Charging Accessory Device for an Aerosol Delivery Device and Related System, Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Providing Interactive Services for Aerosol Delivery Devices

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to charging accessory device for the aerosol delivery device and related systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing interactive services for aerosol delivery devices. For example, a method may include a computing device establishing communication with a charging accessory device for an aerosol delivery device; receiving usage data for the aerosol delivery device provided by the charging accessory device; generating social data based on the usage data; and sending the social data to a social networking service including a community of aerosol delivery device users.

1 . A system for providing interactive services for aerosol delivery devices, the system comprising:
 at least a portion of an aerosol delivery device, comprising:
 a control component configured to maintain usage data for the aerosol delivery device; 
 an aerosol precursor composition from which the aerosol delivery device is configured to produce an aerosol; and 
 a battery; and 
   a charging accessory device comprising:
 a power storage device; 
 a memory for storing data; and 
 a communication interface configured to enable communication between the charging accessory device and the aerosol delivery device, 
   wherein the charging accessory device is configured to:
 supply power from the power storage device to the battery to charge the battery; and 
 communicate with the aerosol delivery device to receive the usage data and store the usage data in the memory, wherein the usage data comprises indications, warning, or errors experienced or issued by the aerosol delivery device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the usage data further comprises a low battery warning. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a number of cartridges used in the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a number of puffs taken by a user of the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total cumulative puff time;   an average rest time between individual puffs;   a shortest observed rest time between individual puffs;   a longest observed rest time between individual puffs;   a total rest time between individual puffs;   a number of forced cutoffs for a puff exceeding a maximum allowable puff duration;   a number of smoking sessions for which the aerosol delivery device was used over a period of time;   a duration of one or more smoking sessions;   a date/time of one or more smoking sessions; or   power consumption data. by the aerosol delivery device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 ., wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a total number of low cartridge warnings provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total number of empty cartridge errors provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total number of low battery warnings provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time   a total number of empty battery errors provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time; or   a total number of lockout occurrences over a period of time.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a chemical formulation of the aerosol precursor composition;   a flavorant of the aerosol precursor composition;   a brand associated with the aerosol precursor composition; or   a tobacco concentration of the aerosol precursor composition.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging accessory device comprises a housing defining distinct receptacles including a friction-fit receptacle configured to frictionally engage an outer shell of the aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises charge level indicators configured to indicate a charge level of the battery when the aerosol delivery device is in the charging accessory, and a charge level of the power storage device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises a second communication interface, wherein the charging accessory device is configured to receive a software update for the aerosol delivery device via the second communication interface and transmit the software update to the aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the charging accessory device is further configured to determine the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in a cartridge of the aerosol delivery device and to provide, via the second communication interface, an indication of the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the cartridge to a computing device; and   the computing device is further configured to display the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the cartridge.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises an external power interface configured to receive power to recharge the power storage device when coupled with an external power source. 
     
     
         11 . A charging accessory device, comprising:
 a housing configured to engage with at least a portion of an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a control component configured to maintain usage data for the aerosol delivery device; 
 an aerosol precursor composition from which the aerosol delivery device is configured to produce an aerosol; and 
 a battery; 
   a power storage device;   a memory for storing data;   a charging interface configured to establish an electrical connection with the battery and supply electrical power from the power storage device to the battery to charge the battery; and   an aerosol delivery device interface configured to enable communication between the charging accessory device and the control component of the aerosol delivery device,   wherein the charging accessory device is configured to communicate with the aerosol delivery device to receive the usage data and store the usage data in the memory, wherein the usage data comprises indications, warning, or errors experienced or issued by the aerosol delivery device.   
     
     
         12 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the usage data further comprises a low battery warning. 
     
     
         13 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a number of cartridges used in the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a number of puffs taken by a user of the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total cumulative puff time;   an average rest time between individual puffs;   a shortest observed rest time between individual puffs;   a longest observed rest time between individual puffs;   a total rest time between individual puffs;   a number of forced cutoffs for a puff exceeding a maximum allowable puff duration;   a number of smoking sessions for which the aerosol delivery device was used over a period of time;   a duration of one or more smoking sessions;   a date/time of one or more smoking sessions; or   power consumption data by the aerosol delivery device.   
     
     
         14 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a total number of low cartridge warnings provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total number of empty cartridge errors provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total number of low battery warnings provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time;   a total number of empty battery errors provided by the aerosol delivery device over a period of time; or   a total number of lockout occurrences over a period of time.   
     
     
         15 . The charging accessory device of claim wherein the usage data further comprises:
 a chemical formulation of the aerosol precursor composition;   a flavorant of the aerosol precursor composition;   a brand associated with the aerosol precursor composition; or   a tobacco concentration of the aerosol precursor composition.   
     
     
         16 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing defines distinct receptacles including a friction-fit receptacle configured to frictionally engage an outer shell of the aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         17 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises charge level indicators configured to indicate a charge level of the battery when the aerosol delivery device is in the charging accessory, and a charge level of the power storage device. 
     
     
         18 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises a second communication interface, wherein the charging accessory device is configured to receive a software update for the aerosol delivery device via the second communication interface and transmit the software update to the aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         19 . The charging accessory device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the charging accessory device is further configured to determine the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in a cartridge of the aerosol delivery device and to provide, via the second communication interface, an indication of the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the cartridge to a computing device; and   the computing device is further configured to display the level of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the cartridge.   
     
     
         20 . The charging accessory device of  claim 11 , wherein the charging accessory device further comprises an external power interface configured to receive power to recharge the power storage device when coupled with an external power source.