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`US 20170318861Al
`
`c19) United States
`
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`THORENS
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2017/0318861 Al
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.
`A24F 47100
`G06F 17/30
`(52) U.S. CI.
`CPC ...... A24F 471008 (2013.01); G06F 17/30604
`(2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method of controlling operation of an inhaling device is
`provided, the inhaling device including a gas flow path
`through which gas can be drawn by the action of a user puff,
`a gas flow sensor within the gas flow path, and a memory,
`the method including recording gas flow measurements from
`the gas flow sensor; comparing the gas flow measurements
`with the user puff signature stored in the memory to provide
`a correlation score; and enabling or disabling further opera(cid:173)
`tion of the device based on a value of the correlation score.
`The method allows an inhaling device, such as an electri(cid:173)
`cally operated smoking device or a medical inhaler, to
`authenticate a user of the device based on a detected puffing
`behavior.
`
`(54)
`
`INHALING DEVICE WITH USER
`RECOGNITION BASED ON INHALATION
`BEHAVIOUR
`
`(71) Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.,
`Neuchatel (CH)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Michel THORENS, Moudon (CH)
`
`(73) Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.,
`Neuchatel (CH)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`15/531,838
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Dec, 1, 2015
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP2015/078212
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2) Date:
`
`May 31, 2017
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 11, 2014
`
`(EP) .................................. 14197310.7
`
`100
`' .
`
`127
`
`.._ 125
`
`\ 103
`
`113
`
`121
`
`105
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1014.001
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 9, 2017 Sheet 1 of 6
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 9, 2017 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2017/0318861 Al
`
`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`INHALING DEVICE WITH USER
`RECOGNITION BASED ON INHALATION
`BEHAVIOUR
`[0001] The invention relates to inhaling devices config(cid:173)
`ured to allow a user to inhale an aerosol or vapour containing
`a desired medicament or ingredient. Examples of inhaling
`devices of this kind include electrically operated cigarettes,
`heated tobacco systems and medical inhalators. In particular,
`the invention relates to devices and methods that can rec(cid:173)
`ognise or authenticate a user based on the puffing behaviour
`of the user.
`[0002] One example of an inhaling device is an electronic
`cigarette. Although electronic cigarettes are believed to be
`less harmful than conventional cigarettes and may be used as
`a smoking cessation aid, they are not intended for use by
`unauthorised individuals, particularly those below the legal
`age for electronic cigarettes. In currently available electronic
`cigarettes there is no mechanism for preventing unauthor(cid:173)
`ised use.
`[0003] There are a number of user identification systems
`that are used in other electronic devices. For example,
`mobile telephones typically require a user to enter a pass(cid:173)
`word before they will fully operate. More sophisticated
`systems include fingerprint recognition, face recognition,
`voice recognition and retinal scanning. However, these
`systems are typically too bulky to integrate into small
`devices such as electronic cigarettes. And even the smaller
`systems, such as fingerprint and sweeping gesture recogni(cid:173)
`tion, require complex and expensive electronics and soft(cid:173)
`ware to be integrated into the device. WO2014/150704
`describes some systems of this type used to prevent unau(cid:173)
`thorised use of an electronic cigarette.
`[0004]
`It would be desirable to provide a simpler, less
`bulky and less expensive means of preventing unauthorised
`used of an inhaling device. It would also be desirable to
`provide a means of automatically recognising a user of an
`inhaling device in order to provide for personalised opera(cid:173)
`tion of the device.
`[0005]
`In a first aspect there is provided a method of
`controlling operation of an inhaling device, the inhaling
`device comprising a gas flow path through which gas can be
`drawn by the action of a user puff, a gas flow sensor within
`the gas flow path and a memory, the method comprising:
`[0006]
`recording gas flow measurements from the gas flow
`sensor;
`[0007]
`comparing the gas flow measurements with a user
`puff signature stored in memory to provide a correlation
`score; and
`[0008]
`enabling or disabling further operation of the
`device based on a value of the correlation score.
`[0009] This method allows an inhaling device, such as an
`electrically operated smoking device or a medical inhaler to
`authenticate a user of the device based on a detected puffing
`behaviour. Only if the user is determined to be an authentic
`user is the device enabled for further operation, for example
`to deliver aerosol to the user. This method of authentication
`and preventing unauthorised use of the device is simple and
`compact, and given that many inhaling devices incorporate
`a flow sensor and a controller for other purposes, is a very
`inexpensive solution in many cases.
`[0010] As used herein, an inhaling device comprises any
`device which is configured to deliver a substance for inha(cid:173)
`lation by the user. An inhaling device may, for example, be
`a medical inhaler or nebuliser, a vaporiser, an electronic
`
`cigarette or a heated tobacco device. As used herein, inhal(cid:173)
`ing means the action of a user drawing an aerosol or gases
`into their body through their mouth or nose. Inhaling
`includes drawing into the lungs before exhalation, and also
`drawing only into the mouth or nasal cavity before exhala(cid:173)
`tion.
`[0011] As used herein gas flow measurement may refer to
`measurement of gas flow rate, which may be mass flow rate
`or volumetric flow rate, or may refer to measurement on one
`or more other parameters related to gas flow rate, such as
`pressure changes, changes in electrical resistance or electri(cid:173)
`cal capacitance.
`[0012] The method may further comprise recording a user
`puff signature based on signals from the gas flow sensor
`during a set-up procedure; and storing the user puff signature
`in the memory. The step of recording a user puff signature
`may comprise recording a gas flow rate past the gas flow
`sensor for a first predetermined time period. And the step of
`recording a user puff signature may comprise providing an
`indication to the user of the start of the first predetermined
`time period. So, in a set-up operation, a user may be required
`to provide a puff signature by providing a characteristic
`puffing behaviour within a set time period after an indicator,
`such as a light or speaker, is activated on the device. The user
`may choose whatever puff signature they like. For example,
`the user may choose a series or short sharp puffs or may
`choose a single long puff having a variable gas flow rate.
`This puffing behaviour is recorded for the set time period, for
`example two seconds, and stored in memory as the user puff
`signature.
`[0013] The step of recording gas flow measurements may
`comprise recording a gas flow rate past the gas flow sensor
`for a second predetermined time period. The second prede(cid:173)
`termined time period may advantageously be of the same
`duration as the first predetermined time period. The step of
`recording gas flow measurements comprises providing an
`indication to user of start of the second predetermined time
`period or that the device is ready to start recording for the
`second predetermined time period. Again, a light or audible
`indication may be provided to indicate the start of the
`authentication procedure. The user then replicates his or her
`puff signature. The user's puff signature is recorded as gas
`flow measurements during the second predetermined time
`period and is then compared with the stored puff signature
`to provide a correlation score.
`[0014] The correlation score may be a single value derived
`from a correlation or pattern matching algorithm.
`[0015] The step of enabling or disabling further operation
`of the device may comprise comparing the correlation score
`with a threshold score and enabling further operation of the
`device if the correlation score exceeds the threshold score.
`If the correlation score does not exceed the threshold score
`the device may be disabled. The step of disabling the system
`may comprise disabling the system for a predetermined
`disable time period before the user can attempt the authen(cid:173)
`tication procedure again. The disable time period may
`increase with each subsequent disabling of the device until
`a user is successfully authenticated and the device is
`enabled. For example, a first disabling of the device may
`comprise disabling the device for only a few seconds. If the
`user subsequently fails to provide a matching puff signature
`again, a second disabling of the device may comprise
`disabling the device for 2 minutes. If a further unsuccessful
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1014.008
`
`

`

`US 2017/0318861 Al
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`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`2
`
`attempt is made to provide a matching puff signature the
`device may be disabled for an hour.
`[0016] The method may also comprise permanently dis(cid:173)
`abling the device until a reset procedure is carried out. A
`reset procedure may comprise connecting the device to a PC
`or other secondary device, and providing a different form of
`authentication through the secondary device, such as a
`password. Once a reset procedure is carried out, a user may
`need to record a new puff signature.
`[0017] The method may further comprise a step of modi(cid:173)
`fying the user puff signature based on the gas flow mea(cid:173)
`surements if the correlation score exceeds the threshold
`score. In this way, each time that a user is successfully
`authenticated, their puff signature can be updated with or
`replaced by the most recent matching puff behaviour. This
`may be beneficial in tracking small changes in puff behav(cid:173)
`iour over time or providing an averaging for the signature
`that accounts for variations due to the time of day, the season
`or local environment.
`[0018]
`It is also possible that the user puff signature is not
`puffing behaviour that is deliberately produced by a user as
`a signature. The user puff signature may be recorded natural
`puffing behaviour that is particular to the user.
`[0019] The step of comparing the gas flow measurements
`with the user puff signature may comprise comparing any
`suitable parameters of the gas flow measurements. For
`example, one or more of the following parameters may be
`used: time to end of puff, time to peak flow rate, time to first
`maximum flow rate, time to first minimum flow rate, time
`between peak flow rates, rate of change of flow rate, number
`of peak flow rates, flow rate at peak flow rates, puff volume,
`peak flow ratios, rate of change of flow rate ratios, inter puff
`interval, and curve shape. For example, the user puff signa(cid:173)
`ture may comprise a maximum flow rate, a number of flow
`peaks and an initial rate of change of flow rate over the first
`0.5 seconds. Each of these parameters may be extracted
`from the gas flow measurements. The comparison may be
`made for each of the parameters and a weighted sum of the
`comparison results used to provide a final correlation score.
`[0020] The choice of parameters used will depend on the
`length and complexity of the puff signatures recorded and
`the sensitivity of the gas flow measurements obtained. The
`aim is to provide for reliable authentication of genuine users,
`with a balance between false rejection and false acceptance.
`The choice of parameters, correlation algorithm and thresh(cid:173)
`old score can all be adjusted to provide the required perfor(cid:173)
`mance based on trial and error.
`[0021] The method may further comprise modifying the
`recorded user puff signature dependent on a time of day, or
`based on a type of consumable being used with the device,
`or both, prior to the step comparing the gas flow measure(cid:173)
`ments with the user puff signature. If it is established that
`users typically take stronger puffs in the morning than the
`evening for example, the puff signature may be modified for
`the evening as compared to the morning.
`[0022]
`If the device can be used with different consum(cid:173)
`ables containing substances to be delivered to the user from
`the inhaling device, the different consumable may affect
`flow rate through the device. Accordingly, the puff signature
`may be modified based on the consumable being used. This
`is particularly useful if the user signature is not a deliberately
`produced signature but recorded natural puffing behaviour
`and it may reduce the false rejection rate.
`
`[0023] The method may comprise storing a plurality of
`user puff signatures and the step of comparing the gas flow
`measurements with the user puff signature may comprise
`comparing the gas flow measurements with each puff sig(cid:173)
`nature to provide a plurality of correlation scores. This
`allows multiple users to be authorised for a single device. In
`the case of an electrically operated smoking device for
`example, there may be multiple authorised users within a
`household.
`[0024] The method may further comprise modifying the
`operation of the device dependent on which of the plurality
`of correlation scores is the highest. This allows the operating
`parameters of the device to be set for the user that has been
`authenticated to use the device. Again, taking the example of
`a smoking device, one user may prefer a greater volume of
`delivered aerosol per puff than another authorised user. If the
`device generated aerosol by heating a substrate, the device
`may therefore be configured to provide more heat to the
`substrate for one user than for another. Also, a single user
`may record different puff signatures to provide for different
`device operation so that they can select a particular mode of
`operation by providing a particular puff signature. For
`example, one puff signature may be used when a very rapid
`delivery of aerosol is required and another puff signature
`may be used when a more gradual delivery of aerosol is
`required.
`[0025]
`In a second aspect, there is provided an inhaling
`device comprising:
`[0026]
`a controller configured to control the operation of
`the device;
`[0027]
`a gas flow path through which gas can be drawn by
`the action of a user puff,
`[0028]
`a gas flow sensor within the gas flow path; and
`[0029]
`a memory,
`[0030] wherein the controller is configured to compare a
`user puff signature stored in the memory with gas flow
`measurements from the gas flow sensor to generate a cor(cid:173)
`relation score, and is configured to enable or disable opera(cid:173)
`tion of the device based on a value of the correlation score.
`[0031] The inhaling system may be an electrically oper(cid:173)
`ated smoking system.
`[0032] The smoking system may be an electrically heated
`smoking system that heats an aerosol-forming substrate to
`generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a
`liquid, held in a liquid storage portion or may be a solid
`substrate. In either case, the aerosol-forming substrate may
`be provided in a replaceable, consumable portion that
`engages the device in use. The smoking system may be a
`heated tobacco type system in which a cigarette is heated but
`not combusted to form an aerosol that can be directly inhaled
`by a user.
`[0033] The device may comprise an air inlet, and a mouth(cid:173)
`piece wherein the gas flow path extends between the air inlet
`and the mouthpiece and wherein gas can be drawn through
`the gas flow path by the action of a user puffing on the
`mouthpiece. Alternatively, the user may puff directly on an
`aerosol-forming substrate coupled to the device.
`[0034] The controller may be configured to carry out some
`or all of the steps described with reference to the first aspect.
`[0035]
`In particular the controller may be configured to
`record a user puff signature by recording a gas flow rate past
`the gas flow sensor for a first predetermined time period.
`And the device may comprise one or more indicators, such
`as an LED or speaker, and the controller may be configured
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1014.009
`
`

`

`US 2017/0318861 Al
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`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`3
`
`provide an indication to the user of the start of the first
`predetermined time period. The controller may be config(cid:173)
`ured to record gas flow measurements by recording a gas
`flow rate past the gas flow sensor for a second predetermined
`time period. The second predetermined time period may
`advantageously be of the same duration as the first prede(cid:173)
`termined time period. The controller may be configured to
`provide an indication to user of start of the second prede(cid:173)
`termined time period.
`[0036] The controller may be configured to compare the
`correlation score with a threshold score and enable further
`operation of the device if the correlation score exceeds the
`threshold score. If the correlation score does not exceed the
`threshold score the controller may disable the device. The
`controller may disable the system for a predetermined
`disable time period before the user can attempt the authen(cid:173)
`tication procedure again. The disable time period may
`increase with each subsequent disabling of the device until
`a user is successfully authenticated and the device is
`enabled.
`[0037] The controller may also be configured to perma(cid:173)
`nently disable the device until a reset procedure is carried
`out. A reset procedure may comprise connecting the device
`to a PC or other secondary device, and providing a different
`form of authentication through the secondary device, such as
`a password. Once a reset procedure is carried out, a user may
`need to record a new puff signature.
`[0038] The controller may also be configured to modify
`the user puff signature based on the gas flow measurements
`if the correlation score exceeds the threshold score.
`[0039] The controller may be configured to compare any
`suitable parameters of the gas flow measurements and user
`puff signature. For example, one or more of the following
`parameters may be used: time to end of puff, time to peak
`flow rate, time to first maximum flow rate, time to first
`minimum flow rate, time between peak flow rates, rate of
`change of flow rate, number of peak flow rates, flow rate at
`peak flow rates, puff volume, peak flow ratios, rate of change
`of flow rate ratios, inter puff interval, and curve shape. The
`comparison may be made for a plurality of parameters and
`a weighted sum of the comparison results used to provide a
`final correlation score.
`[0040] The controller may also modify the recorded user
`puff signature dependent on a time of day, or based on a type
`of consumable being used with the device, or both, prior to
`comparing the gas flow measurements with the user puff
`signature.
`[0041] The controller may store a plurality of user puff
`signatures and compare the gas flow measurements with
`each puff signature to provide a plurality of correlation
`scores. This allows multiple users to be authorised for a
`single device. In the case of an electrically operated smoking
`device for example, there may be multiple authorised users
`within a household. The controller may modify the operation
`of the device dependent on which of the plurality of corre(cid:173)
`lation scores is the highest. This allows the operating param(cid:173)
`eters of the device to be set for the user that has been
`authenticated to use the device.
`[0042] The gas flow sensor may be any suitable sensor,
`such as a microphone based sensor, which are commonly
`used in electronic cigarettes, a pressure sensor or a sensor
`based on electrical resistance, such as the sensor described
`in EP2143346, in which the cooling of a resistive element as
`
`a result of airflow affects its electrical resistance, providing
`an accurate indication of a puff.
`[0043] The controller may comprise a microprocessor,
`which may be a programmable microprocessor. The con(cid:173)
`troller may comprise further electronic components. The
`electric controller may be configured to regulate a supply of
`power to an aerosol-generating element, such as a heater or
`vibrating membrane. Power may be supplied to the aerosol(cid:173)
`generating element continuously following activation of the
`system or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a
`puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the aero(cid:173)
`sol-generating element in the form of pulses of electrical
`current.
`[0044] The device may comprise a non-volatile memory in
`which user puff signatures can be stored.
`[0045] The device may comprise an aerosol-generating
`element configured to interact with an aerosol-forming sub(cid:173)
`strate to produce an aerosol for inhalation. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the aerosol-generating element is a heater configured
`to heat an aerosol-generating substrate to provide an aerosol
`for inhalation by a user. The heater may comprise one or
`more heating elements and may be configured to heat a solid
`aerosol-forming substrate or a liquid aerosol-forming sub(cid:173)
`strate. The heater may be an electrically operated heater and
`the device may comprise a power supply for powering the
`heater. The controller may be configured to control the
`supply of power to the heater and the controller may disable
`operation of the device by preventing the supply of power to
`the heater and may enable operation of the device by
`allowing the supply of power to the heater.
`[0046] The aerosol-forming substrate
`is a substrate
`capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an
`aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating
`the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate
`may comprise plant-based material. The aerosol-forming
`substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming sub(cid:173)
`strate may comprise a tobacco-containing material contain(cid:173)
`ing volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released
`from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aero(cid:173)
`sol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise a non(cid:173)
`tobacco-containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate
`may comprise homogenised plant-based material. The aero(cid:173)
`sol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco
`material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at
`least one aerosol-former. An aerosol former is any suitable
`known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use,
`facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is
`substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operat(cid:173)
`ing temperature of the system. Suitable aerosol-formers are
`well known in the art and include, but are not limited to:
`polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butane(cid:173)
`diol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as
`glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of
`mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dode(cid:173)
`canedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aero(cid:173)
`sol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof,
`such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most pre(cid:173)
`ferred, glycerine such as glycerine or propylene glycol. The
`aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and
`ingredients, such as flavourants. In one example the aerosol(cid:173)
`forming substrate comprises a mixture of glycerine, propyl(cid:173)
`ene glycol (PG), water and flavourings, and nicotine. In a
`preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate com-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1014.010
`
`

`

`US 2017/0318861 Al
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`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`4
`
`prises approximately 40% by volume PG, 40% by volume
`glycerine, 18% by volume water and 2% by volume nico(cid:173)
`tine.
`[0047] The device may include means for detecting the
`aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-forming
`substrate may have a bar code or other indicia which the
`device can read. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate
`may be provided with electrical contacts through which
`substrate identification information can be transmitted to the
`device. The controller may adjust operation of the device
`and may modify the user puff signatures dependent on the
`identity of the aerosol-forming substrate.
`[0048] The system advantageously comprises a power
`supply, typically a battery, such as a rechargeable lithium ion
`battery, within a main body of the housing. As an alternative,
`the power supply may be another form of charge storage
`device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require
`recharging and may have a capacity that allows for the
`storage of enough energy for one or more smoking experi(cid:173)
`ences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient
`capacity to allow for the continuous generation of aerosol
`for a period of around six minutes, corresponding to the
`typical time taken to smoke a conventional cigarette, or for
`a period that is a multiple of six minutes. In another
`example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to
`allow for a predetermined number of puffs or discrete
`activations of a heating element.
`[0049] Preferably, the aerosol generating system com(cid:173)
`prises a housing. Preferably, the housing is elongate. The
`housing may comprise any suitable material or combination
`of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals,
`alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or
`more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable
`for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example poly(cid:173)
`propylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene.
`Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.
`[0050] Preferably, the aerosol-generating system is por(cid:173)
`table. The aerosol-generating system may have a size com(cid:173)
`parable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The smoking
`system may have a total length between approximately 30
`mm and approximately 150 mm. The smoking system may
`have an external diameter between approximately 5 mm and
`approximately 30 mm.
`[0051] The ability to detect particular puff signatures may
`be used not only for authentication purposes but also for
`recognising a user or particular user behaviour and adapting
`operation of the device to best suit that user or user behav(cid:173)
`iour.
`[0052]
`In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided
`a method of controlling operation of an inhaling device, the
`inhaling device comprising a gas flow path through which
`gas can be drawn by the action of a user puff, a gas flow
`sensor within the gas flow path and a memory, the method
`comprising:
`[0053]
`storing puff profile data in the memory;
`[0054]
`recording gas flow measurements from the gas flow
`sensor;
`[0055]
`comparing the gas flow measurements with the puff
`profile data to provide a plurality of correlation scores; and
`[0056] modifying operation of the device based on a value
`of the correlation scores.
`[0057] The puff profile data may be data recorded during
`previous operation of the device by the user. The method
`may further comprise recording user puff data based on
`
`signals from the gas flow sensor during operation of the
`inhaling device, and storing that data as the puff profile data
`in memory.
`[0058] The inhaling device may be as described with
`reference to the second aspect and in particular may be an
`electrically operated smoking device. The step of modifying
`operation of the device may be, for example, modifying a
`power supplied to a heating element or other aerosol(cid:173)
`generating component, modifying a control strategy, for
`example by modifying a target temperature or the duration
`of application of power to a heater or other aerosol-gener(cid:173)
`ating component, modifying the supply of one or more
`aerosol-forming substrates to an aerosol-generating element
`or into the gas flow path, or modifying the dimensions of a
`gas flow path.
`[0059]
`If the initial puffing behaviour of a user matches
`particular stored user puff data, and that stored puff data is
`associated with particular control parameters for the device,
`those control parameters can be adopted for the duration of
`the operation of the device until the device is disabled or
`switched off.
`[0060]
`In this way, operation of the device can be opti(cid:173)
`mised for particular user behaviours. If it is determined that
`the user has started with a particular type of puffing behav(cid:173)
`iour, the device can control operation of the device for the
`duration of the operation of the device based on the assump(cid:173)
`tion that the user will continue with the same puffing
`behaviour for the duration of that session of use.
`[0061]
`In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided
`a computer program product which when executed on a
`programmable controller in an inhaling device, the inhaling
`device comprising a gas flow path through which gas can be
`drawn by the action of a user puff, a gas flow sensor within
`the gas flow path and a memory, performs the method of the
`first aspect of the invention.
`[0062]
`In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided
`a computer program product which when executed on a
`programmable controller in an inhaling device, the inhaling
`device comprising a gas flow path through which gas can be
`drawn by the action of a user puff, a gas flow sensor within
`the gas flow path and a memory, performs the method of the
`third aspect of the invention.
`[0063] Features described in relation to one aspect of the
`invention may be applicable to another aspect of the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`[0064] The invention will be further described, by way of
`example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`in which:
`[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of an electrically
`operated smoking system in accordance with the invention;
`[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates a puff profile through a device of
`the type illustrated in FIG. 1;
`[0067] FIG. 3 illustrate possible puff profiles used as puff
`signatures;
`[0068] FIG. 4 is flow diagram of a set-up procedure for
`recording a user puff signature;
`[0069] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an authentication process
`in accordance with the invention;
`[0070] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of illustrating a process of
`selecting an operation mode based on use puff data; and
`[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates a second example of an electri(cid:173)
`cally operated smoking system in accordance with the
`invention.
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1014.011
`
`

`

`US 2017/0318861 Al
`
`Nov. 9, 2017
`
`5
`
`[0072] FIG. 1 shows one example of an inhaling device
`and in accordance with the invention, which is electrically
`operated aerosol generating system. In FIG. 1, the system is
`a smoking system. The smoking system 100 of FIG. 1
`comprises a housing 101 having a mouthpiece end 103 and
`a body end 105. In the body end, there is provided an electric
`power supply in the form of battery 107 and electric control
`circuitry 109. The electric control circuitry comprises a
`programmable microprocessor and a non-volatile memory
`and may include other electrical components as well. A puff
`detection system 111 in the form of a gas flow sensor is also
`provided in cooperation with the electric control circuitry
`109. In the mouthpiece end, there is provided a liquid
`storage portion in the form of cartridge 113 containing liquid
`115, a capillary wick 117 and a heater 119. Note that the
`heater is only shown schematically in FIG. 1. In the exem(cid:173)
`plary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one end of capillary
`wick 117 extends into cartridge 113 and the other end of
`capillary wick 117 is surrounded by the heater 119. The
`heater is connec