Sleep state for an electronic vapour provision system and method

Abstract

An electronic vapour provision system ‘EVPS’ comprises a sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of an interaction with the EVPS, a timer, and an interaction detection processor, where in the EVPS is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode, the EVPS is configured to wake from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a signal from the sensor indicative of an interaction, and the EVPS is configured to modify one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.

1 . An electronic vapour provision system ‘EVPS’, comprising:
 a sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of an interaction with the EVPS; 
 a timer; and 
 an interaction detection processor; 
 wherein 
 the EVPS is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode; 
 the EVPS is configured to wake from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a signal from the sensor indicative of an interaction; and 
 the EVPS is configured to modify one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. 
 
     
     
         2 . The EVPS of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an aerosol generator;   and wherein the EVPS is configured to alter the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.   
     
     
         3 . The EVPS of  claim 2 , in which:
 the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by one selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a predetermined amount if the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period; and 
 ii. an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. 
   
     
     
         4 . The EVPS of  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least a first active payload;   and wherein the EVPS is configured to alter the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.   
     
     
         5 . The EVPS of  claim 4 , in which
 the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by one selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a predetermined amount if the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period; and 
 ii. an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. 
   
     
     
         6 . The EVPS of  claim 1 , in which the sensor is a motion sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The EVPS of  claim 6 , in which
 the EVPS is configured to enter the first mode if the interaction detection processor detects a motion signal from the motion sensor that meets at least a first predetermined criterion.   
     
     
         8 . The EVPS of  claim 7 , in which the motion signal meets one or more criteria selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a lack of motion for a predetermined period of time, indicative of static positioning;   ii. a net directional motion, indicative of static device positioning within a moving vehicle; and   iii. a rhythmic motion with a net directional component for a predetermined period of time, indicative of a user walking, running, or cycling.   
     
     
         9 . The EVPS of  claim 1 , wherein
 the EVPS is configured to enter the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a motion signal from the motion sensor that meets at least a second predetermined criterion.   
     
     
         10 . The EVPS of  claim 9 , in which the motion signal meets one or more criteria selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a cessation of a current criterion for entry into the first mode;   ii. an arcuate motion characteristic of bringing a hand held device up to the mouth; and   iii. a reorientation of the device to a position typically for use.   
     
     
         11 . The EVPS of  claim 1 , wherein
 the role of the interaction detection processor is provided by one or more selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a processor of an electronic vapour delivery device; 
 ii. a processor of a mobile communication device wirelessly linked to the electronic vapour delivery device; and 
 iii. a remote server. 
   
     
     
         12 . A non-therapeutic method of electronic vapour provision, comprising:
 An interaction sensing step to generate a signal a signal indicative of an interaction with an electronic vapour provision system, EVPS;   a timing step to count a duration of time; and   an interaction detection step;   wherein   electronic vapour provision method functions in at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode;   the method comprises the step of waking from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection step detects a signal from the interaction sensing step indicative of an interaction with the EVPS; and   the method comprises a step of modifying one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 an aerosol generation step.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , in which the modifying step comprises altering the operational parameters of the EVPS such that, in use, the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , in which
 the amount of aerosol per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by one selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a predetermined amount if the duration of time spent in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period; and 
 ii. an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time spent in the first mode. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the modifying step comprises altering the operational parameters of the EVPS such that, in use, the amount of an active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air in dependence upon the duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , in which
 the amount of active payload delivered per unit of inhaled air is increased from a default by one selected from the list consisting of:
 i. a predetermined amount if the duration of time spent in the first mode exceeds a predetermined period; and 
 ii. an amount linearly or nonlinearly proportional to the duration of time spent in the first mode. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  in which the interaction sensing step comprises a motion sensing step to generate a motion signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising the step of:
 entering the first mode if the interaction detection step detects a motion signal from the motion sensing step that meets at least a first predetermined criterion.   
     
     
         20 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A computer program comprising computer executable instructions adapted to cause a computer system to perform the method of  claim 12 .