U.S. patent application number 17/002139 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for systems for managing smoking substitute devices and associated methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nerudia LTD. Invention is credited to Daniel Fard, Oliver TALBOT.
Application Number | 20210045453 17/002139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005226412 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210045453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fard; Daniel ; et
al. |
February 18, 2021 |
SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED
METHODS
Abstract
A system for managing a smoking substitute device including: a
smoking substitute device; a mobile device on which an application
is installed, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured
to communicate with the application; an application server, wherein
the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application
server, and wherein the application server stores validity state
information associated with the smoking substitute device from
which it can be determined whether the smoking substitute device is
valid for use; wherein the smoking substitute device stores ID
information identifying the smoking substitute device. The smoking
substitute device, application and/or application server is/are
configured to determine whether the smoking substitute device is
valid for use based on the ID information identifying the smoking
substitute device and the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device and, if the smoking substitute
device, application and/or application server determines that the
smoking substitute device is not valid for use, issue a disable
signal configured to disable the smoking substitute device. An
associated method is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fard; Daniel; (Liverpool,
GB) ; TALBOT; Oliver; (Liverpool, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nerudia LTD |
Liverpool |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005226412 |
Appl. No.: |
17/002139 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2019/053510 |
Feb 13, 2019 |
|
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17002139 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/53 20200101;
A24F 40/65 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/65 20060101
A24F040/65; A24F 40/53 20060101 A24F040/53 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2018 |
GB |
1803026.2 |
May 25, 2018 |
GB |
1808611.6 |
Sep 20, 2018 |
GB |
1815356.9 |
Claims
1. A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system
comprising: a smoking substitute device; a mobile device on which
an application is installed, wherein the smoking substitute device
is configured to communicate with the application; an application
server, wherein the mobile phone is configured to communicate with
the application server, and wherein the application server stores
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device from which it can be determined whether the smoking
substitute device is valid for use; wherein the smoking substitute
device stores ID information identifying the smoking substitute
device; and wherein the smoking substitute device, application
and/or application server is/are configured to determine whether
the smoking substitute device is valid for use based on the ID
information identifying the smoking substitute device and the
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device and, if the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server determines that the smoking substitute device is
not valid for use, issue a disable signal configured to disable the
smoking substitute device.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the validity state
information associated with the smoking substitute device includes
one or more invalidity flags, and the determination by the smoking
substitute device, application and/or application server of whether
the smoking substitute device is valid for use includes the smoking
substitute device, application and/or application server using the
ID information to check whether the one or more invalidity flags
associated with the smoking substitute device indicate that the
smoking substitute device is valid or invalid for use.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the validity state
information associated with the smoking substitute device is
associated with the smoking substitute device by being stored in
association with the ID information identifying the smoking
substitute device.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the disable signal is
configured to disable the smoking substitute device permanently or
non-permanently, depending on the validity state information
associated with the smoking substitute device.
5. The system according to claim 4, wherein if the disable signal
is configured to disable the smoking substitute device
non-permanently, the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server is configured to issue a re-enable signal
configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device if one or
more re-enablement criteria are met.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the one or more
re-enablement criteria include a user passing a verification
process at the application.
7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the one or more
re-enablement criteria include the validity state information
associated with the smoking substitute device at the application
server being changed to indicate that the smoking substitute device
is valid for use.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the smoking substitute
device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the application
via a communication channel established directly between the
smoking substitute device and the mobile device on which the
application is installed.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the system includes
one or more further smoking substitute devices configured to be
wirelessly connected to the smoking substitute device; the
application server stores validity state information associated
with the/each further smoking substitute device; the/each further
smoking substitute devices stores ID information identifying the
further smoking substitute device; for the/each further smoking
substitute device, the smoking substitute device, application
and/or application server is configured to determine whether the
further smoking substitute device is valid for use based on the ID
information identifying the further smoking substitute device and
the validity state information associated with the further smoking
substitute device and, if the smoking substitute device,
application and/or application server determines that the further
smoking substitute device is not valid for use, issue a disable
signal configured to disable the further smoking substitute
device.
10. (canceled)
11. A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system
comprising: a smoking substitute device comprising a main body and
a consumable configured to be physically coupled to the main body;
wherein the consumable is associated with validity state
information from which it can be determined whether the consumable
is valid for use with the main body; and wherein the system is
configured to determine from the validity state information whether
the consumable is valid for use with the main body and, if the
system determines from the validity state information that the
consumable is not valid for use with the main body, inhibit use of
the consumable with the main body.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system includes a
mobile device on which an application is installed, wherein the
smoking substitute device is configured to communicate with the
application.
13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the validity state
information associated with the consumable includes an expiry
date.
14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the validity state
information associated with the consumable includes one or more
invalidity flags.
15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the validity state
information associated with the consumable includes compatibility
information for determining whether the main body is compatible
with the consumable.
16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system is
configured to obtain validity state information associated with the
consumable by: reading ID information identifying the consumable
from an identifier provided with the consumable; and using the ID
information to look up the validity state information associated
with the consumable.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the ID information
uniquely identifies the consumable, or uniquely identify a batch of
consumables that includes the consumable, wherein the ID
information is configured to allow the validity state information
associated with the consumable to be looked up by the system.
18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the validity state
information associated with the consumable is stored at an
application server included in the system.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. The system according to claim 16, wherein the application on
the mobile device is configured to communicate the ID information
to an application server included in the system so that the
application server looks up the validity state information
associated with the consumable.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system is
configured to recognise when a consumable determined by the system
as being not valid for use with the main body is physically coupled
to the main body by: the system being configured to obtain the
validity information associated with the consumable whilst the
consumable is physically coupled to the main body, then determining
from the validity state information whether the consumable is valid
for use with the main body.
27. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system is
configured to recognise when a consumable determined by the system
as being not valid for use with the main body is physically coupled
to the main body by: prompting a user to present an identifier
provided with a consumable to a component of the system so that
that component of the system can obtain/read ID information
identifying the consumable from the identifier provided with the
consumable, before the user physically couples the consumable to
the main body or whilst the consumable is physically coupled to the
main body; using the ID information to look up the validity state
information associated with the consumable; and determining from
the validity state information whether the consumable is valid for
use with the main body.
28. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
STATEMENT
[0001] The present patent application is a continuation of
International Application No. PCT/EP2019/053510, filed Feb. 13,
2019; which claims priority to the patent application identified by
GB Serial No. 1803026.2, filed on Feb. 26, 2018; the patent
application identified by GB Serial No. 1808611.6, filed May 25,
2018; and the patent application identified by GB Serial No.
1815356.9, filed Sep. 20, 2018. The entire contents of each of the
above-referenced patent(s)/patent application(s) are hereby
expressly incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems for managing
smoking substitute devices and associated methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a
smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought
that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are
generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion
of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the
tobacco smoke itself.
[0004] Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to
produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have
been proposed various smoking substitute devices in order to avoid
the smoking of tobacco.
[0005] Such smoking substitute devices can form part of nicotine
replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and
overcome a dependence on nicotine.
[0006] Smoking substitute devices may comprise electronic systems
that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an
aerosol, also referred to as a "vapour," that is drawn into the
lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled
aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or
with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with
traditional smoking.
[0007] In general, smoking substitute devices are intended to
provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing
the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those
experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products.
[0008] The popularity and use of smoking substitute devices has
grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed
as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco
smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute
devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some smoking substitute
devices are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are
cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking
substitute devices do not generally resemble a cigarette (for
example, the smoking substitute device may have a generally
box-like form).
[0009] There are a number of different categories of smoking
substitute devices, each utilising a different smoking substitute
approach. A smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner
in which the substitute system operates for a user.
[0010] One approach for a smoking substitute device is the
so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vapourisable liquid,
typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid," is
heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is
inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as
well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore
typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may
include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin.
[0011] A typical vaping smoking substitute device includes a
mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank for
containing e-liquid, as well as a heating device. In use,
electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating
device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or
"vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
[0012] Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a
variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping
smoking substitute devices which typically have a sealed tank and
heating element which is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not
intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system
vaping smoking substitute devices include a main body which
includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to
be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including
the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a
consumable has been emptied, the main body can be reused by
connecting it to a new consumable. Another subset of closed system
vaping smoking substitute devices are completely disposable, and
intended for one-use only.
[0013] There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute
devices which typically have a tank that is configured to be
refilled by a user, so the device can be used multiple times.
[0014] An example vaping smoking substitute device is the Myblu.TM.
e-cigarette. The Myblu.TM. e-cigarette is a closed system device
which includes a main body and a consumable. The main body and
consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by
pushing the consumable into the main body. The main body includes a
rechargeable battery. The consumable includes a mouthpiece, a
sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heating device,
which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion
of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The device
is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a
user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated,
electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating
device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour
which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
[0015] Another example vaping smoking substitute device is the blu
PRO.TM. e-cigarette. The blu PRO.TM. e-cigarette is an open system
device which includes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a
mouthpiece. The main body and tank are physically and electrically
coupled together by screwing one to the other. The mouthpiece and
refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one of
the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank
allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid. The device is
activated by a button on the main body. When the device is
activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a
heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a
vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
[0016] Another approach for a smoking substitute device is the
so-called "heat not burn" ("HNB") approach in which tobacco (rather
than e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco
may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may
contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB approach the
intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. does
not undergo combustion.
[0017] A typical HNB smoking substitute device may include a main
body and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco
material. The main body and consumable may be configured to be
physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the
tobacco material by a heating device that is typically located in
the main body, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes
moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour
may be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier
may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin)
and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The
released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the
tobacco.
[0018] As the vapour passes through the smoking substitute device
(entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet),
the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol (also referred to
as a vapour) for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally
contain the volatile compounds.
[0019] In HNB smoking substitute devices, heating as opposed to
burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller
quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced
during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour
and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion
and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
[0020] An example of the HNB approach is the IQOS.TM. smoking
substitute device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS.TM. smoking
substitute device uses a consumable, including reconstituted
tobacco located in a wrapper. The consumable includes a holder
incorporating a mouthpiece. The consumable may be inserted into a
main body that includes a heating device. The heating device has a
thermally conductive heating knife which penetrates the
reconstituted tobacco of the consumable, when the consumable is
inserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device
heats the heating element (in this case a heating knife), which, in
turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the
tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which
may be drawn through the mouthpiece by the user through
inhalation.
[0021] A second example of the HNB approach is the device known as
"Glo".TM. from British American Tobacco p.l.c. Glo.TM. comprises a
relatively thin consumable. The consumable includes leaf tobacco
which is heated by a heating device located in a main body. When
the consumable is placed in the main body, the tobacco is
surrounded by a heating element of the heating device. Activation
of the heating device heats the heating element, which, in turn,
heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco
causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be
drawn through the consumable by the user through inhalation. The
tobacco, when heated by the heating device, is configured to
produce vapour when heated rather than when burned (as in a smoking
apparatus, e.g. a cigarette). The tobacco may contain high levels
of aerosol formers (carrier), such as vegetable glycerine ("VG") or
propylene glycol ("PG").
[0022] The present inventor(s) have observed that most smoking
substitute devices currently on the market are configured to
operate in isolation of other devices, which limits the functions
the smoking substitute devices can perform.
[0023] The present inventor(s) have observed that a smoking
substitute device can become lost or stolen, and in such
circumstances may fall into the hands of a person that should not
be using the device, e.g. a thief or a child.
[0024] The present inventor(s) have observed that consumable
material that is typically present in a smoking substitute device
can degrade. This can cause a loss of taste. In the case of
e-liquid, degradation of the e-liquid may cause components of the
smoking substitute device to degrade, e.g. one or more components
of a consumable in which the e-liquid is stored.
[0025] The present disclosure has been devised in light of the
above considerations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of
the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an example system for managing a smoking
substitute device.
[0028] FIG. 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device for use
as the smoking substitute device in the system of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 2(b) shows the main body of the smoking substitute
device of FIG. 2(a) without the consumable.
[0030] FIG. 2(c) shows the consumable of the smoking substitute
device of FIG. 2(a) without the main body.
[0031] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body of the
smoking substitute device of FIG. 2(a).
[0032] FIG. 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable of the
smoking substitute device of FIG. 2(a).
[0033] FIG. 4(a) shows an example of validity state information
associated with a plurality of consumables that could be stored at
the application server in the system of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 4(b) shows an example of validity state information
associated with a plurality of smoking substitute devices that
could be stored at the application server in the system of FIG.
1.
[0035] FIG. 4(c) shows another example of validity state
information associated with a plurality of smoking substitute
devices that could be stored at the application server in the
system of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5(a) shows an example method that could be performed by
the system of FIG. 1, using the validity state information of FIG.
4(a).
[0037] FIG. 5(b) shows an example method that could be performed by
the system of FIG. 1, using the validity state information of FIG.
4(b).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] A first non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure may
provide a system for managing a smoking substitute device, the
system including: a smoking substitute device, including a main
body and a consumable configured to be physically coupled to the
main body; wherein the consumable is associated with validity state
information from which it can be determined whether the consumable
is valid for use with the main body; wherein the system is
configured to determine from the validity state information whether
the consumable is valid for use with the main body and, if the
system determines from the validity state information that the
consumable is not valid for use with the main body, inhibit use of
the consumable with the main body.
[0039] In this way, the validity state information can be set to
inhibit use of the consumable with the main body in circumstances
in which it might not be desirable for the main body to be operated
with the consumable, e.g. where an expiry date for the consumable
has elapsed, e.g. where a consumable has been lost/stolen, e.g.
where a consumable is counterfeit.
[0040] The system may include a mobile device on which an
application is installed, wherein the smoking substitute device
(and in certain non-limiting embodiments, the main body of the
smoking substitute device) is configured to communicate with the
application. The smoking substitute device (and in certain
non-limiting embodiments, the main body of the smoking substitute
device) may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the
application, e.g. via a wireless interface on the smoking
substitute device (and in certain non-limiting embodiments, on the
main body of the smoking substitute device) and a corresponding
wireless interface on the mobile device.
[0041] The system may include an application server. The
application on the mobile phone may be configured to communicate
with the application server, e.g. via a network.
[0042] Any one or more of the main body, the application (if
present), the application server (if present) may be used to
determine from the validity state information whether the
consumable is valid for use with the main body. For avoidance of
any doubt, in some examples the system for managing a smoking
substitute device may include the main body and consumable and no
other components.
[0043] By way of example, the validity state information associated
with the consumable could include an expiry date. A determination
of whether the consumable is valid for use with the main body may
include checking whether the expiry date has elapsed. If the expiry
date is found to have elapsed (as a result of this check), it may
be determined that the consumable is not valid for use with the
main body. If the determination of whether the consumable is valid
for use with the main body is performed by the main body, the main
body may include a clock (for determining a local time and/or date)
in order to determine whether an expiry date has elapsed.
[0044] By way of example, the validity state information associated
with the consumable could include one or more invalidity flags
(e.g. an invalidity flag). The one or more invalidity flags
associated with the consumable could be configured to have (or
include) a `valid` state indicating that the consumable is valid
and an `invalid` state indicating that the consumable is not valid.
A determination of whether the consumable is valid for use with the
main body may include checking whether the one or more invalidity
flags associated with the consumable indicates that the consumable
is valid or invalid. If (upon checking) the one or more invalidity
flags associated with the consumable indicate that the consumable
is invalid, it may be determined that the consumable is not valid
for use with the main body.
[0045] By way of example, the validity state information associated
with the consumable could include compatibility information for
determining whether the main body is compatible with the
consumable. The compatibility information could be provided e.g. in
the form of a list of models of main body compatible with the
consumable. A determination of whether the consumable is valid for
use with the main body may include checking whether the
compatibility information indicates that the main body is
compatible or not compatible with the consumable. If the main body
is found to be incompatible with the consumable (as a result of
this check), it may be determined that the consumable is not valid
for use with the main body.
[0046] A determination of whether the consumable is valid for use
with the main body may include determining that the consumable is
valid for use with the main body unless it is determined based on
an item of validity state information (e.g. by performing one or
more of the checks as described above) that the consumable is not
valid for use with the main body.
[0047] The list of examples of validity state information as set
out above is not intended to be exhaustive. Other examples of
validity state information associated with the consumable
potentially be envisaged by a skilled person.
[0048] Each of the above-listed examples of validity state
information could be used alone, or in combination with one or more
other items of validity state information (whether listed above or
otherwise).
[0049] As a first mechanism by which the system could obtain
validity state information associated with the consumable (from
which it can be determined whether the consumable is valid for use
with the main body), the system may be configured to obtain
validity state information associated with the consumable by:
reading ID information identifying the consumable from an
identifier provided with the consumable; and using the ID
information to look up the validity state information associated
with the consumable.
[0050] The ID information could uniquely identify the consumable,
or uniquely identify a batch of consumables that includes the
consumable, for example. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the
ID information allows the validity state information associated
with the consumable to be looked up by the system, e.g. using the
application and/or the application server.
[0051] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the validity state
information associated with the consumable is stored at the
application server. The validity state information may be
associated with the consumable by being stored in association with
ID information identifying the consumable at the application
server, e.g. with the ID information identifying the consumable and
the validity state information associated with the consumable being
stored in the same row of a table at the application server.
[0052] An advantage of storing the validity state information
associated with the consumable at the application server is that
the validity state information can be updated by an application
server administrator after the consumable has left the control of a
supplier (e.g. brand owner) of the consumable. This might be useful
if, for example, it is found after the consumable has left the
control of the supplier that the consumable is faulty, or has been
stolen, and the supplier wants to inhibit or prevent use of the
consumable (e.g. by setting an invalidity flag associated with the
consumable to be false (i.e. indicate that the consumable is
invalid), or by setting an expiry date associated with the
consumable to be in the past).
[0053] It would also be possible for the validity state information
associated with the consumable to be stored locally by the mobile
device/application, or by the main body. For example, the mobile
device/application or main body could maintain a local list of ID
information for stolen consumables.
[0054] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the identifier provided
with the consumable is included on or within the consumable. For
example, the identifier could be integrally formed on a body of the
consumable, e.g. in the form of an ID number. However, the
identifier could also be included in packaging accompanying the
consumable, for example.
[0055] The identifier provided with the consumable could be
provided in the form of a machine readable tag which stores the ID
information. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the machine
readable tag is included in the consumable.
[0056] The machine readable tag could be an RFID tag configured to
be read by an RFID reader on or in the main body of the smoking
substitute device. The main body of the smoking substitute device
may be configured to communicate the ID information read from the
RFID tag to the application on the mobile device. The RFID reader
and RFID tag could respectively be located so that the RFID reader
can read the RFID tag on the consumable when (and in certain
non-limiting embodiments, only when) the consumable is physically
coupled to the main body.
[0057] The machine readable tag could store the ID information in a
visual pattern such as a linear or 2D barcode. In this case, the
stored information could be read by the application on the mobile
device using a camera on the mobile device, for example.
[0058] Instead of the identifier being provided in the form of a
machine readable tag, the identifier could instead be an ID number
which could, e.g. be read by the system through a user entering the
ID number manually into the application installed on the mobile
device.
[0059] If the ID information is read by the main body of the
smoking substitute device, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the
main body communicates the ID information to the application on the
mobile device.
[0060] The application on the mobile device may be configured to
communicate the ID information to the application server so that
the application server could look up the validity state information
associated with the consumable. Once the validity state information
has been looked up by the application server, the determination by
the system of whether the consumable is valid for use with the main
body (from the validity state information) could be performed by
any of the application server, the application or the main body.
Conveniently, this determination may be performed by the
application or the application server.
[0061] As a second mechanism by which the system could obtain
validity state information associated with the consumable (from
which it can be determined whether the consumable is valid for use
with the main body), the main body may be configured to read the
validity state information from a machine readable tag provided
with the consumable.
[0062] Similarly to the first mechanism (described above), the
machine readable tag is, in certain non-limiting embodiments,
included in the consumable.
[0063] Similarly to the first mechanism (described above), the
machine readable tag could be an RFID tag configured to be read by
an RFID reader on or in the main body of the smoking substitute
device. The main body of the smoking substitute device may be
configured to communicate the validity state information read from
the RFID tag to the application on the mobile device (though this
is not a necessary step, since there is no need to look up the
validity state information when it has been read directly from the
RFID tag). The RFID reader and RFID tag could respectively be
located in the main body and consumable so that the RFID reader can
read the RFID tag on the consumable when (and in certain
non-limiting embodiments, only when) the consumable is physically
coupled to the main body.
[0064] Similarly to the first mechanism (described above), the
machine readable tag could store the validity state information in
a visual pattern such as a linear or 2D barcode. In this case, the
stored information could be read by the application on the mobile
device using a camera on the mobile device, for example.
[0065] Here it is to be noted that where the main body reads the
validity state information from a machine readable tag provided
with the consumable, the steps of determining whether the
consumable is valid for use with the main body, and inhibiting use
of the consumable with the main body could both be performed by the
main body, without requiring the system to include any other
elements (e.g. the application or application server).
[0066] If the system determines from the validity state information
that the consumable is not valid for use with the main body, the
system may be configured to inhibit use of the consumable with the
main body in various ways.
[0067] For example, if the system determines from the validity
state information that the consumable is not valid for use with the
main body, the system may be configured to inhibit use of the
consumable with the main body by displaying a notification for
informing a user that the consumable is not valid for use with the
main body. This notification could e.g. involve operating a light
on the main body (e.g. the light being operated according to a
predetermined sequence) and/or a notification displayed by the
application on the mobile device.
[0068] As another example, if the system determines from the
validity state information that the consumable is not valid for use
with the main body, the system may be configured to inhibit use of
the consumable with the main body by disabling the main body such
that it does not work with the consumable.
[0069] In certain non-limiting embodiments, disabling of the main
body such that it does not work with a given consumable involves
non-permanently disabling the main body.
[0070] By way of example, a user may be permitted to re-enable the
main body for use with another consumable if, for example, the
system determines from validity state information associated with
the other consumable that the other consumable is valid for use
with the main body. The system may be configured to determine from
validity state information associated with the other consumable
whether the other consumable is valid for use with the main body
according to any of the techniques described herein.
[0071] A user may be permitted to re-enable the main body for use
with another consumable without necessarily involving validity
state information associated with the other consumable (e.g.
according to techniques described in connection with the third and
fourth non-limiting aspect s of the present disclosure), but this
is not necessarily desired (but not by way of limitation), since
this may allow a user to use the main body with a consumable that
is not valid for use with the main body.
[0072] It is also possible, though not necessarily desired (but not
by way of limitation), for disabling of the main body such that it
does not work with a given consumable to involve permanently
disabling the main body, e.g. to provide a deterrent for users
against using a consumable that is not valid for use with the main
body (e.g. counterfeit consumables).
[0073] For avoidance of any doubt the system may be configured to
inhibit use of the consumable with the main body by displaying a
notification and disabling the main body. However, it is also
possible for a notification to be displayed without disabling the
main body, e.g. so that a user can ignore the notification if they
are minded to do so.
[0074] Disabling the main body such that it does not work with the
consumable could be achieved, for example, by configuring the main
body to not activate (e.g. not pass electrical power to a heating
device of the smoking substitute device) when (and in certain
non-limiting embodiments, only when) the consumable is physically
coupled to the main body.
[0075] In order to allow the main body to be disabled in this way,
the system may be configured to recognize when a consumable
determined by the system as being not valid for use with the main
body is physically coupled to the main body (e.g. so that the
system `knows` that the main body should not activate whilst that
consumable is physically coupled to the main body).
[0076] As a first example, the system may be configured to
recognize when a consumable determined by the system as being not
valid for use with the main body is physically coupled to the main
body by: the system being configured to obtain the validity
information associated with the consumable whilst the consumable is
physically coupled to the main body, then determining from the
validity state information whether the consumable is valid for use
with the main body.
[0077] This could be achieved, for example, by the main body being
configured to read the validity state information from a machine
readable tag provided with the consumable when (and in certain
non-limiting embodiments, only when) the consumable is physically
coupled to the main body, e.g. as described above.
[0078] As a second example, the system may be configured to
recognize when a consumable determined by the system as being not
valid for use with the main body is physically coupled to the main
body by: prompting (e.g. via the application installed on the
mobile device) a user to present an identifier provided with a
consumable to a component of the system (e.g. to the main body or
the mobile device) so that that component of the system can
obtain/read ID information identifying the consumable from the
identifier provided with the consumable (e.g. in a manner as
described above), before the user physically couples the consumable
to the main body or whilst the consumable is physically coupled to
the main body; using the ID information to look up the validity
state information associated with the consumable (e.g. in a manner
as described above); and determining from the validity state
information whether the consumable is valid for use with the main
body.
[0079] In this second example, the system may be configured to
disable the main body such that it does not work with any
consumable physically connected to the main body, until it has
determined that a consumable is valid for use with the main body
based on ID information obtained/read from an identifier provided
with the consumable.
[0080] The smoking substitute device may be a vaping smoking
substitute device including a main body and a consumable, or a heat
not burn smoking substitute device including a main body and a
consumable.
[0081] A second non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure may
provide a method performed by a system according to the first
non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.
[0082] The second non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure
may, for example, provide a method performed by a system for
managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes a
smoking substitute device, including a main body and a consumable
configured to be physically coupled to the main body, and wherein
the consumable is associated with validity state information from
which it can be determined whether the consumable is valid for use
with the main body, the method including: the system determining
from the validity state information whether the consumable is valid
for use with the main body and, if the system determines from the
validity state information that the consumable is not valid for use
with the main body, inhibiting use of the consumable with the main
body.
[0083] A method according to the second non-limiting aspect of the
present disclosure may include a method step or feature
corresponding to any feature or process described in connection
with the first non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.
[0084] A third non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure may
provide a system for managing a smoking substitute device
including: a smoking substitute device; a mobile device on which an
application is installed, wherein the smoking substitute device is
configured to communicate with the application; an application
server, wherein the mobile phone is configured to communicate with
the application server, and wherein the application server stores
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device from which it can be determined whether the smoking
substitute device is valid for use; wherein the smoking substitute
device stores ID information identifying the smoking substitute
device; and wherein the smoking substitute device, application
and/or application server is/are configured to determine whether
the smoking substitute device is valid for use based on the ID
information identifying the smoking substitute device and the
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device and, if the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server determines that the smoking substitute device is
not valid for use, issue a disable signal configured to disable the
smoking substitute device.
[0085] In this way, a mechanism is provided by which the smoking
substitute device can be disabled by an application server
administrator through the administrator changing the validity state
information at the application server, after the consumable has
left the control of a supplier (e.g. brand owner) of the
consumable. This may be useful if the smoking substitute device is
reported as being lost or stolen by a user (e.g. via the
application or through customer support), or if the smoking
substitute device is found by the supplier to be defective such
that it should not be used. The existence of this mechanism may
deter stealing of the smoking substitute device and/or may protect
against use of a lost/stolen device by children.
[0086] By way of example, the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device could include one or more
invalidity flags (e.g. an invalidity flag). The one or more
invalidity flags associated with the smoking substitute device
could be configured to have a `valid` state (indicating that the
smoking substitute device is valid for use) and one or more
`invalid` states (indicating that the smoking substitute device is
invalid for use). Note that there could be more than one `invalid`
states, e.g. a first invalid state indicating that the smoking
substitute device is invalid and should be disabled permanently and
a second invalid state indicating that the smoking substitute
device is invalid and should be disabled non-permanently.
[0087] The determination by the smoking substitute device,
application and/or application server of whether the smoking
substitute device is valid for use may include the smoking
substitute device, application and/or application server using the
ID information to check whether the one or more invalidity flags
associated with the smoking substitute device indicate that the
smoking substitute device is valid or invalid for use. If (upon
checking) the one or more invalidity flags associated with the
smoking substitute device indicate that the consumable is invalid
for use, it may be determined that the smoking substitute device is
not valid for use.
[0088] Other examples of validity state information associated with
the smoking substitute device could be envisaged by a skilled
person.
[0089] A local copy of the validity state information stored at the
application server may be stored by the application and/or the
smoking substitute device. The/each local copy may be updated
periodically by the application server.
[0090] For avoidance of any doubt, there are various routes by
which the smoking substitute device, application and/or application
server could determine whether the smoking substitute device is
valid for use based on the ID information identifying the smoking
substitute device and the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device. For example, the smoking
substitute device could store a local copy of validity state
information stored at the application server, and the smoking
substitute device could use the ID information identifying the
smoking substitute device and its local copy of the validity state
information to determine whether the smoking substitute device is
valid for use. As another example, the smoking substitute device
could send the ID information identifying the smoking substitute
device to the application, the application could store a local copy
of validity state information stored at the application server, and
the application could use the ID information sent to it by the
smoking substitute device and its local copy of the validity state
information to determine whether the smoking substitute device is
valid for use. As another example, the smoking substitute device
could send the ID information identifying the smoking substitute
device to the application server (via the application), and the
application server could use the ID information sent to it by the
smoking substitute device (via the application) and the validity
state information stored at the application server to determine
whether the smoking substitute device is valid for use. Other
routes could be envisaged by a skilled person.
[0091] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the ID information
identifying the smoking substitute device uniquely identifies the
smoking substitute device. The ID information identifying the
smoking substitute device could alternatively identify a batch of
smoking substitute devices to which the smoking substitute device
belongs.
[0092] The ID information stored by the smoking substitute device
could for example take the form of a unique ID number.
[0093] The validity state information associated with the smoking
substitute device may be associated with the smoking substitute
device by being stored in association with the ID information
identifying the smoking substitute device (e.g. at the application
server), e.g. with the ID information identifying the smoking
substitute device and the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device being stored in the same row of
a table at the application server.
[0094] The disable signal could be configured to disable the
smoking substitute device, for example, by instructing the smoking
substitute to configure itself to not activate (e.g. not pass
electrical power to a heating device of the smoking substitute
device).
[0095] For avoidance of any doubt, the disable signal could be
issued by the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server. If the disable signal is issued by the
application server, in certain non-limiting embodiments, it
instructs disabling of the smoking substitute device via the
application connected to the smoking substitute device. For
avoidance of any doubt, the smoking substitute device may issue a
disable signal to itself.
[0096] The disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking
substitute device permanently or non-permanently, e.g. depending on
the validity state information associated with the smoking
substitute device (e.g. as stored at the application server).
[0097] For example, if the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device indicates that the smoking
substitute device is invalid and should be disabled non-permanently
(e.g. as might be the case where the validity state information
indicates that the smoking substitute device has been lost/stolen),
then the disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking
substitute device non-permanently.
[0098] For example, if the validity state information associated
with the smoking substitute device indicates that the smoking
substitute device is invalid and should be disabled permanently
(e.g. as might be the case where the validity state information
indicates that the smoking substitute device is defective), then
the disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking
substitute device permanently.
[0099] By way of example, as discussed above, one or more
invalidity flags (e.g. an invalidity flag) associated with the
smoking substitute device could be configured to have (in addition
to a valid state) a first invalid state indicating that the smoking
substitute device is invalid and should be disabled permanently,
and a second invalid state indicating that the smoking substitute
device is invalid and should be disabled non-permanently.
[0100] Permanently disabling the smoking substitute device (which
may be referred to as a "super block") may be appropriate if the
smoking substitute device is defective, e.g. such that it should
not be used (e.g. because it presents a safety risk).
[0101] Permanently disabling the smoking substitute device may
involve, for example, disabling the smoking substitute device such
that a user of the smoking substitute device is not permitted to
re-enable the smoking substitute device, e.g. even if the user
causes one or more re-enablement criteria as described below to be
met.
[0102] Non-permanently disabling the smoking substitute device
(which may be referred to as a "removable block") may be
appropriate if the smoking substitute device is reported as
lost/stolen.
[0103] Non-permanently disabling the smoking substitute device may
involve, for example, disabling the smoking substitute device such
that a user of the smoking substitute device is permitted to
re-enable the smoking substitute device, e.g. by the user causing
one or more re-enablement criteria as described below to be
met.
[0104] If the disable signal is configured to disable the smoking
substitute device non-permanently, the smoking substitute device,
application and/or application server may be configured to issue a
re-enable signal configured to re-enable the smoking substitute
device if one or more re-enablement criteria are met.
[0105] The re-enable signal could be configured to re-able the
smoking substitute device, for example, by instructing the smoking
substitute to configure itself to be able activate (e.g. to allow
electrical power to be passed to a heating device of the smoking
substitute device).
[0106] For avoidance of any doubt, the re-enable signal could be
issued by the smoking substitute device, the application and/or the
application server. If the re-enable signal is issued by the
application server, in certain non-limiting embodiments, it
instructs re-enabling of the smoking substitute device via the
application connected to the smoking substitute device. In certain
non-limiting embodiments, the re-enable signal is issued by the
application and/or the application server. However, for avoidance
of any doubt, the smoking substitute device may issue a re-enable
signal to itself.
[0107] An example re-enablement criterion may include, for example:
performing a predetermined action at the smoking substitute device;
and/or a user instructing the enabling of the smoking substitute
device via a user interface provided by the external device (e.g.
on a display screen of a mobile device, if the external device is a
mobile device).
[0108] The predetermined action performed at the smoking substitute
device could, for example, be a predetermined gesture performed
with the smoking substitute device (which could be detected, for
example, using one or more movement detection devices included in
the smoking substitute device).
[0109] The predetermined action performed using the smoking
substitute device could be viewed as a verification process for
showing the user is authorized to use the device, since a person
other than the device might not know of the predetermined action
used to unlock the device.
[0110] In general, it is useful to provide a user with the ability
to straightforwardly re-enable their device in the above manner.
However, this might not always be the case since, for example (but
not by way of limitation), it may be desirable to prevent a user
from straightforwardly enabling their device in this manner when
the smoking substitute device has been permanently disabled as
described above. Even if the smoking substitute device has been
disabled non-permanently, it may sometimes (for example, but not by
way of limitation) be desirable to prevent a user from
straightforwardly enabling their device if the smoking substitute
device has been disabled pending successful performance of a
further verification process (e.g. an age verification test) for
showing the user is authorized to use the device. Here, the term
"further" is used simply to distinguish the "further" verification
process from the predetermined action performed using the smoking
substitute device and/or the external device, since, as noted
above, the performance of that predetermined action can itself be
viewed as a verification process for showing the user is authorized
to use the device. Age verification tests are discussed, for
example, in GB1803033.8 from which this application claims
priority.
[0111] An example re-enablement criterion may include a user
passing a verification process, e.g. at the application. The
verification process may involve e.g. the application verifying
whether the smoking substitute device is registered to a user based
on user input entered at the mobile device (information linking
registered users to smoking substitute devices could be stored at
the application server as part of the validity state
information).
[0112] Another example re-enablement criterion may include the
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device at the application server being changed (from indicating the
smoking device is invalid for use) to indicate that the smoking
substitute device is valid for use (as might be happen if a user
has reported that their smoking substitute device is no longer
lost/stolen).
[0113] Another example re-enablement criterion may include a user
entering a valid code via a user interface on the smoking
substitute device.
[0114] Thus, if a user finds a previously lost/stolen device, they
can re-enable their device.
[0115] But if the smoking substitute device has been permanently
disabled, then in certain non-limiting embodiments, the user is not
able to re-enable their device via any of the above-described
re-enablement criteria.
[0116] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the smoking substitute
device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the
application.
[0117] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the smoking substitute
device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the application
via a communication channel established directly between the
smoking substitute device and the mobile device on which the
application is installed.
[0118] The system may include one or more further smoking
substitute devices configured to be wirelessly connected to the
smoking substitute device, e.g. with the smoking substitute device
and the further smoking substitute devices forming a wireless mesh
network. The smoking substitute device may be connected directly to
the/each further smoking substitute device, but the smoking
substitute device could also be connected indirectly to one or more
of the further smoking substitute devices (e.g. via another of the
smoking substitute devices).
[0119] The application server may store validity state information
associated with the/each further smoking substitute device (a local
copy of this information may also be stored at the application
and/or smoking substitute device).
[0120] The/each further smoking substitute devices may store ID
information identifying the further smoking substitute device.
[0121] For the/each further smoking substitute device, the smoking
substitute device, application and/or application server may be
configured to determine whether the further smoking substitute
device is valid for use based on the ID information identifying the
further smoking substitute device and the validity state
information associated with the further smoking substitute device
and, if the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server determines that the further smoking substitute
device is not valid for use, issue a disable signal configured to
disable the further smoking substitute device.
[0122] This could be achieved, by example, by the/each further
smoking substitute device sending its ID information to the smoking
substitute device, from where the smoking substitute device,
application and/or application could determine validity for example
in a manner described above.
[0123] In this way, a smoking substitute device can be disabled,
even when it is not itself connected directly to a mobile device on
which an application for managing the mobile device is
installed.
[0124] The smoking substitute device may be a vaping smoking
substitute device, or a heat not burn smoking substitute device.
The smoking substitute device may include a main body and a
consumable configured to physically couple to the main body (in
which case the main body can be viewed as the smoking substitute
device configured to perform the steps described above in relation
to this aspect of the present disclosure), but this is not a
requirement since, for example, the smoking substitute device could
be a disposable "one-use" device, or an open system device e.g.
having a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user so the
device can be used multiple times.
[0125] A fourth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure may
provide a method performed by a system according to the third
non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.
[0126] The fourth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure
may, for example, provide a method performed by a system for
managing a smoking substitute device, wherein the system includes:
a smoking substitute device; a mobile device on which an
application is installed, wherein the smoking substitute device is
configured to communicate with the application; an application
server, wherein the mobile phone is configured to communicate with
the application server, and wherein the application server stores
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device from which it can be determined whether the smoking
substitute device is valid for use; wherein the smoking substitute
device stores ID information identifying the smoking substitute
device; wherein the method includes: the smoking substitute device,
application and/or application server determining whether the
smoking substitute device is valid for use based on the ID
information identifying the smoking substitute device and the
validity state information associated with the smoking substitute
device and, if the smoking substitute device, application and/or
application server determines that the smoking substitute device is
not valid for use, issue a disable signal configured to disable the
smoking substitute device.
[0127] A method according to the fourth non-limiting aspect of the
present disclosure may include a method step or feature
corresponding to any feature or process described in connection
with the third non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.
[0128] The present disclosure includes the combination of the
aspects and particular features described except where such a
combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
[0129] In particular, a system for managing a smoking substitute
device according to the first non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure may also include the features of a system for managing a
smoking substitute device according to the third non-limiting
aspect of the present disclosure.
[0130] For example, an application server may store both validity
state information from which it can be determined whether a
consumable is valid for use with a main body of a smoking
substitute device as well as validity state information associated
with a smoking substitute device from which it can be determined
whether the smoking substitute device is valid for use.
[0131] A system which is able to incorporates features from both a
system according to the first non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure and a system according to the third non-limiting aspect
of the present disclosure is described below, for example.
[0132] Similarly, a method for managing a smoking substitute device
according to the second non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure may also include the features or method steps of a
method for managing a smoking substitute device according to the
fourth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.
[0133] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now
be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further
aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0134] FIG. 1 shows an example system 1 for managing a smoking
substitute device 10.
[0135] The system 1 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2,
an application server 4, an optional charging station 6, as well as
the smoking substitute device 10.
[0136] The smoking substitute device 10 is configured to
communicate wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth.TM., with an application
(or "app") installed on the mobile device 2, e.g. via a suitable
wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2. The wireless
connection between the smoking substitute device 10 and the mobile
device may be occasional, or intermittent. The mobile device 2 may
be a mobile phone, for example. The application on the mobile phone
is configured to communicate with the application server 4, via a
network 8. The application server 4 may utilise cloud storage, for
example.
[0137] The network 8 may include a cellular network and/or the
internet.
[0138] A skilled person would readily appreciate that the mobile
device 2 may be configured to communicate via the network 8
according to various communication channels, such as (but not
limited to) a wireless communication channel such as via a cellular
network (e.g. according to a standard protocol, such as 3G or 4G)
or via a WiFi network.
[0139] The app installed on the mobile device and the application
server 4 may be configured to assist a user with their smoking
substitute device 10, based on information communicated between the
smoking substitute device 10 and the app and/or information
communicated between the app and the application server 4.
[0140] The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to
charge (and optionally communicate with) the smoking substitute
device 10, via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.
The charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB
port, for example, which may allow the smoking substitute device to
be charged by any USB-compatible device capable of delivering power
to the smoking substitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in
this case the USB-compatible device would be acting as the charging
station 6). Alternatively, the charging station could be a docking
station specifically configured to dock with the smoking substitute
device 10 and charge the smoking substitute device 10 via the
charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.
[0141] FIG. 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device 110 for
use as the smoking substitute device 10 in the system 1 of FIG.
1.
[0142] In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 includes
a main body 120 and a consumable 150. The consumable 150 may
alternatively be referred to as a "pod."
[0143] In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 is a
closed system vaping device, wherein the consumable 150 includes a
sealed tank 156 and is intended for one-use only.
[0144] FIG. 2(a) shows the smoking substitute device 110 with the
main body 120 physically coupled to the consumable 150.
[0145] FIG. 2(b) shows the main body 120 of the smoking substitute
device 110 without the consumable 150.
[0146] FIG. 2(c) shows the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute
device 110 without the main body 120.
[0147] The main body 120 and the consumable 150 are configured to
be physically coupled together, in this example by pushing the
consumable 150 into an aperture in a top end 122 of the main body
120. In other examples, the main body 120 and the consumable could
be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or
through a bayonet fitting, for example. An optional light 126, e.g.
an LED located behind a small translucent cover, is located a
bottom end 124 of the main body 120. The light 126 may be
configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute device 110 is
activated.
[0148] The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at a
top end 152 of the consumable 150, as well as one or more air
inlets (not shown in FIG. 2) so that air can be drawn into the
smoking substitute device 110 when a user inhales through the
mouthpiece. At a bottom end 154 of the consumable 150, there is
located a tank 156 that contains e-liquid. The tank 156 may be a
translucent body, for example.
[0149] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the tank 156 includes a
window 158, so that the amount of e-liquid in the tank 156 can be
visually assessed. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that
the window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen whilst the rest of
the tank 156 is obscured from view when the consumable 150 is
inserted into the aperture in the top end 122 of the main body
120.
[0150] The tank 156 may be referred to as a "clearomizer" if it
includes a window 158, or a "cartomizer" if it does not.
[0151] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the
smoking substitute device 110.
[0152] FIG. 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable 150 of the
smoking substitute device 110.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the main body 120 includes a power
source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface
134, an electrical interface 136, and, optionally, one or more
additional components 138.
[0154] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the power source 128 is
a battery, such as (but not limited to) a rechargeable battery.
[0155] The control unit 130 may include a microprocessor, for
example.
[0156] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the memory 132 is
includes non-volatile memory.
[0157] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the wireless interface
134 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device
2, e.g. via Bluetooth. To this end, the wireless interface 134
could include a Bluetooth.TM. antenna. Other wireless communication
interfaces, e.g. WiFi, are also possible.
[0158] The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 may
include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface
136 may be located in, and in certain non-limiting embodiments at
the bottom of, the aperture in the top end 122 of the main body
120. When the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable
150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to pass
electrical power from the power source 128 to (e.g. a heating
device of) the consumable 150 when the smoking substitute device
110 is activated, e.g. via the electrical interface 160 of the
consumable 150 (discussed below). When the main body 120 is not
physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface
may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.
[0159] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may
include the optional light 126 discussed above.
[0160] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if
the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, include a charging
port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This
may be located at the bottom end 124 of the main body 120.
Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is
configured to act as a charging port configured to receive power
from the charging station 6 such that a separate charging port is
not required.
[0161] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if
the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, include a battery
charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the
rechargeable battery. However, a battery charging control circuit
could equally be located in the charging station 6 (if
present).
[0162] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may
include an airflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking
substitute device 110, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a
mouthpiece 166 (discussed below) of the smoking substitute device
110. The smoking substitute device 110 may be configured to be
activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This
optional sensor could alternatively be included in the consumable
150 (though this is less desired (in certain non-limiting
embodiments) where the consumable 150 is intended to be disposed of
after use, as in this example).
[0163] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may
include an actuator, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute device
110 may be configured to be activated when the actuator is
actuated. This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor noted,
as a mechanism for activating the smoking substitute device
110.
[0164] The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may
include an RFID reader. The RFID reader could be configured to read
an RFID tag on the consumable 150 when (and in certain non-limiting
embodiments, only when) the consumable 150 is physically coupled to
the main body.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the consumable 150 includes the tank
156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more
air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and, optionally, one or more
additional components 168.
[0166] The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may
include one or more electrical contacts. In certain non-limiting
embodiments, the electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and
an electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are configured to
contact each other and therefore electrically couple the main body
120 to the consumable 150 when the main body 120 is physically
coupled to the consumable 150. In this way, electrical energy (e.g.
in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from
the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162
in the consumable 150.
[0167] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the heating device 162
is configured to heat e-liquid contained in the tank 156, e.g.
using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128. In one
example, the heating device 162 may include a heating filament and
a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank
156 in order to draw e-liquid out from the tank 156, and wherein
the heating filament coils around a second portion of the wick
located outside the tank 156. In this example, the heating filament
is configured to heat up e-liquid drawn out of the tank 156 by the
wick to produce an aerosol vapour.
[0168] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the one or more air
inlets 164 are configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking
substitute device 110, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece
166.
[0169] The additional components 168 of the consumable 150 may
include an identifier in the form of a machine readable tag which
stores ID information identifying the consumable. The machine
readable tag may be an RFID tag, for example.
[0170] In use, a user activates the smoking substitute device 110,
e.g. through actuating an actuator included in the main body 120 or
by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 as described above. Upon
activation, the control unit 130 may supply electrical energy from
the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via electrical
interfaces 136, 166), which may cause the heating device 162 to
heat e-liquid drawn from the tank 156 to produce a vapour which is
inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 166.
[0171] FIG. 4(a) shows an example of validity state information
associated with a plurality of consumables 150 that could be stored
at the application server 4.
[0172] In this example, the validity state information associated
with a plurality of consumables 150 is stored at the application
server 4 in the form of a table 401.
[0173] In table 401, the validity state information associated with
each consumable 150 is stored in the same row as ID information
identifying that consumable, thereby storing the validity state
information associated with each consumable 150 in association with
ID information identifying that consumable 150. Each item of ID
information could uniquely identify a respective consumable 150 of
the plurality of consumables, or could uniquely identify a
respective batch of consumables that includes a plurality of
consumables 150, for example.
[0174] In table 401, the validity state information associated with
each consumable 150 includes an expiry date for the consumable as
well as a lost/stolen flag (which functions as an invalidity flag
as described above).
[0175] If the expiry date is found to have elapsed for a given
consumable, a determination may be made that the consumable 150 is
not valid for use.
[0176] If the lost/stolen flag for a given consumable 150 indicates
that the consumable 150 is lost/stolen (shown as "yes" in table
401, corresponding to an `invalid` state as described above), a
determination may be made that the consumable 150 is not valid for
use (as is the case for Consumable ID 000004 in table 401), and the
system may inhibit use of the consumable with the main body, e.g.
by disabling the main body 120 such that it does not work with the
consumable 150.
[0177] If the lost/stolen flag for a given consumable 150 indicates
that the consumable 150 is not lost/stolen (shown as "no" in table
401, corresponding to a `valid` state as described above), a
determination may be made that the consumable 150 is valid for use
(as is the case for Consumable IDs 000001-000003 in table 401).
[0178] FIG. 4(b) shows an example of validity state information
associated with a plurality of smoking substitute devices 110 that
could be stored at the application server 4.
[0179] In this example, the validity state information associated
with a plurality of substitute smoking devices 110 is stored at the
application server 4 in the form of a table 402.
[0180] In table 402, the validity state information associated with
each substitute smoking device 110 is stored in the same row as ID
information identifying that substitute smoking device 110, thereby
storing the validity state information associated with each
substitute smoking device 110 in association with ID information
identifying that substitute smoking device 110. In this example,
each item of ID information uniquely identifies a respective main
body 120 of a respective substitute smoking device 110 (since
different consumables 150 may be used with a single main body
120).
[0181] In table 402, the validity state information associated with
each substitute smoking device 110 includes a lost/stolen flag
(which functions as an invalidity flag as described above).
[0182] If the lost/stolen flag for a given smoking substitute
device 110 indicates that the smoking substitute device 110 is
lost/stolen (shown as "yes" in table 402), a determination may be
made that the smoking substitute device 110 is not valid for use
(as is the case for Device ID 000001 in table 402), and the smoking
substitute device may be disabled.
[0183] If the lost/stolen flag for a given smoking substitute
device 110 indicates that the smoking substitute device 110 is not
lost/stolen (shown as "no" in table 401), a determination may be
made that the smoking substitute device 110 is valid for use (as is
the case for Device IDs 000002-000004 in table 402).
[0184] FIG. 4(c) shows another example of validity state
information associated with a plurality of smoking substitute
devices 110 that could be stored at the application server 4.
[0185] In this example, the validity state information associated
with a plurality of substitute smoking devices 110 is stored at the
application server 4 in the form of a table 403.
[0186] Table 403 is the same as table 402, but the validity state
information associated with each substitute smoking device 110
includes a defective flag (which functions as an invalidity flag as
described above), in addition to the lost/stolen flag.
[0187] If the defective flag for a given smoking substitute device
110 indicates that the smoking substitute device 110 is defective
(shown as "yes" in table 403), a determination may be made that the
smoking substitute device 110 is not valid for use (as is the case
for Device ID 000003 in table 403), and the smoking substitute
device may be disabled permanently.
[0188] If the lost/stolen flag for a given smoking substitute
device 110 indicates that the smoking substitute device 110 is
lost/stolen (shown as "yes" in table 403) whilst the defective flag
indicates that the smoking substitute device 110 is not defective
(shown as a "no" in table 403), a determination may be made that
the smoking substitute device 110 is not valid for use (as is the
case for Device ID 000001 in table 403), and the smoking substitute
device may be disabled non-permanently.
[0189] If the lost/stolen flag and defective flag for a given
smoking substitute device 110 indicate that the smoking substitute
device 110 is not lost/stolen and is not defective (both shown as
"no" in table 403), a determination may be made that the smoking
substitute device 110 is valid for use (as is the case for Device
IDs 000002 and 000004 in table 403).
[0190] It can be seen from the above discussion that having the
defective flag as a "yes" for a given smoking substitute device
corresponds to a first invalid state as discussed above (indicating
that the smoking substitute device is invalid and should be
disabled permanently).
[0191] It can also be seen from the above discussion that having
the defective flag as a "no" and the lost/stolen flag as a "yes"
for a given smoking substitute device corresponds to a second
invalid state as discussed above (indicating that the smoking
substitute device is invalid and should be disabled
non-permanently).
[0192] It can also be seen from the above discussion that having
the defective flag as a "no" and the lost/stolen flag as a "no" for
a given smoking substitute device corresponds to a valid state as
discussed above (indicating that the smoking substitute device is
valid for use).
[0193] FIG. 5(a) shows an example method that could be performed by
the system 1, using the validity state information of FIG.
4(a).
[0194] In step S501, the main body 120 of smoking substitute device
or the application installed on mobile device 2 reads ID
information identifying the consumable 150 from a machine readable
tag provided with the consumable 150.
[0195] For example, the main body 120 could include an RFID reader
configured to read ID information identifying the consumable 150
from an RFID tag included in the consumable 150 when (and in
certain non-limiting embodiments, only when) the main body 120 is
physically coupled to the consumable 150. The main body 120 may be
configured to wirelessly communicate this ID information to the
application on the mobile device.
[0196] As another example, the application on the mobile device 2
may prompt a user to present a consumable to a component of the
system 1 (e.g. to the main body 120 or the mobile device 2) so that
that component of the system 1 can read ID information identifying
the consumable 150 from an identifier provided with the consumable
(e.g. in a manner as described above), before the user physically
couples the consumable 150 to the main body 120 or whilst the
consumable 150 is physically coupled to the main body 120.
[0197] In step S502, the ID information identifying the consumable
150 is used (e.g. by the application or application server 4) to
look up the validity state information associated with the
consumable 150 in the table 401 (e.g. in a manner as described
above), and in step S503 this validity state information is then
used (e.g. by the application server 4, application or main body
120, e.g. in a manner as described above) to determine whether the
consumable 150 is valid for use with the main body 120.
[0198] In step S504, if it is determined from the validity state
information associated with the consumable 150 that the consumable
150 is not valid for use with the main body 120, then use of the
consumable 150 with the main body 120 is inhibited, for example by:
a notification informing a user that the consumable 150 is not
valid for use with the main body 120 being displayed (e.g. by the
light 126 on the main body 120 being operated according to a
predetermined sequence and/or a notification being displayed by the
application on the mobile device); and/or the main body 120 being
disabled such that it does not work with the consumable 150 (e.g.
by configuring the main body 120 to not pass electrical power to
the heating device 162 of the consumable 150 when the consumable
150 is physically coupled to the main body 120)
[0199] For example, if the expiry date associated with the
consumable 150 has elapsed, or the lost/stolen flag associated with
the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 has been
lost/stolen (as is the case for Consumable ID 000004 in table 401),
then it may be determined that the consumable 150 is not valid for
use with the main body 120. If an expiry date associated with the
consumable 150 has elapsed, and a lost/stolen flag associated with
the consumable 150 indicates that the consumable 150 has not been
lost/stolen, then it may be determined that the consumable 150 is
valid for use with the main body 120.
[0200] A user may provided with an option to override the
notification and/or disabling of the main body 120, e.g. via the
application, so that they can continue using the main body 120,
even though they have been inhibited by doing so through the above
steps.
[0201] FIG. 5(b) shows an example method that could be performed by
the system 1, using the validity state information of FIG.
4(b).
[0202] In step S511, a user reports a main body 120 of a smoking
substitute device 110 as lost/stolen, e.g. via the application or
through a customer support helpline.
[0203] In step S512, validity state information associated with the
main body 120 is changed at application server to indicate that
main body 120 is invalid for use, e.g. by setting the lost/stolen
flag associated with the main body 120 to indicate that the main
body 120 has been lost/stolen (as is the case for Device ID 000001
in table 402).
[0204] A local copy of the validity state information stored at the
application server 4 may be stored by the application and/or the
smoking substitute device 110 (e.g. in the memory 132 of the
smoking substitute device). The/each local copy may be updated
periodically by the application server.
[0205] In step S513, the main body 120 connects to the application
on the mobile device 2 and sends ID information, e.g. an ID number
uniquely identifying the main body 120, to the application
wirelessly, via the wireless interface 134, via the wireless
interface 134 included in the main body.
[0206] In step S514, the application and/or the application server
4 determines whether the main body 120 is valid for use based on
the ID information and the validity state information associated
with the main body 120. The determination by the application and/or
the application server 4 of whether the main body 120 is valid for
use may, for example, include the application using the ID
information sent to it by the smoking substitute device 110 and a
local copy of the validity state information to determine whether a
lost/stolen flag and/or a defective flag (see FIG. 4(c)) associated
with the main body 120 indicate that the main body 120 is valid or
invalid for use. Alternatively, this determination may include the
application sending the ID information to the application server 4
so that the application server 4 can check whether a lost/stolen
flag and/or a defective flag (see FIG. 4(c)) associated with the
main body 120 indicates that the main body 120 is valid or invalid
for use.
[0207] As an alternative, the main body 120 may determine whether
it is valid for use by using its ID information and a local copy of
the validity state information (e.g. which may recently have been
updated by the application server 4) to determine whether a
lost/stolen flag and/or a defective flag (see FIG. 4(c)) associated
with the main body 120 indicates that the main body 120 is valid or
invalid for use.
[0208] In step S515, if the application and/or the application
server 4 determines that main body 120 is not valid for use (e.g.
because the validity state information associated with the main
body 120 indicates that the main body 120 has been lost/stolen, as
is the case for Device ID 000001 in table 402 or is defective as is
the case for Device ID 000003 in table 403), the application and/or
application server 4 may issue a disable signal. This disable
signal could be sent to the main body 120, which may be received at
the main body via the wireless interface 134 included in the main
body.
[0209] As noted above, if a defective flag (see FIG. 4(c))
associated with the main body 120 indicates that the main body 120
is invalid for use, the disable signal may be configured to disable
the smoking substitute device permanently. Whereas if only a
lost/stolen flag indicates that the main body 120 is invalid for
use, the disable signal may be configured to disable the smoking
substitute device non-permanently.
[0210] In step S516, the main body 120 is disabled on receipt of
this disable signal, e.g. by the main body 120 being instructed by
the signal to configure itself to not activate (e.g. not pass
electrical power to the heating device 162).
[0211] Step S517 is an optional step that may be present if the
disable signal was configured to disable the smoking substitute
device non-permanently (see above), In this case, the smoking
substitute device 110, application and/or application server 4 may
issue a re-enable signal configured to re-enable the smoking
substitute device 110 if one or more re-enablement criteria are
met, e.g. the application may issue a re-enable signal if a user
passes a verification process at the application.
[0212] In a further method (not illustrated) which builds on the
method of FIG. 5(b), there may be one or more further main bodies
120 configured to be wirelessly connected to the main body 120. For
example, the main body 120 may connect to a first further main body
120, wherein the main body 120 connects to the mobile device 2 on
which the application is installed. Multiple main bodies 120 could
be chained together in this way, or form a mesh network.
[0213] The application server 4 may store validity state
information associated with the/each further main body 120 (a local
copy of this validity state information may also be stored at the
application and/or main body 120).
[0214] The/each main body 120 may store ID information identifying
the further main body 120.
[0215] For the/each further main body 120, the main body 120,
application and/or application server 4 may be configured to
determine whether the further main body 120 is valid for use based
on the ID information identifying the further main body 120 and the
validity state information associated with the further main body
120 and, if the main body 120, application and/or application
server 4 determines that the further main body 120 is not valid for
use, issue a disable signal configured to disable the further main
body 120.
[0216] This further method may allow for a main body 120 to be
disabled, even if it is not connected (directly) to a mobile device
2.
[0217] Of course, a skilled reader would readily appreciate that
the smoking substitute device 110 shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and
2(c) and FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) shows just one example implementation
of a smoking substitute device, and that other forms of smoking
substitute device could be used as the smoking substitute device 10
of FIG. 1.
[0218] By way of example, a HNB smoking substitute device including
a main body and a consumable could be used as the smoking
substitute device 10 of FIG. 1, instead of the smoking substitute
device 110. One such HNB smoking substitute device is the IQOS.TM.
smoking substitute device discussed above.
[0219] As another example, for the method of FIG. 5(b), an open
system vaping device which includes a main body, a refillable tank,
and a mouthpiece could be used as the smoking substitute device 10
of FIG. 1, instead of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute
device 110. One such open system vaping device is the blu PRO.TM.
e-cigarette discussed above.
[0220] As another example, for the method of FIG. 5(b), an entirely
disposable (one use) smoking substitute device could be used as the
smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1, instead of the main body
120 of the smoking substitute device 110.
[0221] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in
the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in
their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the
disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the
disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any
combination of such features, be utilized for realizing the present
disclosure in diverse forms thereof.
[0222] While the present disclosure has been described in
conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many
equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those
skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure set forth above are
considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to
the described embodiments may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0223] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations
provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the
understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by
any of these theoretical explanations.
[0224] Any section headings used herein are for organizational
purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject
matter described.
[0225] Throughout this specification, including the claims which
follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise"
and "include," and variations such as "comprises," "comprising,"
and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a
stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the
exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or
steps.
[0226] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular
value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a
range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one
particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly,
when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the
antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value
forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a
numerical value is optional and means for example +/-10%.
* * * * *