Vaporizer device

Abstract

To provide a device for reverse charging of a vaporizer device, and a method and system.SOLUTION: A vaporizer may include a vaporizer body configured to couple with a vaporizer cartridge including a vaporizable material. The vaporizer body may include a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element in order to cause a vaporization of at least a part of the vaporizable material included in the vaporizer cartridge by at least increasing a temperature of the heating element. The vaporizer configured to engage in a reverse charging with a device in which the first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source at the device. Various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 781,587, entitled "Vaporizer Device," filed December 18, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] Technical Field The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices that include disposable vaporizer cartridges.

[0003] Background technology Vaporizer devices, which may also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used to deliver an aerosol (or "vapor") that includes one or more active ingredients, upon inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, electronic cigarettes, which may also be referred to as e-cigarettes, are a type of vaporizer device that is typically battery powered and can be used to simulate the experience of tobacco smoking, but without the combustion of tobacco or other substances.

[0004] In using a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol, commonly referred to as a vapor, which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (which generally means causing a liquid or solid to transition at least partially into the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form that may be compatible with the use of the particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer may be provided in a cartridge (e.g., the part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir) that includes a mouthpiece (e.g., for inhalation by the user).

[0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, a user may, in certain instances, activate the vaporizer device by making a puff, by pressing a button, or by some other approach. As commonly used (and as used herein), the term puff refers to an inhalation by a user that draws a volume of air into the vaporizer device, whereby the combination of vaporized vaporizable material and air produces an inhalable aerosol.

[0006] A typical approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or heater chamber) to convert the vaporizable material to a gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber generally refers to the area or volume within a vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and / or radiative) heats the vaporizable material to generate a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0007] In some vaporizer device embodiments, the vaporizable material can be drawn from the reservoir through a wicking element (wick) into the vaporization chamber. Such drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be due to capillary action provided by the wick. The wick draws the vaporizable material along the wick, at least in part, toward the vaporization chamber. However, as the vaporizable material is drawn from the reservoir, the pressure inside the reservoir drops, which creates a vacuum and acts against the capillary action. This can reduce the efficiency of the wick to draw the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber, which can reduce the efficiency of the vaporization device to vaporize a desired amount of vaporizable material, such as when a user puffs on the vaporizer device. Furthermore, the vacuum created in the reservoir can eventually prevent all of the vaporizable material from being drawn into the vaporization chamber, which can result in wasted vaporizable material. Therefore, an improved vaporization device and / or vaporization cartridge that improves or overcomes these problems is desired.

[0008] Consistent with the present subject matter, the term vaporizer device as used herein generally refers to a portable, self-contained device convenient for personal use. Typically, such devices are controlled by one or more switches, buttons, tactile devices, or other user input features, etc., on the vaporizer, which may generally be referred to as controls, although a number of devices (e.g., smartphones, smart watches, other wearable electronic devices, etc.) that can wirelessly communicate with an external controller have recently become available. In this context, control generally refers to the ability to affect one or more of a variety of operational parameters, which may include, but are not limited to, turning the heater on and / or off, adjusting the minimum and / or maximum temperatures to which the heater is heated during operation, games or other interactive features that the user may access on the device, and / or any other operation.

[0009] A variety of vaporizable materials having different contents and ratios of such contents can be included in the cartridge. Some vaporizable materials may have a small percentage of active ingredient relative to the total volume of vaporizable material, e.g., due to regulations requiring a particular percentage of active ingredient. Thus, a user may have to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (e.g., relative to the total volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in the cartridge) to achieve a desired effect.

[0010] overview In certain aspects of the present subject matter, issues related to charging an electronic vaporizer device in the absence of a charging device can be addressed by one or more features described herein or a comparable / equivalent approach as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the present subject matter relate to apparatus, methods, and systems for reverse charging of a vaporizer device.

[0011] In one embodiment, a vaporizer is provided. The vaporizer may include a vaporizer body configured to be coupled to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material. The vaporizer body may include a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the vaporizer cartridge to vaporize by at least an increase in temperature of the heating element. The vaporizer may be configured to engage in reverse charging with a device, in which a first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source of the device.

[0012] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein may be included as options in any operable combination, including the following features: The device may be another vaporizer or a handheld device.

[0013] In some variations, the vaporizer may be configured to engage in reverse charging in response to a pairing established between the vaporizer and the device. The pairing may be established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device. The pairing may be established by another device coupled to the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0014] In some variations, the vaporizer may be configured to engage in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0015] In some variations, the vaporizer may be configured to engage in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being designated as a supplier or recipient in reverse charging. The vaporizer may be designated as a supplier in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation. The vaporizer may be designated as a recipient in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation. The vaporizer body may further include one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0016] In some variations, the vaporizer may be further configured to be coupled to another device, and the vaporizer may be designated as a supplier or recipient in a reverse charge depending on one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0017] In some variations, the vaporizer body may further include an output device configured to generate at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as a supplier or recipient in reverse charging.

[0018] In some variations, a threshold amount of charge may be transferred between a vaporizer and a device engaged in reverse charging. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required at the vaporizer. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required at the device.

[0019] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts connecting the vaporizer and the device.

[0020] In some variations, the vaporizer and device may engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0021] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging with another device. The reverse charging may include another device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device. The reverse charging may further include another device transferring a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device. The reverse charging may further include another device storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

[0022] In some variations, the vaporizer body may further include a converter circuit configured to regulate an output voltage of a first power supply of the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

[0023] In another aspect, a method for reverse charging is provided. The method may include reverse charging a vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to be coupled to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material. The vaporizer body may include a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge by increasing the temperature of the heating element. Reverse charging the vaporizer may include a first power source of the vaporizer charging or being charged by a second power source in the device.

[0024] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein may be included as options in any operable combination, including the following features: The device may be another vaporizer or a handheld device.

[0025] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to a pairing established between the vaporizer and the device. The pairing may be established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device. The pairing may be established by another device coupled to the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0026] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0027] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being designated as a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging. The vaporizer may be designated as a supplier in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation. The vaporizer may be designated as a recipient in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation. The vaporizer body may further include one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0028] In some variations, the method may further include receiving one or more inputs from another device coupled to the vaporizer, and the vaporizer may be designated as a supplier or a recipient in the reverse charging depending on the one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0029] In some variations, the method may further include generating, by an output device on the vaporizer, at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

[0030] In some variations, the method may further include transferring a threshold amount of charge between the vaporizer and the device engaged in reverse charging. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required at the vaporizer. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required at the device.

[0031] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts connecting the vaporizer and the device.

[0032] In some variations, the vaporizer and device may engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0033] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging with another device. This reverse charging may include another device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device. This reverse charging may further include another device transferring a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device. This reverse charging may further include another device storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

[0034] In some variations, the method may further include regulating an output voltage of a first power supply of the vaporizer by a converter circuit in the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

[0035] In another aspect, a system for reverse charging is provided. The system may include a device and a vaporizer. The vaporizer may include a vaporizer body configured to be coupled to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material. The vaporizer body may include a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause at least a temperature increase of the heating element to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer may be configured to engage in reverse charging with the device, in which a first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source of the device.

[0036] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein may be included as options in any operable combination, including the following features: The device may be another vaporizer or a handheld device.

[0037] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to a pairing established between the vaporizer and the device. The pairing may be established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device. The pairing may be established by another device coupled to the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0038] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0039] In some variations, the method may further include engaging in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being designated as a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging. The vaporizer may be designated as a supplier in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation. The vaporizer may be designated as a recipient in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation. The vaporizer body may further include one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0040] In some variations, the method may further include receiving one or more inputs from another device coupled to the vaporizer, and the vaporizer may be designated as a supplier or a recipient in the reverse charging depending on the one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0041] In some variations, the method may further include generating at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output at an output device in the vaporizer corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as a supplier or recipient in reverse charging.

[0042] In some variations, the method may further include transferring a threshold amount of charge between the vaporizer and the device engaged in reverse charging. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required at the vaporizer. The threshold amount of charge may be determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required at the device.

[0043] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts connecting the vaporizer and the device.

[0044] In some variations, the vaporizer and device may engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0045] In some variations, the vaporizer and the device may engage in reverse charging with another device. This reverse charging may include another device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device. This reverse charging may further include another device transferring a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device. This reverse charging may further include another device storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

[0046] In some variations, the method may further include regulating an output voltage of a first power supply of the vaporizer by a converter circuit in the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

[0047] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0048] 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]

[0049] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating one example of a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a top view of one example of a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of an example of a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a vaporizer consistent with an alternative embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece including example air passages consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 4B] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece including another example of an air passageway consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4C] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece including another example of an air passageway consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4D] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece including another example of an air passageway consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer having electrical and mechanical connections between a vaporizer body and a vaporizer cartridge, consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 6A] 1A-1C illustrate examples of power sharing among multiple vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of power sharing among multiple vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 7A] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of power sharing among multiple vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of power sharing among multiple vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 7C] [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one example of a charging and transport hub consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0050] In the embodiments, like reference numbers indicate like structures, features, or elements.

[0051] Detailed Description Embodiments of the present subject matter include apparatus for vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term "vaporizer" is used generally in the following description to refer to a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or the like. Such vaporizers are generally portable, handheld devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide a predetermined amount of material that can be inhaled.

[0052] The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer may optionally be provided in a cartridge (e.g., a cartridge is a portion of a vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container and can be refilled when empty or disposable to select a new cartridge containing the same or different type of additional vaporizable material). The vaporizer may be a vaporizer that uses a cartridge, a cartridge-less vaporizer, or a multi-use vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-use vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) that is configured to contain the vaporizable material directly within the heating chamber and also configured to contain a cartridge or other replaceable device that includes a reservoir, volume, etc. for at least partially containing a usable amount of the vaporizable material.

[0053] In various embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer can be configured for use with vaporizable material (e.g., a liquid of a carrier solution in which active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution, or the neat liquid of the vaporizable material itself) or solid vaporizable material. Solid vaporizable material can include plant material that releases a portion of the plant material as 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 optionally, can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself (e.g., "wax") such that all solid material can ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. The vaporizable material may be fully vaporizable as well, or may include a portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

[0054] 1A and 1B, the vaporizer 100 typically includes a power source 112 (such as a battery, which may be rechargeable) and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, circuitry, etc.) for controlling the supply of heat to an atomizer 141 to convert vaporizable material from an condensed form (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least partially unprocessed portions of plant material, etc.) to a gas phase. The controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0055] After converting the vaporizable material to the gas phase, depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and / or other factors, at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the gas phase may condense to form particulate matter that is at least partially in local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of the aerosol. Thus, it will be appreciated that the interactions between the gas phase and condensed phases in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer that can form part or all of the inhalable volume provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or for a draw in the vaporizer can be complex and dynamic due to factors that can affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol, such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in the airflow path (both inside the vaporizer and inside the airways of humans or other animals), mixing of the vaporizable material in the gas or aerosol phase with other airflows, etc. In some vaporizers, especially those for the delivery of more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable volume may be present primarily in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0056] A vaporizer for use with a vaporizable material (e.g., neat liquid, suspension, solution, mixture, etc.) typically includes an atomizer 141 in which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick (not shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B), which may include any material capable of producing fluid movement by capillary pressure) conveys a predetermined amount of the vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B). The wicking element is generally configured to draw the vaporizable material from a reservoir. The reservoir is configured to contain (and may include, in use) the vaporizable material such that the vaporizable material may be vaporized by heat provided by the heating element. The wicking element may optionally allow air to enter the reservoir to replace the volume of the removed liquid. In other words, capillary action draws the vaporizable material into the wick for vaporization by the heating element (described below). In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the air may then be returned through the wick to the reservoir to at least partially equalize the pressure within the reservoir. Other approaches that can return air to the reservoir to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0057] The heating element may be or may include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may be constructed from or may at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate power in the form of heat when an electric current is applied to one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the atomizer may include a heating element including a resistive coil or other heating element that is wrapped around, disposed within, integrated into a bulk shape, pressed into, or otherwise disposed in thermal contact with the wicking element to provide heat to the wicking element, such that the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir by the wicking element is vaporized in a gas phase and / or a condensed phase (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) that can subsequently be inhaled by the user. As further described below, other wicking element, heating element, and / or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

[0058] Certain vaporizers may additionally or alternatively be configured to generate inhalable doses of gas and / or aerosol phase vaporizable material via heating of non-liquid vaporizable material, such as solid phase vaporizable material (e.g., wax, etc.) or plant material containing vaporizable material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or tobacco leaf portions). In such vaporizers, the resistive heating element may be part of, integrated into, or in thermal contact with the wall of the oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, the resistive heating element may be used to heat air passing through or around the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet another example, the resistive heating element may be positioned in intimate contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the mass of the plant material (e.g., not only by conduction inward from the oven walls).

[0059] The heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff (e.g., inhalation, inhalation, etc.) at the vaporizer mouthpiece 130 (e.g., a controller, which is an optional part of the vaporizer body as described below, may direct current from a power source through a circuit including a resistive heating element, which is an optional part of the vaporizer cartridge as described below). Thus, air flows from an air inlet, along an air flow path through the atomizer (e.g., wicking element and heating element), optionally through one or more condensation regions or chambers, to an air outlet at the mouthpiece. The incoming air flowing along the air flow path passes through, or through, the atomizer where gas-phase vaporizable material is entrained therein. As described above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material may condense as it passes through the remainder of the air flow path, such that an inhalable amount of vaporizable material in aerosol form may be delivered from an air outlet (e.g., at the mouthpiece 130 for inhalation by the user).

[0060] The heating element may be activated by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113, upon detection of a user's interaction with one or more input devices 116 (e.g., a button on the vaporizer 100, or other tactile control device), in response to receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer, and / or through other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or about to occur. Examples of sensors 113 include one or more pressure sensors positioned to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or, optionally, to measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors in the vaporizer, one or more flow sensors in the vaporizer, a capacitive lip sensor in the vaporizer.

[0061] As alluded to in the previous paragraph, a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter may be configured to connect (e.g., via wireless or wired connections) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer. To this end, the controller 104 may include communications hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include memory 108. The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100 and may include its own communications hardware capable of establishing a wireless communications channel with the communications hardware 105 of the vaporizer 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, other portable device, such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software that provides a user interface to allow a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer. In other embodiments of the present subject matter, such devices used as part of the vaporizer system may be dedicated pieces of hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch panel or other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.). The vaporizer 100 may further have one or more output 117 functions and / or devices for providing information to a user. For example, the one or more output 117 functions and / or devices may provide visual output (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs) of various colors), audio output, tactile output (e.g., vibration), and / or the like.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more output 117 functions and / or devices may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or tactile devices. For example, the vaporizer 100 may provide tactile feedback in addition to or instead of visual feedback (e.g., various colored light emitting diodes (LEDs)). Tactile devices may be included in conjunction with or in place of the light emitting diodes.

[0063] If one or more of the output 117 functions and / or devices include a haptic device, haptic feedback may be used to communicate various information. For example, the vaporizer 100 may provide haptic feedback in response to signals received from one or more components and / or devices of the vaporizer 100 coupled to the vaporizer 100, including, for example, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a global positioning device, a capacitive lip sensor, and / or the like. Thus, the vaporizer 100 may provide one or more haptic feedbacks in response to the vaporizer 100 being positioned in a user's mouth and / or in a user's hand. The vaporizer 100 may further provide one or more haptic feedbacks in response to detection of a puff and / or a threshold amount of puffs (e.g., beyond a set period of time). Alternatively and / or additionally, the vaporizer 100 may provide one or more haptic feedback in response to the insertion of a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 120) and / or in response to one or more characteristics of a cartridge inserted into the vaporizer 100 (e.g., flavor, volume of vaporizable material remaining in the cartridge, and / or the like). The one or more haptic feedback may be used to communicate battery level, session data, a state of the vaporizer 100 (e.g., locked, unlocked, and / or the like), a pairing state with another device (e.g., Bluetooth pairing), and / or the like. One or more output 117 functions and / or devices may be configured to provide any form of haptic feedback that engages with a user of the vaporizer 100 by applying one or more forces, vibrations, movements, and / or the like.

[0064] A computing device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined above may be used for any of the following functions, such as controlling dosage (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling sessioning (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling the delivery of nicotine (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of a retail store, smoking area, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalizing the vaporizer (e.g., 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.), participating in social activities with other users (e.g., gaming, social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.), or the like. The terms "sessioning," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" are generally used to refer to a period of time spent using a vaporizer. This period of time can include time, number of doses, amount of vaporizable material, and / or the like.

[0065] In examples where a computing device provides signals related to activation of a resistive heating element, or in other examples where a computing device interfaces with a vaporizer for performance of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, detection of one or more interactions between a user interface element and a user by the computing device can cause the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element and bring it to a complete operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer can be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device that communicates with the vaporizer.

[0066] The temperature of the resistive heating element of the vaporizer may depend on several factors, including the amount of power provided to the resistive heating element and / or the duty cycle at which the power is provided, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer and / or the environment, latent heat loss due to the vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wicking element and / or across the atomizer, and convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or across the atomizer when a user inhales with an electronic vaporizer). As mentioned above, to ensure activation of the heating element or to heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer may use a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when a user is inhaling. The pressure sensor may be located in the air flow path and / or connected to an air flow path that connects an inlet for air entering the device (e.g., by a passageway or other passageway) and an outlet for the user to inhale the resulting vapor and / or aerosol. In this way, the pressure sensor detects pressure changes as air passes through the vaporizer device from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the heating element may be activated in conjunction with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, for example by a pressure sensor that detects a pressure change in the airflow path.

[0067] Typically, the pressure sensor (as well as any other sensors 113) can be located on the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) or can be coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected via a physical or wireless connection) to the controller 104. To ensure accurate measurements and to maintain the durability of the vaporizer, it can be beneficial to provide a resilient seal 150 to isolate the air flow path from other portions of the vaporizer. The seal 150, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor. This isolates the connection of the pressure sensor to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the air flow path. In the example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal 150 can also isolate portions of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such placement of the seal 150 within the vaporizer 100 may help mitigate potentially destructive effects on the vaporizer components due to interaction with environmental factors such as water or other fluids, such as vapor or liquid phase vaporizable materials, and / or reduce air leakage from designated air flow paths within the vaporizer. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through and / or contacting the vaporizer circuitry may cause various undesirable effects such as changes in pressure readings and / or may lead to the deposition of undesirable materials, such as moisture, vaporizable materials, and the like, in portions of the vaporizer. These may result in poor pressure signals, degradation of pressure sensors or other components, and / or reduced vaporizer life. A leak at the seal 150 may also result in a user inhaling air that has passed through portions of the vaporizer device that contain or consist of undesirable materials for inhalation.

[0068] A common class of vaporizers that has gained popularity in recent years includes a vaporizer body 110 that includes a controller 104, a power source 112 (e.g., a battery), one or more sensors 113, charging contacts, a seal 150, and a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body via one or more various attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a reservoir 140 for containing a vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge can include an atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element, or alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body. In embodiments in which any portion of the atomizer 141 (e.g., the heating element and / or the wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body, the vaporizer may be configured to supply liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir in the vaporizer cartridge to the atomizer portion contained in the vaporizer body.

[0069] Cartridge-based configurations for vaporizers that generate inhalable doses of non-liquid vaporizable materials by heating the non-liquid vaporizable materials are also within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge can include a mass of plant material that is processed and formed to directly contact a portion of one or more resistive heating elements. Such a vaporizer cartridge can be configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a vaporizer body that includes a processor, a power source, and electrical contacts for connecting to corresponding cartridge contacts to complete a circuit that includes one or more resistive heating elements.

[0070] In a vaporizer in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element is disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 120 configured to be coupled to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 may include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) to complete a circuit including the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, microcontroller, etc.), the power source 112, and the heating element. These electrical connection features may include at least two contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124) at the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 125) located near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100. The cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 make an electrical connection when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 118. The circuit completed by these electrical connections may allow for electrical current to be provided to the resistive heating element. The circuitry may also be used for additional functions, such as, for example, determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, and identifying the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge.

[0071] In some examples of the present subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts can be configured to be electrically connected in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits required for the operation of the vaporizer can be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (about an axis along which the end of the vaporizer cartridge having the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110). This causes a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to be electrically connected to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to be electrically connected to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125. Furthermore, one or more circuits required for the operation of the vaporizer can be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation. This electrically connects a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125. This feature of allowing the vaporizer cartridge 120 to be reversibly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 is described further below.

[0072] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body, the vaporizer body 110 includes detents (e.g., indentations, protrusions, etc.) that project inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1 ) that may fit and / or otherwise snap into such detents when an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 and vaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by inserting an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), the detents into the vaporizer body 110 may fit and / or be otherwise retained within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 120, thereby retaining the position of the vaporizer cartridge 120 when assembled. Such a detent-recess assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the position of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two receptacle contacts 125, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 120 to disengage from the vaporizer body 110 when a user applies a moderate amount of force to pull on the vaporizer cartridge 120 to remove it from the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0073] In addition to the above description of the electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge in the cartridge receptacle are possible, in some vaporizers, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge, or at least the end of the vaporizer cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle, may have at least two-fold symmetry. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge may be symmetric when rotated 180° about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer may support the same operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge occurs.

[0074] In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge or at least one end of the vaporizer cartridge configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., approximately oval), a non-rectangular shape having two sets of parallel or nearly parallel opposing sides but not rectangular (e.g., having a shape like a parallelogram), or other shape with at least two-fold symmetry. In this context, approximately with a shape indicates that the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly straight and the apexes need not be perfectly sharp, although a basic similarity to the shape described is clear. Rounding of the edges and / or apexes of the cross-sectional shape is described as any non-circular cross-section mentioned herein.

[0075] The at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts can take a variety of forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, terminals, receiving holes for pins or terminals, or the like. Some types of contacts can include springs or other biasing features to provide better physical and electrical connection between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge and the contacts on the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold plated and / or include other materials.

[0076] 1B, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a reservoir 140 for containing a vaporizable material. The reservoir 140 can include a level window 142 that indicates a level or volume of the vaporizable material depending on the orientation of the vaporizer 100 and / or vaporizer cartridge 120. The level window 142 can be formed from at least a portion of one side of the reservoir 140 or can be formed by at least a portion of the reservoir 140 that extends from the mouthpiece 130. Thus, the level window 142 can surround the reservoir 140 such that the level or volume of the vaporizable material can be viewed from almost any angle or orientation.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the inner and / or outer surfaces of the reservoir 140 forming the level window 142 may include graphic lines, etchings, protrusions, detents, etc., to visually indicate a measured amount or volume of vaporizable material. The inner walls of the reservoir 140 forming the level window 142 may be textured to improve visual differentiation between walls or surfaces supporting liquid and walls or surfaces not in contact with such liquid. The vaporizable material may be provided with an illumination layer formed from a dense liquid such as lipids or other natural or synthetic oils, waxes, gels, etc. The illumination layer is denser than the vaporizable material and forms a meniscus layer or floating top layer. When the interior space of the reservoir 140 is illuminated by an illumination source, the illumination layer may provide an illumination level indication. To illuminate the interior of the reservoir 140, an illumination source may be provided inside the reservoir 140 or may be provided outside the reservoir 140.

[0078] 2A-2B show perspective views of an example of a vaporizer 100 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the vaporizer 100 can include a vaporizer body 110 configured to receive and connect to a vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporizer body 110 can include a cartridge receptacle 118 defined by one or more side walls and an opening forming a receiving space for at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a male portion defined at least in part by a reservoir 140 that can be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. The vaporizer body 110 and / or the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a mating feature, such as a latch, a friction fit, a gasket, one or more interlocking ridges, etc., to secure at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 within the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110.

[0079] The vaporizer body 110 can include one or more sidewalls that define any number of shapes. The cross-section of such shapes can be circular, rectangular, oval, square, or any other polygonal cross-sectional shape. The one or more sidewalls of the vaporizer body 110 can be formed from a rigid material, such as metal, ceramic, plastic, nylon, or other rigid or semi-rigid material. The bottom surface 202 of the vaporizer body 110 opposite the cartridge receptacle 118 can include a charging port. The charging port can include one or more electrical contacts for mating with corresponding electrical contacts on a charging platform, or the charging port can include a flat surface with an inductive charger for connecting with a corresponding inductive charging platform.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer body 110 can have and / or include communications hardware, such as communications hardware 105 as described above. Also, at least one of one or more sidewalls of the vaporizer body 110 or a section of the vaporizer body can be formed from a ceramic or other non-metallic crystalline or semi-crystalline organic material, such as glass, to facilitate communication via communications hardware carried or included therein.

[0081] For example, the communication hardware may include a Bluetooth transceiver. The transceiver may be attached at any location within the vaporizer body 110, where at least one of the one or more sidewalls of the vaporizer body 110 is non-metallic, such as ceramic, plastic, etc. In some cases, the vaporizer body 110 may include a band 242 proximal to the cartridge receptacle 118. The band 242 may encircle or surround a distal end of the vaporizer body 110 near the cartridge receptacle 118. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the band 242 may be attached to and encircle or surround at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120. That is, the band 242 may be around the reservoir 140 and between the reservoir 140 and the mouthpiece 130. If made of a non-metallic material, the vaporizer 100 can include communication hardware mounted near the band 242, regardless of whether the band 242 is connected to the vaporizer body 110 or the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the band 242 may be formed from a metal, such as a polished metal, and may include one or more signaling elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like, for user interface and interaction with a user, such as, for example, a display light to indicate the status and / or operation of the vaporizer 100. In other embodiments of the present subject matter, the one or more signaling elements may be located anywhere along the vaporizer body 110, such as, for example, integrated with one or more side walls of the vaporizer body 110. Additionally, the one or more signaling elements may be located anywhere along or within the vaporizer cartridge 120 and may be powered by the vaporizer power supply 112 when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is connected to the vaporizer body 110.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating another example of a vaporizer 100 consistent with an alternative embodiment of the present subject matter. With reference to FIG. 3, the vaporizer 100 can include a vaporizer body 110, which can be configured to receive and / or mate with a vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporizer body 110 can include, but is not limited to, one or more of the components and features shown in and / or described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B. However, instead of having a cartridge receptacle, the vaporizer body 110 of the example vaporizer 100 shown in FIG. 3 has a housing 312. The housing defines a proximal face 314 from which a male portion 316 protrudes or extends. The male portion 316 can have one or more body electrical contacts 325. The electrical contact is preferably located on a front surface of the male portion 316, but may be located anywhere on the male portion 316. The example vaporizer cartridge 120 shown in Figure 3 may include a body receptacle 318 for receiving the male portion 316 and for mating or connecting to the vaporizer body 110 via one or more mating and / or connection mechanisms, including, for example, as described herein.

[0084] The one or more body electrical contacts 325 are sized, positioned, and configured to contact one or more corresponding cartridge electrical contacts 324 disposed within the body receptacle 318 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 to power the atomizer 141 for vaporizing the vaporizable material contained in the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may further include other electrical components, such as a communication module or transceiver, one or more sensors, such as a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, a motion sensor, or an accelerometer, a global positioning device, or the like, any of which may be powered within the vaporizer cartridge 120 or from a power source of the vaporizer body 110 via the electrical contacts 326, 325. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may further include a mouthpiece 130 having an air passage 332 through which a user may inhale the vaporized vaporizable material.

[0085] The male portion 316 of the vaporizer body 110 and / or the body receptacle 318 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and / or reservoir 140 may include one or more illumination sources, e.g., LEDs, which may provide operational indicators such as, for example, battery level, the amount of vaporizable material in the reservoir 140, the usage status of the vaporizer 100, and / or the identity of the vaporizable material in the reservoir 140, e.g., flavor, chemical content, quality, etc., as described in more detail below.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a housing 321. The housing 321 can be formed from any rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic, ceramic, metal, etc. The housing 321 can be opaque or translucent. The housing 321 proximal to the reservoir 140 or the portion of the housing 321 forming the reservoir 340 can be translucent to provide a visual indicator of the amount of vaporizable material remaining in the reservoir 140 and / or to allow light from a light source to pass through. The housing 321 can include one or more light guides, such as, for example, reflective microchannels, that can provide illuminated text or graphical indicators, such as, for example, logos, level indicators, or operational indicators. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the housing 321 can include a polymer dispersed liquid crystal that can change opacity when a user uses the device, when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is connected to the vaporizer body 110, or based on detection by one of the one or more sensors.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a flavor indicator 334, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or light guides, etc. The flavor indicator 334 can provide a unique color for each flavor of vaporizable material provided in the reservoir 140. For example, the flavor indicator 334 can have one or more of red LEDs, green LEDs, and blue LEDs, or another color combination to provide a unique color indicator. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110, logic in the vaporizer cartridge 120 and / or vaporizer body 110 can read cartridge information encoded in or with the vaporizer cartridge 120 and control operation of the flavor indicator 334 based at least in part on the cartridge information. As mentioned above, the flavor indicator 334 may also be located anywhere along the vaporizer cartridge 120 and / or vaporizer body 110, but is preferably located within or proximate to the mouthpiece 130.

[0088] 4A-4D show cross-sections of the mouthpiece 130 including examples of various air passages 332. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the air passages 332 can include one or more openings. Additionally, the shape and / or dimensions of the air passages 332, including the shape and / or dimensions of each of the one or more openings, can be configured to allow for a very specific volume of airflow from a user puffing on the mouthpiece 130. For example, the air passages 332 can include an opening 402 having a rectangular (e.g., square) cross-section (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A), an opening 404 having an oval (e.g., circular) cross-section (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B), an opening 406 having a polyhedral cross-section (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4C), or a plurality of openings 408 of any shape (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4D). The dimensions and / or shapes of the openings forming the air passages 332 of the mouthpiece 130 can also provide a familiar design, shape, or logo, for example to indicate the source of the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such a size and / or shape may also accommodate a light source as described above.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer 100 having electrical and mechanical connections between a vaporizer body 110 and a vaporizer cartridge 120 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, neither the vaporizer body 110 nor the vaporizer cartridge 120 use a receptacle to receive at least a portion of the other. Instead, the vaporizer body 110, which is substantially similar to the vaporizer bodies described above, includes one or more body electrical contacts 506 configured to mate, for example, face-to-face or interlocking, with one or more cartridge electrical contacts 508 in the cartridge 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the one or more body electrical contacts 506 can include two inclined surfaces that are symmetrical so that they can mate with the one or more cartridge electrical contacts 508 in either of two reversible orientations. Coupling of the one or more body electrical contacts 506 with the one or more cartridge electrical contacts 508 can form an electrical connection between the vaporizer body 110 and the cartridge 120. For example, coupling of one or more body electrical contacts 506 with one or more cartridge electrical contacts 508 can form a circuit including the controller 104 and power source 112 contained in the vaporizer body 110 and a heating element contained within the atomizer 141 of the cartridge 120. This circuit allows the controller 104 to control the discharge of electrical current from the power source 112 to the heating element contained within the atomizer 141.

[0090] To facilitate a stable electrical and physical connection, the mechanical connection mechanism 509 can include a body connector 510 in the vaporizer body 110. The body connector 510 is configured to mate and connect with a cartridge connector 512 in the cartridge 120. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the body connector 510 can be a male portion, such as a protrusion, a flange, a latch, a pin, a ledge, a ridge, etc. The cartridge connector 512 can be a female portion, such as a groove, a passage, an opening, an inward latch, a pinhole, etc. Furthermore, it is noted that each of the vaporizer body 110 and / or the vaporizer cartridge 120 preferably includes one or more magnets arranged to align with each other when connected, thereby maintaining the physical connection, and therefore the electrical connection, between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0091] In some instances, a vaporizer 100, such as any of the variations of vaporizer 100 described herein, may run out of charge, i.e., its battery may become depleted or depleted to the point that the vaporizer 100 does not have sufficient charge to heat and vaporize the vaporizable material contained within the reservoir 140. In some of these instances, a user of the vaporizer 100 may not have or have access to a charging device or charging cradle to charge the battery of the vaporizer 100.

[0092] Thus, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer 100 can be charged by power sharing, shared charging, or reverse charging, where another device, such as another vaporizer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, and / or the like, serves as a power source to charge the vaporizer 100 via a wired or wireless connection. To further illustrate, FIGS. 6A-6B show examples of power sharing between multiple vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, a first vaporizer 602 can be paired with a second vaporizer 604 to receive an electrical charge from the second vaporizer device 604. The pairing can include a physical pairing, i.e., mating of one or more body electrical contacts of the first vaporizer device 602 with one or more corresponding body electrical contacts of the second vaporizer device. This mating of the electrical contacts allows an electrical charge to flow from the second vaporizer 604 to the first vaporizer 602 via the mated electrical contacts. The mating may also be assisted by one or more physical mating or connecting elements, such as magnets, ridges, grooves, slots, protrusions, pins, tabs, flanges, etc., that may be incorporated into, extend from, be embedded within, extend within, or mate with the vaporizer body 603, 605 of the vaporizer 602, 604.

[0093] 6A and 6B, mating between the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may be between their electrical contacts located at the distal ends of the vaporizers as shown. Thus, the vaporizers may be connected to each other in a manner that allows the charge from the second vaporizer 604 to be shared with the first vaporizer 602, subject to proper alignment and connection (either by electrical contacts and / or a connecting mechanism such as a magnet).

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6B, in some exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter, each vaporizer 602, 604 includes a vaporizer body 603, 605, respectively, which includes body electrical contacts 606, 608, respectively. The body electrical contacts 606, 608 are typically configured to mate with a charging unit, such as a charging pad, charging cradle, or other charging element that is connected to a power source to charge the vaporizers when not in use. When one of the vaporizers, i.e., the first vaporizer 602, is low on charge and is required to be used, the first vaporizer 602 can be mated with the second vaporizer 604 and receive a limited charge from the second vaporizer 604 via the body electrical contacts 606, 608. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the body charging contacts can be formed according to an electrical standard, such as the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the charge transferred from the second vaporizer 604 to the first vaporizer 602 can be limited to a threshold charge amount, which can be measured in units of mA-hours or other capacity. For example, in some examples, the threshold amount can be calculated or converted to allow a user of the first vaporizer 602 to make a predetermined number of puffs on the first vaporizer 602. The puffs can be calculated based on the user's past puff volume or duration, or other measured data. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the first and second vaporizers 602, 604 can be configured by logic or controller circuitry to exchange charge such that each of the first and second vaporizers 602, 604 has a substantially equal charge amount. Additionally, the second vaporizer 604 can be configured to provide only a predetermined percentage of its charge to the first vaporizer 602, which percentage can be measured from either the total charge capacity, the charge remaining in the second vaporizer 604, or other measurements.

[0096] To achieve the charge transfer, each of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer can include a charge controller, which can be implemented in logic on a printed circuit board (PCB), software executed by a microprocessor, firmware, or any combination thereof. The charge controller can be coupled between the battery and the body electrical contacts of each vaporizer to control and measure the amount of charge exchanged therebetween. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, for example, the charge controller of the first vaporizer 602 can be configured to determine when the first vaporizer 602 needs a charge. Thus, in this case, the first vaporizer 602 can be configured as a recipient device of the charge exchange. Similarly, the charge controller of the second vaporizer 604 can be configured to determine when the second vaporizer is sufficiently charged. Thus, in this case, the second vaporizer 604 can be configured as a donor of the charge.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the designation of a vaporizer as either a donor or a recipient may be made a priori in response to coupling of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 and / or in response to the respective configurations of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604. Each of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may be configured to generate one or more outputs (e.g., visual outputs, audio outputs, tactile outputs, and / or the like) in response to the designation. For example, the first vaporizer 602 may generate a first output in response to being designated a donor, and the second vaporizer may generate a second output in response to being designated a recipient.

[0098] Pairing between the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 can be formed or established via any of a number of communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), or by a logical configuration formed via the same or additional body electrical contacts. For example, each vaporizer can include two or more, e.g., four, body electrical contacts, and each electrical contact can be designated as either a charging contact or a data contact. In an example embodiment, each vaporizer can include four body electrical contacts, two of which are for positive and negative charge transfer between the vaporizers, and the other two are reserved for digital data transfer.

[0099] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the designation of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 as a donor or recipient, respectively, may be performed via one or more devices coupled to the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604. For example, the first vaporizer 602 may be communicatively coupled to a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, and / or the like). For example, the first vaporizer 602 may be designated as a donor (or recipient) via a user interface presented on the mobile device by a mobile application associated with the first vaporizer 602. For example, a user of the first vaporizer 602 may designate the first vaporizer 602 as a donor by activating a reverse charge function on at least the first vaporizer 602 via one or more selections made via the user interface. Alternatively and / or additionally, a user of the first vaporizer 602 may designate the first vaporizer 602 as a recipient by deactivating the reverse charge function in at least the first vaporizer 602 through one or more selections made via a user interface. It should be understood that while the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may be designated as a donor and a recipient, reverse charging between the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may not begin until the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 are sufficiently close to one another (e.g., separated by less than a threshold distance).

[0100] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the designation of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 as a donor or recipient may be performed based on an orientation of at least one of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604. For example, the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may each include one or more sensors (e.g., motion sensors, accelerometers, and / or the like) capable of detecting an orientation of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604, respectively. Thus, the first vaporizer 602 may be designated as a donor by being positioned in a first orientation associated with activation of a reverse charge function in the first vaporizer 602, for example, and the second vaporizer 604 may be designated as a recipient by being positioned in a second orientation associated with deactivation of a reverse charge function in the second vaporizer 604.

[0101] The first and second orientations may be different and / or complementary. For example, the reverse charge function in the first vaporizer 602 may be activated in response to one surface of the first vaporizer 602 being placed facing up (or facing down), and the reverse charge function in the second vaporizer 604 may be deactivated in response to the opposing surface of the second vaporizer 604 being placed facing up (or facing down). Furthermore, reverse charging between the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may not be initiated until the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 are sufficiently close to each other. To further illustrate, in the example shown in FIG. 6B , the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 can engage in reverse charging (e.g., the back surface of the first vaporizer 602 is sufficiently close to and / or at least partially in contact with the back surface of the second vaporizer 604) depending on the first vaporizer 602 being positioned with its front side facing down (e.g., the front surface of the first vaporizer 602 is facing downward) and the second vaporizer 604 being positioned with its front side facing up on the top surface of the first vaporizer 602 (e.g., the front surface of the second vaporizer 604 is facing upward).

[0102] Alternatively and / or additionally, the designation of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 as a donor and recipient, respectively, may be determined based on at least one or more tactile inputs including, for example, tapping, shaking, and / or the like. For example, a reverse charge function in the first vaporizer 602 may be activated in response to a first tactile input received at the first vaporizer 602, and a reverse charge function in the second vaporizer 604 may be deactivated in response to a second tactile input received at the second vaporizer 604. As also discussed above, reverse charging between the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may not be initiated until the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 are in sufficient proximity to one another.

[0103] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, each of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may further include a converter circuit to condition the charge for proper transfer. For example, the charging circuit may include a charge amplifier circuit to amplify the charge from the battery from 3.7 volts (the voltage required to charge the heating element of the cartridge during puffing) to 5 volts (the standard voltage required to charge or recharge the battery). These voltages are shown by way of example, and one skilled in the art will recognize that other voltages may be used. For example, each of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 may additionally or alternatively inductively charge the body electrical contacts, which may require different charging parameters, such as voltage, induction level, contact type (e.g., for proper alignment of the inductive circuit between the vaporizers 602, 604), or other parameters.

[0104] Pairing of the first vaporizer 602 and the second vaporizer 604 can be performed based on a device identifier (ID), a user ID, and / or can be established using an intermediate device, such as a user's mobile device, such as a mobile computing device, phone, etc. The mobile device can run specialized applications ("apps") to perform the functions described herein. For example, in some cases, a user of a vaporizer described herein must pair the vaporizer with a mobile device, such as the user's mobile phone. Pairing can include communication between the vaporizer and the mobile device, for example, on a Bluetooth channel, a Wi-Fi channel, or via a cellular transceiver. Thus, once paired with the mobile device, one vaporizer can be paired with the other vaporizer by actions taken by the respective users on the respective paired mobile devices. This allows the mobile device to communicate several pairing information, including, but not limited to, recipient and donor designations or configurations, charging limits or thresholds, and control signals for controlling the charging circuitry of each vaporizer.

[0105] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, as shown in Figures 7A-7C, three or more vaporizers can be connected together to share charge. For example, as shown in Figure 7A, three vaporizers 702, 704, 706 can be mated or connected to each other by their body electrical contacts 710 and 712 (or wirelessly) and charge can be shared between them via the electrical contacts 710 and 712 (or by wireless inductive charging). Alternatively, one of the three vaporizers, the third vaporizer 706, can be designated as a pass-through device by being configured to receive charge from the second vaporizer 704 and transferring the charge to the first vaporizer 702. Such charge passing (pass-through) can be done with or without storing at least a portion of the charge in the battery of the third vaporizer.

[0106] As shown in Figure 7B, multiple vaporizers can be connected together, in the illustrated example four vaporizers 702, 704, 706, 708. In this case, to achieve correct connection and electrical polarity, a vaporizer can be connected linearly and laterally to one or more other vaporizers in a 180 degree reverse orientation such that the electrical contacts (e.g. electrical contact 714) of each connected vaporizer can fit within the chain of vaporizers for efficient sharing of charge.

[0107] Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, multiple vaporizers, for example, four vaporizers 702, 704, 706, 708, are connected together in a side-by-side arrangement, with each vaporizer of the multiple vaporizers aligned in the same orientation. One or more vaporizers can be designated as pass-through devices for charge transfer from a donor vaporizer (e.g., first vaporizer 702) to a recipient vaporizer (e.g., vaporizers 704, 706, 708) via the body electrical contacts, allowing other signals to be transmitted between the vaporizers.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, a charging transfer hub 802 can be provided. Two or more vaporizers can be connected to the hub, e.g., vaporizers 804 and 806. The charging transfer hub 802 can be a simple electrical conduit between two vaporizers, or a switchable conduit between three or more vaporizers. Thus, the charging transfer hub 802 can include logic circuitry and / or control software that can switch various electrical contacts on or off based on a designation of mated donor or recipient vaporizer. Such designation can be communicated from the vaporizer (or from a portable device, e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, and / or the like) to the charging transfer hub 802 via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular transceiver, etc. In further embodiments of the present subject matter, the charging transfer hub 802 can have its own battery source. The electrical contacts of the charging transfer hub 802 can include data contacts that receive data, such as a vaporizer ID, to allow connection and charging transfer with a verified and approved vaporizer.

[0109] The charging rate, and therefore the time required for mating, can be controlled. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, it may be desired that the charging transfer occur quickly, i.e., in less than 10 seconds, and more preferably in 1-2 seconds. The transfer can also be set to take longer. During the charging transfer, the vaporizer, or its proxy portable device, can exchange other information, such as user ID, vaporizer operation, and can use data such as cartridge flavor, vapor volume, etc.

[0110] When a first vaporizer is mated to a second vaporizer and charge is transferred therebetween, the first vaporizer and / or the second vaporizer may record the charge transfer as a transaction, e.g., for storage in memory or for transmitting transaction data to a portable device associated with the vaporizer. Thus, interactions between pairs of vaporizers may be recorded and tracked, and data regarding these interactions may be processed, shared, or otherwise communicated to any of a number of designated parties. In this manner, the delivery of charge may be utilized socially or as a social networking event.

[0111] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or element, the feature or element may be directly on the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features and / or elements. 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. Also, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it will be understood that the feature or element may be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features or elements. 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.

[0112] Although described or illustrated with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that references to structures or features being located "adjacent" to another feature may also have overlapping or underlying portions with the adjacent feature.

[0113] The terms used herein are used for the purpose of describing only specific examples and embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the singular indefinite and definite articles used herein are intended to include the plural as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "comprises" as used herein specify the presence of the described features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and can be abbreviated as " / ".

[0114] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" may appear following a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly denied by the context of use, such phrases are 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 only, B only, or both A and B," respectively. A similar interpretation is intended for lists containing more than two items. 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 only, B only, C only, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, or both A, B, and C," respectively. Use of the term "based on" in the description above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," allowing for unrecited features or elements.

[0115] Spatially relative terms such as "forward," "backward," "downward," "below," "lower," "upper," "upper" and the like may be used herein to facilitate description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were flipped over, then an element described as "downward" or "directly below" another element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "downward" can encompass both an upward and downward orientation. The device may be oriented in another way (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upward," "downward," "vertically," "horizontally," and the like are used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0116] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements are not intended to be limited by these terms unless the context dictates otherwise. These 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.

[0117] Unless otherwise specified, including when used in the examples, all numbers used in the specification and claims can be read as if they are preceded by the words "about" or "approximately", even if these terms do not explicitly appear. When describing a size and / or location, these words "about" or "approximately" may be used to indicate that the stated value and / or location is within a reasonable expected range of the value and / or location. For example, a numerical value may include values ​​such as + / -0.1% of a given value (or range of values), + / -1% of a given value (or range of values), + / -2% of a given value (or range of values), + / -5% of a given value (or range of values), + / -10% of a given value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical value given herein should be understood to include values ​​in the vicinity of or about the same value, unless otherwise specified by context. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical ranges recited herein are intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that where a value is disclosed, "less than or equal to" that value, "more than or equal to" that value, and possible ranges between those values ​​are also disclosed, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if a value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" as well as "more than or equal to X" (e.g., X is a number) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in many different formats, and that this data represents end and starting points, and ranges for any combination of those data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater than 10 and 15, greater than or equal to 10 and 15, less than 10 and 15, less than or equal to 10 and 15, and equal to 10 and 15 are also considered to be disclosed, as is the range between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0118] Although various illustrative examples have been described above, any of a number of modifications may be made to the various examples without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various method steps described are performed may often be changed in alternative examples, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features of the various device and system examples may be included in some examples and not in others. Thus, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0119] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can 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. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive and transmit data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers. The clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0120] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or codes, contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logic programming languages, and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus, and / or device, such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, memories, and programmable logic devices (PLDs), 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. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-temporarily, such as, for example, a non-temporary 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 temporarily, such as, for example, a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0121] The examples and figures contained herein show, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, specific examples in which the subject matter may be practiced. As noted above, 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 present disclosure. Such examples of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience, if more than one is actually disclosed, and are not intended to spontaneously limit the scope of this 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 embodiments illustrated. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various examples. Combinations of the above-mentioned examples with other examples not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description.

[0122] Further features, characteristics, and advantages of various embodiments of the present subject matter are described by clauses below.

[0123] Clause 1. A vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge by increasing a temperature of the heating element, the vaporizer configured to engage in reverse charging with a device, in which a first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source in the device.

[0124] Clause 2. The vaporizer of clause 1, wherein the device includes another vaporizer or a handheld device.

[0125] Clause 3. The vaporizer of clause 1 or 2, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging responsive to an established pairing between the vaporizer and the device.

[0126] Clause 4. The vaporizer of clause 3, wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0127] Clause 5. The vaporizer of clause 3 or 4, wherein the pairing is established by another device coupled to the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0128] Clause 6. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0129] Clause 7. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging in response to a vaporizer designated supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

[0130] Clause 8. The vaporizer of clause 7, wherein the vaporizer is designated as a supplier in reverse charging with the vaporizer in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as a recipient in reverse charging with the vaporizer in a second orientation.

[0131] Clause 9. The vaporizer of clause 8, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0132] Clause 10. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 7 to 9, wherein the vaporizer is further configured to be coupled to another device, and the vaporizer is designated as a supplier or recipient in a reverse charge in response to one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0133] Clause 11. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 7 to 10, wherein the vaporizer body further includes an output device configured to generate at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to a designation of the vaporizer as a donor or recipient in reverse charging.

[0134] Clause 12. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein a threshold amount of charge is transferred between the vaporizer and a device engaged in reverse charging.

[0135] Clause 13. The vaporizer of clause 12, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required by the vaporizer.

[0136] Clause 14. The vaporizer of clause 12 or 13, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required by the device.

[0137] Clause 15. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

[0138] Clause 16. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0139] Clause 17. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including the other device receiving charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

[0140] Clause 18. The vaporizer of clause 17, further comprising another device that transfers a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

[0141] Clause 19. The vaporizer of clause 17 or 18, wherein the reverse charging further comprises a separate device for storing a second portion of the charge in the separate device.

[0142] Clause 20. The vaporizer of any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the vaporizer body further includes a converter circuit configured to adjust an output voltage of the first power supply of the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

[0143] Clause 21. A method comprising back charging a vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge by increasing a temperature of the heating element, the back charging of the vaporizer including a first power source of the vaporizer charging or being charged by a second power source in the device.

[0144] Clause 22. The method of clause 21, wherein the device comprises another vaporizer or a handheld device.

[0145] Clause 23. The method of clause 21 or 22, further comprising engaging in reverse charging in response to an established pairing between the vaporizer and the device.

[0146] Clause 24. The method of clause 23, wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0147] Clause 25. The method of clause 23 or 24, wherein the pairing is established by a vaporizer and / or another device coupled to the device.

[0148] Clause 26. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 24, further comprising engaging in reverse charging in response to a vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0149] Clause 27. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 25, further comprising engaging in reverse charging in response to a vaporizer designated as a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

[0150] Clause 28. The method of clause 27, wherein the vaporizer is designated as a supplier in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as a recipient in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation.

[0151] Clause 29. The method of clause 28, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0152] Clause 30. The method of any one of clauses 27-29, further comprising receiving one or more inputs from another device coupled to the vaporizer, and designating the vaporizer as a supplier or a recipient in reverse charging in response to the one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0153] Clause 31. The method of any one of clauses 27-30, further comprising generating at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output at the vaporizer by an output device corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as a donor or recipient in reverse charging.

[0154] Clause 32. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 31, further comprising transferring a threshold amount of charge between a vaporizer and a device engaged in reverse charging.

[0155] Clause 33. The method of clause 32, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required at the vaporizer.

[0156] Clause 34. The method of clause 32 or 33, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required by the device.

[0157] Clause 35. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 34, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

[0158] Clause 36. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 35, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0159] Clause 37. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 36, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including the other device receiving charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

[0160] Clause 38. The method of clause 37, wherein the reverse charging further includes another device that transfers a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

[0161] Clause 39. The method of clause 37 or 38, wherein the reverse charging further comprises storing a second portion of the charge in another device.

[0162] Clause 40. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 39, further comprising adjusting, by a converter circuit in the vaporizer, an output voltage of a first power supply of the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

[0163] Clause 41. A system including a device and a vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the vaporizer cartridge by at least increasing a temperature of the heating element, the vaporizer configured to engage in reverse charging with the device, in which a first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source in the device.

[0164] Clause 42. The system of clause 41, wherein the device includes another vaporizer or a portable device.

[0165] Clause 43. The system of clauses 41 or 42, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging responsive to an established pairing between the vaporizer and the device.

[0166] Clause 44. The system of clause 43, wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

[0167] Clause 45. The system of clause 43 or 44, wherein the pairing is established by a vaporizer and / or another device coupled to the device.

[0168] Clause 46. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 45, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

[0169] Clause 47. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 46, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in reverse charging depending on the vaporizer being designated a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

[0170] Clause 48. The system of clause 47, wherein the vaporizer is designated as a supplier in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as a recipient in reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation.

[0171] Clause 49. The system of clause 48, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0172] Clause 50. The system of any one of clauses 47 to 49, wherein the vaporizer is further configured to be coupled to another device, and the vaporizer is designated as a supplier or recipient in a reverse charge in response to one or more inputs received at the other device.

[0173] Clause 51. The system of any one of clauses 47 to 50, wherein the vaporizer body further includes an output device configured to generate at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to a designation of the vaporizer as a donor or recipient in reverse charging.

[0174] Clause 52. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 51, wherein a threshold amount of charge is transferred between the vaporizer and the device engaged in reverse charging.

[0175] Clause 53. The system of clause 52, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required at the vaporizer.

[0176] Clause 54. The system of clause 52 or 53, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required by the device.

[0177] Clause 55. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 54, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

[0178] Clause 56. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

[0179] Clause 57. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 56, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including another device receiving charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

[0180] Clause 58. The system of clause 57, wherein the reverse charging further includes another device that transfers a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

[0181] Clause 59. The system of clause 57 or 58, wherein the reverse charging further includes another device storing a second portion of the charge in another device.

[0182] Clause 60. The system of any one of clauses 41 to 59, wherein the vaporizer body further includes a converter circuit configured to adjust an output voltage of the first power supply of the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least a second power supply of the device.

Claims

1. 1. A vaporizer comprising: A vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge an electric current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge by increasing the temperature of the heating element, the vaporizer being configured to engage in reverse charging with a device, in which the first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source in the device.

2. The vaporizer of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises another vaporizer or a hand-held device.

3. 3. The vaporizer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in the reverse charging in response to a pairing established between the vaporizer and the device.

4. The vaporizer of claim 3 , wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

5. The vaporizer of claim 3 or 4, wherein the pairing is established by the vaporizer and / or another device coupled to the device.

6. 6. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

7. 7. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in the reverse charging depending on the vaporizer being designated a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

8. 8. The vaporizer of claim 7, wherein the vaporizer is designated as the supplier in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as the recipient in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation.

9. 9. The vaporizer of claim 8, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

10. 10. The vaporizer of claim 7, further configured to be coupled to another device, the vaporizer being designated as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging depending on one or more inputs received at the other device.

11. 11. The vaporizer of claim 7, wherein the vaporizer body further includes an output device configured to generate at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging.

12. 12. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein a threshold amount of charge is transferred between the vaporizer and the device involved in the reverse charging.

13. The vaporizer of claim 12 , wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required by the vaporizer.

14. 14. The vaporizer of claim 12 or 13, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required by the device.

15. 15. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

16. 16. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

17. 17. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including the other device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

18. 20. The vaporizer of claim 17, wherein the reverse charging further comprises another device that transfers a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

19. 19. The vaporizer of claim 17 or 18, wherein the reverse charging further comprises storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

20. 20. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer body further includes a converter circuit configured to adjust an output voltage of the first power supply of the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least the second power supply of the device.

21. 1. A method comprising: back-charging a vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge by increasing the temperature of the heating element, the back-charging of the vaporizer including the first power source of the vaporizer charging or being charged by a second power source in a device.

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the device comprises another vaporizer or a hand-held device.

23. 23. The method of claim 21 or 22, further comprising engaging in the reverse charging in response to an established pairing between the vaporizer and the device.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

25. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the pairing is established by the vaporizer and / or another device coupled to the device.

26. 25. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising engaging in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

27. 26. The method of any one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising engaging in said reverse charging in response to said vaporizer being designated a supplier or recipient in said reverse charging.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the vaporizer is designated as the supplier in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as the recipient in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

30. receiving one or more inputs from another device coupled to the vaporizer; and designating the vaporizer as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging in response to the one or more inputs received at the other device; 30. The method of any one of claims 27 to 29, further comprising:

31. 31. The method of any one of claims 27 to 30, further comprising generating, by an output device in the vaporizer, at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging.

32. 32. The method of any one of claims 21 to 31, further comprising the step of transferring a threshold amount of charge between the vaporizer and the device engaged in the reverse charging.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required by the vaporizer.

34. 34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required by the device.

35. 35. The method of any one of claims 21 to 34, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

36. 36. The method of any one of claims 21 to 35, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

37. 37. The method of any one of claims 21 to 36, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including the other device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

38. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the reverse charging further comprises the other device transferring a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

39. 39. The method of claim 37 or 38, wherein the reverse charging further comprises the other device storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

40. 40. The method of any one of claims 21 to 39, further comprising the step of regulating an output voltage of the first power supply of the vaporizer by a converter circuit in the vaporizer based on an input voltage of at least the second power supply of the device.

41. 1. A system comprising: Devices, and A vaporizer having a vaporizer body configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, the vaporizer body including a first power source configured to discharge a current to a heating element to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the vaporizer cartridge by increasing the temperature of the heating element, the vaporizer configured to engage in reverse charging with a device, in which the first power source of the vaporizer charges or is charged by a second power source in the device. A system including:

42. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the device comprises another vaporizer or a handheld device.

43. 43. The system of claim 41 or 42, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in the reverse charging in response to a pairing established between the vaporizer and the device.

44. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the pairing is established based on at least one of a first identifier of the vaporizer, a second identifier of the device, and a third identifier of a user associated with the vaporizer and / or the device.

45. 45. The system of claim 43 or 44, wherein the pairing is established by the vaporizer and / or another device coupled to the device.

46. 46. ​​The system of any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the vaporizer is configured to engage in the reverse charging in response to the vaporizer being spaced less than a threshold distance from the device.

47. 47. The system of any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein the vaporizers are configured to engage in the reverse charging depending on the vaporizer being designated a supplier or recipient in the reverse charging.

48. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the vaporizer is designated as the supplier in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a first orientation, and the vaporizer is designated as the recipient in the reverse charge in response to the vaporizer being in a second orientation.

49. 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the vaporizer body further includes one or more sensors for detecting when the vaporizer is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

50. 50. The system of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein the vaporizer is further configured to be coupled to another device, and the vaporizer is designated as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging depending on one or more inputs received at the other device.

51. 51. The system of any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein the vaporizer body further includes an output device configured to generate at least one of a visual output, an audible output, or a tactile output corresponding to the designation of the vaporizer as the supplier or the recipient in the reverse charging.

52. 52. The system of any one of claims 41 to 51, wherein a threshold amount of charge is transferred between the vaporizer and the device involved in the reverse charging.

53. 53. The system of claim 52, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a first amount of charge available or required by the vaporizer.

54. 54. The system of claim 52 or 53, wherein the threshold amount of charge is determined based on at least a second amount of charge available or required for the device.

55. 55. The system of any one of claims 41 to 54, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via one or more electrical contacts coupling the vaporizer and the device.

56. 56. The system of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging via wireless inductive charging.

57. 57. The system of any one of claims 41 to 56, wherein the vaporizer and the device engage in the reverse charging with another device, the reverse charging including the other device receiving a charge from one of the vaporizer and the device.

58. 58. The system of claim 57, wherein the reverse charging further includes another device that transfers a first portion of the charge to the other of the vaporizer and the device.

59. 59. The system of claim 57 or 58, wherein the reverse charging further comprises the other device storing a second portion of the charge in the other device.

60. 60. The system of any one of claims 41 to 59, wherein the vaporizer body further includes a converter circuit configured to adjust the output voltage of the first power supply of the vaporizer based on the input voltage of at least the second power supply of the device.

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