Aerosol delivery device/system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and system e.g. a smoking substitute device and system. In particular, an aerosol delivery device configured to engage with a component to form an aerosol delivery system. The aerosol delivery device comprises electrical circuitry arranged to control the supply of power to an aerosol generation unit and to detect engagement and disengagement of a component with the device. The circuitry is configured to, in an unlocked state, control the supply of power to the aerosol generation unit to enable the generation of an aerosol if a user inhales through the system. In a locked state, the circuitry is configured to control the supply of power to the aerosol generation unit to prevent the generation of an aerosol if a user inhales through the system. The circuitry is also configured to transition the system from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a detection of a predefined sequence of user actions, the predefined sequence of user actions comprising at least one disengagement of a component with the device and at least one engagement of a component with the device.

1 . An aerosol delivery device configured to engage with a component to form an aerosol delivery system, the device comprising:
 electrical circuitry arranged to control the supply of power to an aerosol generation unit and to detect engagement and disengagement of a component with the device, wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 in an unlocked state, control the supply of power to the aerosol generation unit to enable the generation of an aerosol if a user inhales through the system; 
 in a locked state, control the supply of power to the aerosol generation unit to prevent the generation of an aerosol if a user inhales through the system; and 
 transition the system from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a detection of a predefined sequence of user actions, the predefined sequence of user actions comprising at least one disengagement of a component with the device and at least one engagement of a component with the device, 
   wherein the circuitry is configured to control a visual feedback element to indicate the predefined sequence to the user.   
     
     
         2 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to transition the system from the locked state to the unlocked state only if the predefined sequence of user actions is detected within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         3 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory operatively connected to the circuitry and configured to store the predefined sequence of user actions. 
     
     
         4 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 detect a sequence of user engagements and disengagements of a component with the device;   determine whether the detected sequence corresponds to the predefined sequence of user actions; and   transition the system from the locked stated to the unlocked state if the detected sequence corresponds to the predefined sequence.   
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to control the visual feedback element to provide a first visual feedback to the user upon the detection of the predefined sequence of user actions. 
     
     
         7 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is configured to control the visual feedback element to provide a second visual feedback to the user upon detection of a sequence of user engagements and disengagements of a component with the device that does not correspond to the predefined sequence of user actions, wherein the second visual feedback is different from the first visual feedback. 
     
     
         8 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to control the visual feedback element to output a sequence of visual flashes corresponding to the predefined sequence of user actions to indicate the predefined sequence to the user. 
     
     
         9 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein in the locked state, the circuitry is configured to control the visual feedback element to provide a third visual feedback to the user if a user inhales through the system. 
     
     
         10 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to transition the system from an off state to the locked state if a user inhales through the system when a component is engaged with the device. 
     
     
         11 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to transition the system from the unlocked state to the locked state if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a last user inhalation through the system. 
     
     
         12 . An aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an airflow sensor configured to detect a user inhalation. 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device according to  claim 1 , and a consumable component for containing an aerosol precursor, the consumable component configured to be reversibly engageable with the aerosol delivery device to form the aerosol delivery system. 
     
     
         14 . An aerosol delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein the consumable component comprises the aerosol generation unit. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)