e.g. e-liquid level), for example without a backlight. Meanwhile in the second state it could backlight the display, include other and more detailed information in the UI such as the current payload flavour or strength, a current operation mode, and optionally pre-heat the heater to a pre-vaporisation temperature and indicate when this is achieved. Alternatively, an action such as pre-heating the heater (which uses a comparatively large amount of power) may only be performed as part of a third state where the user has begun to directly physically interact with the delivery device, optionally in a manner characteristic of imminent use. Optionally where such a third state is included, functions in the second state may include active sensing for indicators of the third state.

Hence optionally the first state may be characterised as a dormant or standby state, the second state as an awake or ready state, and an optional third state as a ready or pre-use state.

It will be appreciated that for some modes of transport, the selected state may include that no aerosol generation is allowed (or is only allowed after an explicit user acknowledgement or override); hence for example the delivery device will not activate in response to an inhalation action alone, but may (also) require pressing of a button or acknowledging a notice on a UI of the delivery device or phone. This may be the case for example on various public transport such as busses, trains, and planes, or when inferred to be driving a vehicle. Optionally this condition may only apply for countries where this is a requirement of local laws.

The functions differentiated by the first and second states may vary depending on the specific delivery device and/or any companion device; the strength of correlation between types of motion or classified transportation and a user behaviour and/or operational parameters; the type of user behaviour and/or operational parameters associated with a type of motion or classified transportation, and the like.

Hence for example a user behaviour that corresponds to toying with the aerosol delivery device may prompt one type of second activity state in which a user interface of the delivery device is backlit and more information is provided (for example when a passenger on a train or plane), whilst a user behaviour that comprises usage of the aerosol delivery device may prompt another type of second activity state which involves preheating the heater (for example when a passenger in a car).

Turning now to FIG. 7, in a summary embodiment of the present description, a method of control of an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device comprises the following steps.

A first step s710 comprises generating motion signals in response to motion (for example by use of motion sensors in the aerosol delivery system as described elsewhere herein).

A second step s720 comprises classifying whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation based on the generated motion signals (for example using a motion classification processor, such as a control unit of the delivery device and/or a processor of a companion device operating under suitable software instruction).

And a third step s730 comprises altering one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to a classification of the motion signals (for example using a control processor, such as a control unit of the delivery device and/or a processor of a companion device operating under suitable software instruction).

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that variations in the above method corresponding to operation of the various embodiments of the apparatus as described and claimed herein are also considered within the scope of the present invention.

It will similarly be appreciated that the above methods may be carried out on conventional hardware suitably adapted as applicable by software instruction or by the inclusion or substitution of dedicated hardware.

Thus the required adaptation to existing parts of a conventional equivalent device may be implemented in the form of a computer program product comprising processor implementable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, solid state disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory or any combination of these or other storage media, or realised in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or other configurable circuit suitable to use in adapting the conventional equivalent device. Separately, such a computer program may be transmitted via data signals on a network such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

Claims

1. An aerosol delivery system, comprising:

an aerosol delivery device;

at least a first motion detection sensor configured to generate motion signals in response to motion;

a motion classification processor configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation based on the generated motion signals; and

a control processor configured to alter one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery system in response to a classification by the motion classification processor of motion signals generated by the motion detection sensor.

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising a companion device.

3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2, in which the companion device comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. the motion detection sensor;

ii. the motion classification processor; and

iii. the control processor.

4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of motorised transportation, based on the generated motion signals.

5. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4, in which

a classified mode of transportation comprises one selected from the list consisting of:

i. car;

ii. bus;

iii. lorry;

iv. train;

V. boat;

vi. plane;

vii. motorbike; and

viii. mobility vehicle.

6. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4, in which,

if a classified mode of transportation is one of a first subset of motorised transport, the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a first activity state.

7. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4, in which,

if a classified mode of transportation is one of a second subset of motorised transport, the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a second activity state.

8. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of non-motorised transportation, based on the generated motion signals.

9. The aerosol delivery system of claim 8, in which

if a classified mode of transportation is one of a first subset of non-motorised transport, the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a first activity state.

10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of travel without transportation based on the generated motion signals.

11. The aerosol delivery system of claim 10, in which:

if the classified motion is walking, the control processor is configured to place the aerosol delivery device in a second activity state.

12. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to classify that a motion is characteristic of user interaction with the aerosol delivery device.

13. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, comprising:

a wireless signal receiver; and wherein:

the motion classification processor is configured to classify whether the motion is characteristic of a particular mode of transportation additionally based upon a classification of one or more received wireless signals.

14. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion detection sensor comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. one or more accelerometers;

ii. one or more gyroscopes;

iii. one or more cameras; and

iv. a barometric pressure sensor.

15. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to estimate an emotional state of a user in addition to a classification of motion; and

the control processor is configured to alter one or more operational parameters of the aerosol delivery device in response to the estimated emotional state.

16. The aerosol delivery system of claim 15, in which:

the motion classification processor is configured to estimate the emotional state of the user responsive to one or more additional factors other than motion.

17. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which:

the control processor is operable to set a first activity state that may include one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. display of a first set of information;

i. display of a first level of detail of information;

ii. a lower duty cycle or lower power data transmission;

iii. a lower duty cycle or lower power pre-heating;

iv. a lower duty cycle or lower power lighting; and

V. a lower duty cycle or lower power situational awareness.

18. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, in which: