Control of electronic vaporizer

Abstract

To provide methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user.SOLUTION: A vaporizer 100 and a vaporizer system can include a device in communication with the vaporizer, and can include one or more features related to control of functions and / or features of the vaporizer, identification 138 of a cartridge 114 and / or a vaporizable material in the cartridge, data exchange (one- or two-way) between the cartridge and a vaporizer with which the cartridge is engaged, and the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 341,579, filed May 25, 2016, and entitled “Control of an Electronic Vaporizer,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The devices, systems, and methods described herein relate to vaporization devices, e.g., electronic vaporization devices, and methods of using, controlling, making, etc., such devices may optionally include devices that include two or more parts, e.g., a body part that includes a cartridge containing a vaporizable substance and one or more other components. [Background technology]

[0003] Vaporization devices, also referred to as electronic vaporization devices or e-vaporization devices, can be used to provide vapor containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the vapor by a user of the vaporization device. Electronic vaporization devices have become increasingly popular both for standard medical use in providing medicines, and for the consumption of tobacco and other plant-derived smokable substances. Electronic vaporization devices are particularly portable, self-contained, and convenient to use. Typically, such devices are controlled by one or more switches, buttons, or the like (operating devices) on the vaporizer, although many devices have become available in recent years that can wirelessly communicate with an external controller (e.g., a smartphone).

[0004] Such wireless control has been primarily limited to temperature settings and other functions that are already, and perhaps more conveniently, performed on the device itself. These systems are not able to automate or calibrate the operation of the device based on the detection of ingredients or the type of ingredients loaded into the device. Such systems also typically are not able to monitor dosage and / or allow for device refinement based on the dosing information. Additionally, the systems just described are not able to provide for social interaction with other users.

[0005] Previous attempts to specify the dosage of vapor and / or active ingredient in a vaporizer, for example with respect to dosing, have been inadequate. Systems that predetermine the dosage by limiting the amount of material delivered in one session assume that all of the material is inhaled (a belief that is often incorrect) and do not allow for partial adjustment of the dosage. Such systems can also meter the amount of material, require precise measurement of the mass and / or volume of the material provided for vaporization, or measure the difference between the starting mass / volume and the mass or volume after delivery. These measurements require a high level of accuracy and effort, which can be difficult and produce inaccurate results. Furthermore, current volumetrically controlled electronic smoking devices typically control the dose delivered without any connection or actual knowledge of the user's actual clinical and medical needs, and do not adjust the dosage based on the user's biometrics, such as weight, age, symptoms, etc. Current systems also lack the ability to restrict use to the user based on habits and goals as well as the user's social demands.

[0006] The systems, devices, and methods described herein address at least some of the above problems and concerns.

[0007] Summary of the Invention Aspects of the present subject matter relate to managing the operation (e.g., one or more settings or operating parameters of a vaporizer). In some aspects, a cartridge may be coupled to a vaporizer body. The cartridge may include an identifier, which may optionally be a memory of the cartridge, as well as a vaporizable material and a heater. The vaporizer body may include a controller, which may exchange data with the identifier (e.g., via one-way or two-way communication). This data exchange is optionally performed by the same circuitry through which power from the vaporizer body's power supply is provided to the cartridge's heater.

[0008] In another aspect, the vaporization system can include a device that communicates with the vaporizer. The device can execute software or other instructions that result in an application that can be used to obtain information from the vaporizer, optionally over a wireless communication channel. In addition, the application relays instructions to a controller of the vaporizer to affect one or more operations of the vaporizer.

[0009] An embodiment of the invention may include, but is not limited to, an article comprising a tangibly embodied computer-readable machine-readable medium operable to cause one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) to perform operations implementing one or more of the described features, as well as the methods according to the description provided herein. Similarly, a computer system may also be described as including one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The memory, including the non-transitory computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, may include one or more programs encoded, stored, or the like, that cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of the operations described herein. A computer performing a method according to one or more embodiments of the invention may be performed by one or more data processors in a single computer system or in multiple computer systems. Such multiple computer systems may be connected to and may exchange data and / or commands or other instructions or the like via one or more connections, including, but not limited to, connections over a network (e.g., the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, or the like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiple computer systems, etc.

[0010] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the specification and drawings, and from the claims. It will be readily understood that the presently disclosed features are set forth for illustrative purposes with respect to electronic vaporization devices, and such features are not intended to be limiting. The claims set forth following this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the subject matter protected.

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles related to the disclosed embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates features of an exemplary vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B illustrates features of an alternative vaporizer and cartridge assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C illustrates features of an alternative vaporizer and cartridge assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D illustrates features of an alternative vaporizer and cartridge assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1E illustrates features of an alternative vaporizer and cartridge assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates features of an example vaporizer that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates, using a side perspective view, features of an example vaporization device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C illustrates features of an example vaporization device from a bottom perspective view, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates communication between a vaporizer, a device, and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates features of an exemplary cartridge identification circuit for providing information about a vaporizer cartridge to a vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates further exemplary cartridge identification circuit features, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6A]FIG. 6A illustrates features of an integral-derivative or PID controller for a vaporizer that can be adapted for cartridge detection using a cartridge identification circuit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B illustrates features of a variation of a resistance measurement (or comparison) circuit that may be adapted for detection of a cartridge using a cartridge identification circuit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A illustrates exemplary user interface features for an application in which a vaporizer may be used, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B illustrates exemplary user interface features for an application in which a vaporizer may be used, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer or a vaporizer-affiliated application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer or a vaporizer-affiliated application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9D]FIG. 9D illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9E] FIG. 9E illustrates exemplary user interface features for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary user interface features for an application for use with a vaporizer, including a menu of commands, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A illustrates features of a typical user interface screen that may be used as part of an application interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B illustrates features of an exemplary user interface screen that may be used as part of an application interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11C illustrates features of an exemplary user interface screen that may be used as part of an application interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface feature showing a user information dashboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A illustrates exemplary user interface features for controlling the operation of an associated vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B illustrates exemplary user interface features for controlling the operation of an associated vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13C] FIG. 13C illustrates exemplary user interface features for controlling the operation of an associated vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14A]FIG. 14A illustrates a typical user interface alert / pop-up feature that may be used according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B illustrates an exemplary user interface notification / pop-up feature that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14C] FIG. 14C illustrates an exemplary user interface notification / pop-up feature that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14D] FIG. 14D illustrates an exemplary user interface notification / pop-up feature that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14E] FIG. 14E illustrates an exemplary user interface notification / pop-up feature that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A illustrates exemplary user interface features for assisting a user in performing cartridge detection / identification, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B illustrates another exemplary user interface feature for customizing an application and / or a vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A illustrates exemplary user interface features including a menu of commands and auxiliary user interfaces associated with each command / control, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B illustrates exemplary user interface features including a menu of commands and auxiliary user interfaces associated with each command / control, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16C] FIG. 16C illustrates an exemplary user interface feature including a menu of commands and auxiliary user interfaces associated with each command / control, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16D]FIG. 16D illustrates exemplary user interface features including a menu of commands and auxiliary user interfaces associated with each command / control, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16E] FIG. 16E illustrates exemplary user interface features including a menu of commands and auxiliary user interfaces associated with each command / control, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A] FIG. 17A illustrates typical user interface features that may be presented by an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be presented by an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18A] FIG. 18A illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to guide a user through the operation of a vaporizer and / or associated applications, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18B] FIG. 18B illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to guide a user through the operation of a vaporizer and / or associated applications, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18C] FIG. 18C illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to guide a user through the operation of a vaporizer and / or associated applications, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18D] FIG. 18D illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to guide a user through the operation of a vaporizer and / or associated applications, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18E] FIG. 18E illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to guide a user through the operation of a vaporizer and / or associated applications, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 19A]FIG. 19A illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19B] FIG. 19B illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19C] FIG. 19C illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19D] FIG. 19D illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19E] FIG. 19E illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19F] FIG. 19F illustrates exemplary user interface features that may be used to instruct a user to control a vaporizer using an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 illustrates example user interface features for programming / recording a usage profile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21A] FIG. 21A illustrates exemplary user interface features for a user to control, set, program, etc., the temperature of a vaporizer using an application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B illustrates exemplary user interface features for a user to control, set, program, etc., the temperature of a vaporizer using an application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21C]FIG. 21C illustrates exemplary user interface features for a user to control, set, program, etc., the temperature of a vaporizer using an application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 illustrates a functional block diagram of a user device for implementing features according to the described embodiments of the present invention, according to some example embodiments. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 shows a process flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of using a vaporizer, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 illustrates a process flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for using an application executing on a device in communication with a vaporizer as part of a vaporization system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] Wherever practical, like reference numbers refer to similar structures, features or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more substances for inhalation by a user. Examples include vaporization devices and systems including vaporization devices. The term "vaporizer" is used generally in the following specification and claims to refer to any self-contained apparatus, including multiple separable parts (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge including a vaporizable material). As used in this document, a "vaporization system" may include one or more components, such as a device that communicates with the vaporizer (e.g., through a wireless or wired connection), and optionally the vaporizer itself. One or more components of a vaporizer or vaporization system according to embodiments of the invention may be configured for user control and operation.

[0015] Examples of vaporizers according to embodiments of the present invention include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or the like. Generally, such vaporizers are handheld devices that heat (by convection, conduction, radiation, or a combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material. The vaporizable material used in the vaporizer may be provided in a cartridge (e.g., a part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a container or other receptacle and can be refilled when empty or disposable by selecting a new cartridge containing the same or different type of additional vaporizable material). The vaporizer may be a vaporizer that uses a cartridge, a vaporizer without a cartridge, or a multi-purpose vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-purpose vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive the vaporizable material directly in the heating chamber or to receive a cartridge having a container or the like for holding the vaporizable material. In various embodiments, the vaporizer may be configured to use a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which active and / or non-active ingredients are suspended or held in the solid or liquid form of the vaporizable material itself), or a solid vaporizable material. The solid vaporizable material may include a plant material that releases a portion of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that a portion of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is released for inhalation by the user), or may optionally be in a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such that all of the solid material may ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. The liquid vaporizable material may be completely vaporized as well, or may include a portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

[0016] In embodiments of the present invention, the vaporizer and / or vaporization system may be configured to identify the vaporizable material to be vaporized and adjust the operation of the vaporizer accordingly. For example, the vaporizer is configured to receive a cartridge or other pre-installed container that holds the vaporizable material (e.g., a solution of the vaporizable material of nicotine, cannabis, and / or another active ingredient), and to identify and / or determine information about the vaporizable material and / or the cartridge or other pre-installed container, such as the type of vaporizable material, the concentration of the vaporizable material in solution or other non-pure form contained in the cartridge container or other container, the amount of vaporizable material in the cartridge container or other container (e.g., mass, volume, etc.), the configuration of the cartridge (e.g., whether a particular component or type of component is present in the cartridge, such as the power source or configuration of the heater, one or more electrical characteristics, etc.), the lot number of the cartridge, the date of manufacture of the cartridge, the expiration date after which the cartridge should not be used, the date of manufacture or refilling of the cartridge, or the like.

[0017] A vaporizer according to embodiments of the present invention may be configured to connect (e.g., through a wireless or wired connection) to a communication device (optionally multiple devices) that communicates with the vaporizer. Such a device may be a component of a vaporization system as described above and may include a first communication hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with a second communication hardware of the vaporizer. For example, a device used as part of a vaporization system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, or the like) that executes software to create a user interface that allows a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer. In other embodiments according to the present invention, such a device used as part of a vaporization system may be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls.

[0018] Devices that are part of the vaporization system described above may be used for any one or more functions such as controlling dosing (e.g., monitoring dosage, setting dosage, limiting dosage, tracking user, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of retailers / venues, smoking areas, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalizing the vaporizer (naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities with other users (e.g., gaming, social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.), or the like.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer includes functionality for communicating with a cartridge containing a vaporizable material. The vaporizer may also communicate with a device that is part of a vaporization system, but this is not required. A vaporizer that communicates with a device that is part of a vaporization system or as a stand-alone unit separate from a vaporization system, whether under control or not, may be configured such that operation of the vaporizer may be modified, controlled, etc. based on one or more parameters received from the cartridge or accessed from a database or other source based on the identity of the cartridge.

[0020] For example, a vaporizer according to embodiments of the present invention may be configured to recognize, describe (and possibly communicate), or obtain information about the cartridge. That is, a computing element, such as a controller or the like, associated with the vaporizer body may obtain information about the cartridge via some form of data exchange. Various methods of cartridge authentication by the vaporizer are within the scope of the present subject matter, including those described in more detail below. As described in more detail below, wireless connections as described herein may be applied where appropriate, although any of the suggestions described herein may be implemented without the addition of wireless communication / connections as also described herein.

[0021] Embodiments of the present subject matter also include methods of using vaporizers and / or vaporization systems for functions such as specifying and / or controlling the dosage, total amount, or the like, of one or more chemical species of vaporizable material or the vaporizable material itself.

[0022] 1A-2C show examples of features that may be included in a vaporizer 100, 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a vaporizer 100 that uses a cartridge, and FIG. 1B-1E show diagrams of a typical vaporizer 100 having a vaporizer body 101 and a cartridge 114. FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C show top views before and after connecting the cartridge 114 to the vaporizer body 101. FIG. 1D shows a perspective view of the vaporizer 100, which includes a vaporizer body 101 coupled to a cartridge 114. FIG. 1E shows a perspective view of one variation of a cartridge 114 that holds a liquid vaporizable material. In general, when the vaporizer includes a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 114), the cartridge 114 may include one or more containers 120 of a vaporizable material. Any suitable material may be included in the container 120 of the cartridge 114, including nicotine or other organic material.

[0023] As described above, the vaporizer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vaporizer body 101. As shown in FIG. 1, the vaporizer body 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing that includes a power source 103 (e.g., a device or system that stores electrical energy for on-demand use), which may be a battery, a capacitor, a combination thereof, or the like, and may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. The housing may also include a controller 105, which may include a processor. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 114 may be attached to, within, or partially within the vaporizer body 101.

[0024] The processor of the controller 105 may include circuitry for controlling the operation of the heater 118, which may optionally include one or more heating elements for vaporizing a vaporizable material contained within the cartridge 114, e.g., a container or receptacle that is part of the cartridge 114. In various embodiments, the heater 118 may reside within the vaporizer body 101 or within the cartridge 114 (as shown in FIG. 1A), or both. The controller circuitry may include one or more clocks (oscillators), charging circuitry, input / output controllers, memory, etc. Alternatively or in addition, the controller circuitry may include circuitry for one or more wireless communication modes, including Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, ultrasonic, ZigBee, RFID, etc. The vaporizer body 101 may also include a memory 125, which may be part of the controller 105 or otherwise in data communication with the controller. Memory 125 may include volatile memory (eg, random access memory) and / or non-volatile memory (eg, read-only memory, flash memory, solid-state storage, hard drives, other magnetic storage) or data storage.

[0025] With further reference to FIG. 1 , the vaporizer 100 may include a charger 133 (and charging circuitry that may be controlled by the controller 105), optionally including an inductive charger and / or a plug-in charger. For example, a universal serial bus (USB) connection may be used to charge the vaporizer 100 and / or to communicate between a computing device and the controller 105 via a wired connection. The charger 133 may charge the on-board power source 103. The vaporizer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention also includes one or more inputs 117, such as a button, dial, or the like, and / or sensors 137, including an accelerometer or other sensor, a capacitance sensor, a flow sensor, or the like. The sensors 137 may be used by the vaporizer 100 to detect user operation and interaction. For example, detection of rapid movement (such as a vibrating movement) of the vaporizer 100 may be interpreted by the controller 105 (e.g., through receipt of a signal from one or more of the sensors 137) as a user command to initiate communication with a user device that is part of the vaporization system and may be used to control one or more operations and / or parameters of the vaporizer 100, as described in more detail below. Additionally or alternatively, detection of rapid movement (such as a vibrating movement) of the vaporizer 100 may be interpreted by the controller 105 (e.g., through receipt of a signal from one or more of the sensors 137) as a user command to cycle through multiple temperature settings at which the vaporizable material held within the cartridge 114 is heated by operation of the heater 118. In some optional variations, detection of removal of the cartridge 114 by the controller 105 (e.g., through receipt of a signal from one or more of the sensors 137) during the cycle of multiple temperature settings acts to establish the temperature (e.g., when the cycle is performed at the desired temperature, the user may remove the cartridge 114 to set the desired temperature). The cartridge 114 may be re-engaged with the vaporizer body 101 by the user to enable use of the vaporizer 100 with a heater controlled by the controller 105 according to a selected temperature setting.Multiple temperature settings may be indicated through one or more indicators on the vaporizer body 101.

[0026] Vaporizers according to embodiments of the present invention may also include one or more outputs 115. As used herein, output 115 may refer to any visual (e.g., LED, display, etc.), tactile (e.g., vibration, etc.), or sonic (e.g., piezoelectric, etc.) feedback component or the like, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Vaporizers 100 according to embodiments of the invention that include a cartridge 114 include one or more electrical contacts (such as electrical contacts 109, 111, 113 shown in FIG. 1A ) on or within the vaporizer body 101 that can engage complementary contacts 119, 121, 123 (e.g., pins or receptacles) of the cartridge 114 when the cartridge is engaged with the vaporizer body 101. The vaporizer body contacts are generally referred to as "vaporizer body contacts" and the cartridge contacts are generally referred to as "cartridge contacts." The contacts may be used to provide energy from the power source 103 to the heater 118 in embodiments of the invention in which the heater 118 is included within the cartridge 114. For example, a power circuit can be formed to allow control of power flow from the power source 103 in the vaporizer body 101 to the heater 118 in the cartridge 114 when the cartridge contacts and the vaporizer body contacts are respectively engaged by coupling the cartridge 114 and the vaporizer body 101. The controller 105 in the vaporizer body 101 can regulate said power flow to control the temperature to which the heater 118 heats the vaporizable material contained in the cartridge 114.

[0028] Any suitable electrical contacts may be used, including pins (e.g., pogo pins), plates, and the like. Additionally, as described below, in some embodiments of the present invention, one-way or two-way communication is provided between the vaporizer body 101 and the cartridge 114 via one or more electrical contacts, which may include electrical contacts used to provide energy from the power source 103 to the heater 118. The cartridge 114 and the vaporizer body 101 are removably coupled to one another, for example, by engagement of a portion of the housing of the cartridge 114 with the vaporizer body 101 and / or the vaporizer housing by a mechanical connection (e.g., snap and / or friction engagement) or the like. Alternatively or in addition, the cartridge 114 and the vaporizer body 101 may be coupled magnetically or by other coupling or engagement structures.

[0029] Any of the cartridges described herein may include one or more identifiers 138. The identifiers 138 may be identified, detected, and / or read by the vaporizer body 101 and may communicate information about the vaporizable material contained within the cartridge and / or about the cartridge 114 itself. The identifiers 138 may include readable and / or readable / writable cartridge memory. The identifiers 138 may include circuitry for receiving and / or transmitting information between the cartridge 114 and the vaporizer body 101. The data exchange circuitry may include a cartridge memory that stores information (e.g., data characterizing one or more parameters of the cartridge) and additional circuitry that cooperates with other circuitry of the vaporizer body 101 to form a data exchange circuit when the cartridge 114 is coupled to the vaporizer body 101. Examples of data exchange circuitry are described below, for example with reference to FIG. 6A.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the identifier 138 may be passive and include a code or marking (e.g., a bar code, a quick response code (QR code), etc.). In some examples, the identifier 138 may be structural (e.g., one or more pins, protrusions, etc.) on the cartridge 114 that can be detected by the vaporizer body 101. The visual or mechanical identifier may be identified directly by the vaporizer body 101 using an imaging device (e.g., a camera, etc.) or a reading device (e.g., optical reading) integrated into the vaporizer body (not shown in FIG. 1A ) or by communication through a separate device such as a smartphone. For example, a user may capture an image (e.g., a code, marking, etc.) of the identifier 138 and transmit the code or information generated from the code (such as information about the vaporizable material and / or the cartridge) to the vaporizer body 101 using the wireless circuitry 107 or optionally via a wired connection. A wireless connection (e.g., a wireless communication channel) may be established between a first communication hardware of the device and a second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The first and second communications hardware may each include a transceiver for using one or more wireless communication protocols, non-limiting examples of which are described below.

[0031] Figures IB-IE show an embodiment of a vaporizer 100 comprising a vaporizer body 101 and a cartridge 114. The two are shown unconnected in Figure IB and connected in Figure 1C. Figure ID shows a perspective view of the combined vaporizer body 101 and cartridge 114, while Figure IE shows a single cartridge 114. Figures IB-IE show an embodiment incorporating many of the features generally shown in Figure IA. Other configurations incorporating some or all of the features described herein are also within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0032] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a vaporizer 200 that does not use a cartridge (but may still optionally receive a cartridge), but may instead use loose-leaf (removable) material. The vaporizer 200 in FIG. 2A can include a loose vaporizable material that can be placed in an oven 220 (e.g., a vaporization chamber). Many of the same elements present in the vaporizer 100 that uses a cartridge 114 shown in FIGS. 1A-1E can also be included as part of the cartridge-less vaporizer 200. For example, the cartridge-less vaporizer 200 can include a vaporizer body 201 having a control circuit 205 that can include a power control circuit and / or a wireless circuit 207 and / or a memory 225. The power source 203 (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, etc.) can be charged by a charger 233 (and may include a charge control circuit, not shown). The vaporizer 200 can also include one or more inputs 217 with one or more outputs 215 and a sensor 237. Additionally, the vaporizer 200 may include one or more heaters 218 that heat an oven 220 or other heating chamber. The heaters 218 may be controlled using the resistance of the heaters 218, for example, by using a temperature coefficient of resistivity for the heater to determine the temperature of the heater. A mouthpiece 244 may also be included.

[0033] 2B shows a side perspective view of an exemplary vaporization device 200 having a vaporizer body 201. In the bottom perspective view of FIG. 2C, the lid 230 is shown removed from the vaporizer body 201, exposing the oven / vaporization chamber 220.

[0034] 3 shows a schematic illustration of communication between a vaporizer 100, 200, a digital device 305 that is in wireless communication with the vaporizer 100, 200, and a remote server 307 that may communicate directly with the vaporizer 100, 200 or the digital device 305. The digital device 305 may be a handheld mobile device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, etc., or a desktop or laptop computer. As mentioned above, the digital device 305 may optionally be a dedicated remote control device.

[0035] Generally, as shown generally in FIG. 3, any vaporizer device described herein (such as vaporizer 100 or vaporizer 200) can communicate remotely with a remote server 307 and / or a digital device 305, such as a wearable electronic device (e.g., Google Glass, smartwatch, smartwear, etc.) and / or a smartphone, smartwatch, etc. Accordingly, any vaporizer 100, vaporizer 200 may include a communication interface (wireless circuit 107, wireless circuit 207) that may be implemented through a communication chip (e.g., second communication hardware) in or on the vaporizer 100, 200. Exemplary wireless chips may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth chips such as the Parani BCD 210 or Texas Instruments (TI) CC2650 Bluetooth Single-Chip Solution, NFC-enabled chips (such as Qualcomm's QCA1990) that allow for NFC communication or enhanced Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication where NFC is used to set up a link. As described in more detail below, one or more of the above wireless circuits may be used for communication with or between the cartridge 114 in embodiments configured to read the cartridge 114 as shown generally in FIG. 1A. For example, NFC may be used to read an identifier 138 (such as an RFID tag) of the cartridge 114.

[0036] The wireless communication chip may include a Wi-Fi enabled chip, such as the CC3000 from TI's SimpleLink family, that can connect the device to a Wi-Fi network. In some embodiments, the wireless circuitry comprises a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, a nano-SIM card, or the like, on board the vaporizer (e.g., 3G / 4G cellular network communication). Alternative forms of communication may be used to establish bidirectional communication between the vaporizer 100, vaporizer 200 and the user device 305.

[0037] The connection between the vaporizer 100, vaporizer 200 and the user device 305 may be automatic (after initial setup), may be activated by the user through various settings, or may be activated by vibration of the vaporizer 100, vaporizer 200.

[0038] As discussed above, any vaporization device described herein that includes a cartridge may be configured to identify and / or authenticate the cartridge. One or more identification / authentication methods may be used. The vaporizer may identify information about the cartridge and / or the vaporizable material held within the cartridge, such as one or more of the type of vaporizable material (e.g., nicotine, cannabis, etc.), the concentration of the vaporizable material, the amount of the vaporizable material, the construction of the cartridge (e.g., heater, electrical characteristics, etc.), the lot number of the cartridge, the date of manufacture of the cartridge, the expiration date, etc. This information may be directly coded on the cartridge, a reference indicator may be provided that the vaporizer (or a processor in communication with the vaporizer) can use as an index to look up some or all of the information, or a combination of the reference number and the directly coded material may be provided.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, a cartridge may be recognized and / or identified by an engagement between the cartridge and a vaporizer. The cartridge may be configured to include coordinated interaction with the vaporizer. For example, the shape of the cartridge may be detected by the vaporizer. For example, the cartridge may include n pins or protrusions. These pins may be detected by the vaporizer when the cartridge is inserted (e.g., by completing an electrical connection); for n pins, 2 n There is a combination of street marks.

[0040] The cartridge may be configured or authenticated based on electrical characteristics that the vaporizer can detect based on an electrical connection with the cartridge. For example, the vaporizer may make electrical contact through multiple electrical contacts with the heater and / or additional electrical contacts and detect a characteristic resistance, inductance, or time response (e.g., time constant, RC time constant, LC resonant circuit).

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge may be recognized and / or identified by a mark on the cartridge that is identified by the vaporizer. The mark may or may not be visible to the user. For example, the cartridge may be marked with a unique ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) or other wavelength specific ink that can be detected by the vaporizer, which may include, for example, an emitter / detector pair that is unique to the marker. For example, the mark may include an infrared scannable barcode placed on the cartridge. In some embodiments, the mark may be a pattern such as a QR code, barcode, etc. that indicates information about the cartridge and / or the contents of the cartridge (vaporizable material). The mark may be a symbol, including alphanumeric characters. The mark may be "read" or directly detected by the vaporizer, which may include a camera or other optical detector, or may be indirectly detected by communication with a second device (e.g., wearable, smartphone, etc.) having a camera or the like. For example, a mark on a cartridge may be detected by a smartphone, such as user device 305; the smartphone can identify the mark by using an application (e.g., software) on the smartphone to look up one or more characteristics from a look-up table, or can communicate the mark directly to a vaporizer, which can look up the characteristics, and / or can communicate with a remote server, which can look up the characteristics and communicate with the vaporizer directly or via the smartphone.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge may be recognized by RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. RFID markers have been used for inventory control in a variety of applications. Some RFID technologies use active devices that contain their own power source, while others use passive RFID devices that work with another power device allowing data transmission without relying on the power of the passive device. For example, the cartridge may include one or more RFID chips or components that can be detected and read by a vaporizer reader to identify and receive information about the cartridge.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge may be recognized and / or identified by communicating with the cartridge's memory (e.g., EEPROM) through an electrical connection with the vaporizer. In embodiments where a heater is present in the cartridge, such as the exemplary vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A, it may be preferable to use one or more electrical connections (e.g., contacts 119, 121, 123) on the cartridge that are also used to power and / or control the heater to communicate with the memory. This may be very difficult if the cartridge may be engaged with the vaporizer in multiple orientations and / or the heater may be controlled through the same contacts, and adjustment of the electrical signals effected / received between the cartridge and the vaporizer may modify the control of the heater and / or the temperature determination. One or more additional electrical contacts may be used in addition to the above control of the heater. In general, communication between the cartridge and vaporizer may be one-way (e.g., the vaporizer reading information about the cartridge and / or vaporizable material from the cartridge) or two-way (e.g., reading information about the cartridge and / or vaporizable material and writing information about the operation of the device, e.g., number of uses, duration of use, set temperature, etc.). Information may be written to the cartridge, and this information may be used to obtain other information about the cartridge, including the amount of material remaining in the cartridge, etc.

[0044] Generally, any vaporizer described herein can estimate, measure, and / or predict the amount of vapor (including active ingredient) and / or material within the vapor that may be provided to a user. For example, as described in detail below, the devices described herein may be used to determine and / or control dosing of vaporizable material. For example, the subject matter includes vaporizers and methods of using such vaporizers for accurate and controlled dosing of active ingredients (e.g., nicotine, cannabis, and any other active ingredient / drug) within a vaporizable material based on a user's designation, medical intervention, switch, or discontinuation request. Dosage control may include display of dosing information per user, per session (with various uses for predefined time periods such as between 1-15 minutes, 1-30 minutes, 1-60 minutes, 1-90 minutes, 1-120 minutes, etc.), per day, or other predefined and / or user-defined time periods. Dosage control may also include dosing monitoring (e.g., the amount of one or more active ingredients provided by the device). Dosage control may also or instead include control of vaporizer operation based on the amount of one or more active ingredients provided by the device over time, including notifying the user when a (user-set, factory-set, or third-party-set) predetermined amount or threshold is reached (e.g., within 50%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, etc. of the predetermined amount) or exceeded, and / or ceasing (locking, disabling, etc.) operation of the device when a predetermined threshold is reached or exceeded. Devices that include dosage control may include internal logic (circuitry and / or programming, including application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for controlling dosing and / or may communicate (by wireless communication link) with an external processor that performs some or all of the dosage control.

[0045] The cartridge and / or vaporizable material held within the cartridge can be very useful in determining the dose. For example, information such as one or more of the type of vaporizable material (e.g., nicotine, cannabis, etc.), the concentration of the vaporizable material, the construction of the cartridge (e.g., heater, electrical characteristics, etc.), the cartridge lot number, the cartridge manufacture date, the expiration date, the temperature characteristics of the vaporizable material, etc., may be used to properly estimate the dose. In some embodiments of the present invention, the dose and / or usage information may be stored (written) in the cartridge (e.g., memory).

[0046] Vaporizers, vaporization systems and methods of using them for drug usage based on user customization of device settings and behavioral patterns are also within the scope of the present invention. Vaporizers and / or vaporization systems according to the present disclosure allow users to personalize their vaporizers and engage in social activities.

[0047] Vaporizers and / or vaporization systems according to embodiments of the invention may be configured to facilitate social interactions through the vaporizer. For example, the vaporizer may be configured to share usage information with others, such as third parties, e.g., healthcare providers, including doctors, etc., for better prescription and administration of medical treatments. The vaporizers and / or vaporization systems may also be configured to communicate with non-medical third parties (e.g., friends, colleagues, etc.), and with unfamiliar third parties (making some or all information publicly available). In some embodiments, the vaporizers described herein may identify and provide information about operation, status, or user input from the vaporizer to a public or private network, either by themselves or by communication with one or more communication devices that are part of the vaporization system. In some embodiments of the invention, the vaporizers and / or vaporization systems may be configured to provide one or more social games for a user and / or by multiple users of different (or the same) vaporizers, including multiplayer games in which multiple different vaporizers may be used. The game may involve operation of the vaporizer and / or user manipulation of the vaporizer (eg, based on accelerometer output, touch or lip detection, draw detection, etc.).

[0048] Vaporizers and / or vaporization systems according to embodiments of the present invention may be configured to provide location information, possibly including one or more of information about a user's location in proximity to one or more of other users (known or unknown, specific or unspecified, etc.), retailers, specific locations (lounges, clubs, locations where vaporizers are easy to use), etc. Vaporizers and / or vaporization systems may also be configured to facilitate ordering based on the use or operation of the vaporizer and / or vaporization system.

[0049] The vaporizer may include GPS functionality or may access GPS information from another device that communicates with the vaporizer as part of the vaporization system.

[0050] As described in more detail herein, the vaporizer may be connected (e.g., to communicate) with additional (e.g., portable, wearable, smartphone, desktop, laptop, etc.) devices that may allow for user programmable dose control, real-time usage monitoring, personalized usage settings, device lockout, and social features. For example, the vaporizer and / or vaporization system may include features related to security controls, including parental controls, user age controls / restrictions, and anti-theft controls. The vaporizer and / or vaporization system may include anti-theft and / or authentication features that can lock or otherwise limit the use / operation of the device when stolen and / or when counterfeit parts are used, and may be configured to be child-safety locked (e.g., parental lock) or otherwise prevent unauthorized third-party operation. Anti-counterfeiting or other lockout features of this nature may be implemented using the cartridge identifier. For example, the cartridge identifier from the matching source or supplier may include a hash or matching code as part of the identifier, and the vaporizer may lock out use of the vaporizer if a cartridge lacking the required hash or matching code is coupled to the vaporizer body. Such features may be used to require a user identification verification to be entered into a device in communication with the vaporizer to cause the device to unlock use of the vaporizer. In one embodiment, the cartridge may include an identifier indicating that it contains a controlled substance, and a user may be required by an application on the device to verify his or her identity (e.g., password entry, biometric verification, etc.) (in response to identifying a controlled substance on the cartridge via identifier information received from the cartridge) and for the application to verify that the identified user is authorized to use controlled substances before the user can use a vaporizer with the cartridge coupled to the vaporizer body.In another embodiment, the nicotine or cannabis containing cartridge may require an application on the device to verify the identity of the user such that only to allow use of the vaporizer is the user's identity verified and the user registered as being above a minimum age.

[0051] In some examples, security controls may be incorporated via an application running on a device communicating with the vaporizer. For example, an application running on a device communicating with the vaporizer may receive an identifier for the vaporizer itself, or alternatively / in addition to an identifier for the cartridge, and may determine based on or use the identifier whether security settings or other settings associated with the vaporizer or cartridge are included in the user profile. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, such functionality may be fully or partially included within the vaporizer (and / or cartridge), or may be split between the vaporizer and a user interface that may be present on an additional device that is part of the vaporization system, such as a wearable and / or portable device, laptop, desktop, etc., that operates the control logic. The control logic or other software functionality for providing the above functionality may include a user interface and may provide input / output and analysis functions to regulate the operation of the vaporizer. Non-limiting options for the first communication hardware of the device and / or the second communication hardware of the vaporizer are described above.

[0052] (Cartridge authentication) In general, vaporizers may include one or more techniques for cartridge authentication and / or communication, including the use of markers (e.g., QR codes, IR or US markers, etc.), mechanical and / or electronic keys, or the like. Specifically described herein are methods and apparatus for electronic cartridge authentication and communication, whereby the cartridge can communicate electronically by one-way, or in some embodiments two-way (including duplex or multiplex) information transfer between the cartridge and the vaporizer such that information can be received by the vaporizer from the cartridge. This information may include information about the vaporizable material and / or cartridge, such as one or more of the type of vaporizable material, the concentration of the vaporizable material, the amount of vaporizable material, the volume of the vaporizable material, the characteristics of the vaporizable material (e.g., temperature characteristics, composition, etc.), the construction of the cartridge (e.g., heater, electrical characteristics), lot number, date of manufacture, expiration date, identification reference for the cartridge, and the like.

[0053] The cartridge including the identification circuit (also referred to herein as the cartridge identification circuit) is configured to communicate and transfer such information from the cartridge to the vaporizer. The cartridge identification circuit may include memory (e.g., EEPROM). In a variation of the cartridge, the heater (e.g., a resistive heating element such as a resistive coil or wire) is controlled by the application of energy to one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) heater electrical contacts that communicate with corresponding contacts on the vaporizer, and the cartridge identification circuit can communicate with the vaporizer through the same heater electrical contacts, albeit at the expense of increased complexity and possible destruction of the heater.

[0054] The cartridge identification circuitry may also be configured to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the vaporizer in multiple orientations without disrupting the operation of the cartridge identification circuitry.

[0055] In some embodiments, FIG. 4 shows an example of a cartridge identification circuit that may be used with (and / or within) a vaporizer cartridge. This embodiment may be used with a cartridge that can be connected to a vaporizer in any orientation and requires only two electrical contacts shared with the heating element (coil) within the cartridge. In FIG. 4, the cartridge identification circuit includes a readable memory 405 (e.g., Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory or EEPROM) that may be readable, read-only, or readable / writeable. The readable memory 405 in FIG. 4 is a three-pin EEPROM that includes an output (and / or input / output, I / O) 407 and a capacitive element (capacitor C) that allows the EEPROM to send information back to the heater contacts 401, 403 during periods when the heater (e.g., resistive heating coil 411) is not energized by energy applied to the heater contacts 401, 403. 1 The power supply is supplied to the power supply 100 from a regulating circuit including a power supply 102 (not shown).

[0056] The cartridge identification circuit in FIG. 4 is configured to operate with any orientation of the cartridge (e.g., heating electrical contact 401, heating electrical contact 403 are reversible) and includes an H-bridge circuit 413. Thus, a 3-pin EEPROM (including power, ground, and input / output lines) is connected by a capacitive network to heating electrical contact 401, heating electrical contact 403, and the cartridge can be inserted, plugged into the vaporizer in either orientation (either polarity) and powered to operate the heater without the need for orientation. The illustrated H-bridge circuit 413 balances the voltage applied so that the EEPROM's power and ground can receive the appropriate inputs. When a voltage is applied across the electrical heating contacts that exceeds the gate voltage threshold (e.g., power-on) for any transistor in the H-bridge circuit 413 (e.g., the four MOSFETs shown in FIG. 4), the resulting voltage applied to the memory is balance.

[0057] When a voltage is applied to the heated electrical contacts and steered by the H-bridge circuit 413, the potential is transferred to a capacitive circuit (e.g., C 1 409) through a diode, allowing the capacitive circuit to remain powered while the memory 405 (e.g., an EEPROM or other memory device) receives a signal (a write or read request) on input / output line 407 from a device (e.g., in this embodiment, the device is switching a voltage applied to heated electrical contacts in a sequential bit pattern that encodes information). After a read is requested from the EEPROM, the EEPROM can transmit the information from the memory to input / output line 407, which is connected to input / output line 407 via a resistor R in parallel with the resistance of coil 411. 1 The input / output line 407 may be an open drain output from the memory 405 that remains connected to ground (GND) in one logic output state and is allowed to float in the other state. For example, 1 409 may be approximately 10 nF, which is approximately 10 nF (for an EEPROM with a ground current of 1 μA). 1 The memory 405 is allowed to send data to the device for 10 ms (100 bits output at 10 kbaud) before 409 is discharged 1 V. In this embodiment, the capacitive circuit allows the vaporizer to write to the memory through the same contacts in parallel with the operation of the heater.

[0058] In some embodiments of the invention, the vaporizer may be configured to both read from and write to the memory, such as when a cartridge identification circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is used. In this example, the vaporizer can write to the cartridge identification circuit. In particular, the vaporizer heating controller (e.g., heating control circuit) may be arranged to detect a resistance change between the heater contacts 401 and 403 when the output of the memory (e.g., EEPROM) input / output line 407 changes from a logical low to a logical high and vice versa, as previously described. As described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 2A, the vaporizer may include a controller that controls the use of energy from the battery to the heater to heat and vaporize the vaporizable material. Any such controller may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and may further include an algorithm that includes a microcontroller; switches; a resistance measurement circuit with a reference resistor or a Wheatstone bridge and a differential amplifier; and a logic circuit for controlling parameters. In other embodiments, a controller (e.g., a microcontroller, processor, etc.) switches the resistive heating element on and off at regular intervals to measure the resistance of the resistive heating element against a reference resistance and applies algorithmic control parameters to control the temperature of the resistive heating element. This same circuitry that controls the heater can be adapted to read and / or modify the memory of a cartridge that is connected through the heater electrical contacts.

[0059] As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6A, the vaporizer may utilize a proportional-integral-derivative controller or a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller programmed to follow a specific PID control law algorithm. The PID controller calculates an "error" value as the difference between the measured process variable and the desired set point. When PID control is enabled, the power of the coil is measured to determine if acceptable vaporization is occurring. For a given air flow over the coil, if the device is producing vapor (heat is removed from the coil to form vapor), more power is required to maintain the coil at a given temperature. If the power required to maintain the coil at the set point temperature falls below a threshold, this indicates that the device is now unable to produce vapor. Under normal operating conditions, this indicates that there is not enough liquid in the wick for normal vaporization to occur.

[0060] In parallel with such a PID controller, the vaporizer controller can also measure changes in the load on the heater contacts (electrodes) to read from the cartridge memory to identify the cartridge and to receive information from the cartridge, as described above.

[0061] The printed circuit board may therefore further include logic circuitry capable of detecting a signal (change in resistance) at the heater contacts when the memory outputs the information stored in the memory. When the microcontroller is executing the PID control law algorithm, in addition to detecting the difference (error) between the set point and the temperature of the coil to control the power to the coil so that it reaches a set point temperature (e.g., between 200° C. and 400° C.), the microcontroller may also decode a digital signal sent from the cartridge through the heater contacts, the received signal including information about the cartridge and / or the vaporizable material within the cartridge.

[0062] The components of the device used to control the resistive heating element coil temperature are further illustrated in the circuit diagram of FIG. 6B. A battery or other power source can provide power to a microcontroller (MCU). The microcontroller can be configured to supply a reference voltage (e.g., R ref or R 2 The heater may be powered on for a predetermined period (e.g., 1 ms every 100 ms) so that the voltage between Q1 and R_COIL can be measured by the MCU. When Q2 is off, the control law controls Q1 with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to power the coil (the battery discharges through Q1 and R_COIL when Q1 is on). The signal utilized by the memory at the heater electrode contacts is R coil In some embodiments of the device, the device body further comprises at least one of a second heater contact, a power switch, a pressure sensor, and an indicator light.

[0063] In general, the resistance of the heating element (which may be the resistance between the contacts (e.g., the resistance between contact 1 401 and contact 2 403 in FIG. 4)) may be an input to the microcontroller. In some cases, the resistance may be determined by the microcontroller based on a measurement from a circuit including at least one resistor with known resistance, such as a Wheatstone bridge. Alternatively, the resistance of the heating element may be measured with a resistive voltage divider in contact with the heating element and the resistor with a known and substantially constant resistance. The measurement of the resistance of the heating element may be amplified by an amplifier. The amplifier may be an op-amp or an instrumentation amplifier. The amplified signal may be substantially noise-free. In some cases, a charging time for the voltage divider between the heating element and the capacitor may be determined to calculate the resistance of the heating element. In some cases, the microcontroller may shut off the heating element during the resistance measurement. The resistance of the heating element may be a function of the temperature of the heating element, such that the temperature may be determined directly from the resistance measurement. The output of the memory (digital signal output) may be determined from the resistance measurement as well. Determining the temperature directly from the resistance measurement of the heating element, rather than from an additional temperature sensor, can provide a more accurate measurement since the unknown contact thermal resistance between the temperature sensor and the heating element is excluded. Furthermore, determining the output of the memory based on small changes (e.g. detectable using a Wheatstone bridge in the vaporizer circuit) can be performed without compromising the control of the heater as based on changes in thermal conduction resistance. The temperature measurement may be determined directly while ignoring the effect of the output of the memory, and this output may be digitally decoded by a microprocessor, either independently or in parallel.

[0064] The PID control block diagram shown in FIG. 6A is an example of a resistance measurement circuit used in a PID control scheme. In FIG. 6A, the block diagram includes a measurement circuit that can measure the resistance of the resistive heater (e.g., coil) and provide an analog signal to a microcontroller, a device temperature that can be measured directly by the microcontroller and / or input to the microcontroller, and an input from a sensor (e.g., pressure sensor, button, or any other sensor) that can be used by the microcontroller to determine when the resistive heater is heated, for example, when the user is smoking the device or when the device is scheduled to be set to a warmer temperature (e.g., standby temperature). The measurement circuit can also decode changes in electrical properties (e.g., resistance) measured at the heater electrical contacts to determine cartridge information.

[0065] In Figure 6A, the signal from the measurement circuit goes directly to the microcontroller and summing block. In the measurement circuit, an embodiment of which is shown in Figure 6B, the signal from the measurement circuit is input directly to the microcontroller. The summing block in Figure 6A is representative of functions that may be performed by the microcontroller as the device warms up. The summing block may represent an error (e.g., in this case, the target resistance minus the measured resistance of the resistive heater) that is used in the control algorithm to calculate the power to be utilized by the coil until the next coil measurement is made.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, the signal from the measurement circuitry may also go directly to the microcontroller. The resistive heater may be used to determine a baseline resistance (also referred to herein as the resistance of the resistive heater at ambient temperature) when the device is not being heated by the resistive heater, e.g., when time has passed since the device was last warmed up. Alternatively or in addition, the baseline resistance may be determined by determining when the coil resistance is changing over time at a rate below some stability threshold. Thus, the resistance measurement of the coil may be used to determine a baseline resistance for the coil at ambient temperature.

[0067] The known baseline resistance may be used to calculate a target resistance that correlates to a target rise in coil temperature. Similarly, variations in the baseline resistance at appropriate frequencies corresponding to the output of the memory may be decoded as information from the cartridge memory. The configuration shown in FIG. 6A represents an example of a data exchange circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, where data passes between a cartridge memory (e.g., the identifier 138 of the cartridge 114 includes a cartridge memory for storing information about the cartridge 114) and a controller 105 that is part of the vaporizer body 101 to which the cartridge 114 is coupled. Such a data exchange circuit allows data (e.g., one or more parameters of the cartridge, the vaporizable material contained within the cartridge, etc.) to be passed between the cartridge memory and the controller 105 that is part of the vaporizer body 101.

[0068] The embodiment of FIG. 6A provides both the provision of electrical energy from the power source 103, which is part of the vaporizer body 101, to the heater 118, which is part of the cartridge 114, and the exchange of data between the identifier 138 of the cartridge 114 and the controller 105, which is part of the vaporizer body 101, via engagement of each electrical contact (vaporizer body contact) of the vaporizer body 101 with only two mating electrical contacts (cartridge contacts) on the cartridge 114. Other embodiments of the data exchange circuit for such data exchange can include the use of a dedicated data circuit that is separate from the power supply circuit for conveying power from the power source 103 (of the vaporizer body) to the heater 118 (of the cartridge). However, having two separate circuits for data exchange and power supply can increase the complexity of the hardware since more than two sets of mating electrical contacts may be required. An embodiment of the present invention allows the use of two mating electrical contacts on each of the cartridge 114 and the vaporizer body 101 for both data exchange and power supply. It will be appreciated that the variation of the reference resistance described above with respect to Figure 6A represents one option for combining data exchange and power supply through a single pair of mating electrical contacts. For example, within the scope of the present subject matter, data exchange may be coded in the power circuit via one or more variations or modulations of frequency, resistance (as mentioned above), current pulses, voltage or the like.

[0069] The reference (which may also be referred to as the resistance of the resistive heater at ambient temperature) may also be used to calculate a target resistance. The vaporizer temperature may be used to calculate an absolute target coil temperature as opposed to a target temperature rise. For example, the vaporizer temperature may be used to calculate an absolute target coil temperature for more accurate temperature control.

[0070] The circuit shown in FIG. 6B is one embodiment of a resistance measurement (or comparison) circuit. As previously mentioned, in this embodiment, the resistance of the heating element may be a function of the temperature of the heating element (and the output of a cartridge memory in parallel with the heating coil) such that the temperature may be determined from the resistance measurement, and the output of the cartridge memory may be detected by analyzing relatively small changes in resistance within a particular frequency (time) range. These changes may be ignored or removed when calculating the temperature. The resistance of the heating element is roughly linear with the temperature of the heating element.

[0071] In FIG. 6B, the vaporizer detection circuit includes a Wheatstone bridge connected to a differential amplifier circuit. The measurement circuit is powered when Q2 is held on via the RM_PWR signal from the microcontroller (RM is Resistance Measurement). Q2 may be normally off to conserve battery life. In general, the devices described herein may turn off power to the resistive heater to measure its resistance. In FIG. 6B, when heating, the vaporizer may periodically turn off heating (turn off Q1) to measure the coil resistance. One voltage divider in the bridge is between the coil and R1, and the other voltage divider is between R2 and R3, and optionally R4, R5, R6. R4, R5, and R6 are each connected to an open-drain output from the microcontroller such that R3 is in parallel with any combination of R4, R5, and R6 to adjust the R2 / R3 voltage divider. The algorithm adjusts the R2 / R3 divider via the open-drain control of RM_SCALE_0, RM_SCALE_1 and RM_SCALE_2 so that the voltage at the R2 / R3 divider is slightly below the voltage at the R_COIL / R1 divider, so that the output of the op-amp is between the positive battery voltage and ground, allowing small changes in the coil resistance to cause a measurable change in the op-amp output voltage. U2, R7, R8, R9 and R10 comprise the differential amplifier circuit. As is typical in differential amplifier circuits, R9 / R7=R10 / R8, R9>>R7 and the circuit operates such that 0≦A(V +-V - )≦V_BAT, the op amp is HM_OUT=A(V + -V - ) with voltage gain A=R9 / R7, and V + is the voltage across the R_COIL / R1 voltage divider, and V - is the regulated R2 / R3 voltage divider voltage, and V_BAT is the positive battery voltage.

[0072] In this embodiment, the microcontroller performs an analog-to-digital conversion to measure HM_OUT and calculates the resistance of the coil based on the values ​​of R1 through R10 and the selected measurement scale. When the coil has not been heated for a certain period of time (e.g., more than 10 seconds, more than 20 seconds, more than 30 seconds, more than 1 minute, more than 2 minutes, more than 3 minutes, more than 4 minutes, more than 5 minutes, more than 6 minutes, more than 7 minutes, more than 8 minutes, more than 9 minutes, more than 10 minutes, more than 15 minutes, more than 20 minutes, more than 30 minutes, etc.) and / or the resistance of the coil is stable, the microcontroller may store the calculated resistance as a reference resistance for the coil. A target resistance for the coil is calculated by adding the rate of change of the reference resistance to the reference resistance. The microcontroller may detect that a user is inhaling the vaporizer via a pressure sensor (or flow sensor) and output a PWM signal at HEATER to power the coil through Q1. The PWM duty cycle may be limited to a maximum duty cycle that corresponds to a set maximum average power at the coil calculated using the battery voltage measurement and the coil resistance measurement. This results in consistent heating performance throughout the battery discharge cycle. The PID control algorithm can use the difference between the target coil resistance and the measured coil resistance to set the PWM duty cycle (limited by the maximum duty cycle) to keep the measured resistance at the target resistance. The PID control algorithm keeps the coil at a controlled temperature regardless of airflow speed and wicking performance to ensure a consistent experience (e.g., vaporization experience including "scent") across a full range of use cases and to allow high output at fast draw rates. In general, the control law can be updated at any suitable rate. For example, in some embodiments, the control law updates at 20 Hz. In this example, when heating, the PWM control of Q1 is disabled and Q1 is kept off for 2 ms every 50 ms to allow stable coil resistance measurements. In another embodiment, the control law can be updated at 250 Hz to 1000 Hz.

[0073] In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the number of steps between the maximum measurable analog voltage and the minimum measurable analog voltage can be controlled by configuration. For example, precise temperature control (+ / -1°C or better) can be obtained with hundreds of steps between the measured reference resistance and the target resistance. In some embodiments of the invention, the number of steps can be about 4096. Due to cartridge-to-cartridge resistance variations (e.g., + / -10% of nominal coil resistance) and continuous changes in potential to nominal cartridge resistance, it may be preferable to have multiple narrower measurement scales, since resistance can be measured with a higher resolution than would be obtained if one fixed measurement scale had to be wide enough to measure all cartridges the vaporizer could encounter. For example, R4, R5, and R6 have values ​​that can allow eight overlapping resistance measurement scales, allowing approximately five times the sensitivity of a single fixed scale covering the same range of resistance that is measurable by the eight scales combined. More or less than eight measurement ranges may be used.

[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the measurement circuitry may have a total range of 1.31-2.61 Ω and a sensitivity of approximately 0.3 mΩ, allowing temperature setting increments and average coil temperature control to within + / - 0.75°C (e.g., nominal coil resistance x temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) = 1.5 Ω x 0.00014 / °C = 0.21 mΩ / °C, 0.3 mΩ / (0.21 mΩ / °C) = 1.4°C sensitivity). In some embodiments of the invention, R_COIL is nominally 1.5 Ω, R1 = 100 Ω, R2 = 162 Ω, R3 = 10 kΩ, R4 = 28.7 kΩ, R5 = 57.6 kΩ, R6 = 115 kΩ, R7 = R9 = 2 kΩ, R8 = R10 = 698 kΩ. The above ranges may also be sufficient to read the memory output from the cartridge identification circuit.

[0075] As mentioned above, the heater resistance is approximately linear with temperature. The change in heater resistance may be approximately proportional to the change in temperature. For some resistance at some initial temperature, R baseline , and the coil at ΔT = (R coil / R baseline-1) / TCR is a good approximation of the coil temperature rise. Using an amplified Wheatstone bridge configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 6B, a vaporizer and / or vaporization system can calculate a target resistance using a reference resistance and a fixed target rate of change in resistance of 4.0%. As an example, a coil with a TCR of 0.00014 / °C can accommodate a temperature rise of 285°C (e.g., 0.04 / (0.00014 / °C)=285°C).

[0076] In general, the vaporizer and / or vaporization system does not necessarily need to calculate the temperature. Instead, the calculations can be done in advance and the vaporizer and / or vaporization system can simply use the target rate of change of resistance to control the temperature. For some reference resistance, the coil, the TCR, the target temperature change, the target heater resistance, R target =R baseline (1+TCR×ΔT). Solving for ΔT, this gives ΔT=(R target -R baseline -1) / TCR. In some device variations, the actual temperature may be calculated and provided, for example, by display or communication. In this case, instead of the user setting a target rate of change of resistance, the user knows the actual temperature during heating or can set the temperature of the vaporizer and / or vaporization system.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, the vaporizer and / or vaporization system may use the measured ambient temperature and the target temperature (e.g., temperature set point) to calculate a target resistance that corresponds to the target temperature. The target resistance may be determined from a reference resistance at ambient temperature, the coil, the TCR, the target temperature, and the ambient temperature. For example, the target heater resistance may be R target =R baseline (1+TCR×(T set -T amb )) T set Solving for T set =(R target / R baseline -1) / TCR+T ambSome device variations may calculate and provide (e.g., display, communicate, etc.) the actual temperature so that the user can know the actual temperature during heating, or to set the temperature of the device instead of setting a target resistance or target rate of change of resistance.

[0078] By the voltage divider method, R reference R baseline If the temperature is close enough, the temperature change is approximately ΔT = (R coil / R reference -R baseline / R reference ) / TCR.

[0079] As mentioned above, any vaporizer and / or vaporization system described herein may be configured to control the temperature only after a sensor indicates that vaporization is desired. For example, a pressure sensor (e.g., a "puff sensor") may be used to identify when the coil should be heated. The sensor may essentially function as an on-off switch for heating under PID control. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sensor may also control a baseline resistance characteristic. For example, the baseline resistance may be turned off until at least some predetermined period (e.g., 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc.) after the last puff.

[0080] As previously described, the vaporization detection circuit can be accurate enough to detect the change in resistance from the output change state of the EEPROM input / output. Thus, this circuit (for a cartridge identification circuit such as that shown in FIG. 4) 1 The difference in resistance between the resistor (eg, about 2KΩ) ​​and a second resistor (eg, 1KΩ) can be detected.

[0081] In a typical cartridge identification circuit as shown in FIG. 4, only two input contacts (heater electrode contact 401, heater electrode contact 403) are used. Additional inputs (contacts) may be used as well, for example eliminating the need for H-bridge circuit 413 and allowing other types of memory (including other EEPROM types) to be used. In operation, a cartridge with a cartridge identification circuit may be filled and then programmed to include information about the fill material and / or cartridge. As described above, the information programmed into the memory may include an indication of the type of vaporizable material (e.g., nicotine, cannabis, etc.), the concentration of vaporizable material, the amount of vaporizable material, the configuration of the cartridge (e.g., heater, electrical characteristics, etc.), the characteristics of the vaporizable material (e.g., temperature characteristics, viscosity, recommended vaporization temperature, etc.), the lot number of the cartridge, the date of manufacture of the cartridge, the expiration date, the amount of use so far, the energy applied to the cartridge so far, etc. The information may be written digitally to the memory, and may be written directly or as a reference number for communication with the vaporizer or an additional processor that may communicate with the vaporizer (e.g., a computing device that is part of the vaporization system). The reference number may be used to look up related information.

[0082] The identity cartridge identification circuit may also be written with information regarding the cartridge, the vaporizable material, and the history of the cartridge, including, for example, time of use and / or total energy applied.

[0083] The information stored in the (read and / or write) memory may be coded, including using encryption, error correction coding (e.g., Hamming code, etc.), or the like. In operation, when a cartridge is initially inserted into the vaporizer body, the vaporizer microcontroller may be configured to initially determine whether a signal can be read from the cartridge that encodes information regarding the identity of the cartridge corresponding to the cartridge and / or vaporizer. The information may be read using a measurement circuit in the vaporizer. In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be used in an initial setup even when the cartridge is not read (e.g., does not include a cartridge identification circuit or information cannot be read from the cartridge identification circuit).

[0084] During operation, the vaporizer, if detected, may periodically (e.g., after each puff, etc.) write to the memory in the cartridge identification circuit. Writing may be performed by the vaporizer by applying power for a predetermined period of time to power a capacitive circuit such as that shown in Figure 4. The vaporizer microcontroller can utilize the bit pattern of the contacts by applying a high voltage to one of the contacts at a controlled rate, which is received by an input / output line of memory 405.

[0085] The vaporizer sends a signal to the memory to request a read from the memory similar to how the device writes to the memory, disconnects the battery voltage applied to the heater contacts so that the memory can control the input / output lines and use the output data, and provides a digital output (switching the input / output lines low / high) that communicates the output that the vaporizer detects through a resistance measurement circuit. Typically, when the memory is communicating, this can affect the absolute accuracy of the temperature control. The vaporizer may be configured so that when the memory is communicating (outputting), the device does not heat up, and normal heating operation may not cause the memory to start communicating data.

[0086] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a cartridge identification circuit similar to that of Figure 4 but with a memory 501 including a two-pin EEPROM. In this case, the cartridge identification circuit is also voltage steered to allow the cartridge to be connected to the vaporizer in multiple orientations.

[0087] Cartridge identification circuitry according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may be integrated and / or combined with a custom chip (e.g., an ASIC). Such specialized circuitry may be included as an identifier (e.g., identifier 138 shown in FIG. 1A).

[0088] Alternatively or additionally, the vaporizer may incorporate LDS (Laser Direct Structuring) methods and structures therefrom. In LDS, instead of a conventional printed circuit board, the circuit paths are integrated into one or more mechanical components of the vaporizer. As a result, weight and assembly space are effectively reduced. For example, a three-dimensional circuit carrier may be injection molded from a modified polymer material, allowing laser activation of the circuit carrier on the surface of the circuit carrier. The laser imprints the circuit layout directly into the plastic component, typically immediately after injection molding of the component (without the need for tools or masks). The activated areas may be metallized in a chemical metallization bath to form conductive paths. Other similar processes, such as the formation of molded interconnect devices or MIDs, where injection molding and hot forging are used to integrate conductive structures, may be used instead or in addition. Thus, any component described herein may comprise an LDS doped material corresponding to the LDS method to form circuits. In particular, the electrical wiring for the cartridge (eg, the identifier 138 integrated as and / or within the circuit) may be formed directly on the plastic parts of the cartridge without the need for an additional PCB.

[0089] As described in more detail below, information stored in the memory of a cartridge identification circuit as described herein can be useful for dose control (e.g., calculating and storing medication information), as well as security, communication, and storage of operating parameters, particularly in devices that include wireless communication capabilities, however, cartridge identification can be useful even in the absence of wireless communication capabilities.

[0090] As described, the memory (e.g., EEPROM) can store information about the vaporizable material and / or the cartridge. One example of information that can be stored may include values ​​for certain characteristics of the heating elements, such as the nominal heater R (resistance) for the cartridge, including the heating element of the cartridge. The values ​​may be specified and stored at the factory when the device is manufactured / created, and / or may be done at a later time. Storing a specific R value for each cartridge in memory associated with the cartridge can aid in precise temperature control for the device, including specifying a baseline resistance at ambient temperature, as described above. Although the resistance / baseline measurements at the manufacturing line may differ slightly from measurements when the device is in use, a baseline adjustment (determined by an algorithm) can also be used. Alternatively or in addition, if a reliable baseline for a cartridge is identified, the baseline can be tied to an ID for the particular cartridge (e.g., in a remote database, on a remote server, etc.), so that when the cartridge is removed and reinserted, the same baseline value is used as well (as soon as the cartridge ID is confirmed), allowing for faster matching than waiting for a stable baseline to be found.

[0091] In general, cartridge characteristics such as the resistance of the heater in the cartridge itself can also be useful to verify that the connection between the vaporizer and the cartridge is good and that the vaporizer's resistance measurement circuitry is functioning properly. Thus, in any of the methods and apparatus described herein, the nominal cartridge resistance may be stored in the memory of the cartridge (or stored on a remote server / device and retrieved based on a unique cartridge ID) and used to verify that the connection between the device and the pod is good and / or that the device's resistance measurement circuitry is functioning properly and / or that the cartridge's resistance has not changed since the cartridge was assembled or filled.

[0092] As described above, in some embodiments, the vaporizer can write usage information to the memory of the cartridge, which can be used to estimate the amount of vaporizable material removed from the cartridge and the amount of vaporizable material remaining. The usage information may include the number of puffs / inhalations, the dose delivered, or the like.

[0093] (Applications / Connectivity) The vaporizer and / or vaporization system may include software, firmware, or hardware that is separate or separable from the vaporizer and communicates wirelessly with the vaporizer. For example, an application ("app") may run on a processor of a portable / wearable device, including a smartphone, smartwatch, and the like, which may be referred to as a personal digital device or optionally just a device (e.g., user device 305 in FIG. 3) that is part of the vaporization system. The digital device may provide an interface for a user to interact with and act on functions related to the vaporizer, including communication of data to and from the vaporizer to a digital device or the like and / or additional third party processor (e.g., a server such as server 307 in FIG. 3). For example, the user may control some aspects of the vaporizer (temperature, dosage, etc.) and / or data transmission and reception to and from the vaporizer, optionally through a wireless communication channel between a first communication hardware of the device and a second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The data may be communicated in response to one or more actions of the user (e.g., including interaction with a user interface displayed on the device) and / or as a background operation such that the user does not need to initiate or allow the data communication process.

[0094] A user interface may be located on the digital device to assist a user in operating the vaporizer. For example, the user interface operation on the digital device may include icons and text elements that inform the user of various ways in which the vaporizer settings may be adjusted or set by the user. In this manner (or otherwise according to the subject matter of the present invention), information about the vaporizer may be shown using a user interface displayed by the communication device. Icons and / or text elements may be provided to allow the user to view information about the status of the vaporizer, such as battery information (charge remaining, vape remaining, time to charge, charging, etc.), cartridge status (e.g., type of cartridge and vaporizable material, cartridge fill status, etc.), and similar device status. Icons and / or text elements may be provided to allow the user to update the internal software (also known as firmware) within the vaporizer. Icons and / or text elements may be provided to allow the user to configure security and / or authentication features of the vaporizer, such as setting a PIN code or the use of personal biometric information to activate the device as an authentication means. Icons and / or text elements may be provided to allow the user to configure foreground data sharing and related settings.

[0095] The vaporizer may include or incorporate one or more authentication features. For example, the user interface ("app") may include, for example, PIN-based authentication, biometric authentication (which may include fingerprint-based authentication, iris-based authentication, facial recognition-based authentication, and / or the like). Authentication may include age analysis, such as estimating or calculating a user's age based on analysis of facial features. Authentication may be used to lock / unlock the vaporizer.

[0096] The authentication process may be integrated as a function of an application installed and running on a personal digital device (e.g., as part of the vaporization system described herein) that is capable of communicating data through the use of wired or wireless methods. The personal digital device (e.g., a smart phone) may have an operating system capable of running applications.

[0097] The vaporizer may be rendered inactive after a period of inactivity, for example by going into a "sleep mode" when no use is detected for a predefined and / or preset period. In some embodiments of the present invention, in order for the vaporizer to be activated and thereby used by a user to generate vapor, the user must be authenticated to ensure that the device is utilized by the intended end user and to prevent unauthorized use, or unintended or unintended activation of the device, or use of the device by individuals not of legal age to consume active ingredients, including nicotine or cannabis. Personal Identification Number (PIN) based authentication may apply a user-selected PIN code to authenticate the end use. Biometric authentication may be used, optionally using one or more methods. For example, a fingerprint-based authentication process may authenticate the end user. An iris scan-based authentication process may use an eye or iris scan or the like to authenticate the end user. Facial recognition-based authentication may use a facial scan or image processing algorithm to recognize the end user. Iris scan-based authentication and facial recognition-based authentication may be particularly useful when the personal digital device has a camera, such as a forward-facing camera.

[0098] The personal vaporizer may be shut off after a threshold criterion is met. For example, the vaporizer may be rendered inactive after a period of inactivity. The period of inactivity may be pre-set and / or selected by the user (e.g., using control software running on the personal digital device). Thus, the period of inactivity may be a configurable parameter of the vaporizer. The application software / firmware may include functionality to unlock or activate the vaporizer using authentication, as described above.

[0099] An authentication process may be performed. If the authentication process fails, the vaporizer may remain shut off. If the authentication process is successful, the vaporizer is unlocked and ready for use.

[0100] The vaporizer may perform on-board data collection, data analysis, and / or data transmission methods. As described above, vaporizers with wired or wireless communication capabilities may interface with digital consumer technology products such as smartphones, tablet computers, laptop / netbook / desktop computers, wearable wireless technologies such as "smart watches," and other wearable technologies such as Google's "glasses," or the like through the use of programming, software, firmware, GUIs, wireless communication, wired communication, and / or software commonly referred to as applications or "apps." A wired communication connection may be used to couple the vaporizer to a digital consumer technology product for the transfer and exchange of data from the vaporizer to the digital consumer technology product and from the digital consumer technology product to the vaporizer (and thereby interface with an app running on the digital consumer technology product). A wireless communication connection may be used to couple the vaporizer to a digital consumer technology product for the transfer and exchange of data from the vaporizer to the digital wireless interface and from the digital wireless interface to the vaporizer. The vaporizer may use a wireless interface to communicate with consumer technology, including one or more of an infrared (IR) transmitter, a Bluetooth interface, an 802.11 designated interface, and / or communication with a cellular network.

[0101] The vaporizer can interface (e.g., communicate) with digital consumer technology products and apps as a way to relay information and data to add additional functionality. Such additional functionality may include, but is not limited to, the following: (a) setting and / or specifying a desired number of activation cycles during a period of time; (b) setting and / or specifying one or more reminders, alarms, or the like to the user; (c) setting and / or specifying a user desired dose for delivery of active substance per inhalation; (d) setting and / or specifying a desired total delivered dose active substance during a period of time, such as a total dose per day; and (e) setting and / or specifying one or more power settings of the vaporizer to adjust the vapor and / or aerosol strength, vapor and / or aerosol density, vapor and / or aerosol volume, vapor and / or aerosol flavor, vapor and / or aerosol temperature, and / or other vapor and / or aerosol characteristics of the vapor and / or aerosol generated by the vaporizer. (f) setting and / or specifying vaporizer power settings to adjust, tune, configure or the like device settings, such as with respect to battery life and / or performance; (g) setting and / or specifying vaporizer configurations with respect to liquid ingredients and formulations; (h) setting and / or specifying environmental configurations based on ambient temperature; (i) setting and / or specifying environmental configurations based on humidity; (j) setting and / or specifying environmental configurations based on altitude; (k) setting and / or specifying temporal (e.g., time) based configurations; (l) setting and / or specifying parameters to minimize, maximize and / or adjust functional effects of taste and / or fragrance ingredients of the vapor product; (m) setting and / or specifying functional effect parameters to minimize or maximize functional effects with respect to the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the active ingredient or drug ingredient of the vapor or aerosol product; (n) receiving and / or providing vaporizer alerts and notifications to the user. (o) Receive and / or provide vaporizer alerts and notifications to the user regarding recharging (eg, whether the battery (eg, power source 103 in FIG. 1) needs recharging).(p) receiving and / or providing to the user vaporizer alerts and notifications regarding charge status (e.g., whether the battery is fully or partially charged); (q) receiving and / or providing to the user vaporizer alerts and notifications regarding liquid cartridge usage status, such as the number of uses or puffs removed from the cartridge; (r) receiving and / or providing to the user vaporizer alerts and notifications regarding liquid cartridge remaining status, such as the number of uses or puffs remaining in the cartridge; (s) receiving and / or providing to the user alerts and notifications regarding liquid cartridge usage status based on time, such as the number of uses or puffs taken during a predefined and / or predetermined period of time, e.g., the number of uses or puffs taken per day; (t) receiving and / or providing to the user alerts and notifications regarding the contents of the liquid cartridge, such as active ingredients, strength, dosage (or the like), scent information (or the like), and general formulation (or the like); (u) receiving and / or providing to the user alerts and notifications regarding liquid cartridges, liquid cartridge assemblies, or the like that require replacement. (v) Receive and / or provide to the user alerts and notifications regarding predetermined times for vaporizer use, (w) Receive and / or provide to the user heating element alerts and notifications of status or “health”, such as the number of cycles performed and / or the number of cycles remaining before proposed and / or required replacement of the heating element or heating assembly.

[0102] The vaporizer power settings may be set and / or specified to adjust or configure the activation energy provided to the heating element in addition to adjusting or configuring the parameters of the heating element being energized in relation to the time to maximum activation or "heat up" or "ramp" and / or the maximum or maximum activation time and / or the time the heating element is deactivated or "cooled down" to produce and adjust the vapor and / or aerosol intensity, vapor and / or aerosol density, vapor and / or aerosol quantity, vapor and / or aerosol aroma, vapor and / or aerosol temperature, and / or similar vapor and aerosol characteristics of the vapor or aerosol generated by the vaporizer. In some embodiments, the vaporizer power settings may be set and / or specified to allow the user to adjust the vaporizer to maximize battery life. In this case, the vaporizer will operate at a lower energy output to preserve the maximum number of cycles that can be sustained per battery charge cycle. Conversely, the vaporizer power settings may be set and / or specified to allow the user to maximize performance in terms of the energy output of the device per cycle.

[0103] The vaporizer's cartridge-related settings may be based on information about the cartridge, including liquid ingredients and / or formulations, such as information about the liquid that may be vaporized or aerosolized, or the like. The vaporizer's liquid-related settings may have predefined settings as well as user-configurable settings to adjust, configure, tune, or otherwise configure device startup parameters. In some embodiments, settings related to user-specific environmental configurations may be made such that the vaporizer optimizes heating element activation and activation parameters to optimize performance based on ambient temperature, humidity, and / or altitude. For example, the vaporizer may have configurations such as cold weather or warm weather settings, humidity settings, and / or altitude settings.

[0104] The vaporizer may be configured (programmed) with time-based settings, such as user-specific temporal configurations, such as providing a user-selected advanced active ingredient per inhalation at a particular time of day. The vaporizer may be configured so that the vaporizer provides a dosage of active ingredient based on the time of day. For example, the vaporizer may be configured so that the dosage provided to the user is highest or maximum (or similar) in the evening and is kept to a lower dose provided per inhalation, or minimum (or similar) at the beginning of the day. The user can program the above settings (and others described herein) based on personal preferences.

[0105] The taste and / or aroma-related settings of the vaporizer can minimize, maximize and / or adjust the functional effect of the taste and / or aroma components of the vapor product. For example, the vaporizer can be configured to operate in such a way that the aroma provided from the vapor or aerosol is minimized, maximized or adjusted over the inhalation period. Some components of the liquid being vaporized that may contribute to the aroma characteristics of the vapor or aerosol may be deeper, wider or more abundant when the vaporizer is operated at a higher temperature range being generated by the heating element (within the temperature range in which the heating element can operate to generate the vapor or aerosol for inhalation by the user) than when a lower temperature range is being generated by the heating element. For example, the user may set the vaporizer to perform for a maximum, minimum, moderate or another interim value of aroma for the vapor or aerosol product. The vaporizer may adjust the activation cycle of the heating element accordingly.

[0106] The settings related to the functional effect of the vaporizer can minimize, maximize or adjust the functional effect on the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of the active or drug component of the vapor or aerosol product. For example, the vaporizer can be configured to operate in such a way that the active or drug delivered from the vapor or aerosol is minimized or maximized with respect to target tissue or organ delivery. The particle size can be adjusted. The user may be using the vaporizer for the delivery of nicotine as the active or drug component in the vapor or aerosol. It may be desirable for (or by) the user to have the option for a more rapid delivery of nicotine to the bloodstream, such as after a period when the user has not consumed nicotine (when the user's urge or craving is likely to increase). Instead, it may be desirable for (or by) the user to slow down the absorption of nicotine into the bloodstream at times, such as (i) when the user's craving or urge is small, or (ii) when the user desires a more prolonged period before the user has an urge or craving for nicotine, such as before going to bed or an event in which the device for dispensing or administering nicotine cannot be used. The vaporizer settings regarding activation of the device and the temperature of the heating element and activation characteristics of the heating element can be adjusted, for example, such that a lower activation temperature results in a larger particle size of the drug component than a higher activation temperature of the heating element. Thus, by adjusting the temperature or input of thermal energy input by the heating element to the vaporization chamber to volatilize or vaporize the liquid containing the active ingredient or drug, the vapor or aerosol characteristics regarding the particle size of the active ingredient or drug can be adjusted in whole or in part by the user. The settings can also be used by the end user or a health care provider (or similar) to reduce a dependency on an active ingredient or drug, such as nicotine. The transitions can be used in conjunction with a reduction in nicotine dosage to reduce or alleviate the user's nicotine dependency or addiction.

[0107] The app receives vaporizer related alerts and notifications, which may include, for example, battery life status, battery status data (such as number of battery cycles), and battery "health" (so that the user may be informed of the current and "real-time" overall status of the vaporizer internal battery, if desired).

[0108] Vaporizers and / or associated applications (apps) running on digital consumer technology products (e.g., devices forming or part of a vaporization system as described above) may share data with manufacturers, affiliates of manufacturers, or other entities (retailers, healthcare providers, suppliers, marketing entities, etc.). Vaporizers and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify anonymous or user-specific usage data, such as frequency of use. Vaporizers and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific usage data, such as activation cycle characteristics, such as activation duration and (if applicable) user-specified activation settings. Vaporizers and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific demographic information. Vaporizers and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific socio-economic information. The vaporizer and / or associated applications can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or the like user-specific information. The vaporizer and / or associated applications can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or the like user-specific feedback information. The vaporizer and / or associated applications can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or the like user-specific demographic information. The vaporizer and / or associated applications can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or the like user-specific feedback information and / or data analytics for use in surveys, polls, and the like.

[0109] The vaporizer and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific usage and / or reliability data, such as device failures or malfunctions. The vaporizer and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific usage and / or reliability data, such as requests for warranty service, repairs and / or replacements, and the like. The vaporizer and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific customer satisfaction data, such as requests for technical support. The vaporizer and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific sales lead data, such as requests for product information. The vaporizer and / or associated applications may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify user-specific usability data, such as requests for instructions. The vaporizer and / or related application may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, and / or classify user-specific information, such as a request for information regarding product features or functionality. The vaporizer and / or related application may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, and / or classify user-specific marketing data, such as a request for information regarding purchasing a vaporizer and / or obtaining a vaporizer upon prescription from a physician or healthcare provider.

[0110] The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, extrapolate, and / or like data about the vaporizer that is indicative of misuse or abuse of the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, extrapolate, and / or like data and / or usage data and / or data transmission functions that can be used to locate the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, extrapolate, and / or like data and / or data transmission functions that can be used to locate the vaporizer if it is lost or stolen. The vaporizer, via associated application, can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, extrapolate, and / or like notifications about product recalls or similar issues and / or inform the user of such recalls or issues. The vaporizer, via an associated application, may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, share data and / or the like regarding notices of manufacturer terms and conditions (e.g., cartridge manufacturers) and / or may inform the user of such terms and conditions and / or receive approval of such terms and conditions from the user.

[0111] A vaporizer can, and may, through associated applications running on a device that is part of the vaporization system, collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, data share, and / or the like, data from a network that may be used to identify, contact, or connect with other users of the vaporizer. A vaporizer may select and / or allow sharing of all or some of the data collected, received, recorded, stored, transmitted, inferred, shared, and / or the like by the vaporizer or collected directly from users using applications related to the vaporizer. A vaporizer may select and / or allow sharing of all or some of the data collected, received, recorded, stored, transmitted, inferred, shared, and / or the like by the vaporizer or collected directly from users using applications related to the vaporizer, through a network. The network may include social media. The social media members may include the user's family. The social media members may include the user's friends. The social media members may include support groups or the like (e.g., anti-smoking groups). The social media members may include third party services, businesses, organizations (e.g., churches), other users of vaporizers, or the like.

[0112] The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or like data useful for executing software configuration of the device and / or device application. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or like data useful or required for executing software configuration of the vaporizer and / or associated application. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or like data useful or required for executing software configuration of the vaporizer and / or associated application, whose software is configured by the manufacturer or a subsidiary or agent of the manufacturer or a third party or the like. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or like data useful or required for executing third party software configuration of the vaporizer and / or associated application. The vaporizer and / or associated application can collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or the like data useful or required to perform firmware updates of the vaporizer and / or associated application. The vaporizer and / or associated application can provide notifications to a user via the vaporizer and / or associated application that a firmware or similar update to the vaporizer and / or associated application is available and / or required to troubleshoot the device or to correct a problem or issue with the vaporizer and / or associated application that is interfering with some aspect of the intended or proper functionality of the vaporizer and / or associated application.The vaporizer and / or associated application may provide notification to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application that firmware or similar updates to the vaporizer and / or associated application are available and / or required to improve the performance of the vaporizer, enhance the user's experience, or similarly improve some aspect of the intended or proper functionality of the vaporizer and / or associated application or to provide intended additional functionality.

[0113] The vaporizer and / or associated application may share data collected by the vaporizer or directly from the user using the application with the user's healthcare provider. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share data collected by the vaporizer or directly from the user using the application with the user's healthcare network. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share data collected by the vaporizer or directly from the user using the application with the user's insurance company. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share data collected by the vaporizer or directly from the user using the application with the user's pharmacy and / or prescription drug provider or the like. The vaporizer and / or associated application may depersonalize or otherwise anonymize data collected by the vaporizer or directly from the user such that the depersonalized data may be shared or used, such as for research, analysis, publication, or similar purposes.

[0114] The vaporizer and / or associated application may provide a notification to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application of the availability of a prescription issued or written for an end user that is ready for pickup, delivery, shipment to the user, or the like of prescription ingredients intended for provision to the patient by the vaporizer. For example, a pharmacy may send a notification to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application, such as informing the user that a prescription for the vaporizer or vaporizable material (e.g., cartridge or liquid) is available for the user to obtain from a pharmacy (including but not limited to pharmacies, other commercial venues including stores, dispensing pharmacies, etc. may do the same). The vaporizer and / or associated application may enable a healthcare provider, network, agency, authorized third party, or similar entity to send alerts, messages, surveys, or the like to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application. The vaporizer and / or associated application may enable a healthcare provider, network, agency, authorized third party, or similar entity to access data generated as survey results, or the like, via the vaporizer and / or associated application.

[0115] The vaporizer and / or associated application can permit (e.g., authorize) a healthcare provider to configure, adjust, regulate, and / or manipulate settings of the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application can permit a healthcare provider to configure, adjust, regulate, and / or manipulate settings of the vaporizer that a user is not authorized to change, modify, reconfigure, or change settings, configurations, etc. made by a healthcare provider. The vaporizer and / or associated application can permit a representative or agent of a healthcare provider to configure, adjust, regulate, and / or manipulate settings of the vaporizer that a user is not authorized to change, modify, reconfigure, or change settings, configurations, etc. made by a representative or agent of the healthcare provider.

[0116] The vaporizer and / or associated application may share user specific information, such as end user ownership of a product related to the device, device components, device accessories, or the like, data collected by the vaporizer or collected directly from the user through use of the application. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share user specific information, such as end user purchase of a product related to the device, device components, device accessories, or the like, data collected by the vaporizer or collected directly from the user through use of the application. The vaporizer and / or associated application may provide notifications to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application, similar to notifications about product promotions from retailers or the like. The vaporizer and / or associated application may provide notifications to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application, similar to notifications about product availability from retailers or the like. The vaporizer and / or associated application may provide notifications to the user via the vaporizer and / or associated application, similar to notifications about new product or accessory sales from retailers or the like.

[0117] The vaporizer and / or related application may use demographic or similar location services to find retail locations geographically close to the user. The vaporizer and / or related application may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify data regarding device purchases, device accessory purchases, vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies purchases, frequency of purchases, sales locations, discounts used by the user at the time of purchase, and related or similar information. The vaporizer and / or related application may collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, and / or classify data regarding device purchases, device accessory purchases, vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies purchases, frequency of purchases, sales locations, discounts used, and related or similar information.

[0118] The vaporizer and / or related applications can provide incentives to users to share information regarding related information such as purchases of devices, purchases of device accessories, purchases of vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies, frequency of purchases, location of sale, discounts utilized, and discounts, vouchers, promotional codes, freebies, or the like. The vaporizer and / or related applications can provide use of user profiles to provide targeted incentives to users to share information regarding related information such as purchases of devices, purchases of device accessories, purchases of vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies, frequency of purchases, location of sale, discounts utilized, promotional codes utilized, and discounts, vouchers, freebies, or the like.

[0119] The vaporizer and / or associated application may render the vaporizer inactive and unavailable, as described above. For example, the vaporizer and / or associated application may render the vaporizer inactive and unavailable if a malfunction or the like occurs. The vaporizer and / or associated application may render the vaporizer inactive and unavailable until an authorized user uses the application to enter a personal identification number (PIN) and activate the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application may render the vaporizer inactive and unavailable until an authorized user uses the application to enter a biometric identifier that activates the vaporizer when authenticated, verified, or verified or the like. As described above, unauthorized use of the vaporizer and / or associated application may be prevented by using a PIN and / or a unique biometric identifier. The vaporizer and / or associated application may store device data and personalization settings for individual users to allow more than one user to use the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application may store device data and personalization settings such that device data and personalization settings for different users are stored for individual users where they can be made available to the vaporizer and intended users through the application. The user may select the stored configuration for the vaporizer and the respective device operates under the user selected configuration. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to have one or more user settings and / or configurations for a user or users that can be stored and selected by the user. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to allow the saved user settings and personalization settings or configurations to be shared by the user through the application and / or associated networks. The vaporizer and / or associated application may allow other user settings and / or configurations to be shared with the user through the application and / or associated networks.

[0120] The vaporizer and / or associated application may encourage, prompt, or the like, users to rate vaporizers, vaporizer configurations, cartridges (e.g., particular flavors, cartridge brands, etc.), or the like (such as through a common method such as a 1-10 rating, with "10" being best, or a 1-5 "star" rating, with "5" stars being best). The vaporizer and / or associated application may encourage, prompt, or the like, users to rate other users' configurations. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share and access a database of user configurations, which may or may not have ratings, may or may not be able to access user configurations through the application, and may or may not download user configurations for use on the user's own device. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the ability to share and access a database of user configurations, which may or may not have ratings, may or may not be able to access user configurations through the application, and may or may not upload user configurations for use on other users' devices.

[0121] The vaporizer and / or associated application may share user data with the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party to generate a user profile based on user-specific usage data, demographic data, socio-economic data, or the like. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the ability to utilize user data shared with the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party to identify a unique user profile.

[0122] The vaporizer and / or associated application may allow, facilitate, authenticate, verify, or the like, the sharing of data between the associated application and other applications that may be installed on or part of the user's personal digital device. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with social media applications. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with email services, email providers, email hosting, or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with text messaging, short message service (SMS), or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with location-based services applications. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with maps or mapping, navigation, location, or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or associated application may share information and / or data with health care, health care providers, health care services, health care networks, or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or related applications can share information and / or data with pharmacies, pharmacy-type service providers, or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or related applications can share information and / or data with weather, weather forecast, weather report, or similar applications. The vaporizer and / or related applications can share information and / or data with device manufacturer applications. The vaporizer and / or related applications can share information and / or data with research or research oriented applications. The vaporizer and / or related applications can share information and / or data with vaporizer retailers or similar consumer device applications.

[0123] The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to permit or allow the device or associated application to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, or similarly collect data for the device or associated application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of resolving problems with the device's performance or functionality. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to permit or allow the device or associated application to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, or similarly collect data for the device or associated application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of resolving problems with the device application. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to permit or allow the device or associated application to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, estimate, or similarly collect data for the device or associated application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of resolving problems with the device application. The vaporizer and / or associated application may permit or have the capability to allow the device or associated application to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, or similar data for the purpose of collecting, receiving, recording, storing, transmitting, inferring, or similar data that may relate to manufacturing, quality control, or similar issues or potential problems with the device, device components, or liquids used in the device, for the purpose of sending error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, the manufacturer's subsidiary, the manufacturer's agent, or a third party. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, or similar data for troubleshooting device issues or problems. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to collect, receive, record, store, transmit, infer, or similar data for troubleshooting device issues or problems that may relate to user error.

[0124] The vaporizer and / or associated application may be capable of using methods of data transmission, such as wireless and wired technologies. The vaporizer and / or associated application may be capable of using methods of data transmission, such as wireless and wired technologies, to perform one or more of the functions, capabilities, methods, capabilities, etc. described herein. The vaporizer and / or associated application may be capable of using methods of data transmission, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, 3G, 4G, Near Field Communication (NFC), or the like, for data transmission to a user's personal digital device. Such communication may occur through the establishment of a wireless communication channel between a first communication hardware of the device and a second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The vaporizer and / or associated application may be capable of using methods of data transmission, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, 3G, 4G, Near Field Communication (NFC), or the like, for data transmission to a network. Thus, the first and second communications hardware may include circuitry and one or more transceivers configured for at least one of the above (or other compatible) communications methods. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to use a method of data transmission such as text message or SMS. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to use a method of data transmission such as electronic mail or email. The vaporizer and / or associated application may have the capability to use a method of data transmission such as notifications or push notifications to a user's digital device, which may be included in the first communications hardware.

[0125] The vaporizer and / or associated application may include features (e.g., software-based buttons or controls and / or physical input devices or controls) that allow user control of the vaporizer and / or associated application's functions, features, configurations, etc. using various features of the application referred to as configurations or settings. Such settings may include typical general use settings such as, but not limited to: (a) a desired number of activation cycles during a period of time; (b) configuring and / or setting reminders, alarms, or the like to notify the user; (c) delivery of a desired dose of active substance per inhalation; and (d) a desired total delivered dose during a period of time, such as a total dose per day. (e) Power settings of the vaporizer to adjust the vapor or aerosol intensity, vapor or aerosol density, vapor or aerosol quantity, vapor or aerosol flavor, vapor or aerosol temperature, or similar vapor or aerosol characteristics of the vapor or aerosol generated by the device (the power settings can adjust or configure the activation energy provided to the heating element, in addition to being able to adjust or configure the parameters of the heating element being energized in relation to the time to maximum activation or “heat up” or “ramp” and / or the maximum or maximum activation time, and / or the time the heating element is deactivated or “cooled down” to produce and adjust the vapor or aerosol intensity, vapor or aerosol density, vapor or aerosol quantity, vapor or aerosol flavor, vapor or aerosol temperature, or similar characteristics of the vapor or aerosol generated by the device). (f) Vaporizer output settings to adjust, tune, configure or do the like the settings of the device as it relates to battery life and performance, so that the user can adjust the settings of the device to maximize battery life and so that the device operates at a lower energy output to keep the maximum number of cycles maintained per battery charging cycle (conversely, the user can adjust, tune, configure or do the like the settings of the device to maximize performance in terms of the device's energy output per cycle).(g) Settings related to liquid ingredients and lumber or the like, such that information about the liquid to be vaporized or aerosolized may have predefined settings as well as user configurable settings to adjust, configure, tune vaporizer start-up parameters or the like; (h) Settings related to user specific environmental configurations, such as cold weather or warm weather settings, such that the device may optimize heating element activation and activation parameters to optimize performance based on ambient temperature; (i) Settings related to user specific environmental configurations, such as high humidity or low humidity settings, such that the vaporizer may optimize heating element activation and activation parameters to optimize performance based on local humidity values ​​or ranges; (j) Settings related to user specific environmental configurations, such as user local altitude settings, such that the vaporizer may optimize heating element activation and activation parameters to optimize performance based on the end user's altitude. (k) settings related to user-specific temporal configurations, such as the delivery of a user-selected high level of active ingredient per inhalation at a particular time of day (e.g., a vaporizer may be configured to deliver a high level of active ingredient with respect to time of day such that the dosage delivered to the user is highest or maximum or the like in the morning and tapers off to a lower delivered dose per inhalation, or a minimum or the like at the end of the evening); (l) settings related to adjusting the performance and activation parameters of the vaporizer to minimize or maximize the functional effect of the taste or flavor components of the vapor product, such that the vaporizer may be configured to operate in such a manner that the flavor provided from the vapor or aerosol is minimized or maximized (e.g., components of the liquid being vaporized that may contribute to the flavor characteristics of the vapor or aerosol may be deeper, wider, or more abundant when the vaporizer is operated at a higher temperature range being generated by the heating element compared to when a lower temperature range is being generated by the heating element within the range of temperatures at which the heating element can operate to generate the vapor or aerosol for inhalation by the user). For example, a user may set the vaporizer to run on a maximum, minimum, moderate or another interim value of flavor for a vapor or aerosol product, and the heating element activation cycle will be adjusted accordingly.(m) Settings for adjusting vaporizer performance and activation parameters to minimize or maximize functional effects on the pharmacology or pharmacokinetics of the active or drug ingredient of the vapor or aerosol product, such that the vaporizer may be configured to operate in such a way that the active ingredient or drug delivered from the vapor or aerosol is minimized or maximized with respect to target tissue or organ donation. (n) Device alerts and notifications, such as battery status data, such as battery life status and number of battery cycles, and battery "health," so that the user may be informed, as needed, of the real-time current and overall status of the device's internal battery and the device's charging case's internal battery. (o) Device alerts and notifications, such as the vaporizer battery needs recharging. (p) Device alerts and notifications, such as the device's battery is fully charged. (q) Device alerts and notifications, such as the status of the liquid cartridge, such as the number of uses or puffs taken and the number of uses remaining. (r) Device alerts and notifications, such as the contents of the liquid cartridge, such as the active ingredient and strength or dosage or similar, and scent profile or similar, and general formulation. (s) Device alerts and notifications, such as a liquid cartridge or liquid cartridge assembly or the like that requires replacement; (t) Device alerts and notifications, such as a set or predetermined time for vaporizer use; (u) Device alerts and notifications, such as the status of a device heating element or "health," such as the number of cycles performed and the number of cycles remaining before a proposed or required replacement of a heating element or heating element assembly.

[0126] Settings may include, but are not limited to, device manufacturer data sharing settings such as: (a) anonymous or user-specific usage data, such as frequency of use; (b) anonymous or user-specific usage data, such as activation cycle characteristics, such as activation duration and, if applicable, user-specified activation settings; (c) user-specific data, such as demographic information; (d) user-specific data, such as socio-economic information; (e) user-specific data, such as user feedback through use of surveys or the like; (f) anonymous or user-specific usage data, such as device faults or failures; (g) user-specific data, such as requests for warranty service or repair or replacement or the like; (h) user-specific data, such as requests for technical support; (i) user-specific data, such as requests for product information; (j) user-specific data, such as requests for instructions; (k) user-specific data, such as requests for information on product features and functionality; (l) user-specific data, such as requests for information regarding product purchase or obtaining a product through a prescription from a physician or health care provider; and (m) device data indicative of misuse or abuse of the device. (n) Device data and data transmission capabilities used to locate a device if it is lost or stolen; (o) Notifications to users through the device or application regarding product recalls or similar issues; (p) General data sharing for terms and conditions of manufacture, and awareness and user consent to the foregoing.

[0127] Settings may include, but are not limited to, user, usage, system, device and operational data settings, such as: (a) settings regarding the selection and permission to share all or any data collected by the device or collected directly from the user through use of the application to a network; (b) network locations, which may be social media; (c) network locations, which may comprise the user's family and / or friends; (d) network locations, which may comprise support groups or the like; (e) settings regarding the use of sharing data over networks, which may be used to identify, contact or connect with other users of the device; and (f) other network locations, which may be third party services, businesses, organizations or the like.

[0128] The settings may include, but are not limited to, software configuration and firmware update settings such as: (a) settings for sharing and transmitting data required or useful to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application; (b) settings for sharing and transmitting data required to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application whose software has been configured by the manufacturer or a subsidiary or agent of the manufacturer or a third party or the like; (c) settings for sharing and transmitting data required to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application whose software has been configured by a third party; (d) settings for authentication to share or transmit data required to perform firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application; (e) settings for notification of the user through the device or application that firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application are available and / or required; and (f) settings for notification of the user through the device or application that firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application are available and / or required as a means of troubleshooting the device or correcting a problem or issue with the device or application that is preventing some aspect of the intended or proper functionality.

[0129] The settings may include, but are not limited to, health system data sharing settings such as: (a) settings for sharing all or any data collected by the device or collected directly from the user through use of the application to the user's health care provider; (b) settings for sharing all or any data collected by the device or collected directly from the user through use of the application to the user's health care network; (c) settings for sharing all or any data collected by the device or collected directly from the user through use of the application to the user's insurance company; (d) settings for sharing all or any data collected by the device or collected directly from the user through use of the application to the user's pharmacy or prescription drug provider or the like; and (e) settings for notification of the availability of prescriptions issued or written for the end user that are ready for pickup, delivery and / or shipment to the user of prescription ingredients intended for provision to the patient by the vaporizer or the like. For example, a pharmacy may send a notification to the user through the device application, such as informing the user that a prescription for the device or device components is available for the user to obtain from the pharmacy. (f) Settings for authorizing a health care provider to configure, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, ... adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things to set, configure, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust, manipulate, or do similar things(j) Settings that allow a healthcare provider, network, agency, authorized third party, or similar to send alerts, messages, surveys, or the like through the Device Application, and (k) Settings that allow a healthcare provider, network, agency, authorized third party, or similar to access data generated through the Device Application as survey results, or the like.

[0130] The settings may include, but are not limited to, retailer and / or consumer oriented data settings such as: (a) settings for sharing user specific information such as product, device, component, accessory, or similar details; (b) settings for receiving notifications from retailers or the like about product promotions; (c) settings for receiving notifications from retailers or the like about product availability; (d) settings for receiving notifications from retailers or the like about new product or accessory sales; (e) settings for using demographic or similar location services to find retail locations geographically close to the user; (f) settings for sharing data that may be used for demographic, socio-economic, or similar marketing or promotional activities; and (g) settings for collecting data regarding device purchases, device accessory purchases, vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies purchases, frequency of purchases, sales locations, discounts taken by the user at the time of purchase, and related or similar information. (h) Preferences regarding sharing of data regarding purchases of devices, purchases of device accessories, purchases of vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies, frequency of purchases, sales location, discounts utilized, and related or similar information; (i) Use of the Application to provide incentives to users to share information regarding purchases of devices, purchases of device accessories, purchases of vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies, frequency of purchases, sales location, discounts utilized, and related information such as discounts, vouchers, promotional codes, free items, or the like; (j) Preferences regarding use of User Profiles to provide targeted incentives to users to share information regarding purchases of devices, purchases of device accessories, purchases of vaporizer liquid and related packages or assemblies, frequency of purchases, sales location, discounts utilized, promotional codes utilized, and related information such as discounts, vouchers, free items, or the like.

[0131] The settings may include device access settings such as, but are not limited to, the following: (a) settings for rendering the device inactive and unusable; (b) settings for rendering the device inactive and unusable if an authorized user has a personal identification number (PIN) that activates the device when entered using the application; (c) settings for rendering the device inactive and unusable if an authorized user has a biometric identifier that activates the device when authenticated or verified or matched or the like using the application; (d) settings for rendering the device inactive and unusable if an authorized user has a biometric identifier that activates the device where the biometric identifier is a fingerprint when authenticated or verified or matched using the application; and (e) settings for rendering the device inactive and unusable if an authorized user has a biometric identifier that activates the device where the biometric identifier is a scan of the eye or iris or the like when authenticated or verified or matched using the application. (f) Settings for rendering the device inactive and unable to be used when an authorized user has a biometric identifier that activates the device when authenticated or verified or verified using an application, the biometric identifier being facial recognition. (g) Settings whereby unauthorized use of the device is prevented through the use of a PIN or a unique biometric identifier. (h) Settings for sharing data regarding attempts at unauthorized use of the device. (i) Settings for sharing data over a network to authorize a user and activate the device. (j) Settings for sharing data such that biometric authentication may be performed through the use of a network. (k) Settings for the time or period that elapses after use before the device is rendered inactive and authentication is required to authorize the device. (l) Settings for resetting or changing user specific authentication information such as a PIN.

[0132] The settings may include a number of user settings such as, but not limited to, the following: (a) settings for sharing and transmission of data required or useful to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application; (b) settings for sharing and transmission of data required to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application where the software has been configured by the manufacturer or a subsidiary or agent of the manufacturer or a third party or the like; (c) settings for sharing and transmission of data required to perform software configuration of the device and / or device application where the software has been configured by a third party; (d) settings for authentication for sharing or transmission of data required to perform firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application; (e) settings for notification of the user through the device or application that firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application are available and / or required; and (f) settings for notification of the user through the device or application that firmware or similar updates to the device and / or application are available and / or required as a means of troubleshooting the device or correcting a problem or issue with the device or application that is preventing some aspect of the intended or proper functionality.

[0133] The settings may include defined usage profile settings such as, but not limited to, the following: (a) settings regarding sharing of user data to the manufacturer, manufacturer's subsidiaries, manufacturer's agents, or third parties for the purpose of generating a user profile based on user-specific usage data, demographic data, socio-economic data, or the like; (b) use of user data shared or transmitted to the manufacturer, manufacturer's subsidiaries, manufacturer's agents, or third parties for the purpose of generating a user profile based on user-specific usage data, demographic data, socio-economic data, or the like, used to identify a unique user profile; (c) where a user profile is a set of setting configurations that correlate with a unique subset of users; (d) where the subset of users may be based on demographic data, socio-economic data, personal data collected through use of the application, device usage data, or the like; (e) where a user profile may be specific to a subset of users and recommended device configurations based on user profile data are available to users of the device based on the user's similarity to the subset of users. (f) Your experience may be optimized by using accumulated data from similar users to establish default configurations for your device based on your demographics, socio-economic data or the like.

[0134] The settings may include, but are not limited to, settings related to integration with other applications, such as: (a) settings to allow, facilitate, authenticate, verify, or similarly share data between the device application and other applications that may be installed on or part of the user's personal digital device; (b) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be social media applications; (c) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be email services, email providers, email hosting, or similar applications; (d) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be text messaging, SMS, or similar applications; (e) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be location-based services applications; (f) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be maps or mapping, navigation, location, or similar applications; (g) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be health management, health care providers, health care services, health care networks, or similar applications; (h) where the other applications with which the device application shares information may be pharmacies or pharmacy-type service providers, or similar applications. (i) other applications with which the device application shares information may be weather or weather forecast or weather report or similar applications, (j) other applications with which the device application shares information may be device manufacturer applications, (k) other applications with which the device application shares information may be research or research oriented applications, (l) other applications with which the device application shares information may be device retailer or similar consumer device applications.

[0135] Settings may include, but are not limited to, settings related to error codes and troubleshooting, such as: (a) settings related to authorizing or allowing data sharing for the device or device application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of resolving problems related to the performance or functionality of the device; (b) settings related to authorizing or allowing data sharing for the device or device application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of resolving problems related to the device application; (c) settings related to authorizing or allowing data sharing for the device or device application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of estimating data metrics related to device failures; and (d) settings related to authorizing or allowing data sharing for the device or device application to send error codes or error reports to the manufacturer, a manufacturer's subsidiary, a manufacturer's agent, or a third party for the purpose of collecting data that may be related to manufacturing or quality control or similar issues or potential problems related to the device, device components, or fluids used in the device. (e) Settings for authorizing or allowing data sharing for the purpose of troubleshooting device issues or problems, (f) Settings for authorizing or allowing data sharing for the purpose of troubleshooting device issues or problems that may be related to user error.

[0136] The settings may include, but are not limited to, settings relating to methods of communication such as: (a) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as wireless and wired technologies; (b) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or similar for data transmission to a user's personal digital device; (c) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as wired or wireless methods or similar for data transmission to a network; (d) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as text messages or SMS; (e) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as email or e-mail; and (f) settings for devices or device applications using methods of data transmission such as notifications or push notifications on a user's digital device.

[0137] The application may be used to provide information to troubleshoot the device if a performance problem or failure occurs. The application may be used to provide safety information regarding the device or the user. The application may be used to provide safety information regarding maintenance, cleaning, or similar activities of the device. The application may be used to provide storage information for the device. The application may be used to provide information regarding disposal or reuse of the device. The application may be used to provide information regarding proper disassembly and assembly of the device. The application may be used to provide information such as manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or similar websites and / or contact information. The application may be used to provide information such as website uniform resource locators (URLs) or links to internet forums that may relate to use, troubleshooting, user experiences, user reviews, or the like. The application may be used to provide safety information regarding the device to the user. The application may be used to provide information about available products, accessories, or the like that may relate to the device. The application may be used to provide a venue for advertising consumer products or services that may relate to the device. The application may be used to provide functionality related to an individual user's device usage goals, and to monitor usage as it relates to user-defined goals and present the data in charts, graphs, or similar formats.

[0138] The systems, controllers and functions described above may be implemented or performed on one or more computer systems. The methods described herein may be stored on a computer readable medium.

[0139] (Dosage control) The vaporizer and / or vaporization system may include dose control and / or dose metering. Generally, dose control is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 960,259, filed December 4, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0140] As mentioned above, the vaporizer and / or devices that are part of a vaporization system as defined above may include a user interface (e.g., including an app or application software) that may be executed on a communicating device, which may be configured to identify, display, execute and / or meter dosing. For example, the vaporizer may have a "unit dose" mode / indicator that is displayed on the vaporizer and / or application. The unit dose may be changed by a connected application and / or by directly controlling the vaporizer. For example, a user may change from 1 mg of nicotine per dose to 2 mg of nicotine per dose.

[0141] The dosage unit may be programmable. For example, a user may program a dosage based on previous (recorded) use. For example, a user may press a "start" button on the app, take a full puff to satisfaction, and press "stop" on the app. In addition, the user may input user-specific data that aids in determining and / or measuring the dosage. For example, the user may input weight, sex, and any other relevant data. Such information may be used accordingly to adjust the dosage of therapeutic medications, such as painkillers, sleep aids, etc.

[0142] As described, in some embodiments of the invention, the vaporizer and / or an app running on a device connected (or connectable) to the vaporizer can record the use or operation of the device and later replay such use. Generally, the vaporizer or app can record first operating parameters (e.g., temperature setting, ramp time to heat, etc.) and second usage parameters (e.g., number of puffs, cumulative dose, duration of use, etc.), store the recorded operating and usage parameters as a usage profile, associate controls, buttons, icons, etc. with the recorded usage profile, and program the operation of the device based on the usage profile, such that the operating parameters are automatically modified such that the actual operating parameters track the recorded operating parameters.

[0143] For example, a user may record a usage profile including the number of puffs (e.g., inhalations, inhalations, etc.) between temperature changes in addition to temperature such that the usage profile may be later replayed, e.g., by selecting a button or other indicator associated with the recorded / programmed usage profile. In some embodiments, the vaporizer and / or app may record one or more second usage parameters, such as temperature and one or more of puff time (duration), puff count (number of puffs), energy (e.g., cumulative joules of energy) dose / exposure provided to the vaporizable material, etc. Replay may be indexed to any recorded usage parameters, such as number of puffs, cumulative duration of puffs, cumulative energy provided, cumulative dose, etc., and when the vaporizer is activated, the vaporizer's operating parameters (e.g., provided vaporization temperature, provided energy, etc.) may be set or modified to match the recorded and / or programmed temperature, resulting in an identical usage profile. For example, a user may record a usage profile while operating the device at a first temperature (e.g., 150° C.) for five puffs, then increasing the temperature to 180° C. for five more puffs, and then increasing the temperature to 200° C. for ten puffs. The recorded operating profile may be stored in the vaporizer, app, or some other connected memory and associated with a control (e.g., icon, graphic, text, button, etc.) on the vaporizer, app, and / or remote processing device, or memory. The recorded operating profile may be played back, for example, by selecting an icon (or button, control, text, etc.) on the app or vaporizer associated with the recorded / programmed profile. During playback, the vaporizer may wait until the same or similar operating parameters (e.g., puffs, duration of use, power utilized, dose, etc.) are met or exceeded, and may control the heater based on the recorded profile. In the above example, the recorded operating profile may be played back later by pressing an icon. The vaporizer and / or app can compare the usage parameters to the vaporizer's current operation and adjust the operating parameters accordingly to match the usage profile.

[0144] 20 shows a screen of a user interface that includes an icon 2001 that is associated with a usage profile, and by touching the icon 2001 the usage profile can be played as shown at 2003. Playback can be stopped by pressing another button / icon 2003.

[0145] The usage profile may be recorded or programmed, or both (e.g., a recorded usage profile may be modified by a user on the vaporizer and / or in an app, etc.).

[0146] In some examples, dosage (e.g., cumulative dosage) may be a measured usage parameter. In some embodiments of the present invention, dosage may be calculated as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 960,259, filed December 4, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as previously described. The cumulative dosage may be stored for communication and / or display. Additionally, dosage may be used to control the operation of the vaporizer.

[0147] In one example of nicotine dose control, the user can set a target upper limit for how much nicotine he / she wants per day. In some embodiments, the device does not lock the user out from taking more, but notifies them if they are over the target. Alternatively, the device may lock the user out.

[0148] In one example of THC dosage regulation, dosage control may allow a user to treat symptoms without experiencing too many psychoactive effects. For example, usage data may be shared with a doctor to allow prescription / administration. Generally, for medical use, the vaporizer or app may correlate recorded symptoms with dosage. Alternatively or additionally, for recreational use, the vaporizer or app may allow a user to more easily figure out the right amount for them, and may provide that dosage repeatedly.

[0149] In some embodiments of the invention, the application or vaporizer may inform the user of the THC drinking and driving under the influence (DUI) limits for the user's state and may set an alarm / alert when a single use exceeds the limit based on estimated blood concentration (e.g., 5 ng / mL blood concentration in Colorado, or 3.5-5 ng / mL blood concentration as reported at http: / / www.canorml.org / healthfacts / DUICreport.2005.pdf). The vaporizer or app may also include a table similar to the number of drinks vs. blood alcohol concentration (BAC) table included in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) letters. The vaporizer and / or app may alternatively or additionally estimate blood THC concentration based on the user's weight and gender information.

[0150] (Monitoring-Health Management and Cancellation) Vaporizers and / or applications running on devices that are part of a vaporization system according to embodiments of the present invention may also be configured to monitor usage, such as for health regimens and / or smoking cessation. For example, similar to weight loss monitoring devices, vaporizers and / or apps may be useful for people who wish to reduce their nicotine consumption and / or keep track of how much nicotine has been consumed within a certain period of time. For example, vaporizers and / or apps may be configured to allow users of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes to record how much tobacco they have consumed and compare the total amount of HPHC and nicotine ingested on different days when the user used different combinations.

[0151] The app and / or vaporizer can also provide further incentives by providing messages, such as reporting how much X compound has been consumed, and showing the former smoker how much money they are saving by reducing or eliminating smoking. This is most relevant for nicotine, but may be used for other substances as well. In some embodiments, the user can input the usual price per pack of cigarettes, which can be used as a benchmark. This may also be relevant for THC, since vaping is a more effective means of consumption. From anecdotal data, there may be a 5-10x multiplier between smoking and vaping. For example, someone who vapes x mg of THC would otherwise smoke 10x x mg of THC in a given period of time. Based on dosage monitoring by the device, the vaporizer and / or app may report savings relative to how much the user would otherwise smoke.

[0152] In some embodiments of the invention, the app may also allow the user to record other health metrics related to activity, such as from a fitness app, and / or show correlations between nicotine or THC use and alcohol consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, exercise time, or weight changes. For example, the user may input a desired unit dose (preset, or using estimated / recorded / programmable data as described above) and a dosing interval or total daily target amount. The vaporizer and / or app may lock out after each dose, and an alert may pop up on the user's computing device (e.g., phone, smartwatch, tablet, etc.) when it is time for the next dose, and the vaporizer automatically unlocks for the next use. This may be used as a user-selected reduction method (reduction or discontinuation) or to maintain a predetermined treatment regimen (e.g., X mg of drug every Y hours, not to exceed Z mg per day).

[0153] In some embodiments, the vaporizer and / or associated app has a dashboard-style user interface where users can track and chart their progress over time. The data can be something based on individual data and / or group data. For example, group data can show as a number what the average smoking-to-vaping switch ratio is at any given time since starting to use the vaporizer. The device can provide a list where the user can select other users to define a group (cohort) based on the starting status of other users, such as packs per day, age, gender, etc.

[0154] (user preference) In some embodiments, the vaporizer and / or associated app can be customized and provide reminders based on the user's preferences (including THC users, including picky users). For example, in some embodiments, the device may store preferences for different strain and strength cartridges (e.g., "pods") that the user can choose from. The app and / or vaporizer may store preferences for different use cases (e.g., "on a hike," "at bedtime," "party time," etc.). In some embodiments, the cartridges have different THC / CBD ratios, and the device (e.g., vaporizer and / or app) may set reminders to use high or low THC cartridges based on the user's usage patterns and preferences.

[0155] In conjunction with cartridge detection (as described above and shown in FIG. 14E), in any embodiment described herein, the vaporizer and / or app may also or instead suggest one or more usage profiles (e.g., heating profiles). For example, even in embodiments that do not include cartridge detection, based on the type of cartridge and / or based on user input of the type of vaporizable material (strain, concentration, etc.), the vaporizer and / or app may suggest a usage profile (e.g., "other users enjoy this strain with profile X" or "other users enjoy this strain with an initial temperature of 155° C.").

[0156] (Device Control and Customization) As mentioned above, the vaporizer may be controlled in part by user input to an associated app. For example, certain aspects of the vaporizer that may be controlled may include changing the temperature set point, for example, to allow the user to produce less vapor when the user needs to be more discreet. This may also allow the user to reduce the severity and intake of active ingredients per puff.

[0157] The app may also provide a more accurate display of the battery level than what is displayed on the vaporizer. For example, while charging, the app may show the time remaining.

[0158] As described above, the app may also provide firmware updates to the vaporizer.

[0159] For devices that accept both nicotine and THC cartridges, the associated (connected) app may also allow the user to switch between nicotine and THC cartridges, which may have different temperature setpoints.

[0160] The vaporizer and / or devices that are part of the vaporizer system can use the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to assist the user in locating a lost vaporizer. Additionally, the app may allow the user to make the vaporizer vibrate, flash, and / or make sounds such as an alarm, including helping to locate a misplaced device. For example, temperature changes, vibrations, or flashing lights may also be indicators of whether the vaporizer is hidden nearby. In some embodiments, the vaporizer, if connected to a misplaced phone, may also help locate the misplaced phone via a change in LED color based on the distance between the vaporizer and the phone.

[0161] The vaporizer and / or app may be used to adjust the brightness and color of the vaporizer's LEDs. For example, for vaporizers with multiple LEDs, a user may download a personalized display pattern to the device. In addition to making the vaporizer feel more personalized, this may increase utility, as it may be easier to identify which vaporizer belongs to a particular owner.

[0162] In some embodiments, the vaporizer temperature may be adjusted using a graphical user interface that allows both global and precise control of the vaporizer temperature with a single finger. For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, a graphical user interface (GUI) may include a temperature display (e.g., as part of indicator 2103) that visually indicates the vaporizer's current temperature and / or target temperature. The temperature may be adjusted up or down (within a range). In such an embodiment, to adjust the temperature, a user may hold a fingertip at position 2105 on or against indicator 2103, causing indicators 2109 to display on either side of the temperature as the vaporizer temperature may be adjusted up (to the right) or down (to the left), as shown in FIG. 21B. A quick slide of the finger to an adjacent indicator 2109 quickly moves the temperature setting by large intervals (e.g., intervals of 3 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, etc.). Large interval adjustments are indicated by large circles. Holding a fingertip on or against the temperature indicator (shown as position 2105 in Figs. 21A and 21B) for a predetermined longer period (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.) can open a fine temperature manipulation device as shown by small indicator 2107 in Fig. 21C. Moving the finger along the fine temperature manipulation device allows the selected temperature to be raised / lowered in fine amounts (e.g., 0.1 degree, 0.5 degree, 1 degree, 2 degrees, etc.). The temperature change is indicated by the central temperature indicator.

[0163] (self-cleaning) The vaporizer may be configured to include a self-cleaning mode, where the vaporizer is configured to operate the heater at a predetermined high temperature (e.g., 600° F. or higher) for a self-cleaning time (e.g., greater than 1 minute, greater than 2 minutes, greater than 3 minutes, greater than 4 minutes, greater than 5 minutes, greater than 6 minutes, greater than 7 minutes, greater than 8 minutes, greater than 9 minutes, greater than 10 minutes, greater than 12 minutes, greater than 15 minutes, etc., or between 1 and 20 minutes, between 1 and 15 minutes, between 1 and 10 minutes, etc.). The self-cleaning mode may be operated directly by the vaporizer or in conjunction with an application (app) or the like.

[0164] The self-cleaning mode may be operated in conjunction with an accelerometer or other sensor on the vaporizer. For example, the accelerometer may be used to determine if the vaporizer is not being held or carried by a user before entering into a self-cleaning operation. For example, self-cleaning may only be permitted when the device is "stationary" (e.g., placed or held on a stationary surface) for a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes, 2.5 minutes, 3 minutes, etc. The self-cleaning mode may also only be permitted in embodiments having an oven or heating chamber door (such as those shown in Figures 2A-2C) when the door is secured to the device.

[0165] The self-cleaning mode may also be terminated and cooled when the device is lifted or moved (e.g., based on accelerometer input). During self-cleaning, the device may provide a visual, audible, or tactile output indicating that self-cleaning is active. For example, one or more indicators may light up or flash (e.g., red, red and blue, white, etc.) to indicate that self-cleaning is active. In some embodiments, the vaporizer may also or instead indicate self-heating by beeping, beeping, chirping, or the like.

[0166] (Anti-theft / Parental Lock / Childproof) Any of the devices described herein may include a device lock, as described above. For example, the app and / or vaporizer may authenticate the device using encryption as an anti-theft mechanism. A similar concept may be used to bind the vaporizer to the owner's portable communication device so that the device can be disabled to prevent use if stolen. In some embodiments, the vaporizer may periodically connect with the portable communication device for verification.

[0167] The vaporizers described herein can include parental lockout (e.g., childproofing). For example, the device can be "locked" for parents who want to prevent their children from using the device. For parental lockout, in addition to Bluetooth® or other relatively long-range communication, the device may also implement a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag on the vaporizer. NFC readers are built into many smartphones. One feature of NFC is that it only works over very short distances. This makes unlocking very simple, you just tap the phone against the vaporizer. NFC tags are extremely cheap and small, and can be used in addition to or instead of other wireless communication modes such as Bluetooth®. NFC can be used to implement some of the other features described above.

[0168] (GPS for location, ordering and social networking) The devices described herein (eg, vaporizers and / or associated apps) may include location services (GPS).

[0169] For example, a user who buys vaporizer cartridges directly from a supplier can use the app to know exactly how many cartridges the user owns and how many they have left. Retailers may use this information to suggest to the user to automatically order more cartridges when they are running low.

[0170] In any of the devices described herein, the app and / or vaporizer may include or communicate with a GPS to locate the vaporizer. The location information may be used to direct the user to the nearest retailer to purchase additional cartridges, to use location services for delivery, to order via smartphone (e.g., a usage tracker combined with auto-refills), and / or to inform the user of relevant local laws regarding e-cigarette and cannabis use.

[0171] Additionally, any of the vaporizers and apps described herein may be used to enhance a user's social experience, including interacting with other users and contacting specific users.

[0172] In some embodiments, the vaporizer and / or app may paint a portrait of the user and tell them how they compare to other users. For example, the vaporizer and / or app may show what percentile the user's nicotine / THC consumption falls in and may recommend strains (cartridges) based on the user's behavior (e.g., "We've noticed that you use your vaporizer most at night. Other people who use at night prefer this strain.").

[0173] The vaporizer or app may include access to a forum or chat area where users can exchange advice, and an area where physicians can discuss various topics.

[0174] Generally, any of the above devices may enable users to participate in games, either through gamification of usage or by including games that may be utilized by users (including multiple users) independent of vaporizing material. For example, gamification of usage (including purchasing new components such as cartridges) may include the creation of teams for the awarding and trading of points, prizes, etc. Games may include the use of accelerometers or other sensors within the device that may be wirelessly communicated (e.g., directly or via a remote server) to an app and / or to another user's vaporizer or app to enable game interaction.

[0175] The vaporizers and / or apps described herein may also facilitate sponsorship, for example allowing a user to sign up for a friends or family membership, pay for the vaporizer, and have the vaporizer sent to them or even delivered immediately (e.g., by bike messenger). This may be used to provide incentives to sponsors for switching from traditional cigarettes to vaporizers and / or rewards for use (perhaps in lieu of traditional cigarette use), for example, if you stick with it you get a reward (e.g., a gift card, etc.).

[0176] Any of the devices described herein (including vaporizers and any associated apps) may also be used to collect and analyze user data. This may allow vaporizer manufacturers, providers, and retailers to know their users better, including understanding when, where, and how users are using their vaporizers. Knowing when and where consumers are using their vaporizers can allow for better marketing to users and improved designs for future products.

[0177] The vaporizers and apps described herein may also facilitate communication between manufacturers and / or retailers and consumers (users). For example, there may be an opportunity to encourage direct sales by interacting with consumers while they are using the product. Thus, for example, the app may say, "If my calculations are correct, it looks like you only have one cartridge left in your pack. Would you like to buy another one?"

[0178] The vaporizers and apps described herein may also have enhanced anti-counterfeiting components, including registration of the vaporizer and / or app (e.g., through use of the app). In some embodiments, the vaporizer may have a similar cryptographic handshake with the app and / or charging dock.

[0179] Additionally, the vaporizer and / or app may allow or include device diagnostics. For example, the vaporizer and / or app may monitor for component level failures (e.g., pressure sensors, batteries, pogo pins) and potentially identify broken devices in the field and ship warranty replacements without requiring the device to be returned to customer service. This may also allow for rapid collection of data regarding common issues for routine modifications and future designs.

[0180] (Example) Application Software / Hardware / Firmware ("Apps")

[0181] An example of application software comprising many of the features described herein for use with one or more vaporizers is described with reference to Figures 7A through 21C. Figures 7A and 7B show a user interface (UI) for an application (app) that may be used with a vaporizer as described herein, including the app itself, initial security controls, and / or authentication protocols for accessing the vaporizer, and / or associated vaporizer data analysis, data collection and data processing systems. Any of the security features described above, including biometric or other data, may also be incorporated.

[0182] Figure 7A shows a portion of the system, including the app, security control and / or authentication for accessing the vaporizer, and / or associated vaporizer data analysis, data collection, and data processing. Figure 7B shows an exemplary user interface prompting for customer information to set up an account associated with the vaporizer.

[0183] The user may also customize the application or associated software / hardware / firmware. Figure 7B shows an exemplary UI prompting for customer information to set up an account associated with the vaporizer.

[0184] 8A and 8B show exemplary UIs for use with a vaporizer or an app associated with a vaporizer that can further customize / personalize the UI for a particular user. Figure 8A shows a user interface for an app configured to allow a user to associate one or more vaporizers with the app, and Figure 8B shows a screen of a user interface for the app that allows a user to manipulate privacy settings.

[0185] Any of the apps described herein may also be tailored for use with detection of cartridges and / or vaporizable materials, including automatic detection. The app may provide instructions for detection / identification, or the operation of the app may be automatically tailored / customized based on a detected cartridge. For example, FIGS. 9A-9E show an exemplary UI for use with a vaporizer, including identification and / or detection (including automatic detection) of a cartridge for use with the vaporizer. FIGS. 9A and 9B show screens of a user interface that guide a user in operation of a vaporizer, including detection (e.g., automatic detection) of a cartridge. FIG. 9C shows a UI configured to allow a user to customize one or more of the vaporizers associated with a user account, including giving one or more vaporizers a name (e.g., nickname). FIG. 9D shows a UI that provides instruction options by showing images, diagrams, or the like to guide a user through operation of a vaporizer, including operating the vaporizer and app together, as shown in the exemplary UI of FIG. 9E showing animated instructions for use ("How to Use")

[0186] 10 is another example of a UI for an app that includes a menu of commands (including "Account," "Find a Store," "Refer a Friend," "Play," "Help," and "Walkthrough." The UI for the menu of commands can be displayed on demand over other UI, including statistical / data displays (e.g., dosage information, usage information, etc.), as shown.

[0187] 11A-11C show screens of a UI that may be used as part of an app interface (eg, for a portable / wearable device).

[0188] In Fig. 11A, the UI includes user name / picture and statistics (bar graph at top) of usage information ("dashboard" information). Fig. 11B shows a map showing the user's location (e.g., by accessing GPS information and / or user direction information). Fig. 11C shows information icons that may be placed on the map screen to show information about other vaporizer users / groups.

[0189] FIG. 12 is a UI showing user information ("dashboard"), including a diagram of users and associated vaporization devices.

[0190] FIG. 13A is a UI for controlling the operation of one of the associated vaporizers, showing a detected cartridge at the bottom with information about the cartridge and / or contents that can be accessed by selecting / touching an image, a central temperature (e.g. oven / vaporizer) control that allows fingertip selection and / or changing of temperature manually or selection of one or more programs for setting the temperature, and a monitor that indicates the number of puffs and / or doses taken from the vaporizer, both cumulatively during a "session" or within a set period of time. FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C show alternative or improved UIs similar to that shown in FIG. 13A. As shown in FIG. 13A-C, an indicator (e.g. heart or other symbol) may be used to indicate pre-set preferences to the user.

[0191] 14A-14E show UI alerts / pop-ups that may be used. FIG. 14A shows a user alert / pop-up that may show information about the operation of the vaporizer and / or a specified cartridge based on aggregate data from other users. FIG. 14B shows user customized data that may be used. FIG. 14C shows user specific settings for the operation of the vaporizer and / or app, including downloaded updates to the vaporizer firmware via the app, similar to the UI of FIG. 14D. FIG. 14E shows an inserted and detected cartridge specific alert / pop-up that references information about the vaporizable material.

[0192] Figure 15A shows one method for detecting / identifying the cartridge (and a UI to assist the user in doing so) using a QR code present on the cartridge that can be scanned by a user electronic device (e.g., a smartphone) in communication with the device. Figure 15B is another UI for customizing the app and / or vaporizer, showing options for control of wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth) and other features.

[0193] Figures 16A-16E show UIs including menus of commands shown in Figure 16A (such as those shown in Figure 10), and accompanying UIs associated with commands / controls shown in Figures 16B ("Store Locator"), 16C ("Account"), 16D ("Games"), and 16E ("Help"), respectively. Additional UIs and content may be provided or linked through the UIs.

[0194] 17A and 17B show a UI (FIG. 17A) and a purchase / reorder UI (FIG. 17B) that may be displayed by an app that includes discount coupons or advertisements.

[0195] 18A-18E show a UI that may be used to guide a user through operation of the vaporizer and / or app, including either or both of the described / illustrated features.

[0196] 19A-19F show UIs that may be used to inform the user how to control the vaporizer using the app, cartridge identification (FIGS. 19B and 19C), temperature control (FIG. 19D), puff / dose monitoring (FIGS. 19E and 19F), etc. As shown in FIG. 19D, recommendations may be provided to indicate popular settings.

[0197] (Vaporizable material) As discussed above, vaporizers and / or vaporization systems according to embodiments of the present invention may be used with (and may include or be specifically configured for) any suitable vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material is an organic material. In some examples, the vaporizable material includes liquids, viscous liquids, waxes, loose-leaf plant materials, etc. In some examples, the vaporizable material is a tobacco-based material. In some examples, the vaporizable material is a cannabis-based material. In some examples, the vaporizable material is botanical. In some examples, the vaporizable material is nicotine, a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine salt. In some examples, the vaporizable material is a dietary supplement. In some examples, the vaporizable material contains cannabinoids. In some examples, the vaporizable material is a pharmaceutical compound.

[0198] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material exhibits a viscosity between 1 centipoise and 50 centipoise. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material exhibits a viscosity between 50 centipoise and 1,000 centipoise. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material exhibits a viscosity between 1,000 centipoise and 5,000 centipoise. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material exhibits a viscosity between 5,000 centipoise and 10,000 centipoise. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material exhibits a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise.

[0199] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material includes nicotine. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material includes a nicotine derivative. In some embodiments, the nicotine derivative is an acid salt of nicotine. In some embodiments, the acid salt of nicotine includes an organic acid. In some embodiments, the acid salt of nicotine does not include an inorganic salt.

[0200] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material is a formulation of nicotine, a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine salt. In some formulations, the concentration of nicotine or its derivative in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 25% (w / w). In some formulations, the concentration of nicotine or its derivative in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 20% (w / w). In some formulations, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 18% (w / w). In some embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 15% (w / w). In some embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 10% (w / w). In some embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 1% (w / w) to about 8% (w / w). In some embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 2% (w / w) to about 10% (w / w). In some formulations, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 4% (w / w) to about 12% (w / w). In some formulations, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 4% (w / w). In some embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the formulation is about 2% (w / w).

[0201] Nicotine salt formulations are formed by the addition of a suitable acid to nicotine or its derivatives, including organic or inorganic acids. In some formulations provided herein, the suitable organic acid is a carboxylic acid. Examples of organic carboxylic acids disclosed herein are monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids (organic acids containing two carboxylic acid groups), carboxylic acids containing aromatic groups such as benzoic acid, hydroxycarboxylic acids, heterocyclic carboxylic acids, terpenoid acids, and sugar acids. For example, pectinic acid, amino acids, alicyclic acids, aliphatic carboxylic acids, ketocarboxylic acids, and the like. In some formulations provided herein, the organic acid used herein is a monocarboxylic acid. In some formulations provided herein, the organic carboxylic acid is benzoic acid, levulinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, lauric acid, salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, or a combination thereof. In some formulations provided herein, the organic carboxylic acid is not levulinic acid. Nicotine salts are formed by the addition of a suitable acid to nicotine. In some formulations provided herein, the stoichiometric ratio of nicotine to acid (nicotine:acid) is 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 2:3, 2:5, 2:7, 3:4, 3:5, 3:7, 3:8, 3:10, 3:11, 4:5, 4:7, 4:9, 4:10, 4:11, 4:13, 4:14, 4:15, 5:6, 5:7, 5:8, 5:9, 5:11, 5:12, 5:13, 5:14, 5:16, 5:17, 5:18, or 5:19. In some formulations provided herein, the stoichiometric ratio of nicotine to acid is 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, or 1:4 (nicotine:acid).

[0202] In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is acidic. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is less than 7.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is less than 6.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is less than 5.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is less than 4.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is greater than 3.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is greater than 4.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is greater than 5.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the nicotine formulation is greater than 6.0.

[0203] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material comprises organic material from a Cannabis plant. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material comprises an extract from a Cannabis plant. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material comprises a cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabigerol (CBG). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabichromene (CBC). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabicyclol (CBL). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabivarin (CBV). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabichromevarin (CBCV). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabigerovarin (CBGV). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (D8THC). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9THC). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabinolic acid (CBNA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabinol (CBN). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabichromene acid (CBCA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabichromene (CBC). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA). In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is a stereoisomer of any of the cannabinoids listed above. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is a salt of any of the cannabinoids listed above.

[0204] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material is a cannabinoid formulation. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of 1% to 99% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of 5% to 95% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of 10% to 90% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of greater than about 99% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of greater than about 98% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of greater than about 97% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of greater than about 96% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is at a concentration of greater than about 95% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 94% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 93% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 92% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 91% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 90% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 80% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 70% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 60% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 50% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 40% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 30% cannabinoids. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 20% cannabinoids.In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is greater than about 10% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 1% to about 10% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 10% to about 20% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 20% to about 30% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 30% to about 40% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 40% to about 50% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 50% to about 60% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 60% to about 70% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 70% to about 80% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 80% to about 90% cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabinoid in the cannabinoid formulation is about 90% to about 100% cannabinoid.

[0205] In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has an acidic pH. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 7.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 6.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 5.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 4.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 3.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 4.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 5.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 6.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a basic pH. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 10.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 9.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH less than 8.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 7.0. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation has a pH greater than 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabinoid formulation is greater than 9.0 In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabinoid formulation is greater than 10.0.

[0206] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material is a cannabis preparation. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of between 1% and 99% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of between 5% and 95% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of between 10% and 90% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 99% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 98% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 97% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 96% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 95% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 94% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 93% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 92% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 91% cannabis. In some embodiments, the cannabis preparation has a concentration of greater than about 90% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 80% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 70% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 60% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 50% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 40% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 30% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 20% cannabis. In some embodiments, the concentration of the cannabis preparation is greater than about 10% cannabis.

[0207] In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is acidic. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 7.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 6.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 5.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 4.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 3.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 4.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 5.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 6.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is basic. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 10.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 9.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is less than 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 7.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 9.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the cannabis formulation is greater than 10.0.

[0208] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material contains a pharmaceutical compound as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutical compound, which is an active ingredient for vaporization in an electronic vaporization device utilizing the methods herein, can be heated to a temperature ranging from, for example, about 100° C. (e.g., about 100° C., about 105° C., about 110° C., about 120° C., about 130° C., about 140° C., about 150° C., about 160° C., about 170° C., etc., for aqueous carriers; e.g., about 50° C., about 60° C., about 70° C., about 80° C., etc., for ethanol-based formulations) to a temperature at which the active ingredient thermally decomposes (e.g., about 100° C., about 105° C., about 110° C., about 120° C., about 130° C., about 140° C., about 150° C., about 160° C., about 170° C., etc., for ethanol-based formulations). The present invention includes a drug that can be heated to vaporization without combustion for inhalation delivery at a temperature range of (e.g., less than) about 150° C., about 160° C., about 170° C., about 180° C., about 190° C., about 200° C., about 210° C., about 220° C., about 230° C., about 240° C., about 250° C., about 260° C., about 270° C., about 280° C., about 290° C., about 300° C., etc. In some embodiments, the drug can be intact or solubilized in a pharma- ceutically acceptable solvent. In some embodiments, the drug can include over-the-counter (OTC) substances as adjuncts for various ailments. The drug here can include known respiratory adjuncts for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The vaporizable material that is the active ingredient for vaporization in the devices described herein can include a drug that can be heated to vaporization for inhalation delivery without combustion. The drugs herein can include over-the-counter (OTC) substances from groups including upper respiratory tract adjuvants (such as cetirizine), pain relief and internal medication adjuvants (such as ibuprofen, naproxen), heartburn adjuvants (such as omeprazole), sleep aids (such as doxylamine, diphenhydramine, melatonin), or motion sickness adjuvants (such as meclizine).In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can contain respiratory support medications for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as short-acting beta agonists (such as albuterol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol), long-acting beta agonists (such as salmeterol, formoterol), anticholinergics (such as atropine sulfate, ipratropium bromide), leukotriene antagonists (such as montelukast, zafirlukast), corticosteroids (such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone), theophylline (such as theophylline), or combinations of corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists (fluticasone and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, mometasone and formoterol). In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can contain botanicals and dietary supplements such as tea (polyphenols, flavonoids, green tea catechins + / - caffeine), horehound (phenolic flavonoid glycosides, labdane-type diterpenoids, yohimbe, cranberry / grape (proanthocyanidins), black cohosh (terpene glycoside fraction (actin / cimifugosides), flaxseed (omega fatty acids), echinacea (echinacosides), valerian (alkaloids, gabapentin, isovaleric acid, terpenes), senna (senna glycosides), cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde, phenols, terpenes), vitamin D, saw palmetto (fatty acids), or caffeine. ... The pharmaceutical compound is at least 50% by weight soluble in any suitable carrier solvent, such as glycols (such as glycerol and vegetable glycerin), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, ethanol, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is terpinolene. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is linalool. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is phytol. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is beta-myrcene. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is citronellol. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is caryophyllene oxide. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is alpha-pinene. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compound is limonene.In some embodiments, the medicinal compound is beta-caryophyllene, in some embodiments, the medicinal compound is humulene, in some embodiments, the medicinal compound is an essential oil.

[0209] 22 illustrates an example user device 305 that may be used to implement one or more of the described functions and / or components, according to some exemplary embodiments. The user device 305 may perform one or more of the processes described herein. For example, the user device 305 may be used, according to some exemplary embodiments, to execute an application that communicates with the user device 305 to provide user control of the vaporizer, and to provide an interface to a user to associate with and interact with functions related to the vaporizer.

[0210] As shown, the user device 305 may include one or more processors, such as processor 2210, for executing instructions capable of implementing operations according to those described herein. The user device 305 may include memory 2220 for storing executable instructions and / or information. The memory 2220 may include a solid-state memory, a solid-state disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, or any other information storage device. In some aspects, the memory 2220 may provide storage for at least a portion of a database. The user device 305 may include a network interface 2240 to a wired or wireless network, such as the network described in connection with FIG. 3. The network interface 2240 may utilize one or more antennas, such as antenna 2290, for wireless communication.

[0211] The user device 305 can include one or more user interfaces, such as the user interface 2250. The user interface 2250 can include hardware or software interfaces, such as a keyboard, mouse, or other interfaces, some of which may include a touch screen integrated with the display 2230. The display 2230 can be used to display information, such as information about the functionality of the vaporizer, to provide instructions to the user, to receive user input, and / or the like. In various embodiments, the user interface 2250 can include and / or be configured to communicate with one or more peripheral devices.

[0212] In some aspects, the user interface 2250 can include one or more of the sensors described herein and / or can include an interface to one or more of the sensors described herein. The operation of the sensors can be controlled at least in part by the sensor module 2260. The user device 305 also includes an input / output filter 2270 that can filter information received from the sensors or other user interfaces, received and / or transmitted by the network 2240, and / or the like. For example, signals detected through the sensors can be passed through the filter 2270 for appropriate signal conditioning, and the filtered data can be passed to the sensor module 2260 and / or the processor 2210 for validation and processing (e.g., before transmitting results or instructions via the network interface 2240). The user device 305 can be powered through the use of one or more power sources, such as the power source 2280. As shown, one or more of the components of the user device 305 can communicate and / or receive power through a system bus 2299.

[0213] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention may include various methods of using a vaporization system that includes a vaporizer and a device in communication with the vaporizer. Figures 23 and 24 show process flow diagrams 2300 and 2400 illustrating the functionality of methods according to such embodiments.

[0214] FIG. 23 illustrates the functionality of a method, which may optionally include some or all of the following: At 2310, a cartridge may be coupled to a vaporizer body. The cartridge may include an identifier, a heater, a source of vaporizable material, and a pair of cartridge contacts. The vaporizer body may include a power source, a controller, and a pair of vaporizer body contacts in communication with the controller. The coupling may include engaging a pair of vaporizer body contacts on the vaporizer body with a pair of cartridge contacts on the cartridge. At 2320, power may be provided to the pair of electrical contacts to heat the heater, and an electrical signal may be read from the cartridge memory to the controller at 2330. In some variations, providing power and reading the electrical signal from the cartridge memory to the controller may occur via a circuit completed by the engagement of the pair of cartridge contacts and the pair of vaporizer body contacts.

[0215] FIG. 24 illustrates the functionality of a method, which may optionally include some or all of the following: A communication device may be paired with a vaporizer at 2410. Pairing may include establishing a wireless communication channel between a first communication hardware of the device and a second communication hardware of the vaporizer. At 2420, identification information of the vaporizer may be accessed through operation of an application executing on the communication device. Accessing may include a first exchange of data between the vaporizer and the communication device over the wireless communication channel. Information about the vaporizer may be displayed at 2430 using a user interface displayed by the communication device, and user input may be received at 2440 by user interaction with the user interface. At 2450, data may be communicated to the vaporizer to operate the vaporizer according to one or more parameters determined at the communication device by the user input.

[0216] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features and / or elements present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. When a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it can likewise be understood that it can be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features or elements present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.

[0217] Although described or illustrated with respect to a given example, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments of the invention. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a reference to a structure or feature being located "adjacent" to another feature may have an overlapping or underlying portion relative to the adjacent feature.

[0218] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," as used in the present specification and claims, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0219] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" are followed by a plurality of elements or features, with a conjunction. The term "and / or" is also placed between two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in combination with any of the other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B," "one or more of A and B," and "A and / or B" are intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together," respectively. A similar interpretation is intended to include three or more items as well. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" are intended to mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together," respectively. Use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," such that unrecited features or elements are also allowed.

[0220] Spatially related terms such as "under," "below," "lower," "over," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as depicted in the figures. Spatially related terms may be understood to be intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, an element described as "under" or "beneath" the other element or feature would be oriented "over" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in another orientation) and the spatially related descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly," "downwardly," "vertical," "horizontal," and the like, are used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless otherwise indicated.

[0221] The terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various (including step) features / elements, and the features / elements are not limited by these terms unless the context dictates otherwise. The terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another. Thus, a first feature / element described below may be referred to as a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element described below may be referred to as a first feature / element, without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0222] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and modifications such as "comprises" and "comprising" mean that various components may be used jointly in methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses, including devices and methods). For example, the term "comprising" is understood to imply the inclusion of any stated element or step, but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps.

[0223] As used in this specification and claims, including as used in the examples, unless expressly specified otherwise, all numbers can be read as being preceded by the word "about" or "approximately", even if the term is not expressly expressed. The phrase "about" or "approximately" can be used when describing a magnitude and / or location to indicate that the stated value and / or location is within a reasonable expected range of values ​​and / or locations. For example, a numerical value can have a value that is + / -0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical value given herein is also understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is similarly disclosed. Any numerical ranges described herein are intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. When a value is disclosed, it is also understood that "less than or equal to the value," "greater than or equal to the value," and possible ranges between the values ​​are also disclosed, as would be properly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if a value "X" (e.g., where X is a number) is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" are also disclosed. Throughout the application, data are provided in many different formats, and the data represent end and starting points, and are also understood to be ranges of any combination of the data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that not only between 10 and 15, but also greater than 10 and greater than 15, greater than or equal to 10 and greater than or equal to 15, less than 10 and less than 15, less than or equal to 10 and less than or equal to 15, and equal to 10 and equal to 15 are considered to be disclosed. Similarly, each unit between two specific units is also understood to be disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0224] Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, any number of modifications may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be omitted entirely. Optional features of the various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in other embodiments. Thus, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0225] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. Various aspects or features may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or readable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and communicate data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computer system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically operate through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0226] The computer program may be referred to as a program, software, software application, application, component, or code, and includes machine instructions for a programmable processor. The computer program may be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logic programming language, and / or an assembly / machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus, and / or device used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal, such as, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a memory, and a programmable logic circuit (PLD). The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-transitory, such as, for example, a non-transitory solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a temporary manner, such as in a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0227] To provide for user interaction, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to a user, a keyboard, and a pointing device, such as, for example, a mouse or trackball, through which a user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may be used to provide any interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as, for example, visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback. Input from the user may be received in any form, including, but not limited to, acoustic, voice, or tactile input. Other contemplated input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices, such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices, and associated decoding software, and the like.

[0228] The examples and figures contained herein illustrate, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter of the present invention may be practiced. As described, other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention, one or more of which may in fact be disclosed, may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term "invention" for convenience only, without intending to involuntarily limit the scope of the present application to any single invention or inventive concept. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

1. A method using a vaporizer, A step of receiving first data associated with a cartridge identifier on a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer device in one or more processors, wherein the first data includes information regarding age restrictions related to vaporizable materials in the vaporizer cartridge, In response to receiving the first data associated with the cartridge identifier, one or more processors generate a user interface that provides a request for user identification information; The steps include receiving second data corresponding to the user identification information via the user interface, A step of authenticating user identification information based on at least the second data, wherein the authentication includes performing an age analysis to determine the user's age based on a comparison of the registered user identification information with the second data, and determining that the user's age satisfies the minimum age requirement associated with the first data, A method comprising the step of operating the vaporizer device according to one or more parameters determined by one or more processors based on authentication of the user identification information.

2. The further step includes pairing a communication device with the vaporizer, The pairing includes establishing a wireless communication channel between the first communication hardware of the communication device and the second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The communication device includes one or more processors and a display unit. The access includes the exchange of first information between the vaporizer and the communication device via the wireless communication channel. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vaporizer is operated according to one or more parameters based on the communication device transmitting data to the vaporizer.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information further includes one or more of battery information, cartridge status, and vaporizer status.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more security or authentication functions of the vaporizer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a desired number of start cycles over a period of time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more reminders, alarms, or user notifications.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by the one or more parameters includes setting or specifying user-desired doses for the provision of one or more active ingredients per inhalation.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a user-desired total supply amount of one or more active ingredients over a certain period of time.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more output settings to adjust one or more of the strength, density, volume, aroma, temperature, or other properties of the vapor or aerosol.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more output settings to adjust settings that affect the battery life or performance of the power supply.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more configurations of the vaporizer relating to the liquid component or formulation of a vaporizable material to be aerosolized by the vaporizer.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying the environmental configuration of the vaporizer based on ambient temperature or humidity.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying the environmental configuration of the vaporizer based on altitude.

14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying the configuration of the vaporizer based on time.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more parameters to minimize, maximize, or adjust the functional effects of the taste or aroma components of the vapor product produced by the vaporizer.

16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying functional effect parameters to minimize or maximize the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic functional effects of the active ingredients or drug components of the vapor or aerosol produced by the vaporizer.

17. Display unit and First communication hardware and A system comprising one or more processors configured to run an application, The executed application is, A step of receiving first data associated with a cartridge identifier on a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer device in one or more processors, wherein the first data includes information regarding age restrictions related to vaporizable materials in the vaporizer cartridge, In response to receiving the first data associated with the cartridge identifier, one or more processors generate a user interface that provides a request for user identification information; The steps include receiving second data corresponding to the user identification information via the user interface, A step of authenticating user identification information based on at least the second data, wherein the authentication includes performing an age analysis to determine the user's age based on a comparison of the registered user identification information with the second data, and determining that the user's age satisfies the minimum age requirement associated with the first data. A communication device that implements an operation including the step of operating the vaporizer device according to one or more parameters determined by one or more processors based on authentication of the user identification information.

18. The operation further includes establishing a wireless communication channel between the first communication hardware of the communication device and the second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The access includes the exchange of first information between the vaporizer and the communication device via the wireless communication channel. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein the vaporizer is operated according to one or more parameters based on the communication device transmitting data to the vaporizer.

19. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more security or authentication functions of the vaporizer.

20. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a user-desired dose for the provision of one or more active ingredients per inhalation.

21. The communication device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a user-desired total supply amount of one or more active ingredients over a certain period of time.

22. The communication device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more output settings for adjusting one or more of the strength, density, volume, aroma, temperature, or other properties of the vapor or aerosol.

23. An application that runs on one or more processors, The aforementioned application is A step of receiving first data associated with a cartridge identifier on a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer device in one or more processors, wherein the first data includes information regarding age restrictions related to vaporizable materials in the vaporizer cartridge, In response to receiving the first data associated with the cartridge identifier, one or more processors generate a user interface that provides a request for user identification information; The steps include receiving second data corresponding to the user identification information via the user interface, A step of authenticating user identification information based on at least the second data, wherein the authentication includes performing an age analysis to determine the user's age based on a comparison of the registered user identification information with the second data, and determining that the user's age satisfies the minimum age requirement associated with the first data. An application that enables operation including the step of operating the vaporizer device according to one or more parameters determined by one or more processors based on authentication of the user identification information.

24. The operation further includes pairing the communication device with the vaporizer, The pairing includes establishing a wireless communication channel between the first communication hardware of the communication device and the second communication hardware of the vaporizer. The communication device includes one or more processors and the display unit, The access includes the exchange of first information between the vaporizer and the communication device via the wireless communication channel. The application according to claim 23, wherein the vaporizer is operated according to one or more parameters based on the communication device transmitting data to the vaporizer.

25. The application according to claim 23 or 24, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more security or authentication functions of the vaporizer.

26. The application according to claim 23 or 24, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a user-desired dose for the provision of one or more active ingredients per inhalation.

27. The application according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying a user-desired total supply amount of one or more active ingredients over a period of time.

28. The application according to claim 23 or 24, wherein operating the vaporizer by one or more parameters includes setting or specifying one or more output settings to adjust one or more of the strength, density, volume, aroma, temperature, or other properties of the vapor or aerosol.

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