TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system and a method of operating an aerosol provision system.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol provision systems, which cover the aforementioned devices or products, are known. Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation. It is known to use induction heating systems as heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium. An induction heating system generally consists of a magnetic field generating device for generating a varying magnetic field, and a susceptor or heating material which is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the suitable medium. Conventional aerosol provision devices comprise a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod-shaped consumable is inserted.

It is known to provide an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and a charging unit.

It is desired to provide an improved aerosol provision system.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising a first controller and a first electrical energy storage device; a charging unit for charging the aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a second controller and a second electrical energy storage device; wherein either the first controller and/or the second controller is arranged: (i) to determine if the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit;

(ii) when it is determined that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit, to determine a first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device prior to commencing a first session of use and/or to determine a second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device prior to commencing a first session of use.

According to various embodiments although the aerosol provision device may be determined as being electrically connected to the charging unit, it may be desirable to check the battery capacity of the aerosol provision device to ensure that the battery has sufficient capacity that if the aerosol provision device were disconnected from the charging unit once a session of use had commenced, then the battery of the aerosol provision device could continue to power the aerosol provision device for the full duration of the session of use. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the controller e.g. of the charging unit may check that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit. It may be determined that the battery of the charging unit has sufficient capacity to enable a session of use to commence wherein the aerosol provision device is powered by the battery of the charging unit. However, the controller of the charging unit may check prior to commencing a session of use the capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device.

It will be understood, therefore, that checking the capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device prior to commencing a session of use in which initially the aerosol provision device is connected to the charging unit and is powered by the battery of the charging unit enables an aerosol provision system to be provided which affords a seamless transition if the aerosol provision device were mid-session to be disconnected from the charging unit.

Optionally, the second controller may determine that the aerosol provision device is not electrically connected to the charging unit then the second controller is further arranged to cause the second electrical energy storage device to be charged by an external power supply in the event that the charging unit is connected to an external power supply.

Optionally, the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that it is desired to commence a first session of use;

(ii) to determine whether the determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is sufficient to be able to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use; and (iii) optionally to commence the first session of use if the determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is determined as being sufficient to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use.

Optionally, the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that it is desired to commence a first session of use;

(ii) to determine whether a second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device is sufficient to be able to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use; and

(iii) optionally to commence the first session of use if the determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device is determined as being sufficient to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use.

Optionally, the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that it is desired to commence a first session of use;

(ii) to determine whether the determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device and a determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device are in combination sufficient to be able to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use; and

(iii) optionally to commence the first session of use if the determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device and the determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device are in combination determined as being sufficient to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use.

According to various embodiments the first controller and/or the second controller may commence a first session of use if it is determined that either the battery of the aerosol provision device or the charging unit have sufficient energy in order to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use. Other embodiments are contemplated wherein the first controller and/or the second controller may commence a first session of use if it is determined that the battery of the aerosol provision device in combination with the battery of the charging unit together have sufficient energy in order to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use.

According to various embodiments if the first controller and/or the second controller determine that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit, then the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged either: (i) to determine a first capacity of the first electrical storage device and then subsequently to determine a second capacity of the second electrical storage device; (ii) (ii) to determine a second capacity of the second electrical storage device and then subsequently to determine a first capacity of the first electrical storage device; or (iii) to determine a first capacity of the first electrical storage device and to determine a second capacity of the second electrical storage device at substantially the same time.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine if the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit;

(ii) to determine that the charging unit is connected to an external power supply; and

(iii) to cause the first electrical energy storage device to be charged by the external power supply.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged to cause the first electrical energy storage device to be charged by the external power supply if either:

(i) a determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is below a first threshold; and/or

(ii) a determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device is above a second threshold.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit;

(ii) to determine that the charging unit is connected to an external power supply; and

(iii) to cause the second electrical energy storage device to be charged by the external power supply.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged to cause the second electrical energy storage device to be charged by the external power supply if either:

(i) a determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device is below a second threshold; and/or

(ii) a determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is above a first threshold.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged: (i) to determine that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit;

(ii) to determine that the charging unit is not connected to an external power supply; and

(iii) to cause the first electrical energy storage device to be charged by the second electrical energy storage device.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged to cause the first electrical energy storage device to be charged by second electrical energy storage device if either:

(i) a determined first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is below a first threshold; and/or

(ii) a determined second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device is above a second threshold.

The first and second controllers may be arranged to prioritise the use of the relatively larger electrical storage device of the charging unit. As a result, the lifetime of the electrical storage device of the aerosol provision device can be extended i.e. the total number of cycles of the first electrical storage device can be kept to a minimum.

According to embodiments when it is determined that the first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device is sufficient to energise the aerosol provision device for the whole of the intended first session of use, and a session of use is started when the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit at the start of the session, but is subsequently removed from the charging unit mid-session, the session of use may continue until it is completed. This provides a seamless experience for the user i.e. the session will not be interrupted if the user were to remove the aerosol provision device from the charging unit mid-session.

Optionally, the first threshold may be within a range: (i) < 20 mAh; (ii) 20-40 mAh; (iii) 40-60 mAh; (iv) 60-80 mAh; (v) 80-100 mAh; (vi) 100-120 mAh; (vii) 120-140 mAh; (viii) 140-160 mAh; (ix) 160-180 mAh; or (x) 180-200 mAh.

Optionally, the second threshold may be within a range: (i) < 200 mAh; (ii) 200- 400 mAh; (iii) 400-600 mAh; (iv) 600-800 mAh; (v) 800-1000 mAh; (vi) 1000-1200 mAh; (vii) 1200-1400 mAh; (viii) 1400-1600 mAh; (ix) 1600-1800 mAh; or (x) 1800-2000 mAh.

Optionally, either the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that the charging unit is connected to an external power supply;

(ii) to determine that it is desired to commence a first session of use; and (iii) optionally to disable electrical charging of the aerosol provision device by the external power supply; and

(iv) optionally to disable electrical charging of the charging unit by the external power supply.

Optionally, the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged either:

(i) to disable electrical charging of the aerosol provision device by an external power supply at substantially the same time as disabling electrical charging of the charging unit by the external power supply;

(ii) to disable electrical charging of the aerosol provision device by an external power supply and then to disable electrical charging of the charging unit by the external power supply after a time delay; or

(iii) to disable electrical charging of the charging unit by an external power supply and then to disable electrical charging of the aerosol provision device by the external power supply after a time delay.

Optionally, the first controller and/or the second controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that a first session of use has commenced;

(ii) to determine that the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit; and

(iii) to cause the aerosol provision device to be at least partially energised by the second electrical storage device in order to continue the first session of use.

Optionally, the first controller may be arranged:

(i) to determine that a first session of use has commenced;

(ii) to determine that the aerosol provision device has been electrically disconnected from the charging unit during the first session of use; and

(iii) to cause the aerosol provision device to be energised by the first electrical storage device in order to continue the first session of use.

Optionally, the first electrical energy storage device comprises either: (i) a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery; or (ii) a lithium titanate or lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery.

Optionally, the first electrical energy storage has a capacity in the range: (i) < 50 mAh; (ii) 50-100 mAh; (iii) 100-150 mAh; or (iv) 150-200 mAh.

Optionally, the second electrical energy storage device comprises: (i) a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery; (ii) a lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) battery; (iii) a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNixMnyCOzO2) battery; or (iv) a lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (LiNiCoAIO2) battery.

Optionally, the second electrical energy storage device has a capacity in the range: (i) 1000-1100 mAh; (ii) 1100-1200 mAh; (iii) 1100-1200 mAh; (iv) 1200-1300 mAh; (v) 1300-1400 mAh; (vi) 1400-1500 mAh; (vii) 1500-2000 mAh; or (viii) > 2000 mAh.

Optionally, the first electrical energy storage device has a capacity C1 and the second electrical energy storage device has a capacity C2 and wherein the ratio C2/C1 is in the range: (i) < 2; (ii) 2-3; (iii) 3-4; (iv) 4-5; (v) 5-6; (vi) 6-7; (vii) 7-8; (viii) 8-9; (ix) 9- 10; (x) 10-11; (xi) 11-12; (xii) 12-13; (xiii) 13-14; (xiv) 14-15; (xv) 15-20; or (xvi) > 20.

According to an aspect there is provide a method of operating an aerosol provision system comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a first electrical energy storage device and a charging unit for charging the aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a second electrical energy storage device; determining if the aerosol provision device is electrically connected to the charging unit; and determining a first capacity of the first electrical energy storage device prior to commencing a first session of use and/or determining a second capacity of the second electrical energy storage device prior to commencing a first session of use.

The first controller and the second controller may operate in a master/slave relationship. According to various embodiments, the controller of the charging unit may operate as a master controller and the controller of the aerosol provision device may operate as a slave controller. The controllers (in particular the controller of the charging unit) may be arranged to prioritise use of the battery of the charging unit wherever possible in order to energise the aerosol provision device. According to various embodiments the battery of the charging unit may have a larger maximum capacity than the maximum capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device. The battery of the charging unit may comprise a lithium cobalt oxide (UCOO2) battery, a lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) battery, a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi _x Mn _y CO _z O2) battery or a lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (LiNiCoAIO2) battery. The battery of the aerosol provision device may comprise a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePC ) battery or a lithium titanate or lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery. The battery of the aerosol provision device may have a capacity < 200 mAh whereas the battery of the charging unit may have a capacity > 1000 mAh. Accordingly, the battery of the charging unit may have a capacity which is at least five times that of the battery of the aerosol provision device. Furthermore, it may only be possible to recharge the battery of the aerosol provision device a relatively low number of times before performance of the battery begins to deteriorate. It may therefore be desirable to limit the number of times that the battery of the aerosol provision device is recharged. According to various embodiments by following the approach discussed above the lifetime of battery of the aerosol provision device can be extended as long as possible e.g. the total number of cycles of recharging that the battery of the aerosol provision device experiences can be kept to a minimum in order to prolong the performance of the aerosol provision device.

The first controller may comprise a first microcontroller or a first microprocessor.

The second controller may comprise a second microcontroller or a second microprocessor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating various modes of operation of an aerosol provision device; and

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating various modes of operation of a charging unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating 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 aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating 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 aerosolgenerating 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 a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosolgenerating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as active substances, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent. The aerosol-generating film may be a continuous film or a discontinuous film, such an arrangement of discrete portions of film on a support. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet.

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.

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.

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 heating 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 aerosol provision device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

Non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable aerosol generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry). The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.

Induction heating is a process in which an electrically-conductive object, referred to as a susceptor, is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. The process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varying magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of electrical currents and when such eddy currents are generated in the object, their flow against the electrical resistance of the object causes the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, ohmic or resistive heating. Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material can be considered to comprise many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for example as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the varying applied magnetic field. Such magnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.

When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Moreover, the use of magnetic material can strengthen the magnetic field, which can intensify the Joule heating.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device 100 which is shown inserted within a cavity of a charging unit 101. The aerosol provision device 100 is arranged to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating article or consumable (not shown) which may be inserted, in use, into the aerosol provision device 100.

The aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an elongate structure which extends along a longitudinal axis. The aerosol provision device 100 has a proximal end, which is closest to the user (e.g. the user’s mouth) when in use by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a distal end which will be furthest from the user when in use. The proximal end may also be referred to as the mouth end. The aerosol provision device 100 also accordingly defines a proximal direction which is directed towards the user when in use i.e. in the direction from the distal end to the proximal end. Further, the aerosol provision device 100 also likewise defines a distal direction which is directed away from the user when in use i.e. in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be removably inserted into the charging unit 101 in order to be charged. The charging unit 101 comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity via an opening. The cavity may also comprise a longitudinal opening. A portion of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a first side. One or more user- operable control elements such as buttons 106 which can be used to operate the aerosol provision device 100 may be provided on the first side of the aerosol provision device 100. The first side of the aerosol provision device 100 may be received within the longitudinal opening provided in the charging unit 101.

The cavity of the charging unit 101 may have a cross-sectional profile which only permits the aerosol provision device 100 to be inserted into the charging unit 101 in a single particular orientation. The outer profile of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an arcuate portion and a linear portion. The cross-sectional profile of the cavity provided in the charging unit 101 may also comprise a similar arcuate portion and a linear portion. The linear portion of the cross-sectional profile of the cavity may correspond with the longitudinal opening.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an opening leading into a heating chamber. A rod shaped aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material may be inserted through the opening and may be retained within the heating chamber of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol generating article may be heated by a heating element so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100.

The charging unit 101 may include a slidable lid 103. When the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 in order to be recharged, the slidable lid 103 may be closed so as to cover the opening into the aerosol provision device 100. The charging unit 101 may include a user interface such as display 108.

The charging unit 101 comprises a controller (not shown) which is configured to control various aspects of the charging unit 101. In particular, the controller located within the charging unit 101 may be arranged to control an electrical energy storage device of the charging unit 101. The electrical energy storage device may comprise, for example, a battery. The controller located within charging unit 101 may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcontroller (MCU)

The battery of the charging unit 101 may comprise a lithium cobalt oxide (UCOO2) battery, a lithium manganese oxide (LiMnaC ) battery, a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi _x Mn _y COzO2) battery or a lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (LiNiCoAI02) battery. The battery may have a capacity > 1000 mAh.

The aerosol provision device 100 may also comprise a controller (not shown) which is configured to control various aspects of the aerosol provision device 100. In particular, the controller located within the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to control an electrical energy source of the aerosol provision device 100. The controller may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcontroller (MCU). The electrical energy storage device may comprise a battery. For example, the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePC ) battery or a lithium titanate or lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery. The battery may have a capacity < 200 mAh.

The respective controllers of the charging unit 101 and aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged to communicate with each other when the aerosol provision device

100 is electrically connected to the charging unit 101 i.e. when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into or docked within the charging unit 101.

It is also contemplated that the respective controllers may be arranged so as to communicate wirelessly with each other when the aerosol provision device 100 is remote from the charging unit 101. Wireless communication can be enabled by wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, any other suitable wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area network (WPAN) or wireless sensor actor network (WSAN) protocols.

In the situation where the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted and secured into the charging unit 101 so that an electrical connection is made between the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101, then the controller of the charging unit

101 (which may be referred to hereinafter as the “second” controller) may be arranged so as to operate as a master controller. By way of contrast, the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 (which may be referred to hereinafter as the “first” controller) may be arranged so as to operate as a slave controller. According to such an embodiment, various determinations which could potentially be made by either the first controller or the second controller, may be preferentially made by the second controller acting as a master controller. For example, according to an embodiment a mode of operation involving supplying electrical energy from the battery of the charging unit 101 to the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may occur after a determination is made that the aerosol provision device 100 has been inserted into the charging unit 101 during a session of use. According to an embodiment, the determination may be made by the second controller acting as a master controller.

However, other embodiments are also contemplated wherein a determination may be made that the aerosol provision device 100 has been inserted into the charging unit 101 during a session of use by the first controller located in the aerosol provision device 100. Further embodiments are contemplated wherein, for example, a determination may be made initially by the second controller and the determination may then be confirmed or checked by the first controller (or vice versa).

According to an embodiment when a user starts a session, electrical energy may be provided from the battery of the charging unit 101 in order to heat one or more heating elements located within the aerosol provision device 100 so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100.

In the situation when the aerosol provision device 100 is remote or separated from the charging unit 101 , each of the respective controllers of the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 may operate as a master controller. In this situation, if a session is started by the user, the battery of the aerosol provision device provides energy to heat the heating element so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100.

It will be understood that the charging unit 101 and the aerosol provision device 100 can enter into and out of a master/slave relationship whenever the aerosol provision device is inserted into, or removed from the charging unit 101.

Details of modes of operation of the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 in use are described in more detail herein.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating modes of operation of an aerosol provision device 100. In particular, Fig. 2 illustrates aspects of the controller logic as used by the controller of the aerosol provision device 100.

The controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may operate initially in an idle state 200 until an operation command is received by the controller of the aerosol provision device 100. The operation command may occur when a user activates one or more of the buttons 106 of the aerosol provision device 100 to e.g. start a session of use.

Once an operation command is received by the controller of the aerosol provision device 100, the controller enters a first state 210 corresponding to a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and no session has yet commenced. In the first state 210 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and no session has yet commenced), the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 initially monitors the battery level of the aerosol provision device 100 in order to check the voltage and/or power level of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 in order to determine if the battery is sufficiently charged to start (but not necessarily complete) a session which may be initiated by the user.

The battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be deemed sufficiently charged if it satisfies an acceptance threshold criterion. According to various embodiments the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise either a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePC ) battery or a lithium titanate or lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery. The battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may have a capacity when full charged in the range: (i) < 50 mAh; (ii) 50-100 mAh; (iii) 100-150 mAh; or (iv) 150-200 mAh. According to various embodiments, the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be deemed to be sufficiently charged in order to at least commence a session of use if the determined current capacity of the battery exceeds a threshold which is within a range: (i) < 20 mAh; (ii) 20-40 mAh; (iii) 40-60 mAh; (iv) 60-80 mAh; (v) 80-100 mAh; (vi) 100-120 mAh; (vii) 120-140 mAh; (viii) 140-160 mAh; (ix) 160-180 mAh; or (x) 180-200 mAh.

Once a session has been initiated by the user, if it is determined that the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 is sufficiently charged and the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101, then the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 enters a third state 230 corresponding to a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced. If the aerosol provision device 101 is already inserted into the charging unit 101 or if the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 whilst the controller is in the first state 210 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and no session has yet been commenced), then the controller of the aerosol provision device may enter into a second state 220 corresponding to a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session has yet been commenced.

In the third state 230 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced), the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 provides energy to heat the heating element so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100. In the third state 230 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced), the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may log the battery level or current battery capacity of the aerosol provision device 100.

Once the session has ended (e.g. the session cycle has ended, the user ends it, or the battery level is no longer sufficient), the controller may return to the first state 210 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and no session has yet been commenced). If the aerosol provision device 100 was inserted into the charging unit 101 after a session had commenced, then the controller may enter a fourth state 240 corresponding to a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and a session of use is commenced. In the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session has yet been commenced), either the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the controller of the charging unit 101 may check the battery level of the aerosol provision device 100 in order to determine if the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 is sufficiently charged in order to support a session of use. If it is determined that the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 is sufficiently charged in order to support a session of use then the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may return to the fourth state 240 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and a session of use is commenced).

According to various embodiments the controller of the charging unit 101 is arranged to determine that the aerosol provision device 100 is electrically connected to the charging unit 101 and when it is determined that the aerosol provision device 100 is electrically connected to the charging unit 101 , the controller of the charging unit 101 may determine a first capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 prior to commencing a first session of use. It is also contemplated that the controller of the charging unit 101 may also determine a second capacity of the battery of the charging unit 101 prior to commencing a first session of use.

For example, according to various embodiments although the aerosol provision device 100 may be electrically connected to the charging unit 101, it may be desirable to check the battery capacity of the aerosol provision device 100 to ensure that the battery has sufficient capacity that if the aerosol provision device 100 were to be disconnected from the charging unit 101 once a session of use had commenced, then the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 could continue to power the aerosol provision device 100 for the full duration of the session of use.

As a result, a user is enabled to enjoy a seamless experience in that a session of use once commenced with the aerosol provision device 100 connected to the charging unit 101 will continue to completion either with the aerosol provision device 100 still connected to the charging unit 101 for the whole of the session of use or alternatively if the aerosol provision device 100 is disconnected from the charging unit 101 mid-session.

For example, according to various embodiments the controller of the charging unit 101 may check that the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 has sufficient capacity to support a full session of use before permitting a session of use to commence despite the fact that the aerosol provision device 100 is electrically connected to the charging unit 101 . Otherwise, a session of use might be commenced in the expectation that the aerosol provision device 100 is going to be powered by the battery of the charging unit 101 but then the aerosol provision device 100 might be disconnected from the charging unit 101 mid-session and the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may not be flat or not fully charged and hence unable to support the rest of session. If that were to happen then the user would have a negative experience of the aerosol provision device 100 stopping working mid-session. The approach according to various embodiments ensures that this does not happen.

If the aerosol provision device 100 is removed from the charging unit 101 whilst in the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session has yet been commenced), then the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may enter the first state 210 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and no session has yet been commenced).

The controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged to remain in the fourth state 240 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and a session of use is commenced) whilst a session is taking place. When the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the fourth state 240 then the aerosol provision device 100 is located within the charging unit 100, the aerosol provision device 100 is electrically connected to the charging unit 100 and a session of use is being performed. When the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the fourth state 240 then the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged to log regularly the battery level or current capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100. In the fourth state 240 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and a session of use is commenced), the battery of the charging unit 101 may be used to provide energy to heat the heating element so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100.

When the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the fourth state 240 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and a session of use is commenced) and the session then ends (e.g. the session cycle has ended, the user ends the session or the battery level of either the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101 is no longer sufficient to continue performing a session of use) and the aerosol provision device 100 is not removed from the charging unit 101, then the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged to enter the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session of use is being performed). When in the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session is being performed), if the aerosol provision device 100 is then removed from the charging unit 101 , the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may then be arranged to enter the first state 210 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and wherein no session is being performed). According to various embodiments when the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the fourth state 240 and the aerosol provision device 100 is removed from the charging unit 101 mid-session by the user, the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may then be arranged to enter the third state 230 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced) and the session of use may be arranged to continue.

In particular, according to various embodiments before the session of use was commenced a determination may have been made e.g. by the controller of the charging unit 101 of the capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100. For example, the controller of the charging unit 101 may have determined that capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 was above a threshold which would permit the aerosol provision device 100 to complete a session of use should the aerosol provision device 100 be electrically disconnected from the charging unit 101 mid-session.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating various modes of operation of a controller of a charging unit 101. More specifically, the flow diagram shown in Fig. 3 shows controller logic for the charging unit 101.

The controller of the charging unit 101 may commence in a fifth (idle) state 250 until an operation command is received by the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101. The operation command can be when, for example, a charging cable is inserted into the charging unit 101 or when a user activates one or more of the buttons 106 of the aerosol provision device 106 or a button on the charging unit 101.

Once an operation command is received by the controller of the charging unit 101 , the controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to enter a sixth state 260 which corresponds with a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and wherein no session of use has been commenced. In the sixth state 260 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and wherein no session of use has been commenced), the controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to check the battery level or the current capacity of the battery of the charging unit 101 and whether or not a charging cable (e.g. a USB cable) that may be connected to an external power source has been inserted into the charging unit 101.

If a charging cable has been inserted into the charging unit 101 whilst the controller of the charging unit 101 is in the sixth state 260 (i.e. the charging unit 101 is not electrically connected to the aerosol provision device 100 and wherein no session has been commenced) then the battery of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to be charged by the external power supply. If upon receiving the operation command the aerosol provision device 100 has either already been inserted into the charging unit 101 or if the aerosol provision device 100 is subsequently inserted into the charging unit 101 whilst the controller of the charging unit 101 is in the sixth state 260 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 and wherein no session of use has been commenced), then the controller of the charging unit 201 may be arranged to enter a seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced). According to various embodiments the seventh state 270 relates to a situation wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 and is electrically connected to the charging unit 101 , but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced.

In the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced) the controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to check again if the aerosol provision device 100 is still connected to the charging unit 101. If it is determined that the aerosol provision device 100 has been removed from the charging unit 101 or if it is determined that the aerosol provision device 100 is subsequently removed from the charging unit 101 whilst in the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced), then the controller of the charging unit 101 may revert back into the sixth state 260 (i.e. the charging unit 101 is not electrically connected to the aerosol provision device and wherein no session has been commenced).

In the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced) when the aerosol provision device 100 is connected to the charging unit 101 , the controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to check the battery energy or current capacity of the battery in the charging unit 101 and/or the battery in the aerosol provision device 100. With the charging cable plugged in, if it is determined that the battery in the aerosol provision device 100 is below an acceptable threshold criterion, then the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be recharged via the charging cable. For example, the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may have a capacity when fully charged in the range: (i) < 50 mAh; (ii) 50-100 mAh; (iii) 100-150 mAh; or (iv) 150-200 mAh. According to various embodiments, the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be deemed to be below an acceptable threshold criterion and hence to need recharging if the determined current capacity of the battery is determined to be within a range: (i) < 20 mAh; (ii) 20-40 mAh; (iii) 40-60 mAh; (iv) 60-80 mAh; (v) 80-100 mAh; (vi) 100-120 mAh; (vii) 120-140 mAh; (viii) 140-160 mAh; (ix) 160-180 mAh; or (x) 180-200 mAh.

In the situation wherein it is determined that the battery of the charging unit 101 is also below an acceptable threshold, then the battery of the charging unit 101 may also be recharged via the charging cable. The battery of the charging unit 101 may be charged simultaneously with the battery of the aerosol provision device 100. According to various embodiments electrical power from an external power source may be supplied in a pulsed manner to either the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the battery of the charging unit 100. According to an embodiment charging pulses may be supplied alternately between the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 so that any specific point in time either the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 is being charged by the external power supply or alternatively the battery of the charging unit 101 is being charged by the external power supply so that the batteries of the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 are not charged simultaneously. Embodiments are contemplated wherein the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be fully recharged before the battery of the charging unit 101 is fully recharged due to the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 having a lower capacity than that of the charging unit 101.

According to various embodiments the battery (or more generally the electrical energy storage device) of the charging unit 101 may comprise: (i) a lithium cobalt oxide (UCOO2) battery; (ii) a lithium manganese oxide (LiM^C ) battery; (iii) a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi _x Mn _y CO _z O2) battery; or (iv) a lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (LiNiCoAIO2) battery. According to various embodiments the battery of the charging unit 101 may be recharged by an external power supply if the determined capacity of the battery of the charging unit 101 is determined to be below a threshold, wherein the threshold is in the range: (i) 1000-1100 mAh; (ii) 1100-1200 mAh; (iii) 1100- 1200 mAh; (iv) 1200-1300 mAh; (v) 1300-1400 mAh; (vi) 1400-1500 mAh; (vii) 1500- 2000 mAh; or (viii) > 2000 mAh.

According to various embodiments the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 and the battery of the charging unit 101 may be charged individually, simultaneously, synchronously or asynchronously optionally via a charging cable or a wireless charging interface when in the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced).

When in the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced) and optionally if it is determined by the controller of the charging unit 101 that no charging cable has been inserted into the charging unit 101 (or no wireless charging interface has been activated) and if it is determined that the power level or current capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 is below an acceptable threshold criterion, then the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be charged via the battery of the charging unit 101.

When a session of use is started or by the user (or otherwise commenced) and the controller of the charging unit 101 is in the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced), any charging of the battery of the aerosol provision device

100 and/or the battery of the charging unit 101 that may have been initiated whilst in the seventh state 270 may be disabled and the controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to enter an eighth state 280.

The controller of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to remain in the eighth state 280 until either the aerosol provision device 100 is removed from the charging unit

101 or if the session is stopped or is otherwise no longer active.

In the situation where the aerosol provision device 100 is removed from the charging unit 101 then the controller of the charging unit 101 may revert back to the sixth state 260 (i.e. the charging unit 101 is not electrically connected to the aerosol provision device and wherein no session has been commenced). In the situation where the session is stopped or is no longer active, but the aerosol provision device 100 remains inserted within the charging unit 101 and wherein the aerosol provision device 100 remains electrically connected to the charging unit 101, then the controller of the charging unit 101 may revert back to the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use is being performed).

According to various embodiments criteria which may be used to determine a non-active session include that the session has been ended (or is desired to be ended) by a user actuating one or more buttons 106 on the aerosol provision device 100 and/or one or more buttons on the charging unit 101. Another criteria for determining that a session is non-active or is otherwise desired to be stopped includes that a determination is made by the controller of the charging unit 101 and/or the controller of the aerosol provision 100 that either the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the battery of the charging unit 101 has been depleted.

With reference to the flowcharts shown in both Figs. 2 and 3, it will be understood that when the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the first state 210 (i.e. when the aerosol provision device 100 is not located in the charging unit 101 and wherein no session has been commenced) then the controller of the charging unit 101 will be in the sixth state 260 (i.e. the charging unit 101 is not electrically connected to the aerosol provision device 100 and wherein no session has been commenced).

When the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session has yet been commenced), then the controller of the charging unit 101 will be in the seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced). In this situation, with the charging cable plugged in, if it is determined that the battery in the aerosol provision device 100 is below an acceptable threshold criterion, then the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be recharged via a charging cable. If it is determined that the battery of the charging unit 101 is below an acceptable threshold criterion, then the battery of the charging unit 101 may also be recharged via the charging cable.

Alternatively, when the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the second state 220 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but no session has yet been commenced), and the controller of the charging unit 101 is in its corresponding seventh state 270 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 but wherein no session of use has yet been commenced), and it is determined by the controller of the charging unit 101 that no charging cable has been inserted into the charging unit 101 and if it is determined that the battery in the aerosol provision device 100 is below an acceptable threshold criterion, then the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 may be charged via the battery of the charging unit 101.

Finally, when the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 is in the fourth state 240, then the controller of the charging unit 101 may be in the eighth state 280.

According to various embodiments when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 , the controller of the charging unit 101 may act as a master controller. That is, the controller of the charging unit 101 may control energy transfer to the heating element of the aerosol provision device 100 during a session of use. If during the same session the aerosol provision device 100 is removed from the charging unit 101 , the controller of the aerosol provision device 100 may then act as the master controller for the aerosol provision device 100 (e.g. in the third state 230 wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced) and will substantially immediately control the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 to transfer energy to the heating element of the aerosol provision device 100 in a substantially seamless manner. It will be appreciated that the above process can also happen in reverse i.e. when in the third state 230 (i.e. wherein the aerosol provision device 100 is not inserted into the charging unit 101 but a session has nonetheless been commenced), and the aerosol provision device 100 is then inserted back into the charging unit 101, the controller of the charging unit 101 may act as the master controller for the aerosol provision device 100. Once inserted, the controller of the charging unit 101 may substantially immediately enter the eighth state 280 and energy from the battery of the charging unit 101 may be supplied to the heating element located in the aerosol provision device 100 in order to heat the heating element.

The above described interchangeable master/slave relationship allows use of the battery of the charging unit 101 to be prioritised whenever possible. The battery of the charging unit 101 may have a larger maximum capacity than the maximum capacity of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100. As a result, the lifetime of battery of the aerosol provision device 100 can be extended as long as possible as e.g. the total number of cycles of the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 can be kept to a minimum.

In addition, the ability for the heating element of the aerosol provision device 100 to draw power from the battery of the aerosol provision device 100 (when not inserted in the charging unit 101) or from the battery of charging unit 101 (when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101) substantially immediately and in an uninterrupted manner allows a seamless transition for the user if they decide to use the aerosol provision device 100 separate from the charging unit 101 or if the aerosol provision device is subsequently inserted into the charging unit 101 during a session of use.

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.