Heating engine control algorithm for nicotine e-vapor devices

Abstract

A method of controlling a heater (336) of a nicotine electronic vapor device (500) includes detecting, from a removable container (300) included in the nicotine electronic vapor device (500), power information indicative of a first power level and a second power level; and powering the heater (336) based on the detected power information by determining a first amount of electricity based on the first power level, supplying the first amount of electricity to the heater (336) during a first operating mode of the heater (336), determining a second amount of electricity based on the second power level, and supplying the second amount of electricity to the heater (336) during a second operating mode of the heater (336), the second amount of electricity being higher than the first amount of electricity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a nicotine electronic vaporization device comprising a separate article, the separate article comprising a nicotine vapor pre-preparation. Background Technology

[0002] Nicotine e-vaping devices are used to vaporize nicotine pre-preparation materials into nicotine vapor. These nicotine e-vaping devices may be referred to as nicotine e-vaping devices. A nicotine e-vaping device includes a heater that vaporizes the nicotine pre-preparation material to produce nicotine vapor. A nicotine e-vaping device may include several nicotine e-vaping elements, including a power source, a cylinder or nicotine e-vaping chamber including the heater, and a reservoir capable of holding the nicotine pre-preparation material. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device includes: detecting power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point from a removable container included in the nicotine electronic vapor device; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by: determining a first power quantity based on the first operating point, supplying the first power quantity to the heater during a first operating mode of the heater, determining a second power quantity based on the second operating point, and supplying the second power quantity to the heater during a second operating mode of the heater, wherein the second power quantity is higher than the first power quantity.

[0004] The first electrical charge supplied during the first operating mode may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation, and the second electrical charge supplied during the second operating mode may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation.

[0005] Nicotine vapor preparations can be stored in removable containers.

[0006] Removable containers may include heaters.

[0007] The power information may include multiple operating points corresponding to multiple coarse preference levels, and the method may further include receiving a coarse preference level selection from the multiple coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; and selecting an operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level from the multiple operating points as a second operating point.

[0008] Determining the second electrical quantity may include receiving a selection of a fine preference level from an external device among multiple fine preference levels by the nicotine electronic vapor device; and determining the second electrical quantity based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

[0009] The external device may be a wireless communication device, and the reception of fine preference level selection may include receiving fine preference level selection by the nicotine vapor device via a wireless communication link between the nicotine vapor device and the external device.

[0010] The power information may include a first plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of coarse preference levels, and the method may further include receiving a coarse preference level selection from the plurality of coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; and selecting an operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level from the first plurality of operating points as a first operating point.

[0011] Determining the first electrical charge may include receiving a selection of a fine preference level from an external device among multiple fine preference levels by the nicotine electronic vapor device; and determining the first electrical charge based on the selected first operating point and the selected fine preference level.

[0012] The external device may be a wireless communication device, and the reception of fine preference level selection may include receiving fine preference level selection by the nicotine vapor device via a wireless communication link between the nicotine vapor device and the external device.

[0013] The power information may include a second plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of coarse preference levels, and the method may include selecting an operating point corresponding to a selected coarse preference level from the second plurality of operating points as the second operating point.

[0014] The determination of the second charge may include determining the second charge based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

[0015] The external device may be a wireless communication device, and the reception of fine preference level selection includes receiving fine preference level selection by the nicotine e-vapor device via a wireless communication link between the nicotine e-vapor device and the external device.

[0016] The detection of electrical information may include reading electrical information from an image located on a removable container using a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0017] The image may include a QR code, and the reading of the electricity information may include reading the electricity information from the QR code located on the removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0018] The removable container may include a memory that can store data including electrical information, and the detection of the electrical information may include reading the electrical information from the memory of the removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0019] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device includes: receiving a coarse preference level selection from a plurality of coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; receiving a fine preference level selection from a plurality of fine preference levels from an external device by the nicotine electronic vapor device; determining a first electrical quantity based on the selected coarse preference level and the selected fine preference level; and supplying the determined first electrical quantity to the heater.

[0020] The external device may be a wireless communication device, and the reception of fine preference level selection may include receiving fine preference level selection by the nicotine vapor device via a wireless communication link between the nicotine vapor device and the external device.

[0021] The method may further include: receiving the first removable container, which contains a nicotine vapor pre-preparation, by inserting the first removable container into the nicotine vapor device; detecting a first preparation type as the type of nicotine vapor pre-preparation in the first removable container by the nicotine vapor device; and storing a selected coarse preference level and a selected fine preference level associated with the detected first preparation type in the memory of the nicotine vapor device, wherein the determined first electrical quantity may be an amount that causes a heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the first removable container to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the first removable container.

[0022] The detection may include reading formulation type information from an image located on a first removable container by a nicotine electronic vaporization device; and detecting a first formulation type as the type of nicotine vaporization pre-formulation of the first removable container based on the read formulation type information.

[0023] The image may include a QR code, and the reading of the formulation type information may include reading the formulation type information from the QR code located on the first removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0024] The first removable container may include a memory that stores data including formulation type information, and detection may include reading the formulation type information from the memory of the first removable container by a nicotine electronic vaporization device; and detecting a first formulation type as a type of pre-nicotine vaporization formulation of the first removable container based on the read formulation type information.

[0025] The method may further include receiving the second removable container, which contains a nicotine vapor pre-preparation, by inserting the second removable container into the nicotine vapor device; detecting, by the nicotine vapor device, a first preparation type as the type of nicotine vapor pre-preparation in the second removable container; reading, based on the first preparation type detected as the type of nicotine vapor pre-preparation in the second removable container, a coarse preference level and a fine preference level previously stored in the memory of the nicotine vapor device associated with the first preparation type; determining a second electrical charge based on the read coarse preference level and the read fine preference level; and supplying the determined second electrical charge to a heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the second removable container to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the second removable container.

[0026] The detection may include reading formulation type information from an image located on a second removable container by a nicotine electronic vaporization device; and detecting a first formulation type as the type of nicotine vaporization pre-formulation in the second removable container based on the read formulation type information.

[0027] The image may include a QR code, and the reading of the formulation type information may include reading the formulation type information from the QR code located on the second removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0028] The second removable container may include a memory that stores data including formulation type information, and detection may include reading the formulation type information from the memory of the first removable container by a nicotine electronic vaporization device; and detecting the first formulation type as the type of the nicotine vaporization pre-formulation of the second removable container based on the read formulation type information.

[0029] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vaporizer includes: receiving a plurality of vaporization preference levels by the nicotine electronic vaporizer; determining a current time by the nicotine electronic vaporizer; determining a predicted vaporization preference level by the nicotine electronic vaporizer based on the determined current time; determining an amount of electricity to be supplied to the heater based on the predicted vaporization preference level; and supplying the determined amount of electricity to the heater.

[0030] Multiple vaporization preference levels may include a first received vaporization preference level received by the nicotine electronic vaporization device during a first time period of the day and a second received vaporization preference level received by the nicotine electronic vaporization device during a second time period of the day, and the determination of the predicted vaporization preference level may include, when the determined current time is within the first time period of the day, the nicotine electronic vaporization device determining the predicted vaporization preference level based on the first received vaporization preference level; and when the determined current time is within the second time period of the day, the nicotine electronic vaporization device determining the predicted vaporization preference level based on the second received vaporization preference level.

[0031] Receiving multiple vaporization preference levels may include receiving one or more of multiple vaporization preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine evaporation device.

[0032] Receiving multiple vapor smoking preference levels may include receiving one or more of multiple vapor smoking preference levels from an external device.

[0033] The external device may be a wireless communication device, and the reception of one or more of the multiple vaporization preference levels may include receiving one or more of the multiple vaporization preference levels by the nicotine e-vaporizer via a wireless communication link between the nicotine e-vaporizer and the external device.

[0034] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device includes: receiving a coarse preference level selection from a plurality of coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; detecting power information from a removable container included in the nicotine electronic vapor device indicating a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to the plurality of coarse preference levels; selecting an operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level from the plurality of operating points as a first operating point; determining a first power quantity based on the first operating point; and supplying the determined first power quantity to the heater.

[0035] The first electrical charge can be the amount by which the heater heats the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation.

[0036] The first electrical charge can be the amount by which the heater heats the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation.

[0037] The detection of electrical information may include reading electrical information from an image located on a removable container using a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0038] The image may include a QR code, and the reading of the electricity information may include reading the electricity information from the QR code located on the removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0039] The removable container may include a memory that can store data including electrical information, and the detection of the electrical information may include reading the electrical information from the memory of the removable container by a nicotine electronic vapor device.

[0040] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device includes: determining a heater temperature value; obtaining a target temperature value; and controlling the power level supplied to the heater by a PID controller based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0041] Determining the heater temperature value may include obtaining one or more electrical properties of the heater; determining the resistance of the heater based on the obtained one or more electrical properties; and obtaining a first temperature value from a lookup table (LUT) based on the determined resistance.

[0042] The LUT can store multiple temperature values ​​corresponding to multiple heater resistors. The first temperature value obtained can be the temperature value corresponding to a specific resistor from the multiple temperature values ​​stored in the LUT, and the heater temperature value can be the first temperature value obtained.

[0043] Obtaining the target temperature value may include: detecting electrical information indicating multiple temperature setpoints from a removable container included in the nicotine e-vaporizer; determining the current operating mode of the nicotine e-vaporizer; and selecting from the multiple temperature setpoints the temperature setpoint corresponding to the determined current operating mode of the nicotine e-vaporizer as the target temperature value.

[0044] Control of the power level supplied to the heater may include controlling the power level supplied to the heater by a PID controller such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value is reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. Various dimensions of the drawings may have been enlarged for clarity.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a front view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Figure 2 yes Figure 1Side view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0048] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Rear view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0049] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A near-end view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0050] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A view of the far end of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0051] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0052] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A magnified view of the container inlet.

[0053] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0054] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the main body of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0055] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Front view of the main body of the device.

[0056] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Enlarged perspective view of the through hole in the image.

[0057] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 An enlarged perspective view of the electrical connector of the device.

[0058] Figure 13 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the container assembly of a nicotine electronic vaporizer.

[0059] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Another perspective of the container component.

[0060] Figure 15 yes Figure 13 A partial exploded view of the container component.

[0061] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A perspective view of the connector module in the image.

[0062] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 Another perspective view of the connector module.

[0063] Figure 18 It has no core or heater. Figure 17 A perspective view of the connector module.

[0064] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 An exploded view of the connector module.

[0065] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Another exploded view of the connector module.

[0066] Figure 21A A device system diagram of an allocation subject according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0067] Figure 21B An exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 21A An example of a controller in a device system.

[0068] Figure 22A A container system diagram of an allocation subject according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0069] Figure 22B An exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 22A An instance of a container system, where the cryptographic coprocessor is omitted.

[0070] Figure 23 A container system connected to a device system is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0071] Figure 24 This is a diagram illustrating a heating engine control algorithm and related inputs according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0072] Figure 25A This is a block diagram illustrating a setpoint heating engine control algorithm according to at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0073] Figure 25B The diagram illustrates a method based on at least some exemplary embodiments. Figure 25A An instance of at least a portion of the power level waveform generated by the setpoint heating engine control algorithm.

[0074] Figure 25C This is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive heating engine control algorithm according to at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0075] Figure 25D The detected airflow according to at least some exemplary embodiments is shown. Figure 25CAn example relationship between the adaptive heating engine control algorithm and the adaptive power level.

[0076] Figure 25E A block diagram illustrating a temperature heating engine control algorithm according to at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0077] Figure 25F The diagram illustrates a method based on at least some exemplary embodiments. Figure 25E An instance of at least a portion of the power level waveform generated by the temperature heating engine control algorithm.

[0078] Figure 25G This is a block diagram illustrating a waveform heating engine control algorithm according to at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0079] Figure 25H The diagram illustrates a method based on at least some exemplary embodiments. Figure 25G An instance of at least a portion of the temperature value waveform generated by the waveform heating engine control algorithm.

[0080] Figure 26 This is a flowchart illustrating a buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 according to at least some exemplary embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0081] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "attached to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, attached to, or cover the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly" on, "directly connected to," or "directly attached to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers present. Throughout this specification, similar designations refer to similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0082] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section.

[0083] For ease of description, spatial relative terms (e.g., “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” etc.) are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the figures. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, then an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features will be oriented “above” other elements or features. Therefore, the term “below” can include both “above” and “below” orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

[0084] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the terms “include,” “including,” “comprise,” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0085] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations, which are schematic diagrams of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the illustrations should be expected due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but should include, for example, shape deviations caused by manufacturing processes. The regions shown in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to represent the actual shapes of regions of the device, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0086] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the relevant field, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0087] As used herein, “nicotine e-vapor device” may sometimes be used with any of the following terms and is considered synonymous with: nicotine e-vapor device, nicotine e-vapor equipment, and nicotine e-vapor equipment. Container assembly (e.g., container assembly 300) may also be referred to herein as a “container” or a “removable container.”

[0088] Figure 1 This is a front view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Rear view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. (Refer to...) Figure 1-3 The nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a container assembly 300. The container assembly 300 is a modular article configured to contain a nicotine vapor pre-preparation. A "nicotine vapor pre-preparation" is a material or combination of materials that can be converted into nicotine vapor. For example, a nicotine vapor pre-preparation can be a liquid, solid, and / or gel formulation, including but not limited to water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavorings, oils, and / or vaporizing agents such as glycerol and propylene glycol. During vaporization, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is configured to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation to generate nicotine vapor. As used herein, "vapor" means any substance generated or output from any nicotine e-vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0089] The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rear cover 108. The front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 form a device housing that encloses mechanical components, electronic components, and / or circuitry associated with the operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 may enclose a power source configured to supply power to the nicotine e-vaping device 500, which may include supplying current to the container assembly 300. Additionally, when assembled, the front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 may constitute a large portion of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0090] A front cover 104 (e.g., a first cover) defines a main opening configured to receive a frame structure 112. The frame structure 112 defines a through-hole 150 configured to receive a container assembly 300. (The text is in conjunction with examples...) Figure 9 The 150 through-hole will be discussed in more detail.

[0091] The front cover 104 also defines a second opening configured to receive a light guide device. The second opening may resemble a slot (e.g., a segmented slot), but other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the light guide device. In an exemplary embodiment, the light guide device includes a light guide lens 116. Furthermore, the front cover 104 defines a third and a fourth opening configured to receive a first button 118 and a second button 120. Each of the third and fourth openings may resemble a rounded square, but other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the button. A first button housing 122 is configured to expose a first button lens 124, while a second button housing 123 is configured to expose a second button lens 126.

[0092] The operation of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 can be controlled by a first button 118 and a second button 120. For example, the first button 118 may be a power button, and the second button 120 may be an intensity button. Although two buttons related to the light guide device are shown in the figures, it should be understood that more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available features and desired user interface. The frame 106 (e.g., the base frame) is the central support structure of the device body 100 (and the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 as a whole). The frame 106 may be referred to as the chassis. The frame 106 includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of side sections between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end and the distal end may also be referred to as the downstream end and the upstream end, respectively. As used herein, "proximal" (and conversely, "distal") refers to the adult vaporizer user during vaporization, while "downstream" (and conversely, "upstream") refers to the flow of nicotine vapor. To increase strength and stability, bridging sections may be provided between the opposing inner surfaces of the side sections (e.g., approximately at the midpoint along the length of frame 106). Frame 106 may be integrally formed, thus becoming a monolithic structure.

[0093] Regarding the construction material, frame 106 may be formed of alloy or plastic. Alloys (e.g., die-casting grade, machinable grade) may be aluminum (Al) alloys or zinc (Zn) alloys. Plastics may be polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or combinations thereof (PC / ABS). For example, polycarbonate may be LUPOY SC1004A. Furthermore, for functional and / or aesthetic reasons, frame 106 may have a surface finish (e.g., to provide a superior appearance). In an exemplary embodiment, frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In another embodiment, frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a zinc alloy) may be coated with hard enamel or painted. In another embodiment, frame 106 (e.g., when formed of polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yet another embodiment, frame 106 (e.g., when formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be electroplated. It should be understood that the construction materials of frame 106 can also be applied to the front cover 104, rear cover 108 and / or other suitable parts of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500.

[0094] The rear cover 108 (e.g., a second cover) also defines an opening configured to receive the frame structure 112. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement.

[0095] The main body 100 of the device also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 can be fixed to the proximal end of the frame 106.

[0096] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A near-end view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 defines multiple vapor outlets. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may be elliptical.

[0097] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A view of the distal end of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. (Refer to...) Figure 5The distal end of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a port 110. Port 110 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and / or USB-C cable) to charge the internal power source within the nicotine e-vaping device 500. Additionally, port 110 may be configured to send and / or receive data from another nicotine e-vaping device or other electronic device (e.g., a telephone, tablet, or computer) (e.g., via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and / or USB-C cable). Furthermore, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device (e.g., a telephone) via an application (app) installed on that device. In this case, the adult vaper can control the nicotine e-vaping device 500 or otherwise interact with it via the app (e.g., locate the nicotine e-vaping device 500, check usage information, and change operating parameters).

[0098] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A magnified view of the container inlet. (See reference) Figure 6-7 And as briefly mentioned above, the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 includes a container assembly 300 configured to contain a nicotine vapor pre-formulation. The container assembly 300 has an upstream end (facing the light guide device) and a downstream end (facing the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is the surface of the container assembly 300 opposite the downstream end. The upstream end of the container assembly 300 defines a container inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through-hole (e.g., Figure 9 The through-hole 150 is configured to receive the container assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame structure 112 of the device body 100 defines the through-hole and includes an upstream edge. As shown, particularly in Figure 7 In the middle, the upstream edge of the frame structure 112 is angled (e.g., tilted inward) so as to expose the container inlet 322 when the container assembly 300 is placed in the through hole of the device body 100.

[0099] For example, the upstream edge of the frame structure 112 is shaped like a scoop to guide ambient air into the container inlet 322, rather than following the shape of the front cover 104 (so as to be flush with the front of the container assembly 300 and thus shield the container inlet 322). This angled / scooped configuration can help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., container inlet 322) of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The depth of the scoop allows less than half (e.g., less than a quarter) of the upstream end face of the container assembly 300 to be exposed. Alternatively, in a non-limiting embodiment, the container inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Furthermore, if the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot can be considered to extend in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction.

[0100] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. Figure 8 In the figure, the cross-section is taken along the longitudinal axis of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500. As shown, the device body 100 and container assembly 300 include mechanical components, electronic components, and / or circuitry associated with the operation of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500, which will be discussed in more detail herein and / or incorporated herein by reference. For example, the container assembly 300 may include mechanical components configured to actuate to release a nicotine vapor pre-formulation from a sealed reservoir therein. The container assembly 300 may also have mechanical features configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and placement of the container assembly 300.

[0101] Additionally, the container assembly 300 may be a "smart container," including electronic components and / or circuitry configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to / from the device body 100. This information can be used to authenticate the container assembly 300 used with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent the use of unapproved / counterfeit container assemblies). Furthermore, this information can be used to identify the type of container assembly 300, and then associate that type with a vaporization profile based on the identified type. The vaporization profile may be designed to specify general parameters for heating nicotine vapor pre-preparations and can be adjusted, refined, or otherwise modified by the adult vaporizer before and / or during vaporization.

[0102] The container assembly 300 may also communicate with the device body 100 other information that may be relevant to the operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Examples of such information may include the level of nicotine pre-prepared formulation within the container assembly 300 and / or the length of time that has elapsed since the container assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and started.

[0103] The device body 100 may include mechanical components (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or activate the container assembly 300. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuitry configured to receive current to charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery), which in turn is configured to supply power to the container assembly 300 during vaporization. Furthermore, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuitry configured to communicate with the container assembly 300, different nicotine e-vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., telephones, tablets, computers), and / or adult vaporizer users.

[0104] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the main body of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. (Refer to...) Figure 9 The frame structure 112 of the device body 100 defines a through hole 150. The through hole 150 is configured to receive the container assembly 300. To facilitate the insertion and placement of the container assembly 300 into the through hole 150, the upstream edge of the frame structure 112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b.

[0105] The downstream sidewall of the frame structure 112 may define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. A retaining structure including a first downstream protrusion 130a and a second downstream protrusion 130b engages with the frame structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b protrude through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening of the frame structure 112, respectively, and enter the through hole 150.

[0106] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A front view of the main body of the device. (Refer to...) Figure 10 The device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 disposed upstream of the through-hole 150. The device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured to electrically engage with a container assembly 300 disposed within the through-hole 150. As a result, during vapor fume extraction, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the container assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132. Additionally, data can be transmitted to and / or received from the device body 100 and the container assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0107] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Enlarged perspective view of the through-hole. (Refer to...) Figure 11The first upstream protrusion 128a, the second upstream protrusion 128b, the first downstream protrusion 130a, the second downstream protrusion 130b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are fixed structures (e.g., fixed pivots), while the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are retractable structures (e.g., retractable members). For example, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b may be configured (e.g., spring-loaded) to default to an extended state, while also being configured to temporarily transition to a retracted state (and reversibly return to the extended state) to facilitate insertion of the container assembly 300.

[0108] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 Enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts. The device electrical contacts of the device body 100 are configured to engage with the container electrical contacts of the container assembly 300 when the container assembly 300 is placed within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. (Refer to...) Figure 12 The device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 as its electrical contacts. The device electrical connector 132 includes power contacts and data contacts. The power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to supply power from the device body 100 to the container assembly 300. As shown, the power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a first pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (positioned closer to the front cover 104 than the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstream protrusion 128a) may be a single integral structure different from the second pair of power contacts and includes a protrusion extending into the through-hole 150 during assembly. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128b) may be a single integral structure different from the first pair of power contacts and includes a protrusion extending into the through-hole 150 during assembly. The first pair of power contacts and the second pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 can be retractably mounted and biased to extend into the through hole 150 by default and retract from the through hole 150 (e.g., independently) when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias.

[0109] Figure 13 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the container assembly of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Another perspective of the container component.

[0110] Figure 13 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the container assembly of a nicotine electronic vaporizer. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Another perspective of the container component. (See reference) Figure 13 and14 A container assembly 300 for a nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a container body configured to contain a nicotine vapor pre-preparation. Therefore, the container assembly 300 is an example of a nicotine vapor pre-preparation storage portion of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The container body has an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end of the container body defines a container inlet 322. The downstream end of the container body defines a container outlet 304 in fluid communication with the container inlet 322 at the upstream end. During vapor inhalation, air enters the container assembly 300 via the container inlet 322, and vapor exits the container assembly 300 via the container outlet 304. The container inlet 322 is shown in the figures as a slot. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and other forms are possible.

[0111] Container component 300 includes connector module 320 (e.g., Figure 16 The connector module is disposed within the container body and exposed by an opening in the upstream end. The outer surface of the connector module 320 includes at least one electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may include multiple power contacts. For example, the multiple power contacts may include a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the container assembly 300 is configured to contact the first power contact of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., adjacent to...). Figure 12 The first upstream protrusion 128a in the container assembly 300 is electrically connected to the power contact of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., adjacent to the power contact of the first upstream protrusion 128a). Similarly, the second power contact 324b of the container assembly 300 is configured to connect to the second power contact of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., adjacent to the power contact of the first upstream protrusion 128a in the container assembly 300). Figure 12 The second upstream protrusion 128b in the container assembly 300 is electrically connected to the power contact. Additionally, at least one electrical contact of the container assembly 300 includes a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the container assembly 300 are configured to connect with the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 (e.g., ...). Figure 12 The five protrusions in the middle are electrically connected. Although two power contacts and five data contacts connected to the container assembly 300 are shown, it should be understood that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment, the container assembly 300 includes a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front and back surfaces, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end face, and a downstream end face opposite the upstream end face. The corners of the side surfaces and end faces (e.g., the corner between the first side surface and the upstream end face, the corner between the upstream end face and the second side surface, the corner between the second side surface and the downstream end face, and the corner between the downstream end face and the first side surface) may be rounded. However, in some cases, the corners may be angled. Additionally, the peripheral edge of the front surface may be in the form of a flange. The outer surface of the connector module 320 (exposed by the container body) can be considered part of the upstream end face of the container assembly 300. The front surface of the container assembly 300 may be wider and longer than the back surface. In this case, the first and second side surfaces may be angled inwards toward each other. The upstream and downstream end faces may also be angled inwards toward each other. Due to the angled surfaces, insertion of the container assembly 300 will be unidirectional (e.g., from the front side of the device body 100 (the side associated with the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of the container assembly 300 being incorrectly inserted into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0113] As shown in the figure, the container body of the container assembly 300 includes a first housing section 302 and a second housing section 308. The first housing section 302 has a downstream end defining a container outlet 304. The edge of the container outlet 304 may optionally be a recessed or recessed region. In this case, the region may resemble a recess, wherein the side of the edge adjacent to the back of the container assembly 300 can be opened, while the side of the edge adjacent to the front can be surrounded by a protrusion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. The protrusion may act as a stop for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration of the container outlet 304 facilitates receiving and aligning the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., via the open side of the edge) Figure 11 This facilitates its subsequent placement against a protrusion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, when the container assembly 300 is properly inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include an elastic material (or be formed of an elastic material) to help form a seal around the container outlet 304.

[0114] The downstream end of the first housing section 302 further defines at least one downstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess is in the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. A container outlet 304 may be located between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage with a first downstream protrusion 130a and a second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100, respectively. Figure 11As shown, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be disposed on adjacent corners of the downstream sidewall of the through hole 150. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may each be in the form of a V-shaped notch. In this case, each of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a wedge structure configured to engage with the corresponding V-shaped notches in the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may abut the corner and the first side of the downstream end face, while the second downstream recess 306b may abut the corner and the second side of the downstream end face. As a result, the edges of the first and second side faces of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be opened respectively. In this case, as Figure 14 As shown, each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be a three-sided recess.

[0115] The second housing section 308 has an upstream end that further defines (in addition to the container inlet 322) a plurality of openings (e.g., a first electrical contact opening 325a, a second electrical contact opening 325b, and a data contact opening 327), which are configured to expose the connector module 320 within the container assembly 300. Figure 15-16 The upstream end of the second housing section 308 further defines at least one upstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. A container inlet 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage with a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100, respectively. Figure 12As shown, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be disposed on adjacent corners of the upstream sidewall of the through hole 150. The depth of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the depth of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The end of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may also be more rounded than the end of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may each be in the form of a U-shaped indentation. In this case, each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a circular knob, configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped indentation in the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may be adjacent to the corner and the first side surface of the upstream end face, while the second upstream recess 312b may be adjacent to the corner and the second side surface of the upstream end face. As a result, the edges of the first and second side surfaces adjacent to the first and second upstream recesses 312a and 312b, respectively, can be opened.

[0116] The first housing section 302 may define therein a reservoir configured to contain a nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation. The reservoir may be configured to hermetically seal the nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation until the container assembly 300 is activated to release the nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation from the reservoir. For hermetical sealing, the nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation may be isolated from the environment and from the internal components of the container assembly 300 that may potentially react with it, thereby reducing or preventing the possibility of adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory properties (e.g., taste) of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation. The second housing section 308 may include structures configured to activate the container assembly 300 and, upon activation, receive and heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation formulation released from the reservoir.

[0117] The container assembly 300 can be manually activated by an adult vaporizer before being inserted into the device body 100. Alternatively, the container assembly 300 can be activated as part of the insertion of the container assembly 300 into the device body 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing section 308 of the container body includes a perforator configured to release a pre-formulation of nicotine vapor from a reservoir in the first housing section 302 during activation of the container assembly 300. The perforator may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b, which will be discussed in more detail herein.

[0118] To manually activate the container assembly 300, an adult vapor user may press the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the container assembly 300 into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b may be manually pressed until their ends are substantially flush with the upstream end face of the container assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b causes the seal of the reservoir to be punctured or otherwise damaged, thereby releasing the nicotine vapor pre-formulation therefrom.

[0119] Alternatively, for the container assembly 300 to be activated as part of inserting the container assembly 300 into the device body 100, the container assembly 300 is initially positioned such that the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b engage (e.g., upstream engagement) with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, respectively. Since each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a circular knob configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped notch in the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, the container assembly 300 can then be relatively easily pivoted around the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b and enter the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0120] Regarding the pivoting of the container assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered to extend through the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b and be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During the initial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the container assembly 300, as the container assembly 300 enters the through-hole 150, the first actuating pin 314a and the second actuating pin 314b will contact the upstream sidewall of the through-hole 150 and will change from an extended state to a retracted state when the first actuating pin 314a and the second actuating pin 314b are pushed into (e.g., simultaneously) the second housing section 308. When the downstream end of the container assembly 300 reaches the vicinity of the downstream sidewall of the through-hole 150 and contacts the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b will retract and then elastically extend (e.g., spring back) as the positioning of the container assembly 300 allows the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 to engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the container assembly 300, respectively.

[0121] As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is secured to a retaining structure 140 (the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are part of this retaining structure). In this case, the retraction of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b from the through-hole 150 will cause the mouthpiece 102 to simultaneously shift by a corresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., the downstream direction). Conversely, when the container assembly 300 has been fully inserted to facilitate downstream engagement, the mouthpiece 102 will spring back simultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. When the container assembly 300 is properly positioned within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, in addition to the elastic engagement of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is also configured to be biased against the container assembly 300 (and aligned with the container outlet 304 to form a relatively airtight seal).

[0122] Furthermore, downstream engagement can produce an audible click and / or tactile feedback to indicate that the container assembly 300 is properly positioned within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. When properly positioned, the container assembly 300 will be mechanically, electrically, and fluidly connected to the device body 100. Although the non-limiting embodiments described herein depict upstream engagement of the container assembly 300 occurring prior to downstream engagement, it should be understood that the associated mating, activation, and / or electrical arrangements may be reversed, such that downstream engagement occurs prior to upstream engagement.

[0123] Figure 15 yes Figure 13 A partial exploded view of the container component. (See reference...) Figure 15 The first housing section 302 includes a vapor passage 316. The vapor passage 316 is configured to receive nicotine vapor generated during vapor fumigation and is in fluid communication with a container outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the dimensions (e.g., diameter) of the vapor passage 316 gradually increase as it extends toward the container outlet 304. Additionally, the vapor passage 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing section 302. An insert 342 and a seal 344 are disposed at the upstream end of the first housing section 302 to define a reservoir of the container assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 may be disposed within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages along an edge (e.g., via an interference fit) with the inner surface of the first housing section 302, such that the interface between the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). In addition, the seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to close the reservoir outlet in the insert 342 so as to provide fluid seal (e.g., liquid seal and / or air seal) for the preparation of nicotine vapor in the reservoir.

[0124] The upstream end of the second housing section 308 defines a container inlet 322, a first electrical contact opening 325a, a second electrical contact opening 325b, a data contact opening 327, a first upstream recess 312a, a second upstream recess 312b, a first pin opening 315a, and a second pin opening 315b. As described above, the container inlet 322 allows air to enter the container assembly 300 during vapor fume extraction, while the first electrical contact opening 325a, the second electrical contact opening 325b, and the data contact opening 327 are configured to expose the first electrical contact 324a, the second electrical contact 324b, and the data contact 326 of the connector module 320, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the first electrical contact 324a and the second electrical contact 324b are mounted on the module housing 354 of the connector module 320. Additionally, the data contact 326 may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 362. Furthermore, the container inlet 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, while the contact openings (e.g., the first electrical contact opening 325a, the second electrical contact opening 325b, and the data contact opening 327) may be located between the first pin opening 315a and the second pin opening 315b. The first pin opening 315a and the second pin opening 315b are configured to accommodate the first start pin 314a and the second start pin 314b extending therethrough, respectively.

[0125] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A perspective view of the connector module in the image. Figure 17 yes Figure 16 Another perspective view of the connector module. (Refer to...) Figure 16-17 The overall frame of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354. Additionally, the connector module 320 has multiple surfaces, including an outer surface and side surfaces adjacent to the outer surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the connector module 320 is formed by the module housing 354, a first power contact 324a, a second power contact 324b, a data contact 326, and the upstream surface of the printed circuit board (PCB) 362. The side surfaces of the connector module 320 may be an integral part of the module housing 354 and are generally orthogonal to the outer surface.

[0126] Container assembly 300 defines a flow path from container inlet 322 to container outlet 304. The flow path through container assembly 300 includes a first branch portion, a second branch portion, and a converging portion. Container inlet 322 is upstream of the first and second branch portions of the flow path. Specifically, as... Figure 16As shown, the sides (e.g., inlet sides) above the first power contacts 324a and 324b of the module housing 354 (and connector module 320) are recessed to define a separator 329 together with the initial segments of the first and second branch portions of the flow path. The separator 329 extends from the outer surface of the module housing 354 (e.g., Figure 16 In the recessed exemplary embodiment, the side above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b of the module housing 354 can also be regarded as an inlet portion defining the flow path, which is downstream of the container inlet 322 and upstream of the first branch portion and the second branch portion of the flow path.

[0127] The pair of longer sides (e.g., vertical sides) of the module housing 354 are also recessed to define subsequent segments of the first and second branch portions of the flow path. In this document, the pair of longer sides of the module housing 354 may be referred to as lateral surfaces in an alternative embodiment. Figure 16 In China (but in Figure 20 (As shown in the diagram) Sectors of the module housing 354 covered by the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 define a first branch portion and other segments of the second branch portion, as well as a converging portion of the flow path. The other segments of the first and second branch portions respectively include a first curved segment (e.g., a first curved path 330a) and a second curved segment (e.g., a second curved path 330b). As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first and second branch portions converge to form the converging portion of the flow path.

[0128] When the connector module 320 is disposed within the receiving cavity in the downstream side of the second housing section 308, the non-recessed side of the module housing 354 abuts against the sidewall of the receiving cavity in the second housing section 308, while the recessed side of the module housing 354, together with the sidewall of the receiving cavity, defines a first branch portion and a second branch portion of the flow path. The connector module 320 can be disposed within the receiving cavity of the second housing section 308 via a close-fitting arrangement, such that the connector module 320 remains substantially fixed within the container assembly 300.

[0129] like Figure 17As shown, connector module 320 includes a core 338 configured to transfer a nicotine vapor pre-preparation to heater 336. Heater 336 is configured to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation during vaporization to generate nicotine vapor. Heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of connector module 320. For example, one end of heater 336 (e.g., a first end) may be connected to a first electrical contact 324a, while the other end of heater 336 (e.g., a second end) may be connected to a second electrical contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In this case, core 338 may have a planar form configured to be held by the folded heating element. When container assembly 300 is assembled, core 338 is configured to be in fluid communication with absorbent material such that nicotine vapor pre-preparation in the absorbent material (when container assembly 300 is activated) is transferred to core 338 via capillary action. In this specification, heater may also be referred to as a heating engine.

[0130] In an exemplary embodiment, the incoming airflow entering the container assembly 300 through the container inlet 322 is guided by a separator 329 into a first branch portion and a second branch portion of the flow path. The separator 329 may be wedge-shaped and configured to split the incoming airflow in opposite directions (e.g., at least initially). The split airflow may include a first airflow (traveling through the first branch portion of the flow path) and a second airflow (traveling through the second branch portion of the flow path). After being split by the separator 329, the first airflow travels along the inlet side and continues around the corner to a first lateral surface and along the first lateral surface to a first curved path 330a. Similarly, the second airflow travels along the inlet side and continues around the corner to a second lateral surface and along the second lateral surface to a second curved path 330b (e.g., Figure 20 The converging portion of the flow path is downstream of the first and second branch portions. Heater 336 and core 338 are downstream of the converging portion of the flow path. Therefore, in the converging portion of the flow path (e.g., Figure 20 In the convergence path 330c, the first airflow combines with the second airflow to exit at the module outlet 368 (e.g., in the module housing 354) through the module housing 354. Figure 18 (marked in the middle) forms a combined flow before heater 336 and core 338.

[0131] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the core 338 may be a fiber pad or other structure having pores / voids designed for capillary action. Additionally, the core 338 may have a rectangular shape, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the core 338 may have an alternative shape of an irregular hexagon, with two sides angled inwards and toward the heater 336. The core 338 may be formed into a desired shape or cut from a larger sheet into such a shape. When the lower section of the core 338 tapers toward the winding section of the heater 336 (e.g., a hexagonal shape), the possibility of nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulations continuously avoiding evaporation in a portion of the core 338 (due to its distance from the heater 336) can be reduced or avoided. Furthermore, as described above, the heater 336 may include a folded heating element configured to hold the core 338. The folded heating element may also include at least one tip configured to protrude into the core 338.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating) when an electric current is applied thereto. More specifically, heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors and configured to generate heat when an electric current passes through them. The electric current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within device body 100 and transmitted to heater 336 via a first electrical contact 324a or a second electrical contact 324b.

[0133] The conductor suitable for heater 336 includes iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel) and / or nickel-based alloys (e.g., nickel-chromium alloys). Heater 336 may be made of a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) that is stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments arranged alternately with horizontal segments, allowing the horizontal segments to flex back and forth while extending in parallel. Additionally, the width of each horizontal segment of the winding pattern may be substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent horizontal segments of the winding pattern, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. To obtain the form of heater 336 shown in the figures, the winding pattern may be folded to hold the core 338. Furthermore, when the tip is part of heater 336, the protrusions corresponding to the tip are bent (e.g., inward and / or orthogonally) before folding the winding pattern. Due to the tip, the likelihood of the core 338 slipping out of heater 336 is reduced or prevented. The heater and associated structure are described in more detail in U.S. Application No. 15 / 729,909, filed October 11, 2017, entitled “Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0134] Reference Figure 15The first housing section 302 includes a vapor passage 316. The vapor passage 316 is configured to receive nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the container outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the dimensions (e.g., diameter) of the vapor passage 316 gradually increase as it extends toward the container outlet 304. Additionally, the vapor passage 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing section 302. An insert 342 and a seal 344 are disposed at the upstream end of the first housing section 302 to define a reservoir of the container assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 may be disposed within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages along an edge (e.g., via an interference fit) with the inner surface of the first housing section 302, such that the interface between the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Furthermore, a seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to close the reservoir outlet in the insert 342, thereby providing a fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the nicotine vapor preformation in the reservoir. In this document, the first housing section 302, the insert 342, and the seal 344 may be collectively referred to as the first section. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first section is configured to hermetically seal the nicotine vapor preformation until the container assembly 300 is activated.

[0135] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the insert 342 includes a retainer portion projecting from an upstream side and a connector portion projecting from a downstream side. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the retainer portion of the insert 342 is configured to receive absorbent material, while the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with a vapor passage 316 of the first housing segment 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to be disposed within the vapor passage 316 and thus engage the interior of the vapor passage 316. Alternatively, the connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to receive the vapor passage 316 and thus engage with the exterior of the vapor passage 316. The insert 342 also defines a reservoir outlet through which a nicotine vapor pre-prepared formulation flows when the seal 344 is punctured during activation of the container assembly 300. The retainer portion and the connector portion of the insert 342 may be located between the reservoir outlets (e.g., a first reservoir outlet and a second reservoir outlet), but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the insert 342 defines a vapor conduit extending through the retainer portion and the connector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is placed within the first housing section 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 will be aligned with and in fluid communication with the vapor passage 316 to form a continuous path through the reservoir to the container outlet 304 for the nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vapor fumigation.

[0136] A seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of an insert 342 to cover the reservoir outlet in the insert 342. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide adequate clearance to accommodate a retainer portion (which protrudes from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is attached to the insert 342. When the seal 344 is pierced by the first actuating pin 314a and the second actuating pin 314b of the container assembly 300, the two pierced sections of the seal 344 are pushed into the reservoir as flaps, thus forming two pierced openings in the seal 344 (e.g., one on each side of the central opening). The size and shape of the pierced openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the reservoir outlet in the insert 342. In contrast, when in an unpierced state, the seal 344 will have a planar form and only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be robust enough to remain intact during normal movement and / or operation of the container assembly 300 in order to prevent premature / unintentional breakage. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., Tritan with aluminum backing).

[0137] The second housing section 308 may be configured to include various components configured to release, receive, and heat a nicotine vapor pre-formulation. For example, a first actuating pin 314a and a second actuating pin 314b are configured to pierce a reservoir in the first housing section 302 to release the nicotine vapor pre-formulation. Each of the first actuating pin 314a and the second actuating pin 314b has a distal end extending through a corresponding one of the first pin openings 315a and the second pin openings 315b in the second housing section 308. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of the first actuating pin 314a and the second actuating pin 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., Figure 13 The remaining portions of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are concealed within the container assembly 300 and are not visible. Additionally, each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a proximal end positioned adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 prior to activation of the container assembly 300. When the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing section 308 to activate the container assembly 300, the proximal end of each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b will be advanced through the insert 342, resulting in piercing the seal 344, which will release the nicotine vapor preformation from the reservoir. Movement of the first activation pin 314a can be independent of movement of the second activation pin 314b (and vice versa).

[0138] The absorbent material may be downstream of and in fluid communication with the core 338. Furthermore, as described above, the absorbent material may be configured to engage with the retainer portion of the insert 342 (which may protrude from the upstream side of the insert 342). The absorbent material may be annular in form, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the absorbent material may resemble a hollow cylinder. In this case, the outer diameter of the absorbent material may be substantially equal to (or slightly larger than) the length of the core 338. The inner diameter of the absorbent material may be smaller than the average outer diameter of the retainer portion of the insert 342 to create an interference fit. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material, the tip of the retainer portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. The absorbent material is configured to receive and contain a quantity of nicotine vapor pre-formulation released from the reservoir upon activation of the container assembly 300. The core 338 may be positioned within the container assembly 300 in fluid communication with the absorbent material, such that the nicotine vapor pre-formulation may be drawn from the absorbent material to the heater 336 via capillary action. The core 338 may be in physical contact with the upstream side of the absorbent material. Additionally, the core 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0139] like Figure 17 As shown, heater 336 may have a folded configuration to clamp the opposing surfaces of core 338 and establish thermal contact with these opposing surfaces. Heater 336 is configured to heat core 338 during vapor fumigation to generate nicotine vapor. To facilitate this heating, a first end of heater 336 may be electrically connected to a first electrical contact 324a. Figure 16 and 18 The second end of heater 336 can be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b. Figure 16 and 18 As a result, current can be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transmitted to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b. For the sake of brevity, this has already been discussed above (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 16-17 Other details regarding the connector module 320 will not be repeated in this section. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing section 308 includes a receiving cavity for the connector module 320. The second housing section 308 and the aforementioned components located therein are collectively referred to as the second section. During vapor fumigation, nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 is drawn in, flows through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor passage 316 of the first housing section 302, exits the container outlet 304 of the container assembly 300, and reaches the vapor outlet through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102.

[0140] Figure 18 It has no core or heater. Figure 17 A perspective view of the connector module. Figure 19 yes Figure 18An exploded view of the connector module. Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Another exploded view of the connector module. (Refer to...) Figure 18-20 The module housing 354 forms the frame of the connector module 320. The module housing 354 defines the separator 329 and the flow path for air drawn into the container assembly 300. The heating chamber is in fluid communication with the flow path in the upstream side of the module housing 354 via the module outlet 368.

[0141] As described above, the flow path of the air drawn into the container assembly 300 includes a first branch portion, a second branch portion, and a converging portion defined by the module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the first branch portion and the second branch portion are symmetrical portions bisected by the axis of the converging portion corresponding to the flow path. For example, as Figure 20 As shown, the first branch portion, the second branch portion, and the converging portion may respectively include a first curved path 330a, a second curved path 330b, and a converging path 330c. The first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b may be substantially U-shaped paths, while the converging path 330c may be substantially linear paths. Based on an axis corresponding to the converging path 330c and aligned with the top of the separator 329, the first branch portion of the flow path may be a mirror image of the second branch portion of the flow path. During vapor fume extraction, the air drawn in through the container inlet 322 may be separated by the separator 329 and initially flow away from the separator 329 in opposite directions, then flow in parallel, and then each airflow makes a U-turn (via the first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b) and converges into a combined flow (via the converging path 330c), which returns towards the separator 329 before reaching the heating chamber through the module outlet 368. Heater 336 and core 338 are positioned such that both sides are exposed substantially equally to the combined airflow passing through module outlet 368. During vapor fume extraction, the generated nicotine vapor is entrained by the combined airflow traveling through the heated chamber to vapor passage 316.

[0142] like Figures 19-20 As shown, each of the first electrical contact 324a and the second electrical contact 324b may include a contact surface and a contact leg. The contact leg (which may have an elongated configuration) may be orthogonally oriented relative to the contact surface (which may be square), but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. The module housing 354 may define a pair of shallow recesses and a pair of orifices to facilitate the mounting of the first electrical contact 324a and the second electrical contact 324b. During assembly, the contact surface of each of the first electrical contact 324a and the second electrical contact 324b may be positioned in a corresponding one of the pair of shallow recesses so as to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the module housing 354 (e.g., Figure 16Additionally, the contact leg of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may extend through a corresponding one of a pair of orifices to protrude from the downstream side of the module housing 354 (e.g., Figure 18 The heater 336 can then be connected to the contact legs of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b.

[0143] Printed circuit board (PCB) 362 on its upstream side (e.g., Figure 20 This includes multiple data contacts 326, and on its downstream side (e.g., Figure 19 The device includes multiple electronic components, including sensor 364. Sensor 364 can be positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that sensor 364 is within a convergence path 330c defined by module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components fixed thereon) is a separate structure that is initially inserted into a receiving cavity in the downstream side of the second housing segment 308 such that data contact 326 is exposed by data contact opening 327 of the second housing segment 308. Subsequently, module housing 354 (having a first power contact 324a, a second power contact 324b, a heater 336, and a core 338 mounted thereon) can be inserted into the receiving cavity such that the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are exposed by the first power contact opening 325a and the second power contact opening 325b of the second housing segment 308, respectively. Alternatively, in order to simplify the above two-step insertion process into a one-step insertion process, it should be understood that the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and related components fixed thereon) may be attached to the module housing 354 (e.g., to form a single integrated structure) to cover the first bending path 330a, the second bending path 330b, the convergence path 330c and the module outlet 368.

[0144] The module outlet 368 can be a suction resistance (RTD) port. In this configuration, the suction resistance of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 can be adjusted by changing the size of the module outlet 368 (rather than changing the size of the container inlet 322). In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the module outlet 368 can be selected such that the suction resistance is between 25 and 100 mm of water column (e.g., between 30 and 50 mm of water column). For example, a module outlet 368 with a diameter of 1.0 mm can produce a suction resistance of 88.3 mm of water column. In another case, a module outlet 368 with a diameter of 1.1 mm can produce a suction resistance of 73.6 mm of water column. In another case, a module outlet 368 with a diameter of 1.2 mm can produce a suction resistance of 58.7 mm of water column. In yet another case, a module outlet 368 with a diameter of 1.3 mm can produce a suction resistance of approximately 40-43 mm of water column. In particular, due to the internal arrangement of the module outlet 368, its size can be adjusted without affecting the external aesthetics of the container assembly 300, thereby allowing for a more standardized product design for container assemblies with various suction resistances (RTDs), while also reducing the possibility of unintentionally blocking the entry of air.

[0145] Now refer to the following Figure 21A-23 An exemplary system is described, comprising a container 300 and a device body 100 for a nicotine electronic vapor device 500.

[0146] Figure 21A A device system for a distribution body according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The device system 2100 may be a system within the device body 100 and the distribution body 204.

[0147] Device system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power supply 2110, an actuator controller 2115, a container electrical / data interface 2120, device sensors 2125, an input / output (I / O) interface 2130, a vapor user indicator 2135, at least one antenna 2140, and a storage medium 2145. Device system 2100 is not limited to... Figure 21A The features shown are illustrated. For example, device system 2100 may include additional elements. However, for the sake of brevity, additional elements are not described. In other exemplary embodiments, device system 2100 may not include an antenna.

[0148] The controller 2105 may be hardware, firmware, hardware executing software, or any combination thereof. When the controller 2105 is hardware, such existing hardware may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or computers configured as dedicated machines to perform the functions of the controller 2105. CPUs, microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, and FPGAs can generally be referred to as processing devices.

[0149] In cases where controller 2105 is or includes a processor executing software, controller 2105 is configured as a dedicated machine (e.g., a processing device) to execute software stored in memory accessible to controller 2105 (e.g., storage medium 2145 or another storage device) to perform the functions of controller 2105. The software may be embodied in program code, including instructions for performing and / or controlling any or all operations performed by controller 2105 or controller 2105A as described herein. Figure 21B ).

[0150] As disclosed herein, the terms "storage medium," "computer-readable storage medium," or "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" can refer to one or more means for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, magnetic core memory, disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and / or other tangible machine-readable media for storing information. The term "computer-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0151] Figure 21B An example of a controller 2105A according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 21B The controller 2105A shown is Figure 21A The exemplary embodiment of controller 2105 shown herein. Therefore, any operation performed or controlled by controller 2105 as described in this specification may be performed or controlled by controller 2105A. Controller 2105A may be or include a microprocessor. Furthermore, controller 2105A may include input / output interfaces such as general purpose input / output (GPIO), inter-integrated circuit (I / O) interfaces, etc. 2 C) Interfaces such as the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus; multi-channel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); and clock input terminals, such as... Figure 21B As shown in the example. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. For example, controller 2105A may further include a digital-to-analog converter and one or more arithmetic circuits.

[0152] return Figure 21A The controller 2105 communicates with the power supply 2110, the actuator controller 2115, the container electrical / data interface 2120, the device sensor 2125, the input / output (I / O) interface 2130, the vapor user indicator 2135, the product controller 2150, and at least one antenna 2140.

[0153] Controller 2105 communicates with a cryptographic coprocessor within the container that has non-volatile memory (CC-NVM) or non-volatile memory (NVM) via container electrical / data interface 2120. The term CC-NVM may refer to one or more hardware modules, including a processor and an NVM for encryption and related processing. More specifically, controller 2105 may utilize encryption to authenticate container 300. As will be described, controller 2105 may communicate with a CC-NVM packet or NVM to authenticate container 300. More specifically, the non-volatile memory may be encoded with product and other information during manufacturing for authentication.

[0154] The memory device can be coded with an electronic identity to allow at least one pairing of container authentication and operating parameters specific to the type (or physical construction, such as heating engine type) of container 300 when it is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identity of container 300, controller 2105 can authorize container use based on the expiration date of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation and / or heater stored in the non-volatile memory of the NVM or CC-NVM. If the controller determines that the expiration date coded in the non-volatile memory has passed, the controller can deny container use and disable the nicotine electronic vaporization device 500.

[0155] Controller 2105 (or storage medium 2145) stores key materials and proprietary algorithm software for encryption. For example, the encryption algorithm relies on the use of random numbers. The security of these algorithms depends on the true randomness of these numbers. These numbers are typically pre-generated and encoded into a processor or memory device. Exemplary embodiments can increase the randomness of the numbers used for encryption by using vapor extraction parameters (e.g., the duration of a vapor extraction instance, the interval between vapor extraction instances, or a combination thereof) to generate numbers that are more random and more distinct from one instance than pre-generated random numbers. All communication between controller 2105 and the container is encrypted.

[0156] Furthermore, the container can be used as a general payload carrier for other information, such as software patches for the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Because encryption is used in all communication between the container and the controller 2105, this type of information is more secure, and the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is less susceptible to malware or viruses. Using CC-NVM as the information carrier (such as data and software updates) allows the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to be updated with software without requiring an internet connection, and allows adult vapers to experience the download process like most other consumer electronics devices that require regular software updates.

[0157] The controller 2105 may also include an encryption accelerator to allow the resources of the controller 2105 to perform functions other than the encoding and decoding involved in authentication. The controller 2105 may also include other security features, such as preventing unauthorized use of the communication channel and preventing unauthorized access to data in the event that the container or adult vapor user is not authenticated.

[0158] In addition to the encryption accelerator, the controller 2105 may include other hardware accelerators. For example, the controller 2105 may include a floating-point unit (FPU), a separate DSP core, digital filters, and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module.

[0159] Controller 2105 is configured to operate a real-time operating system (RTOS), control device system 2100, and can be updated by communicating with an NVM or CC-NVM, or when device system 2100 is connected to other devices (e.g., smartphones) via I / O interface 2130 and / or antenna 2140. I / O interface 2130 and antenna 2140 allow device system 2100 to connect to various external devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and PCs. For example, I / O interface 2130 may include a micro-USB connector. The micro-USB connector can be used by device system 2100 to charge power supply 2110b.

[0160] Controller 2105 may include onboard RAM and flash memory to store and execute code, including analysis, diagnostics, and software upgrades. Alternatively, storage medium 2145 may store code. In another exemplary embodiment, storage medium 2145 may be onboard to controller 2105.

[0161] The controller 2105 may further include an onboard clock, reset, and power management module to reduce the area covered by the PCB in the distribution body.

[0162] Device sensor 2125 may include several sensor transducers that provide measurement information to controller 2105. Device sensor 2125 may include a power supply temperature sensor, an external container temperature sensor, a current sensor for the heater, a power supply current sensor, an airflow sensor, and an accelerometer to monitor movement and orientation. The power supply temperature sensor and the external container temperature sensor may be thermistors or thermocouples, and the current sensor for the heater and the power supply current sensor may be a resistance-based sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure current. The airflow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot-wire anemometer. As described above, device sensor 2125 may include sensors, such as accelerometers, for monitoring movement and orientation, for example, such as... Figure 23 As shown in the image.

[0163] Figure 23 A container system 2200 connected to a device system 2100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. For example, device sensors 2125 may include one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more magnetometers 2127C to monitor movement and orientation. For example, device sensors 2125 may include at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU may include, for example, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis magnetometer. For example, Figure 23 One or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more magnetometers 2127C may be included in the IMU. Examples of IMUs included in the device sensors 2125 include, but are not limited to, the Invensense 10-axis MPU-9250 and the ST 9-axis STEVAL-MKI1119V1. Reference will be made below. Figure 24-2 5. In more detail, the controller 2105 can use motion and / or orientation information detected by the device sensor 2125 to control the power level output from the power supply 2110 to the heater 2215 via the container electrical / data interface 2120 and the main body electrical / data interface 2210.

[0164] Data generated from multiple sensor transducers can be sampled using a discrete multichannel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) at a sampling rate suitable for the measured parameter.

[0165] The controller 2105 can adapt the heater configuration and other configurations of the nicotine vapor pretreatment based on the measurement information received from the controller 2105. For convenience, these are generally referred to as vapor extraction or vapor configuration.

[0166] The heater profile identifies the amount of power to be supplied to the heater during the few seconds of steam extraction. For example, when a steam extraction instance begins, the heater profile may deliver maximum power to the heater, but immediately reduce the power to half or a quarter after about one second.

[0167] Additionally, the heater profile can be modified based on the negative pressure applied to the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The use of a MEMS flow sensor allows for the measurement of vapor extraction intensity and serves as feedback to the controller 2105 to adjust the power delivered to the heater in the container 300, a process that can be termed heating or energy delivery.

[0168] When controller 2105 identifies a currently installed container (e.g., via SKU), controller 2105 matches the associated heating profile designed for that particular container. Controller 2105 and storage medium 2145 store data and algorithms that allow the generation of heating profiles for all SKUs. In another exemplary embodiment, controller 2105 may read the heating profile from the container. Adult vapor users may also adjust the heating profile to suit their preferences.

[0169] like Figure 21A As shown, controller 2105 sends data to power supply 2110 and receives data from power supply 2110. Power supply 2110 includes power source 2110b and power controller 2110a to manage the power output by power source 2110b.

[0170] The power source 2110b may be a lithium-ion battery or a variant thereof, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be rechargeable and include circuitry that allows the battery to be charged via an external charging device. In this case, the circuitry provides power during charging for a desired (or alternatively, predetermined) number of vapor extraction instances, after which the circuitry must be reconnected to the external charging device.

[0171] The power controller 2110a provides commands to the power source 2110b based on instructions from the controller 2105. For example, when the container is authenticated and an adult vapor user activates the device system 2100 (e.g., by activating a switch such as a toggle button, capacitive sensor, or IR sensor), the power supply 2110 may receive a command from the controller 2105 to supply power to the container (via the container's electrical / data interface 2120). When the container is not authenticated, the controller 2105 may not send a command to the power supply 2110 or may send a command to the power supply 2110 not to supply power. In another exemplary embodiment, if the container is not authenticated, the controller 2105 may disable all operations of the device system 2100.

[0172] In addition to supplying power to container 300, power supply 2110 also supplies power to controller 2105. Furthermore, power controller 2110a can provide feedback to controller 2105 indicating the performance of power supply 2110b.

[0173] The controller 2105 sends data to and receives data from at least one antenna 2140. The at least one antenna 2140 may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) modem and a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) modem and / or other modems for wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication stack is in the modem, but the modem is controlled by the controller 2105. The Bluetooth LE modem is used for data and control communication with an application on an external device (e.g., a smartphone). The NFC modem can be used to pair the nicotine e-vaping device 500 with applications and retrieval of diagnostic information. Furthermore, the Bluetooth LE modem can be used to provide location information (so that adult vapers can locate the nicotine e-vaping device 500) or authentication during purchase. Additionally, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., the controller 2105) may be configured to use Bluetooth communication capabilities (e.g., provided by the Bluetooth LE modem) to selectively lock the nicotine e-vaping device 500. For example, an adult vaper can use an application (e.g., an app) installed on an external mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) with Bluetooth communication capability to lock the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500, thus preventing the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 from operating to generate nicotine vapor, and to unlock the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500, thus allowing the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 to operate to generate vapor. Additionally, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adult vaper can select settings on the application to control the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 such that the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 remains locked (i.e., prevents operation to generate nicotine vapor) until it is within the desired range of the electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, the adult vaper can use the application to set the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 to remain locked until it is within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, an adult vaporizer can use an app to set the nicotine e-vaping device 500 such that when the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is not paired with an electronic device on which the app is installed, the nicotine e-vaping device locks and remains locked until the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is paired with an electronic device on which the app is installed.

[0174] As described above, the device system 2100 can generate and adjust various settings for vaporization. The controller 2105 uses the power supply 2110 and the actuator controller 2115 to adjust the settings for adult vaporizer users.

[0175] Actuator controller 2115 includes passive and active actuators to regulate a desired vapor profile. For example, the dispensing body may include an inlet passage within the mouthpiece. Actuator controller 2115 may control the inlet passage based on commands from controller 2105 associated with the desired vapor profile.

[0176] Furthermore, actuator controller 2115 is used to energize the heater in conjunction with power supply 2110. More specifically, actuator controller 2115 is configured to generate a drive waveform associated with a desired vapor fume inhalation profile. As described above, each possible profile is associated with a drive waveform. Upon receiving a command from controller 2105 indicating a desired vapor fume inhalation profile, actuator controller 2115 may generate an associated modulated waveform for power supply 2110.

[0177] The controller 2105 supplies information to the vapor user indicator 2135 to indicate the status and ongoing operation to the adult vapor user. The vapor user indicator 2135 includes a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that can be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button pressed by the adult vapor user. The vapor user indicator 2135 may also include a vibrator, a speaker, an indicator of the current status of vapor inhalation parameters (e.g., vapor volume) controlled by the adult vapor user, and other feedback mechanisms.

[0178] Furthermore, the device system 2100 may include several on-product controllers 2150 that provide commands from adult vaporizer users to controller 2105. For example, the on-product controller 2150 may include a switch button, a capacitive sensor, or an IR sensor. The on-product controller 2150 may further include: a vaporizer inhalation control button (to energize the heater if the adult vaporizer user desires to control the buttonless vaporizer feature), a hard reset button, a touch-based slider controller (for controlling the setting of vaporizer parameters such as vapor inhalation volume), a vaporizer inhalation control button that activates the slider controller, and mechanical adjustment of the air inlet. Hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG) detection is another example of buttonless vaporizer. Additionally, combinations of keystrokes (e.g., keystrokes input by the adult vaporizer user via the on-product controller 2150) may be used to lock the nicotine e-vaping device and prevent the device from operating to generate nicotine vapor. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the combinations of keystrokes may be set by the manufacturer of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 and / or the device system 2100. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the combination of key taps can be set or changed by the adult vapor user (e.g., key taps input by the adult vapor user via controller 2150 on the product).

[0179] Once the container is certified (e.g., as referenced above) Figure 21A (In a manner described), controller 2105 uses information stored in the nicotine e-vaporizer 500 and the NVM or CC-NVM on the container 300 to operate the power supply 2110, actuator controller 2115, vaporizer user indicator 2135, and antenna 2140 according to the adult vaporizer user. Furthermore, controller 2105 may include a logging function and is capable of implementing algorithms to calibrate the nicotine e-vaporizer 500. The logging function is performed by controller 2105 to record usage data and any unexpected events or malfunctions. The recorded usage data can be used for diagnostics and analysis. Controller 2105 can calibrate information stored in the nicotine e-vaporizer 500 using a buttonless vaporizer (i.e., vaporizer inhalation without pressing a button when negative pressure is applied to the mouthpiece, such as when nicotine vapor is generated), the adult vaporizer user configuration, and the CC-NVM or NVM, including vapor inhalation sensing, nicotine pre-prescription level, and nicotine pre-prescription composition. For example, controller 2105 may command power supply 2110 to supply power to the heater in container 300 based on the vaporization profile associated with the nicotine vapor pre-formulation composition in container 300. Alternatively, the vaporization profile may be encoded in a CC-NVM or NVM and utilized by controller 2105.

[0180] Figure 22A A container system diagram of an allocation entity according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Container system 2200 may be located within container component 300.

[0181] like Figure 22A As shown, the container system 2200 includes a CC-NVM 2205, a main electrical / data interface 2210, a heater 2215, and a container sensor 2220. The container system 2200 communicates with the device system 2100 via the main electrical / data interface 2210 and the container electrical / data interface 2120. For example, the main electrical / data interface 2210 may correspond to a connection to... Figure 19 The battery contact 416 and data connection 417 are shown within the container assembly 300. Therefore, the CC-NVM2205 is connected to both the data connection 417 and the battery contact 416.

[0182] The CC-NVM2205 includes a cryptographic coprocessor 2205a and non-volatile memory 2205b. The controller 2105 can access information stored in the non-volatile memory 2205b for the purpose of authenticating and manipulating containers by communicating with the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a.

[0183] In another exemplary embodiment, the container may not have a cryptographic coprocessor. For example, Figure 22B An exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 22AAn instance of a container system, where the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a is omitted. For example... Figure 22B As shown, the container system 2200 may include non-volatile memory 2205b instead of CC-NVM 2205, and omit the encryption coprocessor 2205a. When the encryption coprocessor is absent in the container system 2200, the controller 2105 can read data from the non-volatile memory 2205b without using the encryption coprocessor to control / limit the heating profile.

[0184] The non-volatile memory 2205b can be electronically coded to allow at least one of the following pairings: authentication of the container 300 and operating parameters specific to the container 300 type, when the container 300 is inserted into a through-hole in the device body 100. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identity of the container 300, the controller 2105 can authorize the use of the container based on the expiration date of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation and / or heater stored in the non-volatile memory 2205b. If the controller determines that the expiration date coded in the non-volatile memory 2205b has passed, the controller can refuse to authorize the use of the container and disable the nicotine electronic vaporization device 500.

[0185] In addition, the non-volatile memory 2205b can store information such as stock units (SKUs) of nicotine vapor pre-preparations in the nicotine vapor pre-preparation compartment (including nicotine vapor pre-preparation compositions), software patches for the device system 2100, product usage information such as vapor extraction instance counts, vapor extraction instance durations, and nicotine vapor pre-preparation levels. The non-volatile memory 2205b can also store operating parameters specific to the container type and nicotine vapor pre-preparation composition. For example, the non-volatile memory 2205b can store the electrical and mechanical design of the container for use by the controller 2105 to determine commands corresponding to the desired vapor extraction profile.

[0186] For example, the level of nicotine vapor pre-formulation in the container can be determined in one of two ways. In one exemplary embodiment, one of the container sensors 2220 directly measures the level of nicotine vapor pre-formulation in the container 300.

[0187] In another exemplary embodiment, non-volatile memory 2205b stores a count of vapor extraction instances from the container, and controller 2105 uses the count of vapor extraction instances as a proxy for the amount of vaporized nicotine vapor pre-prepared.

[0188] The controller 2105 and / or storage medium 2145 may store nicotine vapor preformulation calibration data, which identifies the operating point of the nicotine vapor preformulation composition. The nicotine vapor preformulation calibration data includes data describing how the flow rate changes with the remaining nicotine vapor preformulation level, or how volatility changes with the age of the nicotine vapor preformulation, and can be used by the controller 2105 for calibration. The nicotine vapor preformulation calibration data may be stored in tabular format by the controller 2105 and / or storage medium 2145. The nicotine vapor preformulation calibration data allows the controller 2105 to equate the vapor extraction instance count with the vaporized nicotine vapor preformulation dose.

[0189] The controller 2105 writes the nicotine vapor pre-preparation level and vapor extraction instance count back to the non-volatile memory 2205b in the container, such that if the container is removed from the dispensing body and later reinstalled, the accurate nicotine vapor pre-preparation level of the container is still known by the controller 2105.

[0190] Operating parameters (e.g., power supply, power duration, airflow control) are referred to as vapor extraction profiles. Furthermore, non-volatile memory 2205b can record information transmitted by controller 2105. Even when the dispensing entity is disconnected from container 300, the non-volatile memory 2205b retains the recorded information.

[0191] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b may be a programmable read-only memory.

[0192] The heater 2215 is actuated by the controller 2105 and transfers heat to at least a portion of the nicotine vapor preformation according to the command profile (volume, temperature (based on power profile) and taste) from the controller 2105.

[0193] For example, heater 2215 may be a planar body, a ceramic body, a monofilament, a cage of resistance wire, a coil of wire surrounding a core, a mesh, a surface, or any other suitable form. Examples of suitable resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing, cobalt-containing, chromium-containing, aluminum-containing, titanium-containing, zirconium-containing, hafnium-containing, niobium-containing, molybdenum-containing, tantalum-containing, tungsten-containing, tin-containing, gallium-containing, manganese-containing, and iron-containing alloys, as well as superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, and stainless steel. For example, heaters may be formed from nickel-aluminate compounds, materials with an alumina coating on their surface, iron-aluminate compounds, and other composite materials. The resistive material may be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the energy transfer kinetics and desired external physicochemical properties. In one embodiment, heater 2215 comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, heater 2215 is formed from a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. In one embodiment, heater 2215 may be a ceramic heater having a resistive layer on its outer surface.

[0194] In another embodiment, heater 2215 may be made of iron-aluminate compounds (e.g., FeAl or Fe3Al), such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,595,706, jointly owned by Sikka et al., filed December 29, 1994, or nickel aluminate (e.g., Ni3Al), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0195] Heater 2215 can determine the amount of nicotine vapor pre-formulation that needs to be heated based on feedback from container sensors or controller 2105. The flow of nicotine vapor pre-formulation can be regulated by microcapillary or wicking action. Furthermore, controller 2105 can send commands to heater 2215 to adjust the air inlet of heater 2215.

[0196] Container sensor 2220 may include a heater temperature sensor, a nicotine vapor pre-preparation flow rate monitor, and an airflow monitor. The heater temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple, and flow rate sensing may be performed by container system 2200 using electrostatic interference or a nicotine vapor pre-preparation rotator (e.g., under the control of controller 2105 or a controller included in container system 2200). The airflow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow.

[0197] Data generated from container sensor 2220 can be sampled using a discrete multichannel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) at a sampling rate suitable for the measured parameter.

[0198] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may also control the heater 2215 in response to detecting a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG). As described above, refer to... Figure 21A According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine electronic vaporizer can realize a buttonless vaporization feature. As an example of the buttonless vaporization feature, controller 2105 can determine when an adult vaporizer user generates HMG based on measurements from device sensor 2125. HMG is a gesture in which the adult vaporizer user's hand moves toward the adult vaporizer user's mouth. HMG generated relative to the nicotine electronic vaporizer (e.g., nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 and / or nicotine electronic vaporizer including device body 100) can indicate that vaporization will soon begin. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, controller 2105 can control the state and / or operating mode of the nicotine electronic vaporizer or one or more of its components based on the detection of HMG. For example, controller 2105 can control the state and / or operating mode of heater 2215 by detecting HMG.

[0199] As described above, heater 2215 can be actuated by controller 2105. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, controller 2105 can control heater 2215 using a heating engine control algorithm and a heating engine driver implemented by controller 2105. Heater 2215 may also be referred to herein as heating engine 2215 or heater motor 2215. Reference will be made below. Figure 24-25G Examples of heating engine control algorithms according to at least some exemplary embodiments are discussed in more detail.

[0200] First, refer to Figure 24 An overview of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and related inputs is provided below. The following will refer to... Figure 25A-26 Exemplary implementations of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 according to at least some exemplary embodiments are explained. Exemplary implementations of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 include, but are not limited to, a setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. Figures 25A-25B ), Adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B ( Figure 25C-25D ), Temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C ( Figure 25E-25F ) and waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D ( Figure 25G-25H In addition, see below. Figure 26 An exemplary implementation of the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 is described, which can provide a vapor extraction mode as input to one or more of the heating engine control algorithms 2300, 2300A, 2300B, 2300C and 2300D.

[0201] Reference Figure 24 , Figure 24 This is a diagram illustrating a heating engine control calculator 2300 and related inputs according to at least one exemplary embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 24 According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm 2300 generates a power level value, and the heating engine driver 2305 controls the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 based on the generated power level (e.g., using pulse width modulation (PWM) or another known method). For example, the heating engine driver 2305 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 via the host electrical / data interface 2210. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, both the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and the heating engine driver 2305 are implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations performed by either the heating engine control algorithm 2300 or the heating engine driver 2305 as described herein may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0202] like Figure 24 As shown, the heating engine control algorithm 2300 can use one or more of a plurality of inputs to generate the power level supplied to the heating engine driver 2305. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the inputs to the heating engine control algorithm 2300 may include, but are not limited to, the vaporization mode generated by the buttonless vaporization function 2310, one or more operating points generated by the first calibration mapping function 2320, the predicted temperature of the heating engine 2215 generated by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2330, the heating engine temperature and electrical performance values ​​provided by the heating engine sensor 2222 (which may be included in the container sensor 2220), the airflow rate and wick humidity values ​​provided by the container sensor 2220, the vaporization profile information provided by the adult vaporizer user vaporization profile update function 2340, the nicotine e-vapor device temperature information provided by the device sensor 2125, the nicotine vapor pre-preparation material level and / or flow rate information provided by the level and flow rate prediction function 2350, the battery health information provided by the battery health function 2360, and the time information provided by the clock 2370. The container sensor 2220 may also be referred to herein as a smart container sensor 2220. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm operates according to at least three states: off, preheating, and on. The off, preheating, and on states may also be referred to herein as “vapor extraction mode states” or “operation modes”.

[0203] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the off state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that a relatively low amount of power or alternatively no power is supplied from the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 to the heater engine 2215; the preheating state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that the amount of electricity supplied from the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 to the heater engine 2215 is higher than the amount of electricity supplied in the off state; and the on state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that the amount of electricity supplied from the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 to the heater engine 2215 is higher than the amount of electricity supplied in the preheating state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, during the preheating operation mode, the amount of electricity supplied to the heater engine 2215 is the amount that causes the heater engine 2215 to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation, and during the second operation mode, the amount of electricity supplied to the heater engine 2215 is the amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation.

[0204] See below for reference. Figure 25A , 25B Section 26 discusses the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A and the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310.

[0205] Figure 25A This is a block diagram illustrating a setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is... Figure 24 An exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 shown is illustrated.

[0206] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0207] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A, the set power level is directly configured based on an external configuration. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power level applied to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., via the heating engine driver 2305) is static throughout the start-up cycle of the heating engine 2215 or alternatively, throughout the duration of the entire vapor extraction mode. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a single power level is sent to the heating engine driver 2305, and the amount of electricity applied to the heating engine 2215 by the heating engine driver 2305 is proportional to the power level sent to the heating engine driver 2305. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, upon receiving a single power level, the heating engine driver 2305 can immediately set the power level output to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., by adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation drive signal applied to the heating engine 2215).

[0208] Reference Figure 25A The setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A can operate based on inputs received from a clock 2370, a heating engine sensor 2222 (which may be included in a smart container sensor 2220), a buttonless vapor extraction function 2310, and a first calibration mapping function 2320. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can operate based on inputs received from an AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340.

[0209] The clock 2370, heating engine sensor 2222, buttonless vapor extraction function 2310, first calibration mapping function 2320 and AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340 will now be discussed in more detail below.

[0210] Clock 2370 outputs a periodic timing signal according to a known method. Heating engine sensor 2222 detects heating engine temperature and / or electrical performance values ​​associated with heating engine 2215 according to a known method. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine sensor provides the detected heating engine temperature and / or electrical performance values ​​to heating engine driver 2305, for example, as feedback values. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, heating engine driver 2305 adjusts the electrical quantity supplied to heating engine 2215 based on the feedback values. Reference will now be made to... Figure 26 Discussion on buttonless vapor extraction function 2310.

[0211] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 outputs one of three states (off state, preheating state, and on state) as the current vapor extraction mode state to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. Figure 26This is a flowchart illustrating a buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 according to at least some exemplary embodiments. The buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 may be implemented by a controller 2105. Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 may be performed by the controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., nicotine e-vaping device 500).

[0212] Reference Figure 26 First, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 is in the off state. For example, in operation S2410, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 is in the off state as the current vapor extraction mode state.

[0213] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 transitions the current vapor extraction mode state from an off state to an on state based on the detection of vapor extraction during the off state. For example, in operation S2420, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines whether vapor extraction is occurring. For example, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 may determine whether a vapor extraction instance is occurring based on airflow information generated by the container sensor 2220 and / or the device sensor 2124. For example, if the airflow information indicates an airflow rate higher than a threshold, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that a vapor extraction instance is occurring. If vapor extraction occurs during the off state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470. In operation S2470, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 transitions the current vapor extraction mode state from an off state to an on state and outputs the on state as the current vapor extraction mode state.

[0214] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaporization function 2310 transitions the current vaporization mode state from an off state to a preheating state based on the detection of a hand-to-mouth (HMG) gesture during an off state. HMG is a gesture in which an adult vaporizer's hand moves toward the adult vaporizer's mouth. HMG generated relative to a nicotine vaporizer (e.g., nicotine vaporizer 500 and / or nicotine vaporizers including device body 100 or dispensing body 204) can indicate that vaporization can begin soon. Exemplary methods for detecting HMG are discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0108840, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0215] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, returning to operation S2420, if no vapor extraction occurred during the off state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2430. In operation S2430, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines whether HMG has occurred. If HMG occurred during the off state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2440. In operation S2440, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 transitions the current vapor extraction mode state from the off state to the preheating state and outputs the preheating state as the current vapor extraction mode state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 maintains the off state as the current vapor extraction mode state until the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects either vapor extraction or HMG. For example, returning to operation S2430, if no HMG occurs during the off state, the buttonless vapor fumigation function 2310 maintains the off state as the current vapor fumigation mode state and returns to operation S2420.

[0216] Returning to operation S2440, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 changes the current vapor extraction mode state from the preheating state to the on state based on the detection of vapor extraction during the preheating state. For example, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds from operation S2440 to operation S2450. In operation S2450, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines whether vapor extraction is occurring. If vapor extraction occurs during the preheating state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470, thereby changing from the preheating state to the on state. As discussed above, in operation S2470, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 outputs the on state as the current vapor extraction mode state.

[0217] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 transitions from a preheating state to an off state based on a preheating timeout event that occurs during the preheating state. For example, in operation S2450, if no vapor extraction occurs during the preheating state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2460. In operation S2460, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines whether a preheating timeout event has occurred. When the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that the amount of time spent in the preheating state exceeds a preheating timeout value, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that a preheating timeout event has occurred. If the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that a preheating timeout event has occurred during the preheating state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby transitioning the current vapor extraction mode state from the preheating state to the off state. As discussed above, in operation S2410, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 outputs the off state as the current vapor extraction mode state.

[0218] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 maintains a preheating state as the current vapor extraction mode state until the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects either vapor extraction or a preheating timeout. For example, returning to operation S2460, if no preheating timeout event occurs during the preheating state and no vapor extraction instance is detected, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 maintains the preheating state and returns to operation S2450.

[0219] Returning to operation S2470, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 transitions from an on state to an off state based on detecting the end of a vapor extraction instance or an input timeout event. For example, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds from operation S2470 to operation S2480. In operation S2480, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines whether the vapor extraction instance has ended or whether a vapor extraction timeout event has occurred. For example, based on airflow information generated by the container sensor 2220 and / or the device sensor 2124, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 may determine whether the vapor extraction instance detected in step S2420 or step S2450 has ended. For example, if, after detecting vapor extraction, the airflow information indicates that the airflow has dropped below a threshold, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that the vapor extraction instance has ended. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the threshold for detecting the start of a vapor extraction instance in operation S2420 or S2450 may have a different value than the threshold for detecting the end of a vapor extraction instance in operation S2480.

[0220] Furthermore, when the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that the amount of time spent in the on state exceeds the vapor extraction timeout value, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 determines that a vapor extraction timeout event has occurred. If, during the on state, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects the end of a vapor extraction instance or the occurrence of a vapor extraction timeout event, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby changing the current vapor extraction mode state from the on state to the off state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 maintains the on state as the current vapor extraction mode state until the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects either the end of a vapor extraction instance or a vapor extraction timeout event. For example, returning to operation S2480, if no vapor extraction timeout event has occurred during the on state and no end of the current vapor extraction instance has been detected, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 maintains the on state and repeats operation S2480.

[0221] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can determine whether a preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2460 and / or determine whether a preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2480 based on a timer value including a preheating timeout value and / or a vapor extraction timeout value. For example, when the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects that the length of the preheating vapor extraction state exceeds the preheating timeout value, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can determine that... Figure 26 A preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2460. The preheating timeout value can be, for example, 1-2 seconds. Furthermore, when the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 detects that the duration of the vapor extraction state exceeds the vapor extraction timeout value, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can determine that... Figure 26 A vapor extraction timeout event has occurred in operation S2480. The vapor extraction timeout value can be, for example, 7-10 seconds. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can use a clock signal output by clock 2370 to track the length of the continuous on or preheating vapor extraction state. Furthermore, the preheating timeout value and the vapor extraction timeout value are not limited to the exemplary time lengths discussed above. For example, the length of the preheating timeout value and / or the vapor extraction timeout value can be set according to the preferences of the designer or manufacturer of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500.

[0222] Furthermore, although the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 is described above as determining the current vapor extraction mode state as one of three states (i.e., off, preheating, and on), according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the preheating state may be omitted, and the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 may determine the current vapor extraction mode state as only one of two states: on and off. For example, refer to... Figure 26 When the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can omit operations S2430, S2440, S2450, and S2460. Furthermore, when the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can perform operation S2420 without switching to the preheating state. For example, the buttonless vapor extraction function can perform operation S2420 by maintaining the off state when no vapor extraction (N) is detected and proceeding to operation S2470 in response to the detection of vapor extraction (Y), thereby changing the current vapor extraction mode state from the off state to the on state. Additionally, when the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 can be described above... Figure 26 The remaining operations S2410, S2470, and S2480 are performed in the same manner as described above. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, and based on the above reference... Figure 26 The operation described above involves the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 continuously determining the current vapor extraction mode and continuously outputting the determined current vapor extraction mode. The first calibration mapping function 2320 will be discussed below.

[0223] The first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs the operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the operating point corresponds to a power value or power level, examples of which include, but are not limited to, 1W, 2.567W, 20W, 32.15W, and 52.663W.

[0224] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a first calibration mapping function 2320 reads one or more operating points from a removable container installed in a nicotine e-vaporizer and outputs one of the one or more operating points to a setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, a nicotine e-vaporizer (e.g., nicotine e-vaporizer 500) implementing the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be configured to detect electrical information from a removable container 300 installed in the nicotine e-vaporizer 500. The electrical information read from the container 300 may include one or more operating points. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electrical information read from the container 300 may include operating points for each vapor extraction mode state (i.e., preheating, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electrical information read from the container 300 may include operating points for a preheating state and an on state, rather than an off state.

[0225] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from the removable container; receives a coarse preference level from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340; selects one or more operating points corresponding to the coarse preference level from the read operating points; and outputs the selected one or more operating points to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electrical information read by the first calibration mapping function 2320 from the container 300 may include operating points for each possible combination of the coarse preference level and the vapor extraction mode state (preheating, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electrical information read from the container 300 may include operating points for each coarse preference level relative to the on state, including only one operating point for the preheating state, and including only one operating point for the off state (or alternatively, no operating point).

[0226] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads the operating point from the removable container; receives a fine preference level from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340; adjusts the read operating point based on the fine preference level; and outputs the adjusted operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, the fine preference level received from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340 may indicate the adjustment to be made to the operating point. For example, the fine preference level may indicate the adjustment direction and adjustment amount (e.g., sign and value: +3W, -4.823W, +10.645W, etc.).

[0227] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can generate operating points based on both a coarse preference level and a fine preference level, each of which is received from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads multiple operating points from a removable container; receives a coarse preference level from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340; selects an operating point corresponding to the coarse preference level from the read operating points; receives a fine preference level from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340; adjusts the selected operating point based on the fine preference level; and outputs the adjusted operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A.

[0228] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be performed or controlled by the controller 2105. The AV vaporization profile update function 2340, the coarse preference level, and the fine preference level will now be discussed in more detail below.

[0229] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 outputs one or both of the coarse preference level and the fine preference level discussed above with reference to the first calibration mapping function 2320. An example of the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 that outputs a coarse preference level will now be discussed below.

[0230] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaporizer can manipulate the input device of the electronic nicotine vaporizer 500 to select one of several coarse preference levels. For example, as referenced above... Figure 21A and 21B The device body 100 of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 may include an on-product controller 2150. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the on-product controller 2150 may include any one or more devices that can be manually operated by an adult vaporizer user to indicate value selection. Exemplary embodiments include, but are not limited to, one or more buttons, dials, capacitive sensors, and sliders. For example, when the on-product controller 2150 includes a slider, the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 may be able to detect the position of the adult vaporizer user's finger along the length of the slider according to known methods. For example, the slider may include a capacitive sensor extending the length of the slider. Furthermore, according to known methods, the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 may be able to detect the position of the adult vaporizer user's finger touching the capacitive sensor along the length of the slider based on a signal generated by the capacitive sensor. As another example, the slider may include a mechanical element coupled to a track that extends the length of the slider. The mechanical element may be configured to slide up and down along the track by the adult vaporizer user's finger. Furthermore, the electronic vaporizer user device 500 may be able to detect the position of the mechanical element along the length of the slider.

[0231] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the slider length may be divided into multiple adjacent regions, and multiple coarse preference levels may be assigned to the multiple adjacent regions respectively. For example, in the case where five coarse preference levels are assigned to five adjacent regions of the slider length respectively, an adult vaporizer can select a specific preference level from the five coarse preference levels by manipulating the slider (e.g., by moving the adult vaporizer's finger and / or mechanical components to a position along the slider length within the region assigned to the specific coarse preference level). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the slider may be implemented as one or more capacitive touch sensors.

[0232] In addition to including a slider, or as an alternative to including a slider, the controller 2150 on the product may include one or more buttons that facilitate selection of a specific preference level from the aforementioned coarse preference levels. For example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated example, the allocation body includes a first button 118 and a second button 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, coarse preference levels (e.g., five coarse preference levels) can cycle through in response to operation of one or both of the first button 118 and the second button 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first and second buttons are implemented as touch sensors, which can be mechanical (e.g., mechanical buttons) and / or capacitive (e.g., capacitive sensors).

[0233] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may provide an indication (e.g., visual, tactile, and / or auditory indication) for identifying the currently selected coarse preference level from a plurality of available coarse preference levels. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second button 120 is an intensity button, and operation of the second button 120 may advance the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 from the current coarse preference level to the next coarse preference level. Furthermore, Figure 1 The light guide component shown can provide different visual indications for each different coarse preference level (e.g., by changing the color, length, size, and / or brightness of the light emitted by the light guide component), thereby identifying the currently selected coarse preference level.

[0234] Next, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 outputs the selected coarse preference level to the first calibration mapping function 2320. Furthermore, the five coarse preference levels can each correspond to five operating points read by the first calibration mapping function 2320 from a removable container (e.g., container 300) installed in the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Therefore, the first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs the operating point corresponding to the received coarse preference level from the five operating points read from the removable container. An example of the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 that outputs a fine preference level will now be discussed below.

[0235] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaper can manipulate an input device to select one of a plurality of fine preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the input device may be a wireless electronic device (e.g., a wireless communication device), examples of which include, but are not limited to, smartphones and tablets. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device executes an application or app that the adult vaper can use to select fine preference values ​​to adjust the operating point. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., nicotine e-vaping device 500) and the wireless electronic device can communicate wirelessly with each other (e.g., via a wireless communication link) using any known wireless technology, examples of which include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wireless USB, IEEE 802.11, etc. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device is a smartphone running an app that enables the smartphone to create a graphical user interface (GUI) that the adult vaper can interact with to select a fine preference level. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the GUI includes an app slider. The app slider may be an image of a slider output to a display on the smartphone, which the adult vaper can manipulate using a touchscreen, buttons, and / or other input devices on the smartphone. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the app slider allows an adult vaper to adjust the operating point (e.g., 7W) in a fine or precise manner. For example, if the initial operating point is 7W, and the app slider allows the adult vaper to adjust the initial operating point in 1mW increments within a range of ±128mW, the adult vaper can select an operating point between 6872mW and 7128mW. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a smartphone can wirelessly send a fine preference level to the nicotine e-vaping device, the fine preference level indicating the adjustment selected by the adult vaper via the app slider. At the nicotine e-vaping device, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 receives the fine preference level and provides it to the first calibration mapping function 2320. As described above, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can use the fine preference level received from the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 to adjust the operating point before outputting the adjusted operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A.

[0236] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 writes the coarse preference level and / or fine preference level selected by the adult vaporizer into the memory (e.g., non-volatile memory 2205b) of a removable container (e.g., removable container 300) installed in the nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., nicotine e-vaping device 500). Therefore, when the removable container (e.g., container 300) is reinstalled into the nicotine e-vaping device after a period of removal, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can read the previously selected coarse preference level and / or fine preference level from the memory of the reinstalled removable container. Furthermore, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can use the previously selected coarse preference level and / or fine preference level to generate an adjusted operating point.

[0237] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 writes vaporization profile entries to a vaporization profile database. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaporization profile database may be stored in the memory (e.g., storage medium 2145) of the distribution body (e.g., device body 100) of a nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., nicotine e-vaping device 500). Each vaporization profile entry may include a coarse preference level and / or a fine preference level selected by an adult vaporizer, and formulation type information (e.g., a nicotine pre-vaping formulation identifier), which identifies the formulation type of the nicotine pre-vaping formulation contained in a removable container installed in the nicotine e-vaping device when the adult vaporizer selects the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, when a new, unused removable container is installed in a nicotine e-vaporizer, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can read the nicotine pre-prescription identifier of the new removable container and compare the read nicotine pre-prescription identifier with vaporization profile entries stored in a vaporization profile database. When the first calibration mapping function 2320 identifies a vaporization profile entry with a nicotine pre-prescription identifier that matches the nicotine pre-prescription identifier of the newly installed removable container, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can read the coarse preference level and / or fine preference level included in the identified vaporization profile entry. Furthermore, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can use the read coarse preference level and / or fine preference level to generate an adjusted operating point. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the identity (e.g., formulation type) of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation of the removable container in the same manner as discussed above with reference to the first calibration mapping function 2320 from an image (e.g., a QR code) located on the removable container (e.g., container 300) or from the memory of the removable container to read the operation point.

[0238] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 tracks the coarse preference level and / or fine preference level selected by an adult vaporizer over time, and stores the tracked coarse preference level and / or fine preference level in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 (e.g., the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500). Furthermore, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 can determine a predicted coarse preference level based on the tracked coarse preference level, and / or determine a predicted fine preference level based on the tracked fine preference level. The predicted coarse preference level and the predicted fine preference level may also be referred to herein as the predicted vaporization preference level.

[0239] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked coarse preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked coarse preference levels that fall within a window (e.g., the last 10 tracked coarse preference levels). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is a weighted average of the tracked coarse preference levels.

[0240] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked fine preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked fine preference levels that fall within a window (e.g., the last 10 tracked fine preference levels). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is a weighted average of the tracked fine preference levels.

[0241] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 can calculate different predicted vaporization preference values ​​for different times of day. Exemplary times of day are time periods within a day (e.g., 8 AM–12 PM; 12 PM–4 PM; etc.). Therefore, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 can calculate a predicted coarse preference level for the morning based solely on the coarse preference level tracked during the morning (e.g., 8 AM–12 PM), and a predicted coarse preference level for the afternoon based solely on the coarse preference level tracked during the afternoon (e.g., 12 PM–4 PM). Furthermore, the AV vaporization profile update function 2340 can calculate a predicted fine preference level for the morning based solely on the fine preference level tracked during the morning (e.g., 8 AM–12 PM), and a predicted fine preference level for the afternoon based solely on the fine preference level tracked during the afternoon (e.g., 12 PM–4 PM). The AV vaporization profile update function 2340 can store the predicted vaporization preference level mentioned above in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 (e.g., the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, when the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 is started, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can determine the current time (e.g., 2 PM); read the stored vaporization preference level corresponding to the current time (e.g., a coarse preference value predicted for the afternoon and a coarse preference level predicted for the afternoon) from the memory of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500, and use the read vaporization preference level to generate an adjusted operating point.

[0242] return Figure 25AThe setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A may further include a time-decreasing operation 2610, a first transfer curve selection operation 2620, a vapor extraction mode recognition operation 2630, and a first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, any or all of the time-decreasing operation 2610, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, the vapor extraction mode recognition operation 2630, and the first power level setting operation 2640 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A may be executed continuously. The time-decreasing operation 2610 will now be discussed in more detail below.

[0243] The time decrement operation 2610 decrements the timer value based on the current time input from clock 2370. Other operations may use the timer value, as discussed in more detail below, including, for example, a first power level setting operation 2640. The first transition curve selection operation 2620 will now be discussed in more detail below.

[0244] In the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A can select a transfer curve from one or more transfer curves received from the first calibration mapping function 2320, and provide the selected transfer curve to the first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation can be one of a plurality of operating points output from the first calibration mapping function 2320 to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620.

[0245] For example, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may provide an operating point for each of a plurality of vapor extraction mode states. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the operating points provided by the first calibration mapping function 2320 to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A include two operating points: an operating point for the preheating vapor extraction mode state and an operating point for the open vapor extraction mode state. However, alternatively, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may provide a series of operating points for one or both of the preheating vapor extraction mode and the open vapor extraction mode, said operating points varying horizontally with respect to time, as will be referred to below. Figure 25G and 25H To elaborate further.

[0246] return Figure 25AAs described above, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can output multiple operating points corresponding to multiple vapor extraction mode states. The first transfer curve selection operation 2620 can select one of the operating points output by the first calibration mapping function 2320 based on the current vapor extraction mode (e.g., off, preheating, or on) of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. The first transfer curve selection operation 2620 can provide a transfer curve corresponding to the selected operating point to the first power level setting operation 2640. For example, if the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the preheating vapor extraction mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 can provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a transfer curve corresponding to the preheating vapor extraction mode state. Similarly, if the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the on vapor extraction mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 can provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a transfer curve corresponding to the on vapor extraction mode state. Furthermore, if the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the off-vapor smoke extraction mode, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a transfer curve corresponding to the off-vapor smoke extraction mode state. If the selected transfer curve does not include a portion corresponding to the off-vapor smoke extraction mode state, then, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a default transfer curve corresponding to providing a low power level or no power to the heating engine 2215 in the off-vapor smoke extraction mode state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selects a transfer curve to provide to the first power level setting operation 2640 based on vapor extraction mode state information received from the vapor extraction mode identification operation 2630. The vapor extraction mode identification operation 2630 will now be discussed in more detail below. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the transfer curve provided by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may be or correspond to a power value.

[0247] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, based on the current vapor extraction mode output of the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310, the vapor extraction mode recognition operation 2630 determines the current vapor extraction mode state (e.g., off, preheating, or on) of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 is referenced above. Figure 26The current vapor extraction mode status is output in a manner described above. As described above, the first transition curve selection operation 2620 can use the vapor extraction mode status received from the vapor extraction mode identification operation 2630 to select which transition curve is provided to the first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vapor extraction mode identification operation 2630 may be omitted, and the first transition curve selection operation 2620 may receive the vapor extraction mode status (e.g., off, preheat, or on) from the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310. The first power level setting operation 2640 will now be discussed in more detail below.

[0248] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a first power level setting operation 2640 receives a transfer curve from a first transfer curve selection operation 2620, and outputs a first power level waveform 2710 based on one or more operation points included in the received transfer curve. The first power level setting operation 2640 may output the first power level waveform 2710 to a heating engine driver 2305, and the heating engine driver 2305 may cause a power supply 2110 to supply power to a heater engine 2215 according to the first power level waveform 2710.

[0249] Figure 25B An example of at least a portion of the power level waveform output by the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is shown. For example, Figure 25B An example is shown of at least a portion of a first power level waveform 2710 output by a first power level setting operation 2640 when the vaporization mode state output from the buttonless vaporization function 2310 and / or the vaporization mode recognition operation 2630 changes according to the following sequence (off -> preheating -> on -> off). As used herein, the term "power level waveform" refers to a waveform corresponding to the power level output to the heating engine driver 2305 by the heating engine control algorithm over time. Furthermore, the term "power level waveform" may be considered synonymous with "power waveform" and may occasionally be referred to as such. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine driver 2305 causes the electrical quantity supplied to the heater 2215 by the power supply 2110 to increase or decrease in a manner proportional to the increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level waveform output to the heating engine driver 2305.

[0250] like Figure 25BAs shown, the first power level waveform 2710 output by the first power level setting operation 2640 can start from the power level corresponding to the off vapor fumigation mode state (e.g., selecting a transition curve corresponding to the off vapor fumigation mode state in response to the first transition curve selection operation 2620); rise from the power level corresponding to the off vapor fumigation mode state to the power level corresponding to the preheating vapor fumigation mode state (e.g., selecting a transition curve corresponding to the preheating vapor fumigation mode state in response to the first transition curve selection operation 2620); rise from the power level corresponding to the preheating vapor fumigation mode state to the power level corresponding to the on vapor fumigation mode state (e.g., selecting a transition curve corresponding to the on vapor fumigation mode state in response to the first transition curve selection operation 2620); and fall from the power level corresponding to the on vapor fumigation mode state back to the power level corresponding to the off vapor fumigation mode state (e.g., selecting a transition curve corresponding to the off vapor fumigation mode state in response to the first transition curve selection operation 2620).

[0251] like Figure 25A As shown, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the decrementing time operation 2610 can cause the first power level setting operation 2640 to perform a shutdown operation relative to the heating engine 2215 by sending a timer shutdown signal to the first power level setting operation 2640. In this document, the timer shutdown signal may also be referred to as a "timing shutdown signal". For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the decrementing time operation 2610 can be used to shut off the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 by controlling the power level output by the first power level setting operation 2640. For example, alternatively, or instead of shutting off the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., by tracking preheating timeout events and / or vapor fume extraction timeout events, and referring to the above...), Figure 26The buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 (which outputs the off state as the current vapor extraction mode state) described in operations S2460 and S2480, has a time-decreasing operation 2610 that tracks the preheating timeout value and / or vapor extraction timeout value relative to the length of time the current vapor extraction mode state of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is maintained in the preheating state or the on state. Furthermore, in response to the time-decreasing operation 2610 determining that the preheating timeout value or the vapor extraction timeout value has been exceeded, the time-decreasing operation 2610 sends a timer off signal to a first power level setting operation 2640, and the first power level setting operation 2640 responds to the timer off signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heating engine driver 2305, which causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to receiving a timer off signal from a decrementing time operation 2610, the first power level setting operation 2640 causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215, regardless of the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620.

[0252] Now refer to the following Figure 25C and 25D Discuss the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B.

[0253] Figure 25C This is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is... Figure 24 An exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 shown is illustrated.

[0254] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0255] Reference Figure 25C According to at least some examples, during vapor fume extraction, the electrical charge applied to the heating engine 2215 by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B can correspond to the measured magnitude of the airflow. As used herein, the terms “airflow” and “airflow rate” refer to the rate of airflow (i.e., the volume of air passing through per unit time) and can be measured, for example, in milliseconds per second (mL / s).

[0256] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, such as Figure 25C As shown, except that the first power level setting operation 2640 is replaced by the adaptive power level setting operation 2642, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B may have the same characteristics as... Figure 25A The adaptive power level setting operation 2642 has the same structure as the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. Relative to the first power level setting operation 2640, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 can also receive airflow measurements from one or more sensors of the nicotine vapor device 500 (e.g., hot-wire anemometer flow sensors included in the heating engine sensor 2222, container sensor 2220, or device sensor 2125). For example, the heating engine sensor 2222 can repeatedly measure the airflow velocity relative to the air flowing through the nicotine vapor device 500 and / or container 300, and output the measured airflow to the adaptive power level setting operation 2642.

[0257] Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, during the vapor fume extraction mode, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may output a second power waveform 2720 based on both (i) the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 and (ii) the measured airflow output by the heating engine sensor 2222 and / or the container sensor 2220. For example, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may generate an adaptive power level by performing mathematical operations on the power level corresponding to the output transfer curve, such that the value of the adaptive power level increases as the measured airflow increases. For example, Figure 25D An exemplary relationship is shown between detected airflow and adaptive power levels generated by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. Figure 25D As shown, the adaptive power level increases with increasing measured airflow. Figure 25D In the example shown, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 is configured such that the relationship between the adaptive power level and the measured airflow is substantially linear. However, at least some exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. Figure 25D Examples are shown. For instance, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may be configured such that the relationship between the adaptive power level and the measured airflow is not linear. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the relationship between the adaptive power level and the measured airflow (i.e., the way in which the generated adaptive power level changes as the measured airflow changes) may be set according to the preferences of the designer or manufacturer of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or container 300.

[0258] Therefore, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B controls the electrical quantity applied to the heating engine 2215, such that the electrical quantity applied to the heating engine 2215, and thus, the temperature and / or volume of the nicotine vapor generated by the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 and / or container 300 varies with the airflow through the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 and / or container 300. Therefore, the temperature and / or volume of the nicotine vapor generated by the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 can be adjusted by adjusting the airflow through the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 and / or container 300.

[0259] Additionally, the decrement time operation 2610 of the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B can be referenced above. Figure 25A The same manner of operation is described, for example, by outputting a timer off signal. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 responds to the timer off signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heating engine driver 2305, which causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to receiving the timer off signal from the decrementing time operation 2610, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215, regardless of the transition curve output by the first transition curve selection operation 2620, and regardless of the measured airflow.

[0260] For ease of description, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is discussed above primarily with reference to the heating engine sensor 2222. However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, reference is made to... Figure 25C and 25D The measurement performed by the heating engine sensor 2222 can also be performed by the container sensor 2220 or the device sensor 2125. Furthermore, for ease of description, the process of generating an adaptive power level that varies according to the measured airflow is described above with reference to a heating engine control algorithm (i.e., adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B), which is... Figure 25A The setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is a modification of the existing algorithm. However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithms 2300, 2300C, and 2300D can also be modified to generate an electrical level waveform having the above-mentioned reference. Figure 25C The same approach is used to describe adaptive power levels that vary based on the measured airflow.

[0261] Now refer to the following Figure 25E-25F Discussion of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C.

[0262] Figure 25E This is a block diagram illustrating a temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C is... Figure 24 An exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 shown is illustrated.

[0263] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine electronic vapor device (e.g., nicotine electronic vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0264] Reference Figure 25E The temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C uses a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller 2670 to control the electrical power applied to the heating engine 2215 in order to achieve a desired temperature. For example, as discussed in more detail below, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C includes determining a heater temperature value (e.g., heating engine temperature estimate 2674); obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676); and controlling the electrical level provided to the heater by the PID controller (e.g., PID controller 2670) based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0265] The second calibration mapping function 2324 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C can be used with... Figure 25A The second calibration mapping function 2324 differs from the first calibration mapping function 2320 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A because it can output an operating point in the form of a temperature value rather than a power level. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second calibration mapping function 2324 can read a temperature value from the container 300, or alternatively, read an operating point represented as a power value from the container 300, and convert the operating point into a temperature value. Therefore, the second calibration mapping function 2324 can output multiple temperature values ​​corresponding to multiple vapor extraction mode states: off, preheating, and on. Furthermore, in the same manner discussed above with reference to the operating point output by the first calibration mapping function 2320, the second calibration mapping function 2324 can select which temperature value to output relative to one or more of the off, preheating, and on vapor extraction mode states based on one or both of a coarse preference level and a fine preference level received from the AV vapor extraction profile update function 2340.

[0266] Therefore, the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C selects from the temperature values ​​output by the second calibration mapping function 2324 the temperature value corresponding to the vapor extraction mode state output by the vapor extraction mode recognition operation 2630. Furthermore, the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 outputs the selected temperature value as the target temperature 2676.

[0267] Therefore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C obtains a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676) by: obtaining electrical information indicating multiple temperature setpoints from the removable container 300 included in the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500; determining the current operating mode of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 (e.g., the vaporizer mode state output by the vaporizer mode identification operation 2630); and selecting from the multiple temperature setpoints the temperature setpoint corresponding to the determined current operating mode of the nicotine electronic vaporizer 500 as the target temperature value.

[0268] Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the target temperature 2676 serves as the setpoint (i.e., temperature setpoint) in the PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 2670. Other elements of the PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 2670 include: a power control signal 2672 output by the PID controller 2670 to the second power level setting operation 2644 to control the level of the third power waveform 2730 output by the second power level setting operation 2644, which serves as the control variable of the PID control loop; and a heating engine temperature estimate 2674 output by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660, which serves as the process variable of the PID control loop.

[0269] As discussed above, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature estimate 2674 is output by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may receive electrical measurements from the heating engine sensor 2222, which indicate, for example, the current of the heater 2215: heater current heater_I; the voltage of the heater 2215: heater voltage heater_V; or other electrical properties of the heater 2215, from which the heater current heater_I and / or heater voltage heater_V can be derived or estimated. Furthermore, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may use the electrical measurements of the heater 2215 to determine the resistance of the heater 2215, heater resistance heater_R (e.g., using Ohm's law or other known methods). For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may determine that the quotient resulting from dividing the heater voltage heater_V by the heater current heater_I is the heater resistance heater_R (i.e., heater_V / heater_I = heater_R).

[0270] Additionally, the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 may store (e.g., in storage medium 2145 of device system 2100 or non-volatile memory 2205b of container system 2200) a lookup table (LUT) that stores multiple heater resistance values ​​as indices to multiple corresponding heater temperature values ​​also stored in the LUT. Therefore, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 can estimate the current temperature of heater 2215 by using the previously determined heater resistance heater_R as an index to the LUT, in order to identify (e.g., look up) the corresponding heater temperature heater_T from the heater temperatures stored in the LUT. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may output the heater temperature heater_T identified from the LUT as a heating engine temperature estimate 2674.

[0271] Therefore, the PID controller 2670 continuously corrects the level of the power control signal 2672 to control the third power waveform 2730 output from the second power level setting operation 2644 to the heating engine driver 2305 in a manner that reduces or alternatively minimizes the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 2676 and the heating engine temperature estimate 2674. The difference between the target temperature 2676 and the heating engine temperature estimate 2674 can also be considered as an error value that the PID controller 2670 strives to reduce or minimize. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second power level setting operation 2644 outputs the third power waveform 2730 such that the level of the third power waveform 2730 is controlled by the power control signal 2672. Furthermore, as referenced above... Figure 25BAs discussed, the heating engine driver 2305 increases or decreases the electrical power supplied to the heater 2215 by the power supply 2110 in a manner proportional to the increase or decrease of the electrical level magnitude of the electrical level waveform output to the heating engine driver 2305. Therefore, by controlling the power control signal 2672 in the manner described above, the PID controller 2670 controls the electrical level supplied to the heater 2215 (e.g., supplied by the power supply 2110 of the nicotine electronic vapor device 500) such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676) and the heater temperature value (e.g., heating engine temperature estimate 2674) is reduced or alternatively minimized.

[0272] For example, Figure 25F Examples of at least a portion of the power level waveform generated by the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C according to at least some exemplary embodiments are shown. Figure 25 illustrates an exemplary manner in which the level of the third power waveform 2730 can change over time when the PID controller 2670 continuously corrects the power control signal 2672 provided to the second power level setting operation 2644. Figure 25 illustrates an exemplary manner in which the level of the third power waveform 2730 can change when the vapor extraction mode output by the buttonless vapor extraction function 2310 and / or the vapor extraction mode recognition operation 2630 changes according to the following sequence (off -> preheating -> on -> off).

[0273] return Figure 25E According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID controller 2670 can operate according to a known PID control method. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID controller 2670 can generate two or more terms from a proportional term (P), an integral term (I), and a derivative term (D), and the PID controller 2670 can use two or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 2672 according to a known method.

[0274] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, container 300 may store PID parameters for calibrating PID controller 2670, and nicotine electronic vapor device 500 may calibrate PID controller 2670 based on the stored parameters. For example, the PID parameters stored on container 300 may include proportional gain K. p Integral gain K i and differential gain K dAny or all of the PID parameters stored on container 300 may further include any other known PID controller parameters. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID parameters stored on container 300 may be selected (e.g., by the designer or manufacturer of container 300) to correspond to the characteristics of the formulation type of the nicotine vapor preformulation contained within container 300. Therefore, containers of nicotine vapor preformulations with different formulation types may have different PID parameters stored in or on the container, and thus, the operation of PID controller 2670 can be customized for the characteristics of each different formulation type.

[0275] Additionally, the decrement time operation 2610 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C can be referenced above. Figure 25A The same manner of operation is described, for example, by outputting a timer off signal. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second power level setting operation 2644 responds to the timer off signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heating engine driver 2305, which causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to receiving the timer off signal from the decrementing time operation 2610, the second power level setting operation 2644 causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the power supply to the heating engine 2215, regardless of the power control signal 2672 output by the first transition curve selection operation 2620.

[0276] Now refer to the following Figure 25G-25H Discussion of the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D.

[0277] Figure 25G This is a block diagram illustrating a waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D is... Figure 24 An exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 shown is illustrated.

[0278] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine electronic vapor device (e.g., nicotine electronic vapor device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0279] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D can control the power applied to the heater 2215 (e.g., by the power supply 2110) during the open vapor smoke extraction mode state in order to achieve a specified sequence (i.e., waveform) of heater temperature, thereby producing a specified sequence of temperature and / or volume of nicotine vapor generated by the nicotine electronic vapor device 500 and / or container 300.

[0280] Reference Figure 25G According to at least some exemplary embodiments, except that the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may include a third calibration mapping function 2326 and a third transfer curve selection operation 2626 instead of the second calibration mapping function 2324 and the second transfer curve selection operation 2624, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may be compatible with... Figure 25E The temperature heating engine control algorithm is the same as or essentially the same as that of the 2300C.

[0281] Besides the fact that the third calibration mapping function 2326 outputs a waveform that includes several temperature values, instead of outputting a single temperature value corresponding to the open vapor fume extraction mode, the third calibration mapping function 2326 can be referred to above. Figure 25E The second calibration mapping function operates in the same way as discussed in 2324.

[0282] In addition, such as Figure 25H As shown, except that the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 outputs waveforms that include several target temperatures 2676, instead of outputting a single target temperature 2676 corresponding to the open vapor fume extraction mode, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 can be referred to above. Figure 25E The second transition curve selection operation is performed in the same manner as discussed in 2624.

[0283] Figure 25H An example of at least a portion of a target temperature waveform 2676A generated by a waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D according to at least some exemplary embodiments is shown. Figure 25H The target temperature waveform 2676A shown illustrates the target temperature 2676 output by the third transition curve selection operation 2626 over time. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the target temperature waveform 2676A corresponds to the waveform of the temperature value output by the third calibration mapping function 2326 as discussed above. Furthermore, as... Figure 25G As shown, the third transition curve selection operation 2626 can receive the current time from clock 2370. Therefore, the third transition curve selection operation 2626 can use the current time to transition between each consecutive individual value of the target temperature waveform 2676A according to the time interval, as indicated by... Figure 25H The white dots shown are illustrated.

[0284] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a calibration mapping function (e.g., a first calibration mapping function 2320) can read and output the waveform of the operating point (i.e., the power value) in the same manner as discussed above with reference to the waveform of the temperature value output by the third calibration mapping function 2326. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a transfer curve selection operation (e.g., a first transfer curve selection operation 2620 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A) can output a power level waveform in the same manner as discussed above with reference to several target temperatures corresponding to the open vapor fume extraction mode state in the target temperature waveform 2676A output by the third transfer curve selection operation 2626, the power level waveform including several different power levels for the open vapor fume extraction mode state.

[0285] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the shape of the waveform of the temperature value or operating point read from the calibration mapping function of the container (e.g., container 300) can be set (e.g., by the container designer or manufacturer) according to the characteristics of the formulation type of the nicotine vapor preformulation contained in the container. Therefore, containers of different nicotine vapor preformulations with different formulation types can have different temperature value waveforms or operating point waveforms stored in or on the container.

[0286] Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may store one or more waveforms. For example, one or more waveforms may be stored on the device body 100 as an offset sequence to be applied to temperature values ​​or operating points (e.g., a single temperature value or operating point) output by a calibration mapping function (e.g., a third calibration mapping function 2326) relative to an open vapor fume extraction mode state. For example, a transfer curve selection operation (e.g., a third transfer curve selection operation 2626) may read one or more waveforms stored on the device body 100 and apply an offset corresponding to the read waveform to the open state temperature value or operating point output by the calibration mapping function to generate a target temperature waveform or electrical waveform having several different values ​​relative to the open vapor fume extraction mode, similar to... Figure 25H The target temperature waveform shown is 2676A.

[0287] While many exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the scope of this disclosure, and all such modifications that will be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device, the method comprising: Electrical information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point is detected from a removable container included in the nicotine electronic vapor device, wherein the electrical information includes multiple operating points corresponding to multiple coarse preference levels, respectively; The selection of a coarse preference level from the plurality of coarse preference levels is received via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; Select the operation point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level from the plurality of operation points as the second operation point; as well as Based on the detected power information, power is supplied to the heater in the following manner: The first power level is determined based on the first operation point. The first electrical charge is supplied to the heater during the heater's first operating mode. The second charge level is determined based on the second operation point, and The second electrical charge is supplied to the heater during the second operating mode of the heater. The second charge level is higher than the first charge level.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first electrical charge supplied during the first operating mode is the amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vaporization device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation, and The second electrical charge supplied during the second operating mode is the amount by which the heater heats the nicotine vapor pre-preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vapor device to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine vapor pre-preparation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the nicotine vapor pre-preparation is stored in the removable container.

4. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the removable container includes the heater.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the second electrical quantity includes: The nicotine electronic vapor device receives a selection of a fine preference level from a plurality of fine preference levels from an external device; as well as The second charge is determined based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the power information comprises a first plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of coarse preference levels, and The method further includes: The selection of a coarse preference level from the plurality of coarse preference levels is received via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine electronic vapor device; as well as The operation point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level is selected from the first plurality of operation points as the first operation point.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining the first electrical quantity includes: The nicotine electronic vapor device receives a selection of a fine preference level from a plurality of fine preference levels from an external device; as well as The first charge is determined based on the selected first operating point and the selected fine preference level.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the power information includes a second plurality of operating points corresponding to the plurality of coarse preference levels, and The method further includes: The operation point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level is selected from the second plurality of operation points as the second operation point.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the second electrical quantity comprises: The second charge is determined based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

10. The method according to claim 5, claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the external device is a wireless communication device, and the receiving of the fine preference level selection includes: The fine preference level selection is received by the nicotine electronic vapor device via a wireless communication link between the nicotine electronic vapor device and the external device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection of the power information comprises: The electrical information is read from an image located on the removable container by the nicotine electronic vapor device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the image includes a QR code, and the reading of the power information includes: The electrical information is read from a QR code located on the removable container by the nicotine electronic vapor device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The detection of the power information includes: The electrical information is read from the memory of the removable container by the nicotine electronic vapor device.

14. A method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vapor device, the method comprising: One or more PID parameters are detected from the removable container included in the nicotine electronic vapor device; Calibrate the PID controller based on the one or more PID parameters; Determine the heater temperature value; Obtain the target temperature value; as well as The power level supplied to the heater is controlled by a PID controller based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the heater temperature value comprises: Obtain one or more electrical properties of the heater; The resistance of the heater is determined based on one or more electrical properties obtained; as well as The first temperature value is obtained from the lookup table (LUT) based on the determined resistance.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The LUT stores multiple temperature values ​​corresponding to multiple heater resistors. The obtained first temperature value is the temperature value corresponding to the determined resistance from a plurality of temperature values ​​stored in the LUT, and The heater temperature value is the first temperature value obtained.

17. The method according to claim 14, claim 15 or claim 16, wherein obtaining the target temperature value comprises: Electrical information indicating multiple temperature setpoints is detected from a removable container included in the nicotine electronic vapor device; Determine the current operating mode of the electronic vapor device; as well as The target temperature value is selected from multiple temperature setpoints based on the determined current operating mode of the electronic vapor device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein controlling the power level supplied to the heater comprises: The power level supplied to the heater is controlled by a PID controller, thereby reducing the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value.

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