Anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with limited service life and its control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses an anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life and its control method. The electronic cigarette includes a liquid storage device, an atomizer, and a battery assembly that are detachably connected in sequence. The liquid storage device is provided with an NFC electronic tag and a first information memory. The NFC electronic tag is provided with a dynamic anti-counterfeiting code, and the first information memory is used to store data including a simulated count of the first liquid consumption. The atomizer is provided with an ID encryption unit and a second information memory. The ID encryption unit is provided with an identity recognition code, and the second information memory is used to store data including a simulated count of the second liquid consumption. The battery assembly is provided with a microcontroller, an air flow sensor, and an NFC antenna. The microcontroller includes an NFC recognition module, an NFC reading and writing control module, an ID encryption unit communication module, an ID encryption unit recognition module, and an ID encryption unit reading and writing control module. The beneficial effects are that the atomizer can be used multiple times to avoid waste, prevent dry burning damage, limit the service life of the atomizer, and prevent the use of counterfeit products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of e-cigarette preheating, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an anti-counterfeiting e-cigarette with a limited service life and its control method. Background Art

[0002] Electronic atomization devices, including e-cigarettes, usually heat and evaporate liquid substances such as e-liquid, medicine liquid, and herbal essence liquid to emit aerosol or smoke for users to inhale. Since the smoke emitted by e-cigarettes is not directly burned by an open flame like tobacco, the generation of tar and many harmful particles is avoided, so the application of e-cigarettes has been popularized.

[0003] Existing electronic atomization devices or e-cigarettes generally consist of two connected parts: a battery component and an atomization component. The battery component provides power and control to the atomization component. The e-liquid of the e-cigarette is stored in an atomization chamber provided on the atomization component. When the atomization liquid or e-cigarette e-liquid is consumed, to ensure the authenticity of the product and the rights and interests of consumers, it is generally not allowed to refill the atomization liquid or e-liquid by oneself, and then the atomization component is discarded. With the continuous development of e-cigarettes and the continuous improvement of people's requirements for the quality of e-cigarettes, the atomization elements in the atomization component, such as ceramic atomization cores, precious metal heating elements, etc., are relatively expensive. Discarding the atomization component after the e-liquid is consumed will cause extreme waste of resources. To save resources, how to separately set the liquid storage element and the atomization element, the anti-counterfeiting control after the separate setting, the reuse of the atomization element, and the control of the service life within the scope of quality assurance are the deficiencies of existing e-cigarette products and technical problems that need to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an anti-counterfeiting e-cigarette with a limited service life and its control method to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies in technology.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows: An anti-counterfeiting e-cigarette with a limited service life includes a liquid reservoir, an atomizer, and a battery component that are detachably connected in sequence;

[0006] The liquid reservoir is provided with an NFC electronic tag and a first information memory. The NFC electronic tag is provided with a refreshable dynamic anti-counterfeiting code, and the first information memory is used to store data including a first simulated count of e-liquid consumption;

[0007] The atomizer is provided with an ID encryption unit and a second information memory. The ID encryption unit is provided with an identity recognition code, and the second information memory is used to store data including a second simulated count of e-liquid consumption;

[0008] The battery assembly is provided with a microcontroller, an airflow sensor, and an NFC antenna. The microcontroller includes an NFC identification module, an NFC reading and writing control module, an ID encryption unit communication module, an ID encryption unit identification module, and an ID encryption unit reading and writing control module.

[0009] Preferably, the first information memory is provided on the NFC electronic tag, and the second information memory is provided in the ID encryption unit.

[0010] Preferably, the microcontroller further includes a third information memory.

[0011] Preferably, the microcontroller further includes a puff counter or an energy consumption counter, and the first e-liquid consumption analog count or the second e-liquid consumption analog count is obtained by converting the count of the puff counter or the energy consumption counter.

[0012] Preferably, the microcontroller further includes a reservoir replacement times counter, and the second information memory is used to store data including the cumulative number of reservoir replacement times.

[0013] Preferably, the microcontroller further includes a timer, and the timer is used to accumulate the smoking duration and standby duration of the electronic cigarette.

[0014] Preferably, a prompting unit is further provided on the battery assembly.

[0015] Another technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows: A control method for an anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life, including the following steps:

[0016] (1), Preset relevant parameters and initialize data on the microcontroller;

[0017] (2), The atomizer is connected to the battery assembly to trigger the microcontroller to work;

[0018] (3), The microcontroller reads the identification code of the ID encryption unit on the atomizer through the ID encryption unit communication module and the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module, and judges whether the identification code is correct through the ID encryption unit identification module; if not, proceed to the next step, if so, proceed to step (5);

[0019] (4), The prompting unit prompts to replace the atomizer with a genuine atomizer, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0020] (5), The microcontroller generates a new identification code and writes it into the ID encryption unit through the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module;

[0021] (6) The microcontroller reads the second simulated count of the e-liquid consumption stored on the second information memory through the ID encryption unit communication module and the ID encryption unit read / write control module, and determines whether this count exceeds the second set threshold; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, proceed to step (8);

[0022] (7) The prompt unit prompts that the atomizer has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new one, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0023] (8) The microcontroller reads the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code of the NFC electronic tag of the liquid reservoir through the NFC antenna and the NFC read / write control module, and determines whether this dynamic anti-counterfeiting code is accurate through the NFC identification module; if not, proceed to the next step, if so, proceed to step (10);

[0024] (9) The prompt unit prompts to replace the liquid reservoir with a genuine one, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0025] (10) The microcontroller generates a new dynamic anti-counterfeiting code and writes it into the NFC electronic tag through the NFC read / write control module;

[0026] (11) The microcontroller reads the first simulated count of the e-liquid consumption stored on the first information memory through the NFC antenna and the NFC read / write control module, and determines whether this count exceeds the first set threshold; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, proceed to step (13);

[0027] (12) The prompt unit prompts that the liquid reservoir has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new one, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0028] (13) The whole machine enters the standby state, and the timer accumulates the standby duration;

[0029] (14) The airflow sensor detects whether there is a smoking airflow; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, proceed to step (17);

[0030] (15) The smoking puff counter or energy consumption counter performs cumulative counting;

[0031] (16) The microcontroller converts the cumulative count and transmits it to the first information memory and the second information memory to update the first simulated count of the e-liquid consumption and the second simulated count of the e-liquid consumption;

[0032] (17) The microcontroller determines whether the standby duration exceeds the preset time; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, return to step (13);

[0033] (18) The whole machine shuts down.

[0034] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The electronic cigarette of the present invention is made into a three-section structure, including a battery assembly, an atomizer, and a liquid reservoir. After the atomizing liquid or e-liquid stored in the liquid reservoir is consumed, the liquid reservoir can be discarded, while the atomizer can still be combined with a new liquid reservoir for use, avoiding waste of resources. After the e-liquid in the liquid reservoir is consumed, the consumption of the e-liquid can be simulated and counted to determine that the e-liquid is used up and the device is automatically shut down, avoiding dry burning damage to the atomizer and the generation of burnt smell in the inhaled smoke caused by continuous use without e-liquid. In addition, the present invention can simulate and count the consumption of the e-liquid used by the atomizer to determine the usage times or service life of the atomizer, so as to ensure the quality and consistency of the atomizer. The present invention is provided with a dynamic anti-counterfeiting code on the liquid reservoir and an identity recognition code on the atomizer, which can prevent the use of counterfeit products and avoid the damage caused by counterfeit products to consumers. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of the anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with limited service life according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic functional module diagram of the anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with limited service life according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the control method of the anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with limited service life according to the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0038] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0039] To avoid extreme waste of resources caused by discarding the atomizer after the e-liquid is consumed, the electronic cigarette of the present invention is made into a three-section structure, including a battery component, an atomizer, and a liquid reservoir. That is, the structure of the original atomization component is decomposed into two detachable structures, namely the atomizer and the liquid reservoir. After the atomization liquid or e-liquid stored in the liquid reservoir is consumed, the liquid reservoir can be discarded, while the atomizer can still be combined with a new liquid reservoir for use, thus avoiding waste. After the e-liquid in the liquid reservoir is consumed, it should automatically judge that the e-liquid is used up and automatically shut down to avoid dry burning damage to the atomizer and the generation of burnt smell in the inhaled smoke when there is no e-liquid for use. In addition, since the atomizer also has a certain service life and cannot be used indefinitely, only during the normal service life can the quality and consistency of the atomizer be guaranteed. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the number of uses or the service life of the atomizer. When making the three-section structure, since the cost of the liquid reservoir is relatively low, counterfeit products are likely to appear on the market. To avoid the damage caused by counterfeit products to consumers, it is necessary to perform identity recognition and comparison between the liquid reservoir and the atomizer with the battery component, and when a non-genuine product is identified, shut down the device.

[0040] Embodiment 1:

[0041] As Figure 1 shown, a life-span-limited anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette of the present invention is composed of a liquid reservoir 1, an atomizer 2, and a battery component 3 that are detachably connected in sequence. The liquid reservoir 1 can also be called a cartridge, which is specifically used to store atomization liquid or e-liquid for electronic cigarettes. The cartridge has few accessories and low cost. The atomizer 2 is used to connect to the liquid reservoir 1 and heat and atomize the atomization liquid or e-liquid in the liquid reservoir 1. The battery component 3 has a battery inside to provide power to the atomizer 2. When the e-liquid in the liquid reservoir 1 is used up, the atomizer 2 can be detached from the liquid reservoir 1 and installed in a new liquid reservoir 1, so that the atomizer 2 can be reused.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, the liquid reservoir 1 is provided with an NFC electronic tag 10 and a first information memory 11. The NFC electronic tag 10 is provided with a refreshable dynamic anti-counterfeiting code, and the first information memory 11 is used to store data including the first e-liquid consumption simulation count.

[0043] The atomizer 2 is provided with an ID encryption unit 20 and a second information memory 21. The ID encryption unit 20 is provided with an identity recognition code, and the second information memory 21 is used to store data including the second e-liquid consumption simulation count.

[0044] The battery component 3 is provided with a microcontroller 30, an airflow sensor 31, an NFC antenna 32, and a prompt unit 33. The microcontroller 30 includes an NFC read-write control module 301, an NFC recognition module 302, an ID encryption unit communication module 303, an ID encryption unit read-write control module 304, and an ID encryption unit recognition module 305.

[0045] The microcontroller 30 further includes a third information memory 306, a puff counter or energy consumption counter 307, and a timer 308. The third information memory 306 can be used to store the identification code, the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code, and other data. The timer 308 is used to accumulate the smoking duration and standby duration of the electronic cigarette. The first simulated liquid consumption count and the second simulated liquid consumption count are obtained by converting the count of the puff counter or energy consumption counter 307.

[0046] In other embodiments, the first information memory 11 can also be disposed on the NFC electronic tag 10, and the second information memory 21 can also be disposed in the ID encryption unit 20.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the atomizer 2 is connected to the battery assembly 3, the microcontroller 30 can be triggered to work. The microcontroller 30 reads the identification code of the ID encryption unit 20 on the atomizer 2 through the ID encryption unit communication module 303 and the ID encryption unit read / write control module 304, and identifies and determines whether the identification code is correct through the ID encryption unit identification module 305. If it is incorrect, the prompt unit 33 prompts to replace the atomizer with a genuine atomizer, and then shuts down for protection.

[0048] When the atomizer 2 is connected to the battery assembly and the liquid reservoir 1 is connected to the atomizer 2, the microcontroller 30 reads the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code of the NFC electronic tag 10 of the liquid reservoir 1 through the NFC antenna 32 and the NFC read / write control module 301, and identifies and determines whether the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code is accurate through the NFC identification module 302. If it is inaccurate, the prompt unit 33 prompts to replace the liquid reservoir with a genuine liquid reservoir, and then shuts down for protection. The NFC antenna 32 and the NFC electronic tag 10 communicate through wireless signals.

[0049] When the entire electronic cigarette enters the standby state, the user can smoke. The airflow sensor 31 detects whether there is a smoking airflow. If airflow is detected, the puff counter 307 records one puff, and the microcontroller 30 accumulates the puff count as the simulated liquid consumption count and transmits it to the first information memory 11 of the liquid reservoir 1 and the second information memory 21 of the atomizer 2 respectively.

[0050] Using the puff counter 307, since the amount and duration of a single puff vary among different users, there are some errors in the simulated conversion to the liquid consumption. In other embodiments, an energy consumption counter can be used instead of the puff counter. The energy consumption counter simulates the liquid consumption by counting the electrical energy consumed by the user during smoking, and such a count will be closer to the actual consumption.

[0051] The liquid storage device 1 is provided with a first information memory 11, and the analog count of the first e-liquid consumption stored therein represents the cumulative e-liquid consumption of the liquid storage device. Even if the liquid storage device is disassembled during use, the analog count of the first e-liquid consumption will not be cleared. When the liquid storage device is reinstalled and used again, the analog count of the first e-liquid consumption will continue to accumulate. During use, the microcontroller 30 reads and writes the analog count of the first e-liquid consumption stored in the first information memory 11 through the NFC antenna 32 and the NFC reading and writing control module 301, and compares and judges whether the count exceeds a first set threshold, for example, set to 300 puff counts. When it is judged that the count exceeds the first set threshold, that is, 300 puff counts, it means that the e-liquid on the liquid storage device has been consumed, and the prompting unit 33 prompts to replace the new liquid storage device, and then shuts down for protection.

[0052] The atomizer 2 is provided with a second information memory 21, and the analog count of the second e-liquid consumption stored therein represents the cumulative e-liquid consumption during the use of the atomizer. Even if the atomizer is disassembled during use, the analog count of the second e-liquid consumption will not be cleared. When the atomizer is reinstalled and used again, the analog count of the second e-liquid consumption will continue to accumulate. During use, the microcontroller 30 reads and writes the analog count of the second e-liquid consumption stored in the second information memory 21 through the ID encryption unit communication module 303 and the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module 304, and compares and judges whether the count exceeds a second set threshold, for example, set to 1500 puff counts. When it is judged that the count exceeds the second set threshold, that is, 1500 puff counts, it means that the cumulative amount of e-liquid evaporated and atomized by the atomizer has reached the limit, that is, it means that the atomizer 2 has been cumulatively used up to the designed service life, and the prompting unit 33 prompts to replace the new atomizer, and then shuts down for protection.

[0053] In other embodiments based on the above, the microcontroller 30 further includes a liquid storage device replacement times counter (not shown in the figure), and the second information memory 21 is used to store data including the cumulative number of liquid storage device replacements. When the analog count of the first e-liquid consumption stored in the first information memory 11 exceeds the first set threshold, for example, exceeds the set puff count of 300, it means that the e-liquid on the liquid storage device has been consumed and needs to be replaced. At this time, the liquid storage device replacement times counter counts and accumulates to the cumulative number of liquid storage device replacements in the second information memory 21. When the cumulative number of liquid storage device replacements reaches the set replacement times, for example, reaches 5 times of replacing the liquid storage device 1, it means that the atomizer 2 has been cumulatively used up to the designed service life, and the prompting unit 33 prompts to replace the new atomizer, and then shuts down for protection.

[0054] Embodiment 2

[0055] As Figures 1-3 shown, a control method for an anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to the present invention includes the following steps:

[0056] (1) Preset relevant parameters and initialize data on the microcontroller 30;

[0057] (2) Connect the atomizer 2 to the battery assembly 3 to trigger the microcontroller 30 to work;

[0058] (3) The microcontroller 30, i.e., the MCU, reads the identification code of the ID encryption unit on the atomizer through the ID encryption unit communication module 303 and the ID encryption unit read / write control module 304, and determines whether the identification code is correct through the ID encryption unit identification module 305; if not, proceed to the next step, if so, proceed to step (5);

[0059] (4) The prompt unit 33 prompts to replace the atomizer 2 with a genuine atomizer, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0060] (5) The microcontroller 30 generates a new identification code and writes it into the ID encryption unit through the ID encryption unit read / write control module 304;

[0061] (6) The microcontroller 30 reads the second simulated count of e-liquid consumption stored in the second information memory 21 through the ID encryption unit communication module 303 and the ID encryption unit read / write control module 304, and determines whether the count exceeds the second set threshold; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, proceed to step (8);

[0062] (7) The prompt unit 33 prompts that the atomizer 2 has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new atomizer, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0063] (8) The microcontroller 30 reads the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code of the NFC electronic tag 10 of the liquid storage device 1 through the NFC antenna 32 and the NFC read / write control module 301, and determines whether the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code is accurate through the NFC identification module 302; if not, proceed to the next step, if so, proceed to step (10);

[0064] (9) The prompt unit 33 prompts to replace the liquid storage device 1 with a genuine liquid storage device, and after several seconds, proceed to step (18);

[0065] (10) The microcontroller 30 generates a new dynamic anti-counterfeiting code and writes it into the NFC electronic tag 10 through the NFC read / write control module 301;

[0066] (11) The microcontroller 30 reads the first simulated count of e-liquid consumption stored in the first information memory 11 through the NFC antenna 32 and the NFC read / write control module 301, and determines whether the count exceeds the first set threshold; if so, proceed to the next step, if not, proceed to step (13);

[0067] (12) The prompt unit 33 prompts that the liquid storage device 1 has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new one, and enters step (18) after several seconds;

[0068] (13) The whole machine enters the standby state, and the timer 308 accumulates the standby duration;

[0069] (14) The airflow sensor 31 detects whether there is a smoking airflow. If so, it enters the next step; if not, it enters step (17);

[0070] (15) The smoking puff counter 307 accumulates the count;

[0071] (16) The microcontroller 30 transfers the accumulated count after conversion to the first information storage 11 and the second information storage 21 to update the first analog count of the consumed e-liquid and the second analog count of the consumed e-liquid;

[0072] (17) The microcontroller 30 determines whether the standby duration exceeds the preset time. If so, it enters the next step; if not, it returns to step (13);

[0073] (18) The electronic cigarette shuts down.

[0074] In the above steps, in other embodiments, an energy consumption counter can be used to replace the smoking puff counter.

[0075] The above-described are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the above specific embodiments do not limit the present invention. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, various deformations and modifications can occur. Any retouching, modification or equivalent replacement made by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the above description shall fall within the scope protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. An anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life, characterized in that, It includes a liquid reservoir, an atomizer, and a battery assembly that are detachably connected in sequence; An NFC electronic tag and a first information memory are provided on the liquid reservoir. A refreshable dynamic anti-counterfeiting code is provided in the NFC electronic tag. The first information memory is used to store data including a simulated count of the consumption of the first e-liquid; An ID encryption unit and a second information memory are provided on the atomizer. The ID encryption unit is provided with an identification code. The second information memory is used to store data including a simulated count of the consumption of the second e-liquid; A microcontroller, an airflow sensor, and an NFC antenna are provided on the battery assembly. The microcontroller includes an NFC identification module, an NFC reading and writing control module, an ID encryption unit communication module, an ID encryption unit identification module, and an ID encryption unit reading and writing control module.

2. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information memory is provided on the NFC electronic tag, and the second information memory is provided in the ID encryption unit.

3. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcontroller further includes a third information memory.

4. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcontroller further includes a smoking puff counter or an energy consumption counter. The simulated count of the consumption of the first e-liquid or the simulated count of the consumption of the second e-liquid is obtained by converting the count of the smoking puff counter or the energy consumption counter.

5. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 4, characterized in that, The microcontroller further includes a liquid reservoir replacement times counter. The second information memory is used to store data including the cumulative number of liquid reservoir replacements.

6. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcontroller further includes a timer. The timer is used to accumulate the smoking duration and standby duration of the electronic cigarette.

7. The anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, A prompting unit is further provided on the battery assembly.

8. A control method for an anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life, applied to the anti-counterfeiting electronic cigarette with a limited service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: (1), Preset relevant parameters and initialize data on the microcontroller; (2), The atomizer is connected to the battery assembly, triggering the microcontroller to work; (3), The microcontroller reads the identification code of the ID encryption unit on the atomizer through the ID encryption unit communication module and the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module, and judges whether the identification code is correct through the ID encryption unit identification module; if not, then go to the next step, if so, then go to step (5); (4), The prompting unit prompts to replace the atomizer with a genuine atomizer, and after several seconds, go to step (18); (5), The microcontroller generates a new identification code and writes it into the ID encryption unit through the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module; (6), The microcontroller reads the simulated count of the consumption of the second e-liquid stored on the second information memory through the ID encryption unit communication module and the ID encryption unit reading and writing control module, and judges whether the count exceeds a second set threshold; if so, then go to the next step, if not, then go to step (8); (7), The prompting unit prompts that the atomizer has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new atomizer, and after several seconds, go to step (18); (8), The microcontroller reads the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code of the NFC electronic tag of the liquid reservoir through the NFC antenna and the NFC reading and writing control module, and judges whether the dynamic anti-counterfeiting code is accurate through the NFC identification module; if not, then go to the next step, if so, then go to step (10); (9) The prompting unit prompts to replace the liquid reservoir with a genuine one, and enters step (18) after several seconds; (10) The microcontroller generates a new dynamic anti-counterfeiting code and writes it into the NFC electronic tag through the NFC reading and writing control module; (11) The microcontroller reads the first analog count of the cigarette liquid consumption stored in the first information memory through the NFC antenna and the NFC reading and writing control module, and judges whether the count exceeds the first set threshold; if so, it enters the next step, if not, it enters step (13); (12) The prompting unit prompts that the liquid reservoir has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced with a new one, and enters step (18) after several seconds; (13) The whole machine enters the standby state, and the timer accumulates the standby duration; (14) The airflow sensor detects whether there is a smoking airflow. If so, it enters the next step. If not, it enters step (17); (15) The smoking puff counter or the energy consumption counter performs cumulative counting; (16) The microcontroller converts the cumulative count and transmits it to the first information memory and the second information memory to update the first analog count of the cigarette liquid consumption and the second analog count of the cigarette liquid consumption; (17) The microcontroller judges whether the standby duration exceeds the preset time. If so, it enters the next step. If not, it returns to step (13); (18) The whole machine shuts down.

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