Heating engine control algorithm for nicotine e-vapor device

Abstract

To provide a nicotine electronic vapor device including a self-contained article containing a nicotine pre-vapor formulation.SOLUTION: A method of controlling a heater (336) of a nicotine e-vapor device (500) includes detecting, from a removable pod (300) included in the nicotine e-vapor device (500), power information indicative of a first power level and a second power level; Supplying power to the heater (336) by determining a first amount of power based on the first power level, supplying the first amount of power to the heater (336) during a first mode of operation of the heater (336), determining a second amount of power based on the second power level, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater (336) during a second mode of operation of the heater (336), wherein the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to nicotine e-vapor devices, including self-contained articles that include nicotine pre-vapor formulations. [Background technology]

[0002] Nicotine electronic vaporizing devices are used to vaporize nicotine pre-vapor formulation materials into a nicotine vapor. These nicotine electronic vaporizing devices are sometimes referred to as nicotine e-vapor devices. The nicotine e-vapor device includes a heater that vaporizes the nicotine pre-vapor formulation materials to produce a nicotine vapor. The nicotine e-vapor device may include several e-vaporizing elements, including a power source, a nicotine e-vapor tank including a cartridge or heater, and a reservoir capable of holding the nicotine pre-vapor formulation material. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to at least some embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a nicotine e-vapor device includes detecting power information from a removable pod included within the nicotine e-vapor device indicating a first operating point and a second operating point; determining a first amount of power based on the detected power information based on the first operating point; supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operating mode of the heater; determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point; and supplying power to the heater by supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operating mode of the heater, wherein the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power.

[0004] The first amount of electrical power supplied during the first mode of operation may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and the second amount of electrical power supplied during the second mode of operation may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature above the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0005] The nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be stored in a removable pod.

[0006] The removable pod may include a heater.

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

[0008] Determining the second amount of power may include receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device from the external device, a selection of a fine-grained preference level from among a plurality of fine-grained preference levels, and determining the second amount of power based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine-grained preference level.

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

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

[0011] Determining the first amount of power may include receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device from the external device, a selection of a fine-grained preference level from among a plurality of fine-grained preference levels, and determining the first amount of power based on the selected first operating point and the selected fine-grained preference level.

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

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

[0014] Determining the second amount of power may include determining the second amount of power based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

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

[0016] Detecting the power information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the power information from an image located on the removable pod.

[0017] The image may include a QR code, and reading the power information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the power information from the QR code located on the removable pod.

[0018] The removable pod may include a memory, and the memory of the removable pod may store data including the power information, and detecting the power information may include reading the power information from the memory of the removable pod by the nicotine e-vapor device.

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

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

[0021] The method may further include receiving a first removable pod by the nicotine e-vapor device via insertion of the first removable pod into the nicotine e-vapor device, the first removable pod containing a nicotine pre-vapor formulation; detecting a first formulation type by the nicotine e-vapor device as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the first removable pod; and storing a selected coarse preference level and a selected fine preference level in association with the detected first formulation type in a memory of the nicotine e-vapor device, and the determined first amount of power may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the first removable pod to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the first removable pod.

[0022] The detecting may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, formulation type information from an image located on the first removable pod, and detecting the first formulation type as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the first removable pod based on the read formulation type information.

[0023] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and reading the formulation type information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the formulation type information from the QR code (registered trademark) located on the first removable pod.

[0024] The first removable pod may include a memory, and the memory of the first removable pod may store data including formulation type information, and the detecting may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the formulation type information from the memory of the first removable pod and detecting the first formulation type as a type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the first removable pod based on the read formulation type information.

[0025] The method may further include receiving a second removable pod by the nicotine e-vapor device via insertion of the second removable pod into the nicotine e-vapor device, the second removable pod containing a nicotine pre-vapor formulation; detecting, by the nicotine e-vapor device, a first formulation type as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the second removable pod; reading coarse and fine preference levels previously stored in a memory of the nicotine e-vapor device in association with the first formulation type based on detecting the first formulation type as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the second removable pod; determining a second amount of power based on the read coarse and fine preference levels; and supplying the determined second amount of power to a heater, thereby causing the heater to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the second removable pod to a temperature equal to or greater than the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the second removable pod.

[0026] The detecting may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, formulation type information from an image located on the second removable pod, and detecting the first formulation type as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the second removable pod based on the read formulation type information.

[0027] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and reading the formulation type information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the formulation type information from a QR code (registered trademark) located on the second removable pod.

[0028] The second removable pod may include a memory, and the memory of the second removable pod may store data including formulation type information, and the detecting may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the formulation type information from the memory of the first removable pod and detecting the first formulation type as the type of nicotine pre-vapor formulation of the second removable pod based on the read formulation type information.

[0029] According to at least some example embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a nicotine e-vapor device includes receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device, a plurality of vaping preference levels; determining, by the nicotine e-vapor device, a current time; determining, by the nicotine e-vapor device, a predicted vaping preference level based on the determined current time; determining, by the nicotine e-vapor device, an amount of power to supply to the heater based on the predicted vaping preference level; and supplying the determined amount of power to the heater.

[0030] The plurality of vaping preference levels may include a first received vaping preference level received by the nicotine e-vapor device during a first time period and a second received vaping preference level received by the nicotine e-vapor device during a second time period, and determining the predicted vaping preference level may include, by the nicotine e-vapor device, determining the predicted vaping preference level based on the first received vaping preference level if the determined current time is within the first time period, and determining the predicted vaping preference level based on the second received vaping preference level if the determined current time is within the second time period.

[0031] Receiving the plurality of vaping device preference levels may include receiving one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine e-vapor device.

[0032] Receiving the plurality of vaping preference levels may include receiving one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels from an external device.

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

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

[0035] The first amount of power can be an amount that causes the heater to heat a nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0036] The first amount of power can be an amount that causes the heater to heat a nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature at or above the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0037] Detecting the power information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the power information from an image located on the removable pod.

[0038] The image may include a QR code, and reading the power information may include reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the power information from the QR code located on the removable pod.

[0039] The removable pod may include a memory, and the memory of the removable pod may store data including the power information, and detecting the power information may include reading the power information from the memory of the removable pod by the nicotine e-vapor device.

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

[0041] Determining the heater temperature value may include obtaining one or more electrical attributes of the heater, determining a resistance of the heater based on the obtained one or more electrical attributes, and obtaining a first temperature value from a look-up table (LUT) based on the determined resistance.

[0042] The LUT may store a plurality of temperature values ​​corresponding to a plurality of heater resistances, respectively, and the obtained first temperature value may be a temperature corresponding to the determined resistance from among the plurality of temperature values ​​stored in the LUT, and the heater temperature value may be the obtained first temperature value.

[0043] Obtaining the target temperature value may include detecting power information indicative of a plurality of temperature set points from a removable pod included within the nicotine e-vapor device, determining a current operating mode of the nicotine e-vapor device, and selecting, as the target temperature value, a temperature set point from the plurality of temperature set points that corresponds to the determined current operating mode of the nicotine e-vapor device.

[0044] Controlling the level of power provided to the heater may include controlling, by a PID controller, the level of power provided to the heater such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a nicotine e-vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod entrance of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the device main body of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole of FIG. [Figure 12]12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical connector of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of a pod assembly of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the pod assembly of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of the pod assembly of FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 17 without the wick and heater. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the connector module of FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is another exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 21A] FIG. 21A illustrates an apparatus system diagram of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B illustrates an example of a controller in the device system of FIG. 21A according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A illustrates a pod system diagram of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B illustrates an example implementation of the pod system of FIG. 22A omitting the cryptographic coprocessor, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 illustrates a pod system connected to an appliance system according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a heating engine control algorithm and associated inputs, according to at least one example embodiment. [Figure 25A] FIG. 25A is a block diagram illustrating a set point heating engine control algorithm, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25B] FIG. 25B illustrates an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform produced by the set point heating engine control algorithm of FIG. 25A, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25C] FIG. 25C is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive heating engine control algorithm, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25D] FIG. 25D illustrates an example relationship between detected airflow and adapted power level produced by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm of FIG. 25C, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25E] FIG. 25E is a block diagram illustrating a temperature heating engine control algorithm, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25F] FIG. 25F illustrates an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform produced by the thermal heating engine control algorithm of FIG. 25E, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25G] FIG. 25G is a block diagram illustrating a waveform heating engine control algorithm, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 25H] FIG. 25H illustrates an example of at least a portion of a temperature value waveform generated by the waveform heating engine control algorithm of FIG. 25G, according to at least some example embodiments. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating a buttonless vaping function 2310, according to at least some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "overlying" another element or layer, it should be understood that it may be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly overlying the other element or layer, or that intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any or all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] Although terms such as first, second, and third may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, it should be understood that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section described below could also be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0049] Spatial relationship terms (e.g., "below," "below," "lower," "above," "above," and the like) may be used herein to facilitate describing the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature, as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different 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 is turned over, an element described as "below" or "below" another element or feature would then be "above" that other element or feature. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or at another orientation), and the spatial relationship descriptors used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0050] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to limit example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that as used herein, the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0051] The exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the exemplary embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the shapes of regions illustrated herein and are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shapes of regions of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms (including commonly used dictionary-defined terms) should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning of those terms in the context of the relevant art, and not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, except as expressly defined herein.

[0053] As used herein, a "nicotine e-vapor device" may be occasionally referred to using, and considered synonymous with, any of the terms nicotine e-vaporing device, nicotine e-vapor device, and nicotine e-vaporing device. A pod assembly (e.g., pod assembly 300) may also be referred to herein as a "pod" or a "removable pod."

[0054] FIG. 1 is a front view of a nicotine e-vapor device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a pod assembly 300. The pod assembly 300 is a modular article configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. A "nicotine pre-vapor formulation" is a material or combination of materials that can be transformed into a nicotine vapor. For example, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid formulation, a solid formulation, and / or a gel formulation, including, but not limited to, water, beads, a solvent, an active ingredient, ethanol, a botanical extract, a natural or artificial flavor, an oil, and / or vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol. During vaping, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a nicotine vapor. As referred to herein, a "vapor" is any substance generated or output from any nicotine e-vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0055] The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rear cover 108. The front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 form a device housing that encloses mechanical components, electronic components, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 may enclose a power source configured to power the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500, which may include providing current to the pod assembly 300. Furthermore, when assembled, the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may comprise the majority of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0056] The front cover 104 (e.g., the first cover) defines a primary opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The bezel structure 112 defines a through-hole 150 configured to receive the pod assembly 300. The through-hole 150 is described in more detail herein, for example, in connection with FIG.

[0057] Front cover 104 also defines a secondary opening configured to accommodate a light guide arrangement. The secondary opening may resemble a slot (e.g., a segmented slot), although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the light guide arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, the light guide arrangement includes a light guide lens 116. Front cover 104 further defines a tertiary opening and a quaternary opening configured to accommodate first button 118 and second button 120. Each of the tertiary opening and the quaternary opening may resemble a rounded rectangle, although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the buttons. First button housing 122 is configured to expose first button lens 124, and second button housing 123 is configured to expose second button lens 126.

[0058] Operation of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be controlled by a first button 118 and a second button 120. For example, the first button 118 may be a power button, and the second button 120 may be an intensity button. Two buttons are shown in the drawings in association with a light guide arrangement; however, it should be understood that more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available features and desired user interface. The frame 106 (e.g., a base frame) is the central support structure for the device body 100 (and the entire nicotine e-vaporizing device 500). The frame 106 may be referred to as a chassis. The frame 106 includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of side sections between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal and distal ends may also be referred to as downstream and upstream ends, respectively. As used herein, "proximal" (and conversely, "distal") refers to an adult e-vaporizing device user vaping, and the term "downstream" (and conversely, "upstream") refers to the flow of nicotine vapor. Bridging sections may be provided between opposing interior surfaces of the side sections (e.g., approximately midway along the length of frame 106) for additional strength and stability. Frame 106 may be integrally formed to be a monolithic structure.

[0059] With regard to materials of construction, the frame 106 may be formed of an alloy or plastic. The alloy (e.g., die-cast grade, machinable grade) may be an aluminum (Al) alloy or a zinc (Zn) alloy. The plastic may be polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a combination thereof (PC / ABS). For example, the polycarbonate may be LUPOY SC1004A. Additionally, the frame 106 may be provided with a surface finish for functional and / or aesthetic reasons (e.g., to provide a premium appearance). In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a zinc alloy) may be coated with hard enamel or painted. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yet another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be electroplated. Of course, the materials of construction for the frame 106 may also apply to the front cover 104, the rear cover 108, and / or other suitable parts of the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0060] The rear cover 108 (e.g., the second cover) also defines an opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement.

[0061] The device body 100 also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 may be secured to the proximal end of a frame 106.

[0062] Figure 4 is a proximal end view of the nicotine e-vaping device of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 4, the exit surface of the mouthpiece 102 defines a plurality of vapor exits. In a non-limiting embodiment, the exit surface of the mouthpiece 102 may be oval-shaped.

[0063] 5 is a distal end view of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the distal end of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to accept current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and / or USB-C cable) to charge an internal power source within the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. Furthermore, the port 110 may also be configured to transmit and / or receive data (e.g., via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and / or USB-C cable) to and from another nicotine e-vaporizing device or other electronic device (e.g., a phone, tablet, computer). Furthermore, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be configured for wireless communication with another electronic device, such as a phone, via application software (app) installed on the electronic device. In such an example, an adult e-vaping device user may control or otherwise interface with the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., locate the nicotine e-vaping device 500, check usage information, change operating parameters) through the app.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6-7, and as briefly mentioned above, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a pod assembly 300 configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod assembly 300 has an upstream end (facing the light guide arrangement) and a downstream end (facing the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is the surface opposite the downstream end of the pod assembly 300. The upstream end of the pod assembly 300 defines a pod inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through-hole (e.g., through-hole 150 in FIG. 9) configured to receive the pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines the through-hole and includes an upstream edge. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 is angled (e.g., inwardly recessed) to expose the pod inlet 322 when the pod assembly 300 is placed within the through-hole of the device body 100.

[0065] For example, rather than following the contours of the front cover 104 (so as to be relatively flush with the front surface of the pod assembly 300 and thus overshadow the pod inlet 322), the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 is in the form of a scoop configured to direct ambient air into the pod inlet 322. This angled / scoop configuration may help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., the pod inlet 322) of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The depth of the scoop may be such that less than half (e.g., less than a quarter) of the upstream end face of the pod assembly 300 is exposed. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Furthermore, when the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot may be considered to extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, the cross-section is taken along the longitudinal axis of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. As shown, the device body 100 and the pod assembly 300 include mechanical components, electronic components, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500, which are described in more detail herein and / or incorporated by reference herein. For example, the pod assembly 300 may include mechanical components configured to release a nicotine pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir sealed therein upon actuation. The pod assembly 300 may also have mechanical aspects configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and seating of the pod assembly 300.

[0067] Additionally, the pod assembly 300 may be a "smart pod" that includes electronic components and / or circuitry configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to and from the device body 100. Such information may be used to authenticate the pod assembly 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent the use of unauthorized / counterfeit pod assemblies). Furthermore, the information may be used to identify the type of pod assembly 300, which is then correlated with a vaping profile based on the identified type. The vaping profile may be designed to define general parameters for heating the nicotine pre-vapor formulation and may be subject to adjustment, refinement, or other adjustment by the adult e-vaping device user prior to and / or during vaping.

[0068] The pod assembly 300 may also communicate other information with the device body 100 that may be relevant to the operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Examples of relevant information may include the level of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the pod assembly 300 and / or the amount of time that has elapsed since the pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated.

[0069] The device body 100 may include mechanical components (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or activate the pod assembly 300. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuitry configured to receive electrical current to charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery), which is then configured to power the pod assembly 300 during vaping. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuitry configured to communicate with the pod assembly 300, different nicotine e-vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets, computers), and / or adult e-vaping device users.

[0070] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the nicotine e-vaping device of Figure 6. Referring to Figure 9, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines a through-hole 150. The through-hole 150 is configured to receive the pod assembly 300. To facilitate insertion and seating of the pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150, the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b.

[0071] The downstream wall of the bezel structure 112 can define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. The retention structure including the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b engages the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b protrude into the through-hole 150 through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening, respectively, of the bezel structure 112.

[0072] 10 is a front view of the device body of FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 10, the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 disposed upstream of the through-hole 150. The device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured to electrically engage with the pod assembly 300 placed in the through-hole 150. As a result, during vaping, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132. Furthermore, data can be transmitted and / or received between the device body 100 and the pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0073] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through-hole of Figure 10. Referring to Figure 11, the first upstream protrusion 128a, the second upstream protrusion 128b, the first downstream protrusion 130a, the second downstream protrusion 130b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through-hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are fixed structures (e.g., fixed pivots), and the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are retractable structures (e.g., retractable members). For example, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b may be configured (e.g., spring-loaded) to be in an extended state by default and may be configured to be temporarily retracted (and reversibly return to the extended state) to facilitate insertion of the pod assembly 300.

[0074] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts of FIG. 10 . The device electrical contacts of the device body 100 are configured to engage with the pod electrical contacts of the pod assembly 300 when the pod assembly 300 is placed in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring to FIG. 12 , the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 include a device electrical connector 132. The device electrical connector 132 includes power contacts and data contacts. The power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to supply power from the device body 100 to the pod assembly 300. As shown, the power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a first pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (positioned closer to the front cover 104 than to the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the first upstream protrusion 128 a) may be a single, integral structure separate from the second pair of power contacts and include two protrusions that extend into the through-hole 150 when assembled. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the second upstream protrusion 128b) may be a single, integral structure separate from the first pair of power contacts and include two protrusions that, when assembled, extend into the through-hole 150. The first and second pairs of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be retractably mounted and biased to extend into the through-hole 150 by default and to retract (e.g., independently) from the through-hole 150 when subjected to an overcoming force.

[0075] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the pod assembly of the nicotine e-vaping device of Figure 6. Figure 14 is another perspective view of the pod assembly of Figure 13.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pod assembly of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 6 . FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the pod assembly of FIG. 13 . Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , a pod assembly 300 for a nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. Thus, the pod assembly 300 is an example of a nicotine pre-vapor formulation storage portion of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end of the pod body defines a pod inlet 322. The downstream end of the pod body defines a pod outlet 304 that is in fluid communication with the pod inlet 322 at the upstream end. During vaping, air enters the pod assembly 300 through the pod inlet 322, and vapor exits the pod assembly 300 through the pod outlet 304. The pod inlet 322 is shown in the drawings as being in the form of a slot. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not so limited and other configurations are possible.

[0077] The pod assembly 300 includes a connector module 320 (e.g., FIG. 16 ) disposed within the pod body and exposed by an opening at the upstream end. The outer surface of the connector module 320 includes at least one electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may include a plurality of power contacts. For example, the plurality of power contacts may include a first power contact 324 a and a second power contact 324 b. The first power contact 324 a of the pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a first power contact of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the power contact adjacent to the first upstream protrusion 128 a in FIG. 12 ). Similarly, the second power contact 324 b of the pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a second power contact of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the power contact adjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128 b in FIG. 12 ). Furthermore, the at least one electrical contact of the pod assembly 300 includes a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the pod assembly 300 are configured to electrically connect with the data contacts (e.g., the five rows of protrusions in FIG. 12 ) of the device electrical connector 132. While two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in connection with the pod assembly 300, it should be understood that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment, the pod assembly 300 includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front surface and the rear surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end surface, and a downstream end surface opposite the upstream end surface. Corners of the side surfaces and end surfaces (e.g., corners of the first side surface and the upstream end surface, corners of the upstream end surface and the second side surface, corners of the second side surface and the downstream end surface, and corners of the downstream end surface and the first side surface) may be rounded. However, in some examples, the corners may be angled. Furthermore, the peripheral edge of the front surface may be in the form of a ledge. The outer surface of the connector module 320 (exposed by the pod body) may be considered to be part of the upstream end surface of the pod assembly 300. The front surface of the pod assembly 300 may be wider and longer than the rear surface. In such examples, the first side surface and the second side surface may be angled inward toward each other. The upstream end surface and the downstream end surface may also be angled inward toward each other. The angled surface allows the pod assembly 300 to be inserted in one direction (e.g., from the front side of the device body 100 (the side associated with the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of the pod assembly 300 being improperly inserted into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0079] As shown, the pod body of the pod assembly 300 includes a first housing section 302 and a second housing section 308. The first housing section 302 has a downstream end that defines a pod outlet 304. The lip of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a recessed or sunken region. In such an example, this region may resemble a cove, and the side of the lip adjacent to the rear surface of the pod assembly 300 may be open, while the side of the lip adjacent to the front surface may be surrounded by a raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. The raised portion may function as a stop for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration of the pod outlet 304 may facilitate receiving and aligning the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., FIG. 11 ) via seating against the open side of the lip and the subsequent raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed of) a resilient material that helps create a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the pod assembly 300 is properly inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0080] The downstream end of the first housing section 302 additionally defines at least one downstream recess. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess is in the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. The pod outlet 304 may be located between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, respectively, of the device body 100. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the downstream wall of the through-hole 150. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may each be in the form of a V-shaped notch. In such an example, each of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a wedge-shaped structure configured to engage with a corresponding V-shaped notch of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may abut a corner of the downstream end face and the first side face, and the second downstream recess 306b may abut a corner of the downstream end face and the second side face. As a result, the edges of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b adjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively, may be open. In such an example, as shown in FIG. 14 , each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be a three-sided recess.

[0081] The second housing section 308 has an upstream end that further defines (in addition to the pod entrance 322) a plurality of openings (e.g., first power contact opening 325a, second power contact opening 325b, data contact opening 327) configured to expose the connector module 320 (FIGS. 15-16) within the pod assembly 300. The upstream end of the second housing section 308 also defines at least one upstream recess. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. The pod entrance 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, respectively, of the device body 100. 12 , the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the upstream wall of the through-hole 150. The depth of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the depth of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The ends of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may also be more rounded than the ends of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may each be in the form of a U-shaped depression. In such an example, each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a rounded knob configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped recess of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may abut a corner of the upstream end face and a first side surface, and the second upstream recess 312b may abut a corner of the upstream end face and a second side surface. As a result, the edges of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively, may be open.

[0082] The first housing section 302 may define a reservoir configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir may be configured to seal the nicotine pre-vapor formulation until activation of the pod assembly 300 to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir. As a result of the airtight seal, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation is isolated from the environment and internal elements of the pod assembly 300 that may react with the nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing potential adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second housing section 308 may contain structure configured to activate the pod assembly 300 and to receive and heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the reservoir after activation.

[0083] The pod assembly 300 may be manually activated by an adult e-vaping device user prior to inserting the pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. Alternatively, the pod assembly 300 may be activated as part of inserting the pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the second housing section 308 of the pod body includes a perforator configured to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir within the first housing section 302 during activation of the pod assembly 300. The perforators may be in the form of a first activation pin 314 a and a second activation pin 314 b, which are described in more detail herein.

[0084] To manually activate the pod assembly 300, an adult e-vaping device user may first push the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b may be manually pushed until their ends are substantially even with the upstream end surface of the pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b pierces or otherwise compromises the seal of the reservoir so as to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation therefrom.

[0085] Alternatively, to activate the pod assembly 300 as part of inserting the pod assembly 300 into the device body 100, the pod assembly 300 is first positioned such that the first and second upstream recesses 312 a, 312 b engage with the first and second upstream protrusions 128 a, 128 b, respectively (e.g., upstream engagement). Each of the first and second upstream protrusions 128 a, 128 b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a rounded knob configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped recess in the first and second upstream recesses 312 a, 312 b, so that the pod assembly 300 can then be relatively easily pivoted about the first and second upstream protrusions 128 a, 128 b into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0086] With respect to the pivoting of the pod assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered to extend through the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b and to be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During initial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the pod assembly 300, the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b contact the upstream wall of the through-hole 150 and transition from an extended state to a retracted state as the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing section 308 (e.g., simultaneously) as the pod assembly 300 advances into the through-hole 150. When the downstream end of the pod assembly 300 reaches near the downstream wall of the through hole 150 and comes into contact with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b retract and then elastically extend (e.g., downstream engagement) when the positioning of the pod assembly 300 allows the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 to engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the pod assembly 300, respectively.

[0087] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is secured to the retention structure 140 (of which the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are a part). In such an example, retraction of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b from the through-hole 150 causes a simultaneous shift of the mouthpiece 102 a corresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., the downstream direction). Conversely, when the pod assembly 300 is fully inserted to facilitate downstream engagement, the mouthpiece 102 springs back simultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. In addition to the elastic engagement by the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is also configured to be biased against the pod assembly 300 (and aligned with the pod outlet 304 to form a relatively vapor-tight seal) when the pod assembly 300 is properly placed within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0088] Additionally, downstream engagement may produce an audible click and / or tactile feedback indicating that the pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Once properly seated, the pod assembly 300 is mechanically, electrically, and fluidically connected to the device body 100. While the non-limiting embodiments herein describe upstream engagement of the pod assembly 300 occurring before downstream engagement, it should be understood that the associated mating, activation, and / or electrical arrangements may be reversed such that downstream engagement occurs before upstream engagement.

[0089] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of the pod assembly of FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 15, the first housing section 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive nicotine vapor generated during vaping and is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase in size (e.g., diameter) as it extends toward the pod outlet 304. Furthermore, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing section 302. An insert 342 and a seal 344 are disposed at the upstream end of the first housing section 302 to define a reservoir of the pod assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 may be placed within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages (e.g., via an interference fit) with the inner surface of the first housing section 302 along a lip such that the interface between the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Additionally, the seal 344 may be attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to seal the reservoir outlet of the insert 342, providing fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the reservoir.

[0090] The upstream end of the second housing section 308 defines a pod inlet 322, a first power contact opening 325a, a second power contact opening 325b, a data contact opening 327, a first upstream recess 312a, a second upstream recess 312b, a first pin opening 315a, and a second pin opening 315b. As described above, the pod inlet 322 allows air to enter the pod assembly 300 during vaping, and the first power contact opening 325a, the second power contact opening 325b, and the data contact opening 327 are configured to expose the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, and the data contact 326, respectively, of the connector module 320. In the exemplary embodiment, the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are mounted on a module housing 354 of the connector module 320. Additionally, the data contact 326 may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 362. Additionally, the pod entrance 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, and the contact openings (e.g., the first power contact opening 325a, the second power contact opening 325b, and the data contact opening 327) may be located between the first pin opening 315a and the second pin opening 315b. The first pin opening 315a and the second pin opening 315b are configured to accommodate the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b, respectively, extending therethrough.

[0091] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 16. Referring to FIGS. 16-17, the general framework of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354. Additionally, the connector module 320 has multiple surfaces, including an exterior surface and side surfaces adjacent to the exterior surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface of the connector module 320 is comprised of the upstream surface of the module housing 354, the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, the data contact 326, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 362. The side surfaces of the connector module 320 are integral parts of the module housing 354 and may be substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface.

[0092] The pod assembly 300 defines a flow path therein from the pod inlet 322 to the pod outlet 304. The flow path through the pod assembly 300 includes a first branch portion, a second branch portion, and a confluence portion. The pod inlet 322 is upstream of the first branch portion and the second branch portion of the flow path. In particular, as shown in FIG. 16 , a side (e.g., an inlet side) of the module housing 354 (and connector module 320) above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b is recessed to define a partition 329, along with initial segments of the first branch portion and the second branch portion of the flow path. In an exemplary embodiment in which the partition 329 is recessed from the outer surface of the module housing 354 (e.g., FIG. 16 ), the side of the module housing 354 above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b can also be considered to define an inlet portion of the flow path downstream of the pod inlet 322 and upstream of the first and second branch portions of the flow path.

[0093] A pair of longer sides (e.g., vertical sides) of module housing 354 are also recessed to define subsequent segments of the first and second branched portions of the flow path. Herein, the pair of longer sides of module housing 354 may alternatively be referred to as lateral sides. The sector of module housing 354 covered by printed circuit board (PCB) 362 of FIG. 16 (shown in FIG. 20 ) defines, along with the converging portion of the flow path, further segments of the first and second branched portions. The further segments of the first and second branched portions include a first curved segment (e.g., first curved path 330 a) and a second curved segment (e.g., second curved path 330 b), respectively. As described in more detail herein, the first and second branched portions converge to form the converging portion of the flow path.

[0094] When the connector module 320 is placed within the receiving cavity downstream of the second housing section 308, the non-recessed side of the module housing 354 interfaces with the sidewall of the receiving cavity of the second housing section 308, and the recessed side of the module housing 354, together with the sidewall of the receiving cavity, define the first and second branch portions of the flow path. Seating of the connector module 320 within the receiving cavity of the second housing section 308 may be via a tight-fitting arrangement such that the connector module 320 remains essentially fixed within the pod assembly 300.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 17 , the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 configured to transfer the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to a heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a nicotine vapor during vaping. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of the connector module 320. For example, one end (e.g., a first end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the first power contact 324a, and the other end (e.g., a second end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the second power contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In such an example, the wick 338 may have a planar configuration configured to be held by the folded heating element. When the pod assembly 300 is assembled, the wick 338 is configured to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material such that the nicotine pre-vapor formulation contained within the absorbent material is transferred to the wick 338 via capillary action (when the pod assembly 300 is activated). Herein, the heater may also be referred to as a heating engine.

[0096] In the exemplary embodiment, the airflow entering the pod assembly 300 through the pod inlet 322 is directed by a divider 329 into a first branch portion and a second branch portion of the flow path. The divider 329 may be wedge-shaped and configured to split the incoming airflow (e.g., at least initially) in opposite directions. The split airflow may include a first airflow (traveling through the first branch portion of the flow path) and a second airflow (traveling through the second branch portion of the flow path). After being split by the divider 329, the first airflow travels along the inlet side, around the corner, and along the first lateral surface to a first curved path 330a. Similarly, the second airflow travels along the inlet side, around the corner, and along the second lateral surface to a first curved path 330b (e.g., FIG. 20 ). The converging portions of the flow path are downstream of the first branch portion and the second branch portion. The heater 336 and wick 338 are downstream of the converging portion of the flow paths. Thus, the first air stream joins with the second air stream at the converging portion of the flow paths (e.g., converging path 330c in FIG. 20) to form a combined flow before passing through module outlet 368 of module housing 354 (e.g., as labeled in FIG. 18) to the heater 336 and wick 338.

[0097] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the wick 338 may be a fibrous pad or other structure with pores / gaps designed for capillary action. Furthermore, the wick 338 may have a rectangular shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the wick 338 may have an alternative shape of an irregular hexagon, with two of the sides angled inward toward the heater 336. The wick 338 may be fabricated into the desired shape or cut into such a shape from a larger sheet of material. If the lower section of the wick 338 tapers toward the wound section of the heater 336 (e.g., a hexagonal shape), the likelihood of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation becoming part of the wick 338 (due to its distance from the heater 336) and subsequently avoiding vaporization is reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, as described above, the heater 336 may include a folded heating element configured to grip the wick 338. The folded heating element may also include at least one prong configured to protrude into the wick 338.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 may be configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating) as an electric current is applied to it. More specifically, the heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors and configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed through it. The electric current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and conveyed to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324 a or the second power contact 324 b.

[0099] Suitable conductors for the heater 336 include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel) and / or nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome). The heater 336 may be fabricated from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments alternating with horizontal segments such that the horizontal segments run parallel to one another while zigzagging back and forth. Furthermore, the width of each horizontal segment of the winding pattern may be substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent horizontal segments of the winding pattern, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. To obtain the configuration of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded to grip the core 338. Furthermore, if prongs are part of the heater 336, the protrusions corresponding to the prongs are bent (e.g., inward and / or orthogonally) before the winding pattern is folded. As a result of the prongs, the possibility of the core 338 slipping out of the heater 336 is reduced or prevented. Heaters and related structures are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 729,909, filed October 11, 2017, entitled "Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0100] 15 , the first housing section 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase in size (e.g., diameter) as it extends toward the pod outlet 304. Furthermore, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing section 302. An insert 342 and a seal 344 are disposed at the upstream end of the first housing section 302 to define a reservoir for the pod assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 may be positioned within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages (e.g., via an interference fit) with the inner surface of the first housing section 302 along a lip such that the interface between the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Additionally, the seal 344 may be attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to seal the reservoir outlet of the insert 342, providing fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the reservoir. Herein, the first housing section 302, the insert 342, and the seal 344 may be collectively referred to as a first section. As described in more detail herein, the first section is configured to seal the nicotine pre-vapor formulation until activation of the pod assembly 300.

[0101] In at least some exemplary embodiments, the insert 342 includes a holder portion protruding from the upstream side and a connector portion protruding from the downstream side. In at least some exemplary embodiments, the holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold an absorbent material, and the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housing section 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to be positioned within the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with the interior of the vapor channel 316. Alternatively, the connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to receive the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with the exterior of the vapor channel 316. The insert 342 also defines a reservoir outlet through which the nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows when the seal 344 is pierced during activation of the pod assembly 300. The holder portion and connector portion of the insert 342 may be between the reservoir outlets (e.g., the first reservoir outlet and the second reservoir outlet), although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, the insert 342 defines a vapor conduit that extends through the holder portion and the connector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is placed within the first housing section 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 is aligned with and in fluid communication with the vapor channel 316 such that a continuous pathway is formed through the reservoir and to the pod outlet 304 for nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

[0102] The seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to cover the reservoir outlet of the insert 342. In the exemplary embodiment, the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide adequate clearance to accommodate the holder portion (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is attached to the insert 342. When the seal 344 is pierced by the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b of the pod assembly 300, the two perforated sections of the seal 344 are pressed into the reservoir as flaps, thus creating two pierced openings in the seal 344 (e.g., one on each side of the central opening). The size and shape of the perforated openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the reservoir outlet of the insert 342. In contrast, when in an unperforated state, the seal 344 may have a planar configuration and only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be strong enough to remain intact to avoid premature / inadvertent rupture during normal movement and / or handling of the pod assembly 300. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., aluminum-backed Tritan).

[0103] The second housing section 308 can be structured to contain various components configured to release, receive, and heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b are configured to pierce a reservoir in the first housing section 302 to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The first and second activation pins 314a, 314b each have a distal end that extends through a corresponding one of the first and second pin openings 315a, 315b in the second housing section 308. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., FIG. 13 ), while the remainder of the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b are hidden from view within the pod assembly 300. Additionally, each of the first and second actuation pins 314a, 314b has a proximal end positioned adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 prior to actuation of the pod assembly 300. When the first and second actuation pins 314a, 314b are pressed into the second housing section 308 to actuate the pod assembly 300, the proximal end of each of the first and second actuation pins 314a, 314b advances through the insert 342, thereby piercing the seal 344 and releasing the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir. The movement of the first actuation pin 314a may be independent of the movement of the second actuation pin 314b (or vice versa).

[0104] The absorbent material may be downstream of and in fluid communication with the wick 338. Additionally, as described above, the absorbent material may be configured to engage with the holder portion of the insert 342 (which may protrude from the upstream side of the insert 342). The absorbent material may have an annular shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the absorbent material may resemble a hollow cylinder. In such an example, the outer diameter of the absorbent material may be substantially equal to (or slightly greater than) the length of the wick 338. The inner diameter of the absorbent material may be smaller than the average outer diameter of the holder portion of the insert 342 to provide an interference fit. The tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered to facilitate engagement with the absorbent material. The absorbent material may be configured to receive and retain an amount of nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the reservoir when the pod assembly 300 is activated. A wick 338 may be positioned within the pod assembly 300 so as to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material such that the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be drawn from the absorbent material to the heater 336 via capillary action. The wick 338 may be in physical contact with the upstream side of the absorbent material. Additionally, the wick 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 17 , the heater 336 may have a folded configuration to grip opposing surfaces of the wick 338 and establish thermal contact with the wick 338. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 to generate a nicotine vapor during vaping. To facilitate such heating, a first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a ( FIGS. 16 and 18 ), and a second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b ( FIGS. 16 and 18 ). As a result, electrical current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and conveyed to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b. Relevant details of other aspects of the connector module 320 already described above (e.g., in connection with FIGS. 16-17 ) will not be repeated in this section for the sake of brevity. In the exemplary embodiment, the second housing section 308 includes a receiving cavity for the connector module 320. The second housing section 308 and the above-described internal components may be collectively referred to as the second section. During vaping, nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 is drawn through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first housing section 302, out the pod outlet 304 of the pod assembly 300, and through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102 to the vapor outlet.

[0106] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the connector module of Figure 17 without the wick and heater. Figure 19 is an exploded view of the connector module of Figure 18. Figure 20 is another exploded view of the connector module of Figure 18. With reference to Figures 18-20, module housing 354 forms the framework of connector module 320. Module housing 354 defines a flow path for air drawn into partition 329 and pod assembly 300. A heating chamber is in fluid communication with the flow path upstream of module housing 354 via module outlet 368.

[0107] As described above, the flow path for air drawn into the pod assembly 300 includes a first branching portion, a second branching portion, and a converging portion defined by the module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the first branching portion and the second branching portion are symmetrical portions bisected by an axis corresponding to the converging portion of the flow path. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 , the first branching portion, the second branching portion, and the converging portion may include a first curved path 330a, a second curved path 330b, and a converging path 330c, respectively. The first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b may be substantially U-shaped paths, and the converging path 330c may be a substantially straight path. Based on the axis corresponding to the converging path 330c and aligned with the top of the partition 329, the first branching portion of the flow path may be a mirror image of the second branching portion of the flow path. During vaping, air drawn through the pod inlet 322 is divided by the divider 329, first flowing in opposite directions away from the divider 329, then flowing in parallel before each airflow makes a U-turn (via first curved path 330a and second curved path 330b) and merges (via merged path 330c) for a combined flow traveling back toward the divider 329 before passing through the module outlet 368 and into the heating chamber. The heater 336 and wick 338 may be positioned so that both sides are substantially equally exposed to the combined flow of air passing through the module outlet 368. During vaping, the generated nicotine vapor is entrained in the combined flow of air traveling through the heating chamber and into the vapor channel 316.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 19-20 , each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may include a contact surface and contact legs. The contact legs (which may have an elongated configuration) may be oriented perpendicular to the contact surface (which may be square), although example embodiments are not limited thereto. The module housing 354 may define a pair of shallow recesses and a pair of openings to facilitate installation of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. During assembly, the contact surface of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may be positioned within a corresponding one of the pair of shallow recesses so as to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the module housing 354 (e.g., FIG. 16 ). Furthermore, the contact legs of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may extend through a corresponding one of the pair of openings to protrude from the downstream side of the module housing 354 (e.g., FIG. 18 ). The heater 336 may then be connected to the contact legs of each of the first and second power contacts 324a, 324b.

[0109] Printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes a plurality of data contacts 326 (e.g., FIG. 20 ) on its upstream side and various electronic components (e.g., FIG. 19 ), including a sensor 364, on its downstream side. Sensor 364 may be positioned on printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that sensor 364 is within merged path 330 c defined by module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components affixed thereto) is a free-standing structure that is initially inserted into a downstream receiving cavity of second housing section 308 such that data contacts 326 are exposed by data contact opening 327 in second housing section 308. Thereafter, the module housing 354 (with the first power contacts 324a, the second power contacts 324b, the heater 336, and the wick 338 attached thereto) may be inserted into the receiving cavity such that the first power contacts 324a and the second power contacts 324b are exposed by the first power contact openings 325a and the second power contact openings 325b, respectively, in the second housing section 308. Alternatively, to simplify the above two-step insertion process into a one-step insertion process, it should be understood that a printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components affixed thereto) may be affixed to the module housing 354 (e.g., to form a single, integrated structure) so as to cover the first curved path 330a, the second curved path 330b, the merging path 330c, and the module outlet 368.

[0110] The module outlet 368 may be a resistance to withdrawal (RTD) port. In such a configuration, the withdrawal resistance of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be adjusted by changing the size of the module outlet 368 (rather than changing the size of the pod inlet 322). In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the module outlet 368 may be selected to provide a withdrawal resistance of 25 to 100 millimeters of water column (e.g., 30 to 50 millimeters of water column). For example, a 1.0 millimeter diameter of the module outlet 368 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 88.3 millimeters of water column. In another example, a 1.1 millimeter diameter of the module outlet 368 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 73.6 millimeters of water column. In another example, a 1.2 millimeter diameter of the module outlet 368 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 58.7 millimeters of water column. In yet another example, a 1.3 millimeter diameter of the module outlet 368 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 40 to 43 millimeters of water column. In particular, the size of the module outlet 368 may be adjusted for its internal arrangement without affecting the external aesthetics of the pod assembly 300, thereby allowing for a more standardized product design of pod assemblies having various resistance to withdrawal (RTD), while also reducing the possibility of inadvertent blockage of the incoming air.

[0111] An exemplary system of a pod 300 and device body 100 of a nicotine e-vapor device 500 is described below with reference to Figures 21A-23.

[0112] 21A illustrates an apparatus system of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus system 2100 may be a system within the apparatus body 100 and the dispensing body 204.

[0113] The device system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power supply 2110, an actuator control 2115, a pod electrical / data interface 2120, a device sensor 2125, an input / output (I / O) interface 2130, a vapor indicator 2135, at least one antenna 2140, and a storage medium 2145. The device system 2100 is not limited to the features shown in FIG. 21A . For example, the device system 2100 may include additional elements. However, for the sake of brevity, the additional elements are not described. In other exemplary embodiments, the device system 2100 may not include an antenna.

[0114] The controller 2105 may be hardware, firmware, hardware executing software, or any combination thereof. If the controller 2105 is hardware, such existing hardware may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate array (FPGA) computers, etc. configured as special-purpose machines to perform the functions of the controller 2105. CPUs, microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, and FPGAs may be generally referred to as processing units.

[0115] If controller 2105 is or includes a processor that executes software, controller 2105 is configured as a special-purpose machine (e.g., processing unit) for executing software stored in memory accessible by controller 2105 (e.g., storage medium 2145 or another storage device) to perform the functions of controller 2105. The software may be embodied as program code including instructions for performing and / or controlling any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by controller 2105 or controller 2105A (FIG. 21B).

[0116] The terms "computer-readable storage medium" or "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" disclosed herein may refer to one or more devices for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and / or other tangible machine-readable media for storing information. The term "computer-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, portable or non-removable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or retaining instructions and / or data.

[0117] FIG. 21B illustrates an example of a controller 2105A according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105A illustrated in FIG. 21B is an exemplary implementation of the controller 2105 illustrated in FIG. 21A. Thus, any operation described herein as being performed or controlled by the controller 2105 may be performed or controlled by the controller 2105A. The controller 2105A may be or include a microprocessor. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 21B, the controller 2105A may provide general purpose input / output (GPIO), inter-integrated circuit communication (ICCI), and other functions. 2 C) interface, an input / output interface such as a Real Peripheral Interface (SPI) interface, a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a clock input terminal. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. For example, the controller 2105A may further include a digital-to-analog converter and an arithmetic circuit or circuits.

[0118] Returning to FIG. 21A, the controller 2105 communicates with a power source 2110, an actuator control 2115, a pod electrical / data interface 2120, a device sensor 2125, an input / output (I / O) interface 2130, a vapor indicator 2135, an on-product control 2150, and at least one antenna 2140.

[0119] The controller 2105 communicates with a cryptographic co-processor with non-volatile memory (CC-NVM) or non-volatile memory (NVM) in the pod through the pod's electrical / data interface 2120. The term CC-NVM may refer to one or more hardware modules including a processor and NVM for cryptographic and related processing. More specifically, the controller 2105 may use cryptography to authenticate the pod 300. As described, the controller 2105 may communicate with the CC-NVM package or NVM to authenticate the pod 300. More specifically, the non-volatile memory may be coded with product and other information for authentication during manufacturing.

[0120] The memory device may be coded with an electronic identification to enable at least one of authentication of the pod 300 and pairing of operational parameters specific to the type of pod 300 (or physical configuration, such as heating engine type) when the pod 300 is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identification of the pod 300, the controller 2105 may authorize use of the pod based on an expiration date of the stored nicotine pre-vapor formulation and / or heater coded in the non-volatile memory of the NVM or CC-NVM. If the controller determines that the expiration date coded in the non-volatile memory has passed, the controller may not authorize use of the pod and disable the nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0121] The controller 2105 (or storage medium 2145) stores key material and proprietary algorithm software for encryption. For example, encryption algorithms rely on the use of random numbers. The security of these algorithms depends on how truly random these numbers are. These numbers are typically pre-generated and coded into a processor or memory device. Exemplary embodiments may increase the randomness of the numbers used for encryption by using vapor withdrawal parameters, such as the duration of an instance of a vapor withdrawal, the time interval between instances of a vapor withdrawal, or a combination thereof, to generate numbers that are more random and more variable between individuals than pre-generated random numbers. All communications between the controller 2105 and the pods may be encrypted.

[0122] Additionally, the pod can be used as a general payload carrier for other information, such as software patches for the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Because encryption is used in all communications between the pod and the controller 2105, such information is more secure and the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is less susceptible to malware or viruses being installed. Using the CC-NVM as a carrier of information such as data and software updates allows the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to be updated with software without connecting to the internet, and allows adult e-vapor device users to go through a download process, as with most other general electronic devices that require regular software updates.

[0123] The controller 2105 may also include a cryptographic accelerator that allows resources of the controller 2105 to perform functions other than encoding and decoding involved in authentication. The controller 2105 may also include other security features, such as preventing unauthorized use of the communication channel and preventing unauthorized access to data if the pod or adult e-vaping device user is not authenticated.

[0124] In addition to the encryption accelerator, the controller 2105 may include other hardware accelerators. For example, the controller 2105 may include a floating-point unit (FPU), a separate DSP core, a digital filter, and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) module.

[0125] The controller 2105 is configured to run a real-time operating system (RTOS) and control the device system 2100, which can be updated via communication with the NVM or CC-NVM or when the device system 2100 is connected to another device (e.g., a smartphone) via the I / O interface 2130 and / or the antenna 2140. The I / O interface 2130 and the antenna 2140 enable the device system 2100 to connect to various external devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and PCs. For example, the I / O interface 2130 can include a micro-USB connector. The micro-USB connector can be used by the device system 2100 to charge the power supply 2110b.

[0126] The controller 2105 may include on-board RAM and flash memory for storing and executing code, including analysis, diagnostics, and software upgrades. Alternatively, the storage medium 2145 may store the code. Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment, the storage medium 2145 may be mounted on the controller 2105.

[0127] The controller 2105 may further include an on-board clock, reset and power management module to reduce the area covered by the distribution body's PCB.

[0128] The device sensors 2125 may include a number of sensor transducers that provide measurement information to the controller 2105. The device sensors 2125 may include a power supply temperature sensor, an external pod temperature sensor, a current sensor for the heater, a power supply current sensor, an airflow sensor, and an accelerometer for monitoring movement and orientation. The power supply temperature sensor and the external pod temperature sensor may be thermistors or thermocouples, and the current sensor for the heater and the power supply current sensor may be resistance-based sensors or another type of sensor configured to measure current. The airflow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot wire anemometer. As described above, the device sensors 2125 may include sensors such as an accelerometer for monitoring movement and orientation, for example, as shown in FIG. 23 .

[0129] FIG. 23 illustrates a pod system 2200 connected to a device system 2100, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the device sensors 2125 may include one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more magnetometers 2127C for monitoring motion and orientation. For example, the device sensors 2125 may include at least one internal measurement unit (IMU). The IMU may include, for example, a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope, and a three-axis magnetometer. For example, the one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more magnetometers 2127C of FIG. 23 may be included in an IMU. Examples of IMUs included in the device sensors 2125 include, but are not limited to, Invensense's 10-axis MPU-9250 and ST's 9-axis STEVAL-MKI1119V1. As described in more detail below with respect to Figures 24-25, the controller 2105 may use motion and / or orientation information detected by the device sensor 2125 to control the power level output by the power supply 2110 to the heater 2215 through the pod electrical / data interface 2120 and the main body electrical / data interface 2210.

[0130] Data generated from the number of sensor transducers may be sampled at a sample rate appropriate for the parameter being measured using a separate multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0131] The controller 2105 may adapt heater profiles and other profiles for the nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on the measurement information received from the controller 2105. For convenience, these are generally referred to as vaping profiles or vapor profiles.

[0132] The heater profile identifies the power profile supplied to the heater during the few seconds that vapor withdrawal occurs. For example, the heater profile may deliver full power to the heater when an instance of vapor withdrawal begins, but then immediately reduce the power by half or a quarter over the course of a second or so.

[0133] Additionally, the heater profile may be altered based on the negative pressure applied to the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The use of a MEMS flow sensor allows the vapor draw intensity to be measured and used as feedback to the controller 2105 to adjust the power delivered to the heater of the pod 300, which may be referred to as heat delivery or energy delivery.

[0134] If the controller 2105 recognizes that a pod is currently installed (e.g., via the SKU), the controller 2105 matches the associated heating profile designed for that particular pod. The controller 2105 and storage medium 2145 store data and algorithms that enable the generation of heating profiles for all SKUs. In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may read the heating profile from the pod. Adult e-vaping device users may also adjust the heating profile to suit their preferences.

[0135] 21A, the controller 2105 transmits data to and receives data from the power source 2110. The power source 2110 includes a power source 2110b and a power controller 2110a to manage the power output by the power source 2110b.

[0136] The power source 2110b may be a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be rechargeable and may include circuitry that allows the battery to be charged by an external charging device. In this case, the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively, predetermined) number of instances of vapor withdrawal, after which the circuitry must be reconnected to the external charging device.

[0137] The power controller 2110a provides commands to the power source 2110b based on instructions from the controller 2105. For example, the power source 2110 may receive a command from the controller 2105 to provide power to the pod (through the pod's electrical / data interface 2120) when the pod is authenticated and the adult e-vaping device user activates the device system 2100 (e.g., by activating a switch such as a toggle button, capacitance sensor, IR sensor, etc.). If the pod is not authenticated, the controller 2105 may either not send a command to the power source 2110 or send an instruction to the power source 2110 not to provide power. In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may disable all operation of the device system 2100 if the pod is not authenticated.

[0138] In addition to supplying power to the pod 300, the power supply 2110 also supplies power to the controller 2105. Additionally, the power controller 2110a may provide feedback to the controller 2105 indicative of the performance of the power supply 2110b.

[0139] The controller 2105 transmits data to and receives data from at least one antenna 2140. The at least one antenna 2140 may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) modem, a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) modem, and / or other modems for other wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi). In an exemplary embodiment, the communication stack resides within the modem, but the modem is controlled by the controller 2105. The Bluetooth LE modem is used for data and control communication with an application on an external device (e.g., a smartphone, etc.). The NFC modem may be used to pair the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to an application and obtain diagnostic information. Additionally, the Bluetooth LE modem may be used to provide location information (for adult e-vapor device users to locate the nicotine e-vapor device 500) or authentication during purchase. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the controller 2105) may be configured to selectively lock the nicotine e-vapor device 500 using Bluetooth communication capabilities (e.g., provided by the Bluetooth LE modem). For example, an adult e-vapor device user may use an application (e.g., an app) installed on an external mobile device (e.g., a cell phone) using Bluetooth communication capabilities to lock the nicotine e-vapor device 500, preventing it from operating to generate a nicotine vapor, and unlock the nicotine e-vapor device 500, allowing it to operate to generate a vapor. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adult e-vapor device user may select settings on the application to control the nicotine e-vapor device 500 so that it remains locked (i.e., prevented from operating to generate a nicotine vapor) until it is within a desired range of the electronic device on which the application is installed.For example, an adult e-vapor device user may use the application to configure the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to remain locked until the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is within Bluetooth communication range of an electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, an adult e-vapor device user may use the application to configure the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to be locked when the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is not paired with an electronic device on which the application is installed, and to remain locked until the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is paired with an electronic device on which the application is installed.

[0140] As described above, the device system 2100 can generate and adjust various profiles for vaping. The controller 2105 uses the power supply 2110 and actuator control 2115 to adjust the profile for an adult e-vaping device user.

[0141] The actuator control 2115 includes passive and active actuators for adjusting the desired vapor profile. For example, the dispensing body may include an inlet channel in the mouthpiece. The actuator control 2115 may control the inlet channel based on commands from the controller 2105 associated with the desired vapor profile.

[0142] Additionally, the actuator control 2115 is used in conjunction with the power supply 2110 to energize the heater. More specifically, the actuator control 2115 is configured to generate a drive waveform associated with a desired vaping profile. As described above, each possible profile is associated with a drive waveform. Upon receiving a command from the controller 2105 indicating the desired vaping profile, the actuator control 2115 can generate an associated modulation waveform for the power supply 2110.

[0143] The controller 2105 provides information to the vapor indicator 2135 to indicate the status and actions occurring to the adult e-vaping device user. The vapor indicator 2135 includes a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that can be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button being pressed by the adult e-vaping device user. The vapor indicator 2135 can also include a vibrator, a speaker, an indicator for the current state of a vaping parameter (e.g., vapor volume) controlled by the adult e-vaping device user, and other feedback mechanisms.

[0144] Additionally, the device system 2100 may include numerous on-product controls 2150 that provide commands from the adult e-vapor device user to the controller 2105. The on-product controls 2150 include, for example, an on-off button, which may be a toggle button, a capacitance sensor, or an IR sensor. The on-product controls 2150 may also include a vaping control button (in case the adult e-vapor device user desires to override the buttonless vaping mechanism and energize the heater), a hard reset button, a touch-based slider control (to control the setting of vaping parameters such as vapor withdrawal amount), a vaping control button for activating the slider control, and a mechanical adjustment for the air inlet. Hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG) detection is another example of buttonless vaping. Additionally, a combination of keystrokes (e.g., keystrokes entered by the adult e-vapor device user via the on-product controls 2150) can be used to lock the nicotine e-vapor device and prevent the device from operating to generate nicotine vapor. According to at least some example embodiments, the keystroke combination may be set by the manufacturer of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or the device system 2100. According to at least some example embodiments, the keystroke combination may be set or changed by the adult e-vaping device user (e.g., by keystrokes entered by the adult e-vaping device user via on-product controls 2150).

[0145] Once the pod is authenticated (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 21A ), the controller 2105 operates the power supply 2110, actuator control 2115, vapor indicator 2135, and antenna 2140 according to the adult e-vapor device user using the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and information stored by the NVM or CC-NVM on the pod 300. Additionally, the controller 2105 may include logging functionality and can implement algorithms to calibrate the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The logging functionality is performed by the controller 2105 to record usage data as well as unexpected events or failures. The recorded usage data can be used for diagnostics and analysis. The controller 2105 may calibrate the nicotine e-vapor device 500 using information stored in the CC-NVM or NVM, including buttonless vaping (i.e., vaping without pressing a button, such as generating a nicotine vapor when negative pressure is applied to a mouthpiece), adult e-vapor device user configuration, and vapor withdrawal detection, nicotine pre-vapor formulation level, and nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the controller 2105 may instruct the power source 2110 to provide power to a heater in the pod 300 based on a vaping profile associated with the nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition in the pod 300. Alternatively, the vaping profile may be coded into the CC-NVM or NVM and utilized by the controller 2105.

[0146] 22A illustrates a pod system diagram of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. The pod system 2200 may be within a pod assembly 300.

[0147] 22A , the pod system 2200 includes a CC-NVM 2205, a body electrical / data interface 2210, a heater 2215, and a pod sensor 2220. The pod system 2200 communicates with the device system 2100 through the body electrical / data interface 2210 and the pod electrical / data interface 2120. The body electrical / data interface 2210 may correspond, for example, to the battery contacts 416 and data connection 417 connected in the pod assembly 300 shown in FIG. 19 . Thus, the CC-NVM 2205 is coupled to the data connection 417 and the battery contacts 416.

[0148] The CC-NVM 2205 includes a cryptographic co-processor 2205 a and a non-volatile memory 2205 b. The controller 2105 can access information stored in the non-volatile memory 2205 b for authentication purposes and operate the pod by communicating with the cryptographic co-processor 2205 a.

[0149] In another exemplary embodiment, the pod may not have a cryptographic coprocessor. For example, FIG. 22B illustrates an example of the pod system of FIG. 22A , omitting the cryptographic coprocessor 2205 a, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22B , the pod system 2200 may include a non-volatile memory 2205 b instead of the CC-NVM 2205, and the cryptographic coprocessor 2205 a is omitted. If a cryptographic coprocessor is not present in the pod system 2200, the controller 2105 may read data from the non-volatile memory 2205 b without using the cryptographic coprocessor to control / define the heating profile.

[0150] The non-volatile memory 2205b may be coded with an electronic identification to allow at least one of authentication of the pod 300 and pairing of operating parameters specific to the type of pod 300 when the pod 300 is inserted into the through-hole of the device body 100. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identification of the pod 300, the controller 2105 may authorize use of the pod based on an expiration date of the stored nicotine pre-vapor formulation and / or heater coded in the non-volatile memory 2205b. If the controller determines that the expiration date coded in the non-volatile memory 2205b has passed, the controller may not authorize use of the pod and disable the nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0151] Additionally, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store information such as the stock keeping unit (SKU) of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation (including the nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition) in the nicotine pre-vapor formulation compartment, software patches for the device system 2100, product usage information such as vapor withdrawal instance count, vapor withdrawal instance duration, and nicotine pre-vapor formulation level. The non-volatile memory 2205b may store operating parameters specific to the pod type and nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store the electrical and mechanical design of the pod for use by the controller 2105 to determine commands corresponding to the desired vaping profile.

[0152] The level of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the pod may be determined, for example, in one of two ways: In one exemplary embodiment, one of the pod sensors 2220 directly measures the level of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the pod 300.

[0153] In another exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b stores a count of instances of vapor withdrawal from the pod, and the controller 2105 uses the count of instances of vapor withdrawal as a proxy for the amount of vaporized nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0154] The controller 2105 and / or storage medium 2145 may store nicotine pre-vapor formulation calibration data that identifies an operating point for the nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition. The nicotine pre-vapor formulation calibration data includes data describing how flow rate changes with remaining nicotine pre-vapor formulation level or how volatility changes with the life of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation and may be used for calibration by the controller 2105. The nicotine pre-vapor formulation calibration data may be stored in tabular form by the controller 2105 and / or storage medium 2145. The nicotine pre-vapor formulation calibration data enables the controller 2105 to equate vapor draw instance counts to the amount of nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized.

[0155] The controller 2105 writes the nicotine pre-vapor formulation level and vapor withdrawal instance count back to the non-volatile memory 2205b in the pod so that if the pod is removed from the dispensing body and then re-attached, the exact nicotine pre-vapor formulation level in the pod can still be known by the controller 2105.

[0156] The operating parameters (e.g., power source, power duration, air channel control) are referred to as a vaping profile. Additionally, the non-volatile memory 2205b may record information communicated by the controller 2105. The non-volatile memory 2205b may retain the recorded information even when the dispensing body is disconnected from the pod 300.

[0157] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b may be a programmable read-only memory.

[0158] The heater 2215 is actuated by the controller 2105 and transfers heat to at least a portion of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation according to a commanded profile from the controller 2105 (volume, temperature (based on power profile), and flavor).

[0159] The heater 2215 may be, for example, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistance wire, a coil of wire surrounding a core, a mesh, or any other suitable form. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminide, a material with an alumina layer on its surface, iron aluminide, and other composite materials, and the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties. In one embodiment, heater 2215 comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloy, nickel-chromium alloy, superalloy, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, heater 2215 is formed of a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. In one embodiment, heater 2215 can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on its outer surface.

[0160] In another embodiment, the heater 2215 may be constructed of an iron aluminide (e.g., FeAl or FeAl), or a nickel aluminide (e.g., NiAl), such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,706 (Sikka et al.), filed Dec. 29, 1994, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0161] The heater 2215 may determine the amount of nicotine pre-vapor formulation to heat based on feedback from a pod sensor or the controller 2105. The flow of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be regulated by microcapillary or capillary action. Additionally, the controller 2105 may send commands to the heater 2215 to adjust the air intake to the heater 2215.

[0162] The pod sensors 2220 may include a heater temperature sensor, a nicotine pre-vapor formulation flow rate monitor, and an airflow monitor. The heater temperature sensor may be a thermistor or thermocouple, and flow rate sensing may be performed by the pod system 2200 (e.g., under the control of the controller 2105 or a controller included in the pod system 2200) using electrostatic interference or a nicotine pre-vapor formulation internal rotation device. The airflow sensor may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow.

[0163] Data generated from the pod sensors 2220 may be sampled at a sample rate appropriate for the parameter being measured using a separate multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0164] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may also control the heater 2215 in response to detecting a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG). As described above with reference to FIG. 21A , nicotine e-vapor devices according to at least some exemplary embodiments may implement a buttonless vaping mechanism. As an example of a buttonless vaping mechanism, the controller 2105 may determine, based on measurements from the device sensor 2125, when an adult e-vapor device user performs HMG. HMG is a gesture in which the adult e-vapor device user's hand moves toward the adult e-vapor device user's mouth. HMG performed with respect to a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., a nicotine e-vapor device including the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or device body 100) may indicate that vapor withdrawal is about to begin. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may control the state and / or operational mode of the nicotine e-vapor device or one or more of its components based on the detection of HMG. For example, the controller 2105 may control the state and / or operating mode of the heater 2215 by detecting the HMG.

[0165] As described above, the heater 2215 may be operated by the controller 2105. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may control the heater 2215 using a heating engine control algorithm and a heating engine driver implemented by the controller 2105. The heater 2215 may also be referred to herein as a heating engine 2215 or a heater engine 2215. Examples of heating engine control algorithms according to at least some exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to Figures 24-25G.

[0166] An overview of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and associated inputs will first be described with reference to FIG. 24. Next, exemplary implementations of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 according to at least some exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to FIGs. 25A-26. Exemplary implementations of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 include, but are not limited to, a setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A (FIGS. 25A-25B), an adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B (FIGS. 25C-25D), a temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C (FIGS. 25E-25F), and a waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D (FIGS. 25G-25H). Additionally, an exemplary implementation of a buttonless vaping feature 2310, which may provide a vaping mode as an input to one or more of the heating engine control algorithms 2300, 2300A, 2300B, 2300C, and 2300D, will be described below with reference to FIG. 26.

[0167] 24, which illustrates a heating engine control algorithm 2300 and associated inputs according to at least one exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm 2300 generates a power level value, and the heating engine driver 2305 controls the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., using pulse width modulation (PWM) or other known methods) based on the generated power level. For example, the heating engine driver 2305 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 via the main body electrical / data interface 2210. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and the heating engine driver 2305 are both implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by either the heating engine control algorithm 2300 or the heating engine driver 2305 may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 24, the heat engine control algorithm 2300 may use one or more of several inputs to generate the power level supplied to the heat engine driver 2305. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, inputs to the heat engine control algorithm 2300 may include, but are not necessarily limited to, a vaping mode generated by a buttonless vaping function 2310, one or more operating points generated by a first calibration mapping function 2320, a predicted temperature of the heat engine 2215 generated by a heat engine temperature prediction function 2330, heat engine temperature and electrical performance values ​​provided by a heat engine sensor 2222 (which may be included within a pod sensor 2220), airflow and wick wetness provided by a pod sensor 2220, vaping profile information provided by an adult e-vapor device user update function 2340, nicotine e-vapor device temperature information provided by a device sensor 2125, nicotine pre-vapor formulation material level and / or flow rate information provided by a liquid level and flow rate prediction function 2350, battery status information provided by a battery status function 2360, and time information provided by a clock 2370. The pod sensor 2220 may also be referred to herein as a smart pod sensor 2220. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm operates according to at least three states: an OFF state, a PRE-HEAT state, and an ON state. The OFF state, PRE-HEAT state, and ON state may also be referred to herein as "vaping mode states" or "operating modes."

[0169] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the off state is a state in which the heat engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heat engine driver 2305 so that a relatively low amount of power or no power is supplied to the heater engine 2215 by the nicotine e-vapor device 500; the pre-heat state is a state in which the heat engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heat engine driver 2305 so that the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 by the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is greater than the amount of power supplied in the off state; and the on state is a state in which the heat engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heat engine driver 2305 so that the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 by the nicotine e-vapor device 500 is greater than the amount of power supplied in the pre-heat state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 during the pre-heat mode of operation is such that the heater engine 2215 heats the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and the amount of power supplied to the heater engine 2215 during the second mode of operation is such that the heater heats the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to a temperature above the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0170] The set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A and buttonless vaping function 2310 are described below with reference to FIGS. 25A, 25B and 26.

[0171] 25A is a block diagram illustrating a set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A is an exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 illustrated in FIG.

[0172] According to at least some example embodiments, the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0173] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in the set point heat engine control algorithm 2300A, the set power level is provided directly based on an external configuration. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power level applied to the heat engine 2215 (e.g., via the heat engine driver 2305) is static throughout the entire startup period of the heat engine 2215 or throughout the duration of the vaping mode. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a single power level is transmitted to the heat engine driver 2305, and the amount of power applied to the heat engine 2215 by the heat engine driver 2305 is proportional to the power level transmitted to the heat engine driver 2305. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heat engine driver 2305 may set the level of power output to the heat engine 2215 upon receiving the single power level (e.g., by adjusting the duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated drive signal applied to the heat engine 2215).

[0174] 25A , the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A may operate based on inputs received from a clock 2370, a heating engine sensor 2222 (which may be included in a smart pod sensor 2220), a buttonless vaping function 2310, and a first calibration mapping function 2320. Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may operate based on inputs received from an AV vaping profile update function 2340.

[0175] The clock 2370, the heated engine sensor 2222, the buttonless vaping function 2310, the first calibration mapping function 2320, and the AV vaping profile update function 2340 are described in more detail below.

[0176] The clock 2370 outputs a periodic timing signal according to known methods. The heat engine sensor 2222 detects a heat engine temperature value and / or an electrical performance value associated with the heat engine 2215 according to known methods. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heat engine sensor provides the detected heat engine temperature value and / or electrical performance value to the heat engine driver 2305, for example, as a feedback value. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heat engine driver 2305 adjusts the amount of power provided to the heat engine 2215 based on the feedback value. The buttonless vaping feature 2310 is described below with reference to FIG. 26.

[0177] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs one of three states to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A as the current vapor draw state: an off state, a preheat state, and an on state. FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating the buttonless vaping function 2310, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. The buttonless vaping function 2310 may be implemented by the controller 2105. Thus, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the buttonless vaping function 2310 may be performed by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500).

[0178] 26, initially, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs an OFF state. For example, in operation S2410, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs an OFF state as the current vaping mode state.

[0179] According to at least one example embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vapor mode state from the OFF state to the ON state based on detecting a vapor draw while in the OFF state. For example, in operation S2420, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether a vapor draw is occurring. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine whether a vapor draw instance is occurring based on airflow information generated by the pod sensor 2220 and / or the device sensor 2124. For example, if the airflow information indicates an airflow rate above a threshold, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a vapor draw instance is occurring. If a vapor draw occurs while in the OFF state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470. In operation S2470, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vapor mode state from the OFF state to the ON state and outputs the ON state as the current vapor mode state.

[0180] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from the OFF state to the PRE-HEAT state based on detecting a hand-to-mouth (HMG) gesture while in the OFF state. HMG is a gesture in which an adult e-vapor device user's hand moves toward the adult e-vapor device user's mouth. HMG performed with respect to a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., a nicotine e-vapor device including the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or device body 100, or the dispensing device 204) may indicate that vapor withdrawal is about to begin. An example of a method for detecting HMG is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0108840, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0181] Returning to operation S2420, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, if a vapor draw did not occur during the Off state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2430. In operation S2430, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether HMG occurred. If HMG occurred during the Off state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2440. In operation S2440, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from the Off state to a Preheat state and outputs the Preheat state as the current vaping mode state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the Off state as the current vaping mode state until the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects one of a vapor draw or HMG. For example, returning to operation S2430, if no HMG occurred during the OFF state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the OFF state as the current vaping mode state and returns to operation S2420.

[0182] Returning to operation S2440, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vapor mode state from the preheat state to the ON state based on detecting a vapor draw during the preheat state. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds from operation S2440 to operation S2450. At operation S2450, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether a vapor draw occurs. If a vapor draw occurs during the preheat state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470, thereby transitioning from the preheat state to the ON state. As described above, at operation S2470, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs the ON state as the current vapor mode state.

[0183] According to at least one example embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions from the preheat state to the OFF state based on the occurrence of a preheat timeout event during the preheat state. For example, if no vapor draw occurs during the preheat state at operation S2450, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2460. At operation S2460, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether a preheat timeout event has occurred. The buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a preheat timeout event has occurred when the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the amount of time elapsed in the preheat state exceeds the preheat timeout value. If the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a preheat timeout event has occurred during the preheat state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby transitioning the current vaping mode state from the preheat state to the OFF state. As described above, in operation S2410, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs the OFF state as the current vaping state.

[0184] According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the preheat state as the current vaping mode state until the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects one of a vapor draw and a preheat timeout. For example, returning to operation S2460, if during the preheat state, a preheat timeout event does not occur and a vapor draw instance is not detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the preheat state and returns to operation S2450.

[0185] Returning to operation S2470, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions from an ON state to an OFF state based on the termination of a vapor draw instance or the detection of a vaping timeout event. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds from operation S2470 to operation S2480. At operation S2480, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether the vapor draw instance has terminated or whether a vaping timeout event has occurred. For example, based on airflow information generated by the pod sensor 2220 and / or the device sensor 2124, the buttonless vaping function 2310 can determine whether the vapor draw instance detected in step S2420 or step S2450 has terminated. For example, if the airflow information indicates that the airflow has dropped below a threshold after a vapor draw is detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the vapor draw instance has terminated. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the threshold used to detect the start of a vapor withdrawal instance in operation S2420 or S2450 may have a different value than the threshold used to detect the end of a vapor withdrawal instance in operation S2480.

[0186] Additionally, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a vaping timeout event has occurred when the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the amount of time elapsed in the On state exceeds a vaping timeout value. If the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects either the end of a vapor draw instance or the occurrence of a vaping timeout event during the On state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby transitioning the current vaping mode state from the On state to the Off state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the On state as the current vaping mode state until the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects one of the end of a vapor draw instance and a vaping timeout event. For example, returning to operation S2480, if a vaping timeout event has not occurred during the On state and the end of the current vapor draw instance has not been detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the On state and repeats operation S2480.

[0187] According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine whether a preheat timeout event has occurred in operation S2460 and / or may determine whether a preheat timeout event has occurred in operation S2480 based on the timer value indicating the preheat timeout value and / or the vaping timeout value. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine that a preheat timeout event has occurred in operation S2460 of FIG. 26 when the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects a length of a preheat vaping state that exceeds the preheat timeout value. The preheat timeout value may be, for example, 1 to 2 seconds. Furthermore, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine that a vaping timeout event has occurred in operation S2480 of FIG. 26 when the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects a length of an on-vaping state that exceeds the vaping timeout value. The vaping timeout value may be, for example, 7 to 10 seconds. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may track the length of a continuous on-vaping state or a pre-heat vaping state using a clock signal output by the clock 2370. Furthermore, the pre-heat timeout and vaping timeout values ​​are not limited to the exemplary lengths of time described above. For example, the lengths of time of the pre-heat timeout value and / or the vaping timeout value may be set according to, for example, the preferences of a designer or manufacturer of the nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0188] Additionally, while the buttonless vaping function 2310 was described above as determining that the current vaping mode state is one of three states (i.e., off, preheat, and on), according to at least some example embodiments, the preheat state may be omitted, and the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine that the current vaping mode state is one of only two states, i.e., on and off. For example, with reference to FIG. 26 , if the preheat state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may omit operations S2430, S2440, S2450, and S2460. Furthermore, if the preheat state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may perform operation S2420 without transitioning to the preheat state. For example, the buttonless vaping function may perform operation S2420 by remaining in the OFF state while no vapor withdrawal is detected (N), and may proceed to operation S2470 in response to a vapor withdrawal being detected (Y), thereby transitioning the current vaping mode state from the OFF state to the ON state. Furthermore, if the preheat state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may perform the remaining operations S2410, S2470, and S2480 in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 26. According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 continuously determines the current vaping mode state and continuously outputs the determined current vaping mode according to the operations described above with respect to FIG. 26. The first calibration mapping function 2320 is described below.

[0189] The first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs operating points to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300 A. According to at least some example embodiments, the operating points correspond to power values ​​or levels, examples of which include, but are not limited to, 1 W, 2.567 W, 20 W, 32.15 W, and 52,663 W.

[0190] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads one or more operating points from a removable pod attached to the nicotine e-vapor device and outputs the one or more operating points to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., a nicotine e-vapor device 500) implementing the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be configured to detect power information from a removable pod 300 attached to the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The power information read from the pod 300 may include one or more operating points. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 may include operating points for each vaping mode state (i.e., preheat, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 includes operating points for the preheat state and the on state, but may not have an operating point for the off state.

[0191] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from the removable pod, receives a coarse preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, selects from the read operating points an operating point or operating points that correspond to the coarse preference level, and outputs the selected operating point or operating points to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 by the first calibration mapping function 2320 may include an operating point for each possible combination of coarse preference level and vaping mode state (preheat, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 may include an operating point for each coarse preference level for the on state, may include only one operating point for the preheat state, or may include only one operating point (or no operating points) for the off state.

[0192] According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads the operating point from the removable pod, receives a fine-grained preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, adjusts the read operating point based on the fine-grained preference level, and outputs the adjusted operating point to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, the fine-grained preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340 may indicate an adjustment to be made to the operating point. For example, the fine-grained preference level may indicate the direction and amount of adjustment (e.g., sign and magnitude: +3 W, −4.823 W, +10.645 W, etc.).

[0193] According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may each generate an operating point based on both a coarse preference level and a fine preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from the removable pod, receives a coarse preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, selects an operating point from the read operating points that corresponds to the coarse preference level, receives a fine preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, adjusts the selected operating point based on the fine preference level, and outputs the adjusted operating point to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A.

[0194] According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Thus, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be performed or controlled by the controller 2105. The AV vaping profile update function 2340, the coarse preference level, and the fine preference level are described in more detail below.

[0195] According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputs one or both of the coarse and fine preference levels described above with respect to the first calibration mapping function 2320. An example of the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputting a coarse preference level is described below.

[0196] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult e-vapor device user may operate an input device on the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to select one of a plurality of coarse preference levels. For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B , the device body 100 of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may include on-product controls 2150. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the on-product controls 2150 may include any device or devices that can be manually operated by the adult e-vapor device user to indicate a value selection. Exemplary implementations include, but are not limited to, one or more buttons, dials, capacitance sensors, and sliders. For example, if the on-product controls 2150 include a slider, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be capable of detecting the position of the adult e-vapor device user's finger along the length of the slider, according to known methods. For example, the slider may include a capacitance sensor extending the length of the slider. Additionally, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be capable of detecting the position along the length of the slider of an adult e-vapor device user's finger touching a capacitance sensor based on signals generated by the capacitance sensor in accordance with known methods. As another example, the slider may include a mechanical element coupled to a track extending the length of the slider. The mechanical element may be configured to be slid up and down the track by the adult e-vapor device user's finger. Additionally, the e-vapor device 500 may be capable of detecting the position of the mechanical element along the length of the slider.

[0197] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the length of the slider may be divided into multiple contiguous regions, and multiple coarse preference levels may be assigned to each of the multiple contiguous regions. For example, in a scenario where five coarse preference levels are assigned to each of the five contiguous regions of the slider's length, an adult e-vaping device user may select a particular preference level from among the five coarse preference levels by manipulating the slider (e.g., by moving the adult e-vaping device user's finger and / or mechanical element to a position along the slider's length that is within the region assigned to the particular coarse preference level). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the slider may be implemented as one or more capacitive touch sensors.

[0198] In addition to, or as an alternative to, including a slider, on-product control 2150 may include one or more buttons to facilitate selection of a particular preference level from among the coarse preference levels described above. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the dispensing body includes first button 118 and second button 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the coarse preference levels (e.g., five coarse preference levels) may be cycled through in response to actuation of one or both of first button 118 and second button 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first and second buttons may be implemented as touch sensors, which may be mechanical (e.g., mechanical buttons) and / or capacitive (e.g., capacitive sensors).

[0199] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may provide an indication (e.g., a visual, tactile, and / or audible indication) to identify a currently selected coarse preference level from among a plurality of available coarse preference levels. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second button 120 is an intensity button, and actuation of the second button 120 causes the nicotine e-vapor device 500 to advance from the current coarse preference level to the next coarse preference level. Additionally, the light guide assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 may provide a different visual indication (e.g., by varying the color, length, size, and / or brightness of light emitted by the light guide assembly) for each different coarse preference level, thereby identifying the currently selected coarse preference level.

[0200] The AV vaping profile update function 2340 then outputs the selected coarse preference levels to the first calibration mapping function 2320. Further, the five coarse preference levels may correspond to five operating points read by the first calibration mapping function 2320 from a removable pod (e.g., pod 300) attached to the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Accordingly, the first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs an operating point from the five operating points read from the removable pod that corresponds to the received coarse preference level. An example of the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputting fine preference levels is described below.

[0201] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult e-vapor device user may manipulate an input device to select one of a plurality of fine-grained preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the input device may be a wireless electronic device (e.g., a wireless communication device), examples of which include, but are not limited to, a smartphone and a tablet. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device executes an application or app that the adult e-vapor device user can use to select a fine-grained preference value for adjusting the operating point. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500) and the wireless electronic device may communicate with each other wirelessly (e.g., via a wireless communication link) using any known wireless technology, examples of which include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wireless USB, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device is a smartphone running an app that creates a graphical user interface (GUI) with which the adult e-vapor device user can interact to select a fine-grained preference level. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the GUI includes an app slider. The app slider may be an image of a slider output on a smartphone display that can be manipulated by the adult e-vaping device user by using a touchscreen, keys, buttons, and / or other smartphone input devices. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the app slider allows the adult e-vaping device user to finely or precisely adjust the operating point (e.g., to 7 W). For example, if the initial operating point is 7 W and the app slider allows the adult e-vaping device user to adjust the initial operating point in 1 mW increments within a range of ±128 mW, the adult e-vaping device user can select an adjusted operating point between 6872 mW and 7128 mW.According to at least some example embodiments, the smartphone can wirelessly transmit, via an app slider, a fine-grained preference level indicating the adjustment selected by the adult e-vapor device user to the nicotine e-vapor device. In the nicotine e-vapor device, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 receives the fine-grained preference level and provides the fine-grained preference level to the first calibration mapping function 2320. As described above, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can use the fine-grained preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340 to adjust the operating point before outputting the adjusted operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A.

[0202] According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 writes the coarse and / or fine preference levels selected by the adult e-vapor device user to a memory (e.g., non-volatile memory 2205b) of a removable pod (e.g., removable pod 300) attached to the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Thus, when the removable pod (e.g., pod 300) is reattached to the nicotine e-vapor device after being removed for a period of time, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the coarse and / or fine preference levels previously selected by the adult e-vapor device user from the memory of the reattached removable pod. Furthermore, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may generate an adjusted operating point using the previously selected coarse and / or fine preference levels.

[0203] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 writes the vaping profile entries to a vaping profile database. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaping profile database may be stored in a memory (e.g., storage medium 2145) of a dispensing body (e.g., device body 100) of a nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., nicotine e-vapor device 500). Each vaping profile entry may include a coarse and / or fine preference level selected by the adult e-vapor device user, as well as formulation type information (e.g., a nicotine pre-vapor formulation identifier) ​​that identifies the formulation type of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation contained by the removable pod attached to the nicotine e-vapor device when the adult e-vapor device user selects the coarse and / or fine preference level. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, when a new, unused removable pod is attached to the nicotine e-vapor device, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the nicotine pre-vapor formulation identifier of the new removable pod and compare the read nicotine pre-vapor formulation identifier with vaping profile entries stored in the vaping profile database. If the first calibration mapping function 2320 identifies a vaping profile entry having a nicotine pre-vapor formulation identifier that matches the nicotine pre-vapor formulation identifier of the newly attached removable pod, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the coarse and / or fine preference levels included in the identified vaping profile entry. Further, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may use the read coarse and / or fine preference levels to generate an adjusted operating point.According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the identification (e.g., formulation type) of the removable pod's nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the same manner as described above with respect to the first calibration mapping function 2320 reading the operating point from an image (e.g., a QR code) located on the removable pod (e.g., pod 300) or the removable pod's memory.

[0204] According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 tracks coarse and / or fine preference levels selected by adult e-vapor device users over time and stores the tracked coarse and / or fine preference levels in a memory of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., in the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Additionally, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 may determine a predicted coarse preference level based on the tracked coarse preference level and / or determine a predicted fine preference level based on the tracked fine preference level. The predicted coarse and fine preference levels may also be referred to herein as predicted vaping preference levels.

[0205] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked coarse preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked coarse preference levels that fall within a window (e.g., the last 10 tracked coarse preference levels). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is a weighted average of the tracked coarse preference levels.

[0206] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted granular preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked granular preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted granular preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked granular preference levels that fall within a window (e.g., the last 10 tracked granular preference levels). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted granular preference value is a weighted average of the tracked granular preference levels.

[0207] According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate different predicted vaping preference values ​​for different times of day. Examples of times are periods of a day (e.g., 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, etc.). Thus, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate a predicted coarse preference level for the morning based solely on coarse preference levels tracked for the morning (e.g., 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) and a predicted coarse preference level for the afternoon based solely on coarse preference levels tracked for the afternoon (e.g., 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM). Furthermore, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate a predicted fine preference level for the morning based solely on fine preference levels tracked for the morning (e.g., 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) and a predicted fine preference level for the afternoon based solely on fine preference levels tracked for the afternoon (e.g., 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM). The AV vaping profile update function 2340 may store the predicted vaping preference levels mentioned above in a memory of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., in the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the nicotine e-vapor device 500). According to at least some example embodiments, upon startup of the nicotine e-vapor device 500, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may determine the current time (e.g., 2:00 PM), read the stored vaping preference levels (e.g., the predicted coarse afternoon preference value and the predicted coarse afternoon preference level) corresponding to the current time from the memory of the nicotine e-vapor device 500, and generate an adjusted operating point using the read vaping preference levels.

[0208] 25A , the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A may also include a time decrement operation 2610, a first transfer curve selection operation 2620, a vaping mode identification operation 2630, and a first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, any or all of the time decrement operation 2610, first transfer curve selection operation 2620, vaping mode identification operation 2630, and first power level setting operation 2640 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A may be performed continuously. The time decrement operation 2610 is described in more detail below.

[0209] The decrement time operation 2610 decrements a timer value based on a current time input from the clock 2370. As discussed in more detail below, the timer value may be used by other operations including, for example, the set first power level operation 2640. The select first transfer curve operation 2620 is described in more detail below.

[0210] In a first transfer curve selection operation 2620, the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A may select a transfer curve from among one or more transfer curves received from the first calibration mapping function 2320 and provide the selected transfer curve to a first set power level operation 2640. According to at least some example embodiments, the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation may be one of a plurality of operating points output from the first calibration mapping function 2320 to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620.

[0211] For example, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may provide an operating point for each of a plurality of vaping mode states. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the operating points provided by the first calibration mapping function 2320 to the setpoint heat engine control algorithm 2300A include two operating points: one for the preheat vaping mode state and one for the on-vaping mode state. However, alternatively, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may provide a series of operating points for one or both of the preheat and on-vaping mode states that vary in level over time, as described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 25G and 25H.

[0212] 25A , as described above, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may output a plurality of operating points, each corresponding to a plurality of vaping mode states. The first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may select one of the operating points output by the first calibration mapping function 2320 based on the current vaping mode (e.g., off, preheat, or on) of the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A. The first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the transfer curve corresponding to the selected operating point to the first power level setting operation 2640. For example, if the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in a preheat vaping mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the transfer curve corresponding to the preheat vaping mode state to the first power level setting operation 2640. Similarly, when the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in an on-vaping mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a transfer curve corresponding to the on-vaping mode state. Additionally, when the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in an off-vaping mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a transfer curve corresponding to the off-vaping mode state. If the selected transfer curve does not include a portion corresponding to the off-vaping mode state, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the first power level setting operation 2640 with a default transfer curve corresponding to providing a low power level or no power to the heating engine 2215 for the off-vaping mode state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 chooses the transfer curve to provide to the first power level setting operation 2640 based on the vaping mode state information received from the vaping mode identification operation 2630. The identify vaping mode operation 2630 is described in more detail below. According to at least some example embodiments, the transfer curve provided by the select first transfer curve operation 2620 may be or correspond to a power value.

[0213] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaping mode identification operation 2630 determines the current vaping mode state of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A (e.g., off, preheat, or on) based on the current vaping mode state output of the buttonless vaping function 2310. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs the current vaping mode state in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 26 . As described above, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may use the vaping mode state received from the vaping mode identification operation 2630 to choose which transfer curve to provide to the first set power level operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaping mode identification operation 2630 may be omitted, and the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may receive the vaping mode state (e.g., off, preheat, or on) from the buttonless vaping function 2310. The first set power level operation 2640 is described in more detail below.

[0214] According to at least some example embodiments, the set first power level operation 2640 receives a transfer curve from the select first transfer curve operation 2620 and outputs a first power level waveform 2710 according to an operating point or operating points included in the received transfer curve. The set first power level operation 2640 may output the first power level waveform 2710 to the heat engine driver 2305, which may cause the power supply 2110 to supply power to the heater engine 2215 according to the first power level waveform 2710.

[0215] FIG. 25B illustrates an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform output by the set point heat engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, FIG. 25B illustrates an example in which at least a portion of the first power level waveform 2710 output by the set first power level operation 2640 from the buttonless vaping function 2310 and / or as a vaping mode status output from the identify vaping mode operation 2630 transitions according to the following sequence: Off > Preheat > On > Off. As used herein, the term “power level waveform” refers to a waveform corresponding to the power level output over time by the heat engine control algorithm to the heat engine driver 2305. Furthermore, the term “power level waveform” is considered synonymous with “power waveform” and may be referred to as “power waveform” at times. According to at least some example embodiments, the heat engine driver 2305 increases or decreases the amount of power provided by the power supply 2110 to the heater 2215 in a manner proportional to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level of the power level waveform output to the heat engine driver 2305.

[0216] As illustrated in FIG. 25B, the first power level waveform 2710 output by the first power level setting operation 2640 may start at a power level corresponding to the off-vapor mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the off-vapor mode state), increase from the power level corresponding to the off-vapor mode state to a power level corresponding to the pre-heat vapor mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the pre-heat vapor mode state), increase from the power level corresponding to the pre-heat vapor mode state to a power level corresponding to the on-vapor mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the on-vapor mode state), and decrease from the power level corresponding to the on-vapor mode state back to the power level corresponding to the off-vapor mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the off-vapor mode state).

[0217] 25A , according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the decrement time operation 2610 may cause the set first power level operation 2640 to perform a shutdown operation on the heat engine 2215 by sending a timer shutdown signal to the set first power level operation 2640. The timer shutdown signal may also be referred to herein as a “timed shutdown signal.” For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the decrement time operation 2610 may be used to perform a shutdown of the power provided to the heat engine 2215 by controlling the power level output by the set first power level operation 2640. For example, in addition to or instead of the buttonless vaping function 2310 causing a shutdown of power provided to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., by tracking a preheat timeout event and / or a vaping timeout event and outputting an off state as the current vaping mode state in the manner described above with respect to operations S2460 and S2480 of FIG. 26 ), the time decrement operation 2610 may track a preheat timeout value and / or a vaping timeout value for the length of time that the current vaping mode state of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A remains in the preheat state or the on state. Further, in response to the time decrement operation 2610 determining that the preheat timeout value or the vaping timeout value has been exceeded, the time decrement operation 2610 may send a timer shutdown signal to the first power level setting operation 2640, which may respond to the timer shutdown signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heat engine driver 2305, which may cause the heat engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the supply of power to the heat engine 2215.According to at least some example embodiments, in response to the first set power level operation 2640 receiving a timer shutdown signal from the decrement time operation 2610, the first set power level operation 2640 causes the heat engine driver 2305 to disconnect or stop supplying power to the heat engine 2215 regardless of the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620.

[0218] The adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is described below with reference to Figures 25C and 25D.

[0219] 25C is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is an exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 illustrated in FIG.

[0220] According to at least some example embodiments, the adapted heating engine control algorithm 2300B is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the adapted heating engine control algorithm 2300B (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0221] 25C, according to at least some embodiments, the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B during a vaping draw instance may correspond to a measured magnitude of airflow. As used herein, the terms "airflow" and "airflow rate" refer to the rate at which air flows (the amount of air passing per unit time), which may be measured, for example, in milliliters per second (mL / s).

[0222] 25C , the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B may have the same structure as the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A of FIG. 25A , except that the set first power level operation 2640 is replaced with an adaptive power level operation 2642. In relation to the set first power level operation 2640, the adaptive power level operation 2642 may additionally receive airflow measurements from one or more sensors of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the heated engine sensor 2222, the pod sensor 2220, or a hot wire anemometer flow sensor included in the device sensors 2125). For example, the heated engine sensor 2222 may repeatedly measure the rate of airflow relative to the air flowing through the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or the pod 300 and output the measured airflow to the adaptive power level operation 2642.

[0223] Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, during the on-vaping mode state, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may output the second power waveform 2720 based on both (i) the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 and (ii) the measured airflow output by the heated engine sensor 2222 and / or the pod sensor 2220. For example, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may generate the adapted power level by performing a mathematical operation on the power level corresponding to the output transfer curve, such that the value of the adapted power level increases as the measured airflow increases. For example, FIG. 25D illustrates an exemplary relationship between the detected airflow and the adapted power level generated by the adaptive heated engine control algorithm 2300B, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 25D, as the measured airflow increases, the adapted power level increases. In the example shown in FIG. 25D, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 is configured such that the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured airflow is substantially linear. 25D. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may be configured such that the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured airflow is not linear. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured airflow (i.e., the manner in which the generated adapted power level changes with changes in the measured airflow) may be set according to the preferences of a designer or manufacturer of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300.

[0224] Thus, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B controls the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 such that the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215, and therefore the temperature and / or amount of nicotine vapor produced by the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300, varies as the airflow through the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300 varies. As a result, the temperature and / or amount of nicotine vapor produced by the nicotine e-vapor device 500 can be adjusted by adjusting the airflow through the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300.

[0225] 25A , for example, by outputting a timer shutdown signal. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive set power level operation 2642 responds to the timer shutdown signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heat engine driver 2305, which causes the heat engine driver 2305 to disconnect or stop providing power to the heat engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to the adaptive set power level operation 2642 receiving the timer shutdown signal from the decrement time operation 2610, the adaptive set power level operation 2642 causes the heat engine driver 2305 to disconnect or stop providing power to the heat engine 2215, regardless of the transfer curve output by the select first transfer curve operation 2620 and regardless of the measured airflow.

[0226] For ease of explanation, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is described above primarily with reference to the heating engine sensor 2222. However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the measurements described with reference to Figures 25C and 25D as being performed by the heating engine sensor 2222 may also be performed by the pod sensor 2220 or the device sensor 2125. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the process of generating an adapted power level that varies according to measured airflow is described above with reference to a heating engine control algorithm (i.e., the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B) that is a modification of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A of Figure 25A. However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithms 2300, 2300C, and 2300D may also be modified to generate a power level waveform having an adapted power level that varies according to measured airflow in the same manner as described above with reference to Figure 25C.

[0227] The thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C is described below with reference to Figures 25E-25F.

[0228] 25E is a block diagram illustrating a temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C is an exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 illustrated in FIG. 24C.

[0229] According to at least some example embodiments, the thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0230] 25E, the thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C controls the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 to achieve the desired temperature using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller 2670. For example, as discussed in more detail below, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C includes determining a heater temperature value (e.g., heating engine temperature estimate 2674), obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676), and controlling, by a PID controller (e.g., PID controller 2670), the level of power provided to the heater based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0231] The second calibration mapping function 2324 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C may differ from the first calibration mapping function 2320 of the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A of FIG. 25A in that the second calibration mapping function 2324 may output an operating point in the form of a temperature value instead of a power level. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may read a temperature value from the pod 300, or alternatively, read an operating point expressed as a power value from the pod 300 and convert the operating point to a temperature value. Thus, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may output multiple temperature values ​​corresponding to multiple vaping mode states: off, preheat, and on, respectively. Additionally, in the same manner as described above with respect to the operating points output by the first calibration mapping function 2320, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may select which temperature values ​​to output for one or more of the off, preheat, and on vaping mode states based on one or both of the coarse and fine preference levels received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340.

[0232] Thus, the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 of the thermal heating engine control algorithm 2300C selects, from among the temperature values ​​output by the second calibration mapping function 2324, a temperature value that corresponds to the vaping mode state output by the vaping mode identification operation 2630. Further, the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 outputs the selected temperature value as the target temperature 2676.

[0233] As a result, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C detects power information indicating multiple temperature set points from the removable pod 300 included in the nicotine e-vapor device 500, determines the current operating mode of the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the vaping mode status output by the vaping mode identification operation 2630), and obtains a target temperature value (e.g., the target temperature 2676) by selecting, as the target temperature value, a temperature set point from the multiple temperature set points that corresponds to the determined current operating mode of the nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0234] Further, according to at least some example embodiments, target temperature 2676 serves as a set point (i.e., a temperature set point) within a PID control loop controlled by PID controller 2670. Other elements of the PID control loop controlled by PID controller 2670 are as follows: a power control signal 2672 output by PID controller 2670 to second set power level operation 2644 to control the level of third power waveform 2730 output by second set power level operation 2644 serves as a controlled variable of the PID control loop, and a heating engine temperature estimate 2674 output by heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 serves as a process variable of the PID control loop.

[0235] As described above, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature estimate 2674 is output by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may receive electrical measurements from the heating engine sensors 2222 indicative of, for example, the heater 2215's current, Heater_I, the heater 2215's voltage, Heater_V, or other electrical attributes of the heater 2215 from which the heater current, Heater_I, and / or the heater voltage, Heater_V, may be derived or estimated. Additionally, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may use the heater 2215's electrical measurements to determine the heater 2215's resistance, Heater_R (e.g., using Ohm's law or other known methods). For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may determine the quotient, which results in the heater resistance, Heater_R, by dividing the heater voltage, Heater_V, by the heater current, Heater_I (i.e., Heater_V / Heater_I=Heater_R).

[0236] Additionally, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may store a look-up table (LUT) (e.g., in the storage medium 2145 of the device system 2100 or the non-volatile memory 2205b of the pod system 2200) that stores a plurality of heater resistance values ​​as an index to a plurality of corresponding heater temperature values ​​also stored in the LUT. As a result, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may estimate the current temperature of the heater 2215 by using the previously determined heater resistance HEATER_R as an index into the LUT to identify (e.g., look up) a corresponding heater temperature HEATER_T from among the heater temperatures stored in the LUT. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may output the heater temperature HEATER_T identified from the LUT as the heating engine temperature estimate 2674.

[0237] As a result, the PID controller 2670 continuously modifies the level of the power control signal 2672 to control the third power waveform 2730 output to the heating engine driver 2305 by the second set power level operation 2644 in such a manner that the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 2676 and the heating engine temperature estimate 2674 is reduced or alternatively minimized. The difference between the target temperature 2676 and the heating engine temperature estimate 2674 may also be considered an error value that the PID controller 2670 functions to reduce or minimize. For example, according to at least some illustrative embodiments, the second set power level operation 2644 outputs the third power waveform 2730 such that the level of the third power waveform 2730 is controlled by the power control signal 2672. 25B, the heating engine driver 2305 increases or decreases the amount of power provided by the power supply 2110 to the heater 2215 in a manner proportional to the increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level of the power level waveform output to the heating engine driver 2305. As a result, by controlling the power control signal 2672 in the manner described above, the PID controller 2670 controls the level of power provided to the heater 2215 (e.g., by the power supply 2110 of the nicotine e-vapor device 500) such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676) and the heater temperature value (e.g., heating engine temperature estimate 2674) is reduced or minimized.

[0238] For example, Figure 25F illustrates an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform generated by the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. Figure 25 illustrates an example manner in which the level of the third power waveform 2730 may change over time as the PID controller 2670 continuously modifies the power control signal 2672 provided to the second set power level operation 2644. Figure 25 illustrates an example manner in which the level of the third power waveform 2730 may change as the buttonless vaping function 2310 and / or the vaping mode state output from the vaping mode identification operation 2630 transitions according to the following sequence: OFF > PREHEAT > ON > OFF.

[0239] 25E, according to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 2670 may operate according to known PID control methods. According to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 2670 may generate two or more terms from among a proportional term (P), an integral term (I), and a derivative term (D), and the PID controller 2670 may adjust or correct the power control signal 2672 using the two or more terms according to known methods.

[0240] According to at least some example embodiments, the pod 300 may store PID parameters for calibrating the PID controller 2670, and the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may calibrate the PID controller 2670 based on the stored parameters. For example, the PID parameters stored on the pod 300 may include a proportional gain K p , integral gain K i , and the derivative gain K dThe PID parameters stored on the pod 300 may further include any other known PID controller parameters. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID parameters stored on the pod 300 may be selected (e.g., by the designer or manufacturer of the pod 300) to correspond to the characteristics of the formulation type of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation contained within the pod 300. Thus, pods having nicotine pre-vapor formulations of different formulation types may have different PID parameters stored in or on the pod, and thus the operation of the PID controller 2670 may be tailored to the characteristics of each of the different formulation types.

[0241] 25A , for example, by outputting a timer shutdown signal. Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the set second power level operation 2644 responds to the timer shutdown signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heat engine driver 2305, which causes the heat engine driver 2305 to disconnect or stop providing power to the heat engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to the set second power level operation 2644 receiving the timer shutdown signal from the set second power level operation 2610, the set second power level operation 2644 causes the heat engine driver 2305 to disconnect or stop providing power to the heat engine 2215, regardless of the power control signal 2672 output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620.

[0242] The waveform heat engine control algorithm 2300D is described below with reference to Figures 25G-25H.

[0243] 25G is a block diagram illustrating a waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D is an exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 illustrated in FIG.

[0244] According to at least some example embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0245] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may control the power applied to the heater 2215 (e.g., by the power source 2110) during the on-vaping mode state to achieve a particular sequence of heater temperatures (i.e., waveform), which may result in a particular sequence of temperatures and / or amounts of nicotine vapor produced by the nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300.

[0246] Referring to FIG. 25G, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may be the same as or substantially the same as the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C of FIG. 25E, except that the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may include a third calibration mapping function 2326 and a third transfer curve selection operation 2626 instead of the second calibration mapping function 2324 and the second transfer curve selection operation 2624.

[0247] The third calibration mapping function 2326 may operate in the same manner as described above with respect to the second calibration mapping function 2324 of FIG. 25E, except that instead of outputting a single temperature value corresponding to the on-vapor mode state, the third calibration mapping function 2326 outputs a waveform that includes several temperature values.

[0248] Further, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 may operate in the same manner as described above with respect to the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 of FIG. 25E, except that instead of outputting a single target temperature 2676 corresponding to an on-vapor mode state, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 outputs a waveform including several target temperatures 2676, as shown in FIG. 25H.

[0249] 25H illustrates an example of at least a portion of a target temperature waveform 2676A generated by the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D, according to at least some exemplary embodiments. The target temperature waveform 2676A illustrated in FIG. 25H shows the target temperature 2676 output over time by the third transfer curve selection operation 2626. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the target temperature waveform 2676A corresponds to the waveform of temperature values ​​output by the third calibration mapping function 2326, as described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 25G, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 may receive a current time from the clock 2370. Thus, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 uses the current time to transition between each successive individual value of the target temperature waveform 2676A according to a time interval, as indicated by the white dots shown in FIG. 25H.

[0250] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the calibration mapping function (e.g., first calibration mapping function 2320) may read and output waveforms of operating points (i.e., power values) in the same manner as described above with respect to the waveform form of the temperature values ​​output by the third calibration mapping function 2326. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the transfer curve selection operation (e.g., first transfer curve selection operation 2620 of setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A) may output a power level waveform including several different power levels for the on-vapor mode state in the same manner as described above with respect to several target temperatures corresponding to the on-vapor mode state in the target temperature waveform 2676A output by the third transfer curve selection operation 2626.

[0251] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the shape of the temperature value or operating point waveform read by the calibration mapping function from a pod (e.g., pod 300) may be set (e.g., by the pod designer or manufacturer) according to the characteristics of the formulation type of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation contained within the pod. Thus, pods having different nicotine pre-vapor formulations of different formulation types may have different temperature value waveforms or operating point waveforms stored in or on the pod.

[0252] Additionally, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may store one or more waveforms. For example, the one or more waveforms may be stored on the device body 100 as a series of offsets to be applied to temperature values ​​or operating points (e.g., a single temperature value or operating point) output by a calibration mapping function (e.g., third calibration mapping function 2326) for an on-vapor mode state. For example, a transfer curve selection operation (e.g., third transfer curve selection operation 2626) may read one of the one or more waveforms stored on the device body 100 and apply an offset corresponding to the read waveform to the on-state temperature values ​​or operating points output by the calibration mapping function to generate target temperature or power waveforms with several different values ​​for the on-vapor mode, such as target temperature waveform 2676A illustrated in FIG. 25H.

[0253] While a number of exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of controlling a heater in a nicotine e-vapor device, the method comprising: detecting power information from a removable pod contained within the nicotine e-vapor device indicative of a first operating point and a second operating point; Based on the detected power information, determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point; supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first mode of operation of the heater; determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point; and supplying power to the heater by supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operating mode of the heater; The method, wherein the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power.

2. the first amount of electrical power supplied during the first mode of operation is an amount that causes the heater to heat a nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second amount of power supplied during the second operating mode is an amount that causes the heater to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored within the nicotine e-vapor device to a temperature above the boiling point of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the nicotine prevapor formulation is stored within the removable pod.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the removable pod contains the heater.

5. the power information includes a plurality of operating points corresponding respectively to a plurality of coarse preference levels; The method further comprises: receiving a selection of a coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine e-vapor device; and selecting, from among the plurality of operating points, an operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level as the second operating point.

6. determining the second amount of power; receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device, from an external device, a selection of a granularity level from among a plurality of granularity levels; and determining the second amount of power based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

7. the power information includes a first plurality of operating points corresponding respectively to a plurality of coarse preference levels; The method further comprises: receiving a selection of a coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels via one or more touch sensors located on the nicotine e-vapor device; and selecting, from the plurality of operating points, the operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level as the first operating point.

8. determining the first amount of power; receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device, from an external device, a selection of a granularity level from among a plurality of granularity levels; and determining the first amount of power based on the selected first operating point and the selected fine preference level.

9. the power information includes a second plurality of operating points corresponding respectively to the plurality of coarse preference levels; The method further comprises: The method of claim 8 , further comprising selecting, from among the second plurality of operating points, the operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level as the second operating point.

10. determining the second amount of power; The method of claim 9 , comprising determining the second amount of power based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

11. the external device is a wireless communication device, and receiving the selection of the fine preference level 11. The method of claim 6, 8, 9, or 10, comprising receiving, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the selection of the fine preference level via a wireless communication link between the nicotine e-vapor device and the external device.

12. detecting the power information The method of any preceding claim, comprising reading, by the nicotine e-vapor device, the power information from an image located on the removable pod.

13. The image includes a QR code, and the reading of the power information includes:

13. The method of claim 12, comprising reading the power information by the nicotine e-vapor device from the QR coat located on the removable pod.

14. detecting the power information The method of any preceding claim, comprising reading the power information by the nicotine e-vapor device from a memory of the removable pod.

15. 1. A method of controlling a heater in a nicotine e-vapor device, the method comprising: determining a heater temperature value; obtaining a target temperature value; and controlling, by a PID controller, a level of power provided to the heater based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

16. determining the heater temperature value obtaining one or more electrical attributes of the heater; determining a resistance of the heater based on the obtained one or more electrical attributes; 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: obtaining a first temperature value from a look-up table (LUT) based on the determined resistance.

17. the LUT stores a plurality of temperature values ​​corresponding to a plurality of heater resistors, the obtained first temperature value is a temperature value from the plurality of temperature values ​​stored in the LUT that corresponds to the determined resistance; The method of claim 16 , wherein the heater temperature value is the obtained first temperature value.

18. obtaining the target temperature value, detecting power information indicative of a plurality of temperature set points from a removable pod contained within the nicotine e-vapor device; determining a current operating mode of the e-vapor device; 18. The method of claim 15, 16, or 17, further comprising selecting, as the target temperature value, a temperature set point from among a plurality of temperature set points that corresponds to the determined current operating mode of the e-vapor device.

19. said controlling the level of power provided to said heater further comprising: A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising controlling by a PID controller the level of power provided to the heater so as to reduce the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value.

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