Heating Engine Control Algorithm for Non-Nicotine Vaping Devices

Abstract

A method for controlling a heater of a device, the method comprising: detecting power information from the removable container indicating a first operating point and a second operating point; supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by: determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point; supplying the first amount of power to the heater in a first operating mode of the heater; determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point; and supplying the second amount of power to the heater in a second operating mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power; the device is a non-nicotine e-vapor device or a heat not burn aerosol generating device; and the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a non-nicotine electronic vapor device including a self - contained object containing a non - nicotine pre - vapor formulation.

Background Art

[0002] Non - nicotine e - vaping devices are used to vaporize non - nicotine pre - vapor formulation materials into non - nicotine vapors. These non - nicotine e - vaping devices may be referred to as non - nicotine electronic vapor devices. Non - nicotine e - vaping devices include a heater that vaporizes non - nicotine - based pre - vapor formulation materials to produce non - nicotine - based vapors. A non - nicotine electronic vapor device can include several e - vaping elements, such as a power source, a cartridge or non - nicotine e - vaping tank containing a heater, and a reservoir capable of holding a non - nicotine pre - vapor formulation material.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a device, the device including a removable container containing a material, the method including detecting power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point from the removable container, and based on the detected power information, supplying power to the heater by determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point and supplying the first amount of power to the heater in a first operating mode of the heater, and determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point and supplying the second amount of power to the heater in a second operating mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power, the device being a non - nicotine E - vaping device or a heat - not - burn aerosol - generating device, and the material being a non - nicotine pre - vapor formulation or an aerosol - forming substrate.

[0004] The first amount of electric power supplied in the first operation mode may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the material contained in the device to a temperature below the dispersion temperature of the material, and the second amount of electric power supplied in the second operation mode may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the material contained in the device to a temperature equal to or higher than the dispersion temperature of the material. The dispersion temperature is the boiling point of the material when the material is a non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation, and the dispersion temperature is the aerosolization temperature of the material when the material is an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0005] The material may be contained in a removable container.

[0006] The removable container may include a heater.

[0007] The power information may include a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to a plurality of coarse preference levels. The method may include receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the device, a selection of a coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels, and selecting, from among 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 electric power may include receiving, by the device from an external element, a selection of a fine preference level from among a plurality of fine preference levels, and determining the second amount of electric power based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level.

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

[0010] The power information may include a first 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 disposed on the device, a selection of a coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels, and selecting, as a first operating point, an operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level from among the first plurality of operating points.

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

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

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

[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 element may be a wireless communication device, and receiving the selection of the fine preference level may include receiving, by the device via a wireless communication link between the device and the external element, the selection of the fine preference level.

[0016] Detecting the power information may include reading, by the device, the power information from an image disposed on a detachable container.

[0017] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and the reading of power information may include the device reading power information from a QR code (registered trademark) disposed on a detachable container.

[0018] The detachable container includes a memory, and the memory of the detachable container may store data including power information. The detection of power information may include the device reading power information from the memory of the detachable container.

[0019] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a device, the device being configured to hold a detachable container that houses a material, receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the device, a selection of a coarse preference level from a plurality of coarse preference levels, receiving, by the device from an external element, a selection of a fine preference level from a plurality of fine preference levels, determining a first amount of electric power based on the selected coarse preference level and the selected fine preference level, and supplying the determined first amount of electric power to the heater, wherein the device is a non-nicotine e-vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device, and the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.

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

[0021] The method may include receiving, by a device, a first detachable container via insertion of the first detachable container into the device, wherein the first detachable container contains a material; detecting, by the device, a first formulation type as the type of the material of the first detachable container; and storing, in a memory of the device, a selected coarse preference level and a selected fine preference level in relation to the detected first formulation type. The determined first amount of electric power may be the amount by which a heater heats the material contained in the first detachable container to a temperature equal to or higher than the dispersion temperature of the material contained in the first detachable container. The dispersion temperature is the boiling point of the material contained in the first detachable container when the material contained in the first detachable container is a non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation, and the dispersion temperature is the aerosolization temperature of the material contained in the first detachable container when the material contained in the first detachable container is an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0022] The detection may include reading, by the device, formulation type information from an image disposed on the first detachable container, and detecting, based on the read formulation type information, a first formulation type as the type of the material of the first detachable container.

[0023] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and reading the formulation type information may include reading, by the device, the formulation type information from the QR code (registered trademark) disposed on the first detachable container.

[0024] The first detachable container may include a memory, and the memory of the first detachable container may store data including formulation type information. The detection may include reading, by the device, the formulation type information from the memory of the first detachable container, and detecting, based on the read formulation type information, a first formulation type as the type of the material of the first detachable container.

[0025] The method comprises receiving, by a device, a second removable container via insertion of the second removable container into the device, wherein the second removable container contains a material; detecting, by the device, a first formulation type as the type of the material of the second removable container; reading, from the memory of the device based on detecting the first formulation type as the type of the material of the second removable container, a coarse preference level and a fine preference level stored in the memory of the device in relation to the first formulation type; determining a second amount of electric power based on the read coarse preference level and the read fine preference level; and heating, by supplying the determined second amount of electric power to a heater, the material contained in the second removable container to a temperature equal to or higher than the dispersion temperature of the material contained in the second removable container, wherein the dispersion temperature is the boiling point of the material contained in the second removable container when the material contained in the second removable container is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and the dispersion temperature is the aerosolization temperature of the material contained in the second removable container when the material contained in the second removable container is an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0026] The detection may comprise reading, by the device, formulation type information from an image disposed on the second removable container, and detecting, based on the read formulation type information, the first formulation type as the type of the material of the second removable container.

[0027] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and the reading of the formulation type information may comprise reading, by the device, the formulation type information from the QR code (registered trademark) disposed on the second removable container.

[0028] The second removable container includes a memory, and the memory of the second removable container may store data including formulation type information. Detection may include the device reading the formulation type information from the memory of the first removable container and detecting a first formulation type as the type of material of the second removable container based on the read formulation type information.

[0029] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a device, the device being configured to hold a removable container containing a material, the method comprising: receiving, by the device, a plurality of vaping preference levels; determining, by the device, a current time; determining, by the device, a predicted vaping preference level based on the determined current time; determining, based on the predicted vaping preference level, an amount of power to supply to the heater; and supplying the determined amount of power to the heater, wherein the device is a non-nicotine vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device, and the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0030] The plurality of vaping preference levels may include a first received vaping preference level received by the device in a first time period and a second received vaping preference level received by the device in a second time period. Determining the predicted vaping preference level may include the device determining a predicted vaping preference level based on the first received vaping preference level when the determined current time is within the first time period, and the device determining a predicted vaping preference level based on the second received vaping preference level when the determined current time is within the second time period.

[0031] Receiving the plurality of vaping preference levels may include receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the device, one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels.

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

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

[0034] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a device, the device being configured to hold a removable container that houses a material, receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the device, a selection of a vaping preference level from among a plurality of vaping preference levels, detecting, from the removable container included in the device, power information indicating a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to the plurality of vaping preference levels, selecting, among the plurality of operating points, an operating point corresponding to the selected vaping preference level as a first operating point, determining a first amount of electric power based on the first operating point, and supplying the determined first amount of electric power to the heater, wherein the device is a non-nicotine e-vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device, and the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0035] The first amount of electric power may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the material housed in the device to a temperature below the dispersion temperature of the material, the dispersion temperature being the boiling point of the material when the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and the dispersion temperature being the aerosolization temperature of the material when the material is an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0036] The first amount of electric power may be an amount that causes the heater to heat the material contained in the device to a temperature equal to or higher than the dispersion temperature point of the material, where the dispersion temperature is the boiling point of the material if the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and the dispersion temperature is the aerosolization temperature of the material if the material is an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0037] Detecting the power information may comprise the device reading the power information from an image disposed on a removable container.

[0038] The image may include a QR code (registered trademark), and detecting the power information may comprise the device reading the power information from a QR code (registered trademark) disposed on a removable container.

[0039] The removable container may include a memory, and the memory of the removable container may store data including the power information, and detecting the power information may comprise the device reading the power information from the memory of the removable container.

[0040] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a heater of a device, the device being configured to hold a removable container that houses a material, the method including 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, wherein the device is a non-nicotine e-vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device, and the material is a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0041] Determining the temperature value of the heater may include obtaining one or more electrical attributes of the heater, determining the 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 resistors respectively, and the obtained first temperature value may be the temperature value corresponding to the determined resistor among the plurality of temperature values stored in the LUT, and the temperature value of the heater may be the obtained first temperature value.

[0043] Obtaining the target temperature value may include detecting power information indicating a plurality of temperature set points from a detachable container included in the device, determining the current operation mode of the device, and selecting, as the target temperature value, a temperature set point corresponding to the determined current operation mode of the device from among the plurality of temperature set points.

[0044] Controlling the level of power supplied to the heater may include controlling, by a PID controller, the level of power supplied to the heater such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value becomes small.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments of this specification will become more apparent by considering 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 are not considered to be drawn to scale unless explicitly stated otherwise. For clarity, the various dimensions in the drawings may be exaggerated.

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[0086] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, it should be understood that it may be directly on, connected to, or covering the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. On the other hand, when an element is said to be "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. In this specification, the same number means the same element. In this specification, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0087] In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, but it should be understood that these elements, elements, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, the first element, element, region, layer, or section described below can be referred to as the second element, element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0088] In this specification, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms (such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc.) are used to describe the relationship between one element or function and another element or function as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures during use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can potentially encompass both upward and downward orientations. Also, the device may be oriented in other directions (it may be rotated 90 degrees or oriented in other directions), and the spatially relative descriptors used in this specification will be interpreted accordingly.

[0089] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in this specification are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes", "including", "comprises", and / or "comprising" as used in this specification identify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0090] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the exemplary embodiments. As such, for example, variations from the illustrated shapes can be expected as a result of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, the illustrated embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but should include, for example, shape deviations resulting from manufacturing. The regions illustrated in the figures are essentially schematic and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of regions of a device, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0091] 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 illustrated embodiments belong. Further, terms including those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning that coincides with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein. Structural example of a non-nicotine e-vapor device

[0092] As used herein, the term "non-nicotine e-vapor device" may sometimes be referred to using any of the terms "non-nicotine e-vaping device", "non-nicotine e-vapor apparatus", and "non-nicotine e-vaping apparatus" and may be considered synonymous. Pod components (e.g., pod component 300) may sometimes also be referred to herein as "pods" or "removable pods".

[0093] FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine e-vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a pod component 300. The pod component 300 is a modular object configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. As used herein, the term "non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation" (or "non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material") refers to a material (or combination of materials) that does not contain nicotine and can be converted into a non-nicotine vapor. For example, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solid, and / or gel-like formulation including, but not limited to, water, oil, emulsion, beads, solvent, active ingredient, ethanol, plant extract (such as cannabinoid), natural or artificial flavor, and a vapor-forming agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol. During vaping, the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a non-nicotine vapor. As referred to herein, "vapor" is any substance generated or output from any non-nicotine e-vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be the one described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 540,433, titled "NON-NICOTINE E-VAPING SECTION, AND NON-NICOTINE E-VAPING DEVICE INCLUDING NON-NICOTINE E-VAPING SECTION" (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000612-US), filed on Aug. 14, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0094] 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 circuits related to the operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 may enclose a power source configured to supply power to the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, including supplying current to the pod component 300. Further, when assembled, the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may constitute most of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0095] 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 component 300. The through hole 150 is described in more detail herein, for example, in connection with FIG. 9.

[0096] The 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), but 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. Further, the front cover 104 defines a tertiary opening and a quaternary opening configured to accommodate a first button 118 and a second button 120, respectively. Each of the tertiary opening and the quaternary opening may have other shapes depending on the shape of the button, but may resemble a rounded square. The first button housing 122 is configured to expose the first button lens 124, while the second button housing 123 is configured to expose the second button lens 126.

[0097] The operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping 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. In the drawings, two buttons are shown in relation to the light guide arrangement, but more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available functions and the desired user interface. The frame 106 (e.g., a base frame) is a central support structure of the device body 100 (and the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 as a whole). The frame 106 may also be referred to as a chassis. The frame 106 includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end and the distal end may also be referred to as a downstream end and an upstream end, respectively. In this specification, "proximal" (and conversely "distal") is in relation to an adult vaper during vaping, and "downstream" (and conversely "upstream") is in relation to the flow of the vapor. To enhance strength and stability, a bridging portion may be provided between the opposing inner surfaces of the sides (e.g., approximately in the middle of the length of the frame 106). The frame 106 may be integrally formed to be a monolithic structure.

[0098] Regarding the material of the structure, the frame 106 may be formed of an alloy or plastic. The alloy (e.g., die-cast grade, machineable 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. Further, the frame 106 may be surface-finished 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 a hard enamel or painted. In other embodiments, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of polycarbonate) may be metallized. In still other embodiments, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) may be electroplated. The material of the structure regarding the frame 106 is also applicable to the front cover 104, the rear cover 108, and / or other suitable parts of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0099] The rear cover 108 (e.g., the second cover) also defines an opening configured to receive the bezel structure 112. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage the frame 106 via a snap-fit arrangement.

[0100] The device body 100 also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 may be fixed to the proximal end of the frame 106.

[0101] FIG. 4 is a view showing the proximal end of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may be elliptical.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a view showing the distal end of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the distal end of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB cable) to charge an internal power source within the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. Further, the port 110 may be configured to transmit data to and / or receive data from another non-nicotine e-vaping device or another electronic device (e.g., a phone, a tablet, a computer) (e.g., via a USB cable). Additionally, the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device such as a phone via application software (app) installed on the electronic device. In such an example, an adult vaper may be able to control the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 or otherwise interface with it via the app (e.g., check the location of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, check usage information, change operating parameters).

[0103] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6-7, as briefly described above, the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a pod component 300 configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod component 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 opposing surface of the downstream end of the pod component 300. The upstream end of the pod component 300 defines a pod inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through hole (e.g., through hole 150 of FIG. 9) configured to receive the pod component 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines the through hole and includes an upstream rim. As particularly shown in FIG. 7, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is angled (e.g., recessed inwardly) to expose the pod inlet 322 when the pod component 300 is seated within the through hole of the device body 100.

[0104] For example, rather than following the contour of the front cover 104 (to be coplanar with the front portion of the pod component 300 and thus cover the pod inlet 322), the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is in the form of a scoop configured to direct ambient air to the pod inlet 322. This angled / scoop configuration can help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., pod inlet 322) of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. The depth of the scoop may be such that less than half (e.g., less than one-fourth) of the upstream end face portion of the pod component 300 is exposed. Further, in a non-limiting embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Further, if the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot may be considered to extend in a second direction, where the second direction is transverse to the first direction.

[0105] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, the cross-section is taken along the longitudinal direction of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. As shown, the device body 100 and the pod component 300 include mechanical components, electronic components, and / or circuits related to the operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, which are described in more detail herein and / or incorporated herein by reference. For example, the pod component 300 may include mechanical components configured to operate to release a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from an internal sealed reservoir. Also, the pod component 300 may have a mechanical side configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and seating of the pod component 300.

[0106] Furthermore, the pod component 300 may be a "smart pod" that includes electronic components and / or circuits configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to and from the device body 100. Such information may be used to authenticate the pod component 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent use of unapproved / counterfeit pod components). Further, this information may be used to identify the type of the pod component 300, which then correlates with a vaping profile based on the identified type. The vaping profile may be designed to define general parameters for heating the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation and may be tuned, improved, or otherwise adjusted by an adult vaper before and / or during vaping.

[0107] Also, the pod component 300 may communicate with the device body 100 other information that may be relevant to the operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. Examples of relevant information may include the level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the pod component 300 and / or the length of time elapsed since the pod component 300 was inserted into and activated by the device body 100.

[0108] The device body 100 may include mechanical components (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or activate the pod component 300. Further, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuits configured to receive current and charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery), and this circuit is configured to supply power to the pod component 300 during vaping, in turn. Further, the device body 100 may include electronic components and / or circuits configured to communicate with the pod component 300, other non-nicotine e-vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., a phone, a tablet, a computer), and / or adult vapers.

[0109] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 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 component 300. To facilitate the insertion and seating of the pod component 300 into the through hole 150, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b.

[0110] The downstream side wall portion of the bezel structure 112 may define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. A retaining structure including a first downstream protrusion 130a and a second downstream protrusion 130b engages the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b project into the through hole 150 through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening of the bezel structure 112, respectively.

[0111] FIG. 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 component 300 seated in the through hole 150. Therefore, during vaping, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the pod component 300 via the device electrical connector 132. Further, data can be transmitted to and / or received from the device body 100 and the pod component 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0112] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole of FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 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 stationary structures (e.g., stationary 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 are configured to temporarily transition to a retracted state (and reversibly return to the retracted state) to facilitate the insertion of the pod component 300, while they may also be configured to default to the retracted state (e.g., spring-loaded).

[0113] Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contact of FIG. 10. The device electrical contact of the device body 100 is configured to engage with the pod electrical contact of the pod component 300 when the pod component 300 is seated within the through hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring to FIG. 12, the device electrical contact of the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132. The device electrical connector 132 includes a power contact and a data contact. The power contact of the device electrical connector 132 is configured to supply power from the device body 100 to the pod component 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 (arranged to be closer to the front cover 104 than the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstream protrusion 128a) may be a single integral structure different from the second pair of power contacts and, when assembled, includes two protrusions extending into the through hole 150. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128b) may be a single integral structure different from the first pair of power contacts and, when assembled, includes two protrusions extending into the through hole 150. The first pair of power contacts and the second pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 project into the through hole 150 by default and are pullably attached so as to retract from the through hole 150 (e.g., independently) when subjected to a force overcoming the bias, and a bias may be applied.

[0114] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the pod component of the non-nicotine e-cigarette device of FIG. 6. Also, FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the pod component of FIG. 13.

[0115] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pod component of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the pod component of FIG. 13. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the pod component 300 of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. Thus, the pod component 300 is an example of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation containment portion of the non-nicotine e-vaping 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 of the upstream end. During vaping, air enters the pod component 300 through the pod inlet 322, and non-nicotine vapor exits the pod component 300 through the pod outlet 304. The pod inlet 322 is shown as being in the form of a slot in the drawing. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and other forms are possible.

[0116] The pod component 300 is disposed within the pod body and includes a connector module 320 (e.g., FIG. 16) 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 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the pod component 300 is configured to be electrically connected to 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 128a in FIG. 12). Similarly, the second power contact 324b of the pod component 300 is configured to be electrically connected to 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 128b in FIG. 12). Further, the at least one electrical contact of the pod component 300 includes a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the pod component 300 are configured to be electrically connected to the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 (e.g., the row of five protrusions in FIG. 12). Although two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in connection with the pod component 300, other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0117] In an exemplary embodiment, the pod component 300 includes a front surface portion, a rear surface portion facing the front surface portion, a first side surface portion between the front surface portion and the rear surface portion, a second side surface portion facing the first side surface portion, an upstream end surface portion, and a downstream end surface portion facing the upstream end surface portion. The corners of the side surface portions and the end surface portions (for example, the corner of the first side surface portion and the upstream end surface portion, the corner of the upstream end surface portion and the second side surface portion, the corner of the second side surface portion and the downstream end surface portion, the corner of the downstream end surface portion and the first side surface portion) may be rounded. However, in some cases, the corners may be angular. Further, the peripheral edge portion of the front surface portion may be in the form of a ledge. The outer surface of the connector module 320 (exposed by the pod body) can be regarded as a part of the upstream end surface portion of the pod component 300. The front surface portion of the pod component 300 may be wider and longer than the rear surface portion. In such an example, the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion may be angled inwardly towards each other. Also, the upstream end surface portion and the downstream end surface portion may be angled inwardly towards each other. Due to the presence of the angular surfaces, the insertion of the pod component 300 is unidirectional (for example, from the front side portion of the device body 100 (the side related to the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of the pod component 300 being inappropriately inserted into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0118] As shown, the pod body of the pod component 300 includes a first housing portion 302 and a second housing portion 308. The first housing portion 302 has a downstream end that defines a pod outlet 304. The rim of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a sunken or recessed area. In such an example, this area may resemble a curve, the side of the rim adjacent to the rear face of the pod component 300 may be open, while the side of the rim adjacent to the front face may be surrounded by a raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. The raised portion may function as a stopper for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration for the pod outlet 304 can facilitate the receipt and alignment of the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., FIG. 11) through the open face of the rim and subsequent seating against the raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed of) an elastic material to help form a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the pod component 300 is properly inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0119] The downstream end of the first housing portion 302 further defines at least one downstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess is in the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. The pod outlet 304 may be between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage with a first downstream protrusion 130a and a second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100, respectively. 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 side wall portion of the through hole 150. Also, each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may 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 a wedge shape configured to engage with the corresponding V-shaped notch of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may be in contact with the corner of the downstream end face and the first side face, and the second downstream recess 306b may be in contact with the corner of the downstream end face portion and the second side face. As a result, the ends 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.

[0120] The second housing portion 308 has an upstream end that further defines a plurality of openings (e.g., a first power contact opening 325a, a second power contact opening 325b, a data contact opening 327) configured to expose the connector module 320 (Figs. 15-16) within the pod component 300 (in addition to the pod inlet 322). The upstream end of the second housing portion 308 also defines at least one upstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. The pod inlet 322 may be between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage with a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100, respectively. As shown in Fig. 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 side wall portion of the through hole 150. The respective depths of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the respective depths of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. Also, the respective ends of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be more rounded than the respective ends of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may 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 the corresponding U-shaped depression of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may contact the corner of the upstream end face and the first side face, and the second upstream recess 312b may contact the corner of the upstream end face and the second side face. As a result, the ends of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b adjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively, may be open.

[0121] The first housing part 302 may define a reservoir inside that is configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir may be configured to hermetically seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation until the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is released from the reservoir by activation of the pod component 300. As a result of the hermetic seal, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be isolated not only from the environment but also from internal elements of the pod component 300 that may potentially react with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing the possibility of adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second housing part 308 may include a structure configured to activate the pod component 300 and receive and heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the reservoir after activation.

[0122] The pod component 300 may be manually activated by an adult vapor before inserting the pod component 300 into the device body 100. Alternatively, the pod component 300 may be activated as part of the insertion of the pod component 300 into the device body 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing part 308 of the pod body includes a perforator configured to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir within the first housing part 302 during activation of the pod component 300. The perforator may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b, which will be described in more detail herein.

[0123] To manually operate the pod component 300, an adult vaper may manually push the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the pod component 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 substantially coincide with the upstream end face portion of the pod component 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b causes the seal of the reservoir to be punctured or otherwise damaged, releasing the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation therefrom.

[0124] Alternatively, to activate the pod component 300 as part of inserting the pod component 300 into the device body 100, the pod component 300 is initially positioned such that the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b engage the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, respectively (e.g., upstream engagement). 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 the corresponding U-shaped depressions of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, so that the pod component 300 may then be pivoted relatively easily into the through hole 150 of the device body 100 about the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b.

[0125] Regarding the pivotal movement of the pod component 300, the rotation axis 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 the initial positioning and subsequent pivotal movement of the pod component 300, when the pod component 300 advances into the through-hole 150, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b contact the upstream side wall portion of the through-hole 150 and shift from the protruding state to the retracted state when the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing portion 308 (e.g., simultaneously). When the downstream end of the pod component 300 reaches near the downstream side wall portion of the through-hole 150 and contacts the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b retract and then elastically protrude (e.g., spring back). This occurs when the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the pod component 300, respectively (e.g., downstream engagement), due to the positioning of the pod component 300.

[0126] As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is fixed to a holding structure 140 (of which the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are a part). In such an example, due to the retraction of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b from the through hole 150, the mouthpiece 102 will move simultaneously by a corresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., the downstream direction). Conversely, the mouthpiece 102 spring - backs simultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b when the pod component 300 is fully inserted and downstream engagement is facilitated. 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 configured to be biased also with respect to the pod component 300 (and to be aligned with the pod outlet 304 so as to form a relatively vapor - tight seal) when the pod component 300 is properly positioned within the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0127] Furthermore, the downstream engagement may generate an audible click and / or tactile feedback to indicate that the pod component 300 is properly seated within the through hole 150 of the device body 100. When properly seated, the pod component 300 is mechanically, electrically, and fluidly connected to the device body 100. In the non - limiting embodiments of the present specification, although the upstream engagement of the pod component 300 is described as occurring before the downstream engagement, it should be understood that the related fitting, activation, and / or electrical arrangement may be reversed such that the downstream engagement occurs before the upstream engagement.

[0128] FIG. 15 is a partial exploded view of the pod component of FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 15, the first housing portion 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive the non-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. Further, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing portion 302. At the upstream end of the first housing portion 302, an insert 342 and a seal 344 for defining a reservoir of the pod component 300 are disposed. For example, the insert 342 may be seated within the first housing portion 302 such that the outer peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages the inner peripheral surface of the first housing portion 302 along a rim (e.g., via an interference fit) so that the interface between the outer peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner peripheral surface of the first housing portion 302 is liquid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or airtight). Further, the seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to close the reservoir outlet within the insert 342 so as to provide a fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or airtight) containment of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the reservoir.

[0129] The upstream end of the second housing portion 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 enables air to enter the pod component 300 during vaping, while 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 of the connector module 320, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are attached to the module housing 354 of the connector module 320. Further, the data contact 326 may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 362. Additionally, the pod inlet 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, 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 receive a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b extending therethrough, respectively.

[0130] 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, a general framework of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354. Further, the connector module 320 has a plurality of faces including an outer face and side faces adjacent to the outer face. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer face of the connector module 320 is constituted by the module housing 354, a first power contact 324a, a second power contact 324b, a data contact 326, and an upstream face of a printed circuit board (PCB) 362. The side faces of the connector module 320 are integral with the module housing 354 and may be generally orthogonal to the outer face.

[0131] The pod component 300 defines a flow path therein from the pod inlet 322 to the pod outlet 304. The flow path through the pod component 300 particularly includes a first diverging portion, a second diverging portion, and a converging portion. The pod inlet 322 is upstream of the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion of the flow path. In particular, as shown in FIG. 16, side faces (e.g., inlet side faces) of the module housing 354 (and the connector module 320) above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are recessed to define a divider 329 together with initial segments of the first branching portion and the second branching portion of the flow path. In an exemplary embodiment (e.g., FIG. 16) where the divider 329 is recessed from the outer face of the module housing 354, the side faces of the module housing 354 above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b can also be regarded as defining an inlet portion of the flow path that is downstream from the pod inlet 322 and upstream from the first branching portion and the second branching portion of the flow path.

[0132] A pair of long side portions (e.g., vertical side portions) of the module housing 354 are also recessed so as to define subsequent segments of the first and second branch portions of the flow path. Here, the pair of long side portions of the module housing 354 may alternatively be referred to as side portions. The sector of the module housing 354 covered by the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 in FIG. 16 (however, shown in FIG. 20) defines further segments of the first and second diverging portions, together with the converging portion of the flow path. Further segments of the first and second branch portions each include a first curved segment (e.g., the first curved path 330a) and a second curved segment (e.g., the second curved path 330b). As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first and second diverging portions are brought together to form a converging portion of the flow path.

[0133] When the connector module 320 seats within the receiving cavity downstream of the second housing portion 308, the non-recessed side portions of the module housing 354 interface-couple with the side walls of the receiving cavity of the second housing portion 308, while the recessed side portions of the module housing 354 together with the side walls of the receiving cavity define the first and second diverging portions of the flow path. The seating of the connector module 320 within the receiving cavity of the second housing portion 308 may be via a close-fit arrangement such that the connector module 320 remains essentially stationary within the pod component 300.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 17, the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 configured to transfer a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to the heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation during vaping to generate a non-nicotine vapor. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of the connector module 320. For example, one end (e.g., the first end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the first power contact 324a, while the other end (e.g., the 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 component 300 is assembled, the wick 338 is configured to be in fluid communication with the absorbent such that a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation that may be present in the absorbent is transferred to the wick 338 by capillary action (when the pod component 300 is activated). As used herein, a heater may sometimes be referred to as a heating engine.

[0135] In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet air flow entering the pod component 300 through the pod inlet 322 is directed by the divider 329 to the first and second branch portions of the flow path. The divider 329 may be wedge-shaped and configured to divide the inlet air flow (e.g., at least initially) in opposite directions. The divided air flow may include a first air flow (passing through the first branch portion of the flow path) and a second air flow (passing through the second branch portion of the flow path). Following the division by the divider 329, the first air flow moves along the side surface of the inlet, turns a corner, continues along the first lateral surface, and moves along the first curved path 330a. Similarly, the second air flow moves along the side surface of the inlet, turns a corner, and continues to the second curved path 330b along the second lateral surface portion (e.g., FIG. 20). The converging portion of the flow path is downstream of the first and second diverging portions. Also, the heater 336 and the wick 338 are downstream of the converging portion of the flow path. Thus, the first air flow merges with the second air flow at the converging portion of the flow path (e.g., the converging path 330c in FIG. 20) to form a combined flow before passing through the module outlet 368 of the module housing 354 (e.g., labeled in FIG. 18) and reaching the heater 336 and the wick 338.

[0136] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the wick 338 may be a fibrous pad or other structure having pores / gaps designed for capillary action. Further, the wick 338 may have a rectangular shape, although the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the wick 338 may have an alternative shape of an irregular hexagon, in which case two sides are angled inwardly towards the heater 336. The wick 338 may be manufactured in the desired shape or cut from a larger sheet-like material into such a shape. If the lower portion of the wick 338 is tapered towards the winding of the heater 336 (e.g., hexagonal shape), the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation can be reduced or avoided from being in the portion of the wick 338 that avoids continuous vaporization (due to the distance from the heater 336). Further, as described above, the heater 336 may include a folded heating element configured to grip the wick 338. Also, the folded heating element may include at least one prong configured to protrude into the wick 338.

[0137] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating) when an electric current is applied thereto. More specifically, the heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors and configured to generate heat when an electric current passes therethrough. The electric current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transmitted to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b.

[0138] 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 manufactured from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy), which is stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments alternating with horizontal segments such that the horizontal segments zigzag back and forth while extending parallel. Further, the width of each of the horizontal segments 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 form of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded to grip the wick 338. Further, if the prong is part of the heater 336, the protrusion corresponding to the prong is bent (e.g., inwardly and / or orthogonally) before the winding pattern is folded. As a result of the prong, the likelihood of the wick 338 slipping out of the heater 336 is reduced or prevented. The heater and related structures are discussed in more detail in U.S. Application No. 15 / 729,909, filed Oct. 11, 2017, entitled "Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device" (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000-000371-US), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 15, the first housing portion 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive 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. Further, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing portion 302. At the upstream end of the first housing portion 302, an insert 342 and a seal 344 for defining a reservoir of the pod component 300 are disposed. For example, the insert 342 may be seated within the first housing portion 302 such that the interface between the outer peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner peripheral surface of the first housing portion 302 engages (e.g., via an interference fit) the inner peripheral surface of the first housing portion 302 along a rim so that the interface is liquid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or airtight). Further, the seal 344 is attached upstream of the insert 342 to close the reservoir outlet within the insert 342 so as to provide a liquid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or airtight) containment of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the reservoir. Here, the first housing portion 302, the insert 342, and the seal 344 may collectively be referred to as the first section. As discussed in more detail herein, the first section is configured to seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation until activation of the pod component 300.

[0140] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the insert 342 includes a holder portion that protrudes from the upstream side and a connector portion that protrudes from the downstream side. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold the absorbent material, while the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housing portion 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be seated within the vapor channel 316 and thus configured to engage within 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. Also, the insert 342 defines a reservoir outlet through which a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows when the seal 344 is punctured during activation of the pod component 300. Exemplary embodiments are not so limited, but the holder portion and the connector portion of the insert 342 may be between the reservoir outlets (e.g., the first and second reservoir outlets). Further, 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 seated within the first housing portion 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 aligns with and is in fluid communication with the vapor channel 316 so as to form a continuous path to the pod outlet 304 via the reservoir for the non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

[0141] Seal 344 is attached upstream of insert 342 so as to cover the reservoir outlet within insert 342. In an exemplary embodiment, seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide appropriate clearance for receiving a holder portion (projecting from the upstream side of insert 342) when seal 344 is attached to insert 342. When seal 344 is punctured by first activation pin 314a and second activation pin 314b of pod component 300, two punctured portions of seal 344 are pushed into the reservoir as flaps, resulting in the formation of two punctured openings (e.g., one on each side of the central opening) in seal 344. The size and shape of the punctured opening in seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the reservoir outlet in insert 342. In contrast, in an unpunctured state, seal 344 may have a planar form and may have only one opening (e.g., a central opening). Seal 344 is designed to have sufficient strength to remain intact so as to avoid being prematurely / mistakenly broken during normal movement and / or handling of pod component 300. For example, seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., Tritan backed with aluminum).

[0142] The second housing portion 308 may be structured to include various components configured to dispense, receive, and heat a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are configured to puncture a reservoir within the first housing portion 302 to dispense a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. Each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a distal end that extends through a corresponding one of the first pin opening 315a and the second pin opening 315b of the second housing portion 308. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., FIG. 13), but the remaining portions of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are not visible within the pod component 300. Further, each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a proximal end that is disposed adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 prior to activation of the pod component 300. When the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing portion 308 to activate the pod component 300, the proximal ends of each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b advance through the insert 342, and as a result, puncture the seal 344 to dispense the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir. The movement of the first activation pin 314a may be independent of the movement of the second activation pin 314b (and vice versa).

[0143] The absorbent material is downstream of the wick 338 and may be in fluid communication with the wick 338. Further, 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 form, 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 the same (or slightly larger) as 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. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material, the tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. The absorbent material may be configured to receive and hold the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the reservoir when the pod component 300 is activated. The wick 338 may be disposed within the pod component 300 in fluid communication with the absorbent material such that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is drawn from the absorbent material to the heater 336 by capillary action. The wick 338 may physically contact the upstream side of the absorbent material. Further, the wick 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 17, the heater 336 may have a folded configuration so as to grip the opposing surface of the wick 338 to establish thermal contact. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 during vaping to generate non-nicotine vapor. To facilitate such heating, the first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a (FIGS. 16 and 18), while the second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b (FIGS. 16 and 18). As a result, current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transmitted to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b. Related details of other aspects of the connector module 320, already described above (e.g., in relation to FIGS. 16-17), are not repeated in this section for the sake of brevity. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing portion 308 includes a receiving cavity for the connector module 320. The second housing portion 308 and the components described above therein may collectively be referred to as the second section. During vaping, the non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 passes through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first housing portion 302, out of the pod outlet 304 of the pod component 300, through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102, and is drawn into the vapor outlet(s).

[0145] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 17 without the wick and heater. FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is another exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 18. Referring to FIGS. 18-20, the module housing 354 forms the framework of the connector module 320. The module housing 354 defines, in particular, the divider 329 and the flow path of the air drawn into the pod component 300. The heating chamber is in fluid communication with the flow path upstream of the module housing 354 via the module outlet 368.

[0146] As described above, the flow path for the air sucked into the pod component 300 includes a first diverging portion, a second diverging portion, and a converging portion defined by the module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion are symmetric 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 each include a first curved path 330a, a second curved path 330b, and a converging path 330c. The first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b may be substantially U-shaped paths, 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 apex of the divider 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, the air sucked through the pod inlet 322 is divided by the divider 329 and initially flows in opposite directions away from the divider 329, and then each airflow makes a U-turn (via the first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b) and converges (via the converging path 330c) into a combined flow that returns toward the divider 329 before passing through the module outlet 368 and into the heating chamber. The heater 336 and the wick 338 may be arranged such that both sides are substantially equally exposed to the combined flow of air passing through the module outlet 368. During vaping, the generated non-nicotine vapor is entrained by the combined flow of air moving through the heating chamber and into the vapor channel 316.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 19 - 20, each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may include a contact surface portion and a contact leg portion. Although the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, the contact leg portion (which may have an elongated configuration) may be oriented orthogonally to the contact surface portion (which may be square-shaped). The module housing 354 may define a pair of shallow depressions and a pair of openings to facilitate the attachment of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. During assembly, the contact surface portions of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may seat in a corresponding one of the pair of shallow depressions such that they are substantially coplanar with the outer surface portion of the module housing 354 (see, e.g., FIG. 16). Further, the contact leg portions 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 so as to protrude from the downstream side of the module housing 354 (see, e.g., FIG. 18). The heater 336 can subsequently be connected to the contact leg portions of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b.

[0148] The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes various electronic components including a plurality of data contacts 326 on its upstream side (e.g., FIG. 20) and a sensor 364 on its downstream side (e.g., FIG. 19). The sensor 364 may be disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that the sensor 364 is within a convergent path 330c defined by the module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components fixed thereto) is an independent structure that is first inserted into a receiving cavity downstream of the second housing portion 308 such that the data contacts 326 are exposed by the data contact openings 327 of the second housing portion 308. Thereafter, the module housing 354 (on which the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, the heater 336, and the wick 338 are mounted) may be inserted into the receiving cavity such that the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are exposed by the first power contact opening 325a and the second power contact opening 325b of the second housing portion 308, respectively. Alternatively, to simplify the above two-step insertion process into a one-step insertion process, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components fixed 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 convergent path 330c, and the module outlet 368.

[0149] The module outlet 368 may be a draw resistance (RTD (Resistance-to-Draw)) port. In such a configuration, the draw resistance of the non-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 is such that the draw resistance is between 25 and 100 mmH 2 O (e.g., between 30 and 50 mmH 2It may be selected so as to be (between O's). For example, when the diameter of the module outlet 368 is 1.0 mm, the draw resistance is 88.3 mmH 2 O. In other examples, when the diameter of the module outlet 368 is 1.1 mm, 73.6 mmH 2 O of draw resistance. In other examples, when the diameter of the module outlet 368 is 1.2 mm, the draw resistance is 58.7 mmH 2 O. In yet other examples, when the diameter of the module outlet 368 is 1.3 mm, about 40 - 43 mmH 2 O of draw resistance may be obtained. It should be noted that the size of the module outlet 368 can be adjusted without affecting the aesthetics outside the pod component 300 due to its internal arrangement, thereby enabling a more standardized product design for pod components with various draw resistances (RTD), while reducing the possibility of inadvertent blockage of the inflowing air. Example of a non-nicotine e-vapor device system

[0150] Next, a system example of the pod 300 and the device body 100 of the non - nicotine e - vapor device 500 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 21A - 23.

[0151] FIG. 21A shows a device system of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. The device system 2100 may be a system within the device body 100 and the dispensing body 204.

[0152] 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. Note that the device system 2100 is not limited to the functions shown in FIG. 21A. For example, the device system 2100 may include additional elements. However, for the sake of brevity, additional elements will not be described. In other exemplary embodiments, the device system 2100 may not include an antenna.

[0153] The controller 2105 may be hardware, firmware, hardware that executes software, or any combination thereof. When the controller 2105 is hardware, such existing hardware may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate array (FPGA) computers, or those configured as special purpose machines for executing the functions of the controller 2105. CPUs, microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, and FPGAs are sometimes generally referred to as processing devices.

[0154] When the controller 2105 is a processor that executes software or includes one, the controller 2105 is configured as a special purpose machine (e.g., a processing device) that executes software stored in a memory (e.g., the storage medium 2145 or another storage device) accessible by the controller 2105 to execute the functions of the controller 2105. The software may be embodied as program code including instructions for executing and / or controlling any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the controller 2105 or the controller 2105A (FIG. 21B).

[0155] As used herein, the terms "storage medium", "computer readable storage medium", or "non-transitory computer readable storage medium" may represent one or more devices for storing data. This includes 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. Also, the term "computer-readable medium" includes, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or transporting instructions and data.

[0156] FIG. 21B is a diagram showing an example of a controller 2105A according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105A illustrated in FIG. 21B is an exemplary embodiment of the controller 2105 illustrated in FIG. 21A. Therefore, any operation described herein may be executed or controlled by the controller 2105A as being executed or controlled by the controller 2105. Also, the controller 2105A may include a microprocessor. Further, as shown in FIG. 21B, the controller 2105A has GPIO (General Purpose Input / Outputs), I 2 C (Inter-Integrated Circuit 2)It may include an interface, input / output interfaces such as an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface Bus) interface, a multi-channel ADC (Analog-Digital Converter), 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 circuitry.

[0157] Returning to FIG. 21A, the controller 2105 communicates with 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, an on-product control 2150, and at least one antenna 2140.

[0158] The controller 2105 communicates with an encrypted coprocessor with non-volatile memory (CC-NVM) or non-volatile memory (NVM) within the pod via the pod electrical / data interface 2120. The term CC-NVM may refer to a hardware module(s) that includes a processor for encryption and related processing and the NVM. More specifically, the controller 2105 may utilize encryption to authenticate the pod 300. As described, the controller 2105 communicates with the CC-NVM package or NVM to authenticate the pod 300. More specifically, the non-volatile memory may be encoded with product information and other information for authentication during manufacturing.

[0159] The memory device may be encoded with an electronic identity to enable at least one pairing of operational parameters specific to the authentication of the pod and the type of the pod 300 (or physical structure such as the type of heating engine) when the pod 300 is inserted into the through-hole of the dispenser body. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identity of the pod 300, the controller 2105 may authorize the use of the pod based on the stored non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation and / or the expiration date of the heater encoded in the non-volatile memory of the NVM or CC-NVM. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded in the non-volatile memory has passed, the controller may not authorize the use of the pod and may disable the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0160] The controller 2105 (or the storage medium 2145) stores a key material and unique algorithm software for encryption. For example, the encryption algorithm relies on the use of random numbers. The security of these algorithms depends on how truly random these numbers are. These numbers are usually generated in advance and encoded in the processor or memory device. An exemplary embodiment can enhance the randomness of the numbers used for encryption by using vaping parameters, such as the duration of a vaping session, the interval between vaping sessions, or a combination thereof, to generate numbers that are more random than the pre-generated random numbers and vary from person to person. All communication between the controller 2105 and the pod may be encrypted.

[0161] Furthermore, the pod can be used as a general payload carrier for other information such as software patches for the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500. Since encryption is used in all communications between the pod and the controller 2105, such information is more secure, and it becomes more difficult for malware or viruses to be installed on the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500. By using the CC-NVM as an information carrier for data and software updates, etc., the software of the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 can be updated without connecting to the Internet and without the adult vaper going through a download process like most other household appliances that require regular software updates.

[0162] Also, the controller 2105 may include an encryption accelerator to enable the resources of the controller 2105 to perform functions other than encoding and decoding related to authentication. Additionally, the controller 2105 may include other security functions such as preventing unauthorized use of the communication channel and preventing unauthorized access to data when the pod or the adult vaper is not authenticated.

[0163] 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.

[0164] The controller 2105 is configured to operate an RTOS (Real Time Operating System) and control the device system 2100, and is updated by communicating with NVM or CC-NVM, or updated when the device system 2100 is connected to other devices (such as 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 may include a micro-USB connector. The micro-USB connector may be used for the device system 2100 to charge the power supply 2110b.

[0165] The controller 2105 may include on-board RAM and flash memory to store and execute code including analysis, diagnosis, and software upgrades. Alternatively, the storage medium 2145 may store the code. Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the storage medium 2145 may be mounted on the controller 2105.

[0166] The controller 2105 may further include on-board clock, reset, and power management modules to reduce the area covered by the PCB of the dispensing body.

[0167] The device sensor 2125 may include a number of sensor transducers that provide measurement information to the controller 2105. The device sensor 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 air flow sensor, and an acceleration sensor that monitors movement and orientation. The power supply temperature sensor and the external pod temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple, and the current sensor for the heater and the power supply current sensor may be a resistance-based sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure current. The air flow sensor may be a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) flow sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow such as a hot wire anemometer. As described above, the device sensor 2125 may include a sensor such as an accelerometer for monitoring movement and orientation, as shown, for example, in FIG. 23.

[0168] FIG. 23 shows a pod system 2200 connected to a device system 2100 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the device sensor 2125 may include one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more magnetometers 2127C to monitor movement and orientation. For example, the device sensor 2125 may include at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU may include, for example, a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope, and a three-axis magnetometer. For example, one or more of the accelerometers 2127A, one or more of the gyroscopes 2127B, and / or one or more of the magnetometers 2127C in FIG. 23 may be included in the IMU. Examples of IMUs included in the device sensor 2125 include, but are not limited to, the Invensense 10-axis MPU-9250 and the ST 9-axis STEVAL-MKI1119V1. As will be described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 24-25, the controller 2105 may use the movement and / or orientation information detected by the device sensor 2125 to control the level of power that the power supply 2110 outputs to the heater 2215 via the pod electrical / data interface 2120 and the body electrical / data interface 2210.

[0169] Data generated from multiple sensor transducers may be sampled at a sample rate suitable for the parameter being measured using a discrete multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0170] The controller 2105 may adapt a heater profile or other profile for a non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation based on the measurement information received from the controller 2105. For convenience, these are generally referred to as vaping profiles or vapor profiles.

[0171] The heater profile identifies the power profile supplied to the heater during the few seconds in which vapor is being drawn. For example, in the heater profile, the maximum power can be supplied to the heater when vapor draw is initiated, and after about one second, the power can be reduced to half or a quarter.

[0172] Furthermore, the heater profile can also be changed based on the negative pressure applied to the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500. By using a MEMS flow sensor, the vapor draw intensity can be measured and used as feedback to the controller 2105 to adjust the power supplied to the heater of the pod 300 (this may be referred to as heating or energy delivery).

[0173] When the controller 2105 recognizes the currently installed pod (e.g., via the SKU), the controller 2105 collates the relevant heating profile designed for that particular pod. The controller 2105 and the storage medium 2145 store the 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. Also, an adult vapor user may adjust the heating profile according to their preference.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 21A, the controller 2105 transmits data to the power supply 2110 and receives data from the power supply 2110. The power supply 2110 includes a power supply 2110b and a power supply controller 2110a that manages the power output by the power supply 2110b.

[0175] The power source 2110b may be one of a lithium-ion battery or a variant thereof, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be rechargeable and may include a circuit that allows the battery to be charged by an external charging device. In that case, the circuit, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively pre-determined) number of vapor draws and then the circuit must be reconnected to an external charging device.

[0176] The power source 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 supply power to the pod (via the pod electrical / data interface 2120) when the pod is authenticated and an adult vapor activates the device system 2100 (e.g., by activating a switch such as a toggle button, a capacitive sensor, an IR sensor, etc.). If the pod is not authenticated, the controller 2105 may either not send a command to the power source 2110 or may send an instruction not to supply power to the power source 2110. In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may disable all operations of the device system 2100 if the pod is not authenticated.

[0177] Also, the power source 2110 supplies power not only to the pod 300 but also to the controller 2105. Further, the power source controller 2110a may provide feedback indicating the performance of the power source 2110b to the controller 2105.

[0178] The controller 2105 transmits data to at least one antenna 2140 and receives data from at least one antenna 2140. The at least one antenna 2140 may include an NFC (Near Field Communication) modem and another modem for a LE (Bluetooth (R) Low Energy) modem and / or other wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi). In an exemplary embodiment, the communication stack is within the modem, but the modem is controlled by the controller 2105. The Bluetooth (R) LE modem is used for data and control communication with an application on an external device (e.g., a smartphone). Also, the NFC modem may be used for pairing the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 with an application and for obtaining diagnostic information. Further, the Bluetooth (R) LE modem may be used for providing location information (for an adult vaper to find the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500) and for authentication at the time of purchase. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the controller 2105) may be configured to selectively lock the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 using a Bluetooth (R) communication function (e.g., provided by the Bluetooth (R) LE modem). For example, an adult vaper can use an application (e.g., an app) installed on an external mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) having a Bluetooth (R) communication function to lock the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500, thereby preventing the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 from operating to generate non-nicotine vapor, and unlock the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500, thereby enabling the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 to operate to generate non-nicotine vapor.Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, an adult vaporizer can select settings on an application to control a non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 such that the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 remains locked (i.e., prevented from operating to produce vapor) until the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 enters a desired range of an electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, an adult vaporizer can use the application to set the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 to remain locked until the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 enters the Bluetooth® communication range of the electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, an adult vaporizer can use the application to lock the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 when the electronic device on which the application is installed and the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 are not paired, and to remain locked until the electronic device on which the application is installed and the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 are paired.

[0179] As described above, the device system 2100 may generate and adjust various profiles for vaping. The controller 2105 uses the power supply 2110 and the actuator control 2115 to adjust a profile for an adult vaporizer.

[0180] The actuator control 2115 includes passive and active actuators for adjusting a desired vapor profile. For example, the dispenser body may include an inlet channel within the mouthpiece. The actuator control 2115 may control the inlet channel based on commands from the controller 2105 related to a desired vapor profile.

[0181] Furthermore, the actuator control 2115 is used to energize the heater in conjunction with the power supply 2110. More specifically, the actuator control 2115 is configured to generate a drive waveform associated with a desired vaping profile. As described above, each of the possible profiles is associated with a drive waveform. When receiving a command indicating a desired vaping profile from the controller 2105, the actuator control 2115 may generate an associated modulation waveform for the power supply 2110.

[0182] The controller 2105 supplies information to the vapor indicator 2135 to indicate the status and ongoing operations to the adult vapor. The vapor indicator 2135 may include a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that can be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button pressed by the adult vapor. Additionally, the vapor indicator 2135 may include a vibrator, a speaker, an indicator showing the current state of vaping parameters (e.g., the amount of vapor) controlled by the adult vapor, and other feedback mechanisms.

[0183] Furthermore, the device system 2100 may include a number of on-product controls 2150 that provide commands from the adult vaporizer to the controller 2105. The on-product controls 2150 may include, for example, a toggle button, a capacitive sensor, or an on-off button that may be an IR sensor. The on-product controls 2150 may further include a vaping control button (if the adult vaporizer desires to disable the buttonless vaping function and energize the heater), a hard reset button, a touch-based slider control (for controlling the setting of vaping parameters such as the amount of vapor inhaled by the vaporizer), a vaping control button for activating the slider control, and a mechanical adjustment for the air inlet. Detection of a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG) is also an example of buttonless vaping. Additionally, a combination of keystrokes (e.g., keystrokes entered by the adult vaporizer via the on-product controls 2150) can be used to lock a non-nicotine e-vaporizer device and prevent the device from operating to produce vapor. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the combination of keystrokes may be set by the manufacturer of the non-nicotine e-vaporizer device 500 and / or the device system 2100. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the combination of keystrokes may be set and / or changed by the adult vaporizer (e.g., by keystrokes entered by the adult vaporizer via the on-product controls 2150).

[0184] When the pod is authenticated (e.g., by the method described above with reference to FIG. 21A), the controller 2105 operates the power supply 2110, the actuator control 2115, the vapor indicator 2135, and the antenna 2140 according to an adult vapor using the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and information stored by the NVM or CC-NVM on the pod 300. Further, the controller 2105 may include a logging function and be capable of executing an algorithm for calibrating the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500. The logging function is executed by the controller 2105 and records unexpected events and malfunctions in addition to usage data. The recorded usage data may be used for diagnosis and analysis. The controller 2105 may calibrate the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 using buttonless vaping (i.e., vaping without pressing a button, such as generating a non-nicotine vapor when a negative pressure is applied to the mouthpiece), the shape of the adult vapor, and information stored on the CC-NVM or NVM including vapor inhalation sensing, non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level, and non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the controller 2105 may instruct the power supply 2110 to supply power to the heater in the pod based on a vaping profile associated with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition in the pod 300. Alternatively, the vaping profile may be encoded in the CC-NVM or NVM and utilized by the controller 2105.

[0185] FIG. 22A is a pod system diagram of a dispensing body according to an exemplary embodiment. The pod system 2200 may be within the pod component 300.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 22A, the pod system 2200 includes a CC-NVM 2205, a main body electrical / data interface 2210, a heater 2215, and a pod sensor 2220. The pod system 2200 communicates with the device system 2100 via the main body electrical / data interface 2210 and the pod electrical / data interface 2120. The main body electrical / data interface 2210 may correspond to, for example, a battery contact 416 and a data connection 417 connected within the pod component 300 shown in FIG. 19. Accordingly, the CC-NVM 2205 is coupled to the data connection 417 and the battery contact 416.

[0187] The CC-NVM 2205 includes an encryption coprocessor 2205a and a non-volatile memory 2205b. The controller 2105 may access the information stored in the non-volatile memory 2205b for authentication and pod operation purposes by communicating with the encryption coprocessor 2205a.

[0188] In another exemplary embodiment, the pod may not have an encryption coprocessor. For example, FIG. 22B shows an example of the pod system of FIG. 22A with the encryption coprocessor 2205a omitted, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22B, the pod system 2200 may include a non-volatile memory 2205b instead of the CC-NVM 2205, and the encryption coprocessor 2205a may be omitted. If there is no encryption coprocessor in the pod system 2200, the controller 2105 may read data from the non-volatile memory 2205b without using the encryption coprocessor to control / define the heating profile.

[0189] The non-volatile memory 2205b may have an electronic identity encoded therein to enable at least one of authentication of the pod 300 and pairing of operation parameters specific to the type of the 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 identity of the pod 300, the controller 2105 may authorize the use of the pod based on the stored non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation and / or the expiration date of the heater encoded in the non-volatile memory 2205b. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded in the non-volatile memory 2205b has passed, the controller may not authorize the use of the pod and may disable the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500.

[0190] Furthermore, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store information such as the stock keeping unit (SKU) of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the compartment of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation (including the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition), the software patch of the device system 2100, the count of vapor inhalation scenarios, the duration of vapor inhalation scenarios, and the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level. The non-volatile memory 2205b may store operation parameters specific to the type of the pod and the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store the electrical and mechanical design of the pod used by the controller 2105 to determine commands corresponding to a desired vaping profile.

[0191] The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level within the pod can be determined, for example, in one of two ways. In one exemplary embodiment, one of the pod sensors 2220 directly measures the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level within the pod 300.

[0192] In another exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b stores the count of vapor inhalation scenarios from the pod, and the controller 2105 uses the count of vapor inhalation scenarios as a proxy for the amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0193] The controller 2105 and / or the storage medium 2145 may store non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation calibration data that identifies the operating point of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation. The non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation calibration data includes data describing how the flow rate changes depending on the remaining amount of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation or how the volatility changes over time of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation, and may be used for calibration by the controller 2105. The calibration data of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation may be stored in a table format by the controller 2105 and / or the storage medium 2145. With the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation calibration data, the controller 2105 can equalize the vapor draw scene count and the amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation.

[0194] Since the controller 2105 writes back the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation level and the vapor draw scene count to the non-volatile memory 2205b of the pod, even when the pod is removed from the dispensing body and later reattached, the controller 2105 will know the exact non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation level of the pod.

[0195] Incidentally, the operating parameters (e.g., power supply, power supply duration, air channel control) are called the vaping profile. Further, the non-volatile memory 2205b may record information transmitted from the controller 2105. The non-volatile memory 2205b may retain the recorded information even when the dispensing body is separated from the pod 300.

[0196] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b may be a programmable read-only memory.

[0197] The heater 2215 is actuated by the controller 2105 and transfers heat to at least a portion of the nicotine-free pre-vapor formulation according to a commanded profile (volume, temperature (based on the power profile), and flavor) from the controller 2105.

[0198] The heater 2215 may be, for example, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistance wires, a wire coil surrounding a wick, a mesh, a surface, or other suitable form. Examples of suitable electrical resistance materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, iron-containing alloys, and nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel-based superalloys. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminide, a material having a layer of alumina on its surface, iron aluminide, and other composite materials, and the electrical resistance material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated by, or coated with an insulating material, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physicochemical properties, and vice versa. In one embodiment, the heater 2215 is composed of 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, the heater 2215 is formed of a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. In one embodiment, the heater 2215 can be a ceramic heater having an electrical resistance layer on its outer surface.

[0199] In another embodiment, the heater 2215 may be composed of iron aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe 3 Al), or nickel aluminide (e.g., NiAl) as described in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 5,595,706 (to Sikka et al., filed December 29, 1994), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0200] The heater 2215 may determine the amount of non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation to be heated based on feedback from the pod sensor or the controller 2105. The flow of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation may be regulated by a microcapillary or a wicking action. Further, the controller 2105 may send a command to the heater 2215 to adjust the air inlet to the heater 2215.

[0201] The pod sensor 2220 may include a heater temperature sensor, a non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation flow monitor, and an air flow monitor. The heater temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple, and the flow detection 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 rotor within the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation. The air flow sensor may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow sensor or other types of sensors configured to measure the air flow.

[0202] The data generated from the pod sensor 2220 may be sampled at a sample rate suitable for the measured parameters using a discrete multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0203] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 can also control the heater 2215 in response to detecting a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG). As described above, referring to FIG. 21A, a non-nicotine e-vapor device according to at least some exemplary embodiments may implement a buttonless vaping function. As an example of the buttonless vaping function, the controller 2105 may determine the timing at which an adult vaper performs an HMG based on measurements from the device sensor 2125. An HMG is a gesture in which an adult vaper's hand moves towards the adult vaper's mouth. An HMG performed with respect to a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., a non-nicotine e-vapor device including the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or the device body 100) can indicate that the vaper's drawing is about to start. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may control the state and / or operating mode of the non-nicotine e-vapor device or one or more of its elements based on the detection of an HMG. For example, the controller 2105 may control the state and / or operating mode of the heater 2215 by detecting an HMG.

[0204] 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 sometimes also be referred to herein as a heating engine 2215 or a heater engine 2215. Next, an exemplary structure of a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27 to 31. Example of the structure of a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device

[0205] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 27, the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000 may include a mouthpiece 1015 and a device body 1025. A power source 1035 and a control circuit 1045 may be disposed within the device body 1025 of the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000. The heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000 is configured to receive a capsule 800. The capsule 800 is a detachable container, similar to the pod 300 of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 described above. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the capsule 800 may include an aerosol-forming substrate sandwiched between a first and a second heater. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first and second heaters may be planar and may be formed of a material that heats when an electric current is applied. Further, the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000 may include a first electrode 1055a, a second electrode 1055b, a third electrode 1055c, and a fourth electrode 1055d configured to make electrical contact with the capsule 800. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first electrode 1055a and the third electrode 1055c may make electrical contact with the first heater, and the second electrode 1055b and the fourth electrode 1055d may make electrical contact with the second heater. However, it should be understood that in non-limiting embodiments including a capsule having only one heater, the first electrode 1055a and the third electrode 1055c (or the second electrode 1055b and the fourth electrode 1055d) may be omitted.

[0206] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a material (or combination of materials) that has the potential to produce an aerosol. As referred to herein, an "aerosol" is any substance produced or output from any heat-not-burn aerosol generation device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The material is in solid form and is the dominant source of a compound (e.g., a cannabinoid), and when the material is heated, an aerosol containing the compound is produced. The heating may be below the combustion temperature so as to produce an aerosol without substantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or (if any) substantial production of combustion by-products. Thus, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, pyrolysis does not occur during heating and the resultant production of an aerosol. In other examples, there may be some pyrolysis and combustion by-products, but the extent is relatively minor and / or is considered to be merely incidental. For example, when a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device heats an aerosol-forming substrate to the aerosolization temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate may produce an aerosol. As used herein, the "aerosolization temperature" of an aerosol-forming substrate is the temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate produces an aerosol and is below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0207] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material may be a plant-based material. The fibrous material is configured to release a compound when heated. The compound may be a naturally occurring component of the fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material may be a plant material such as tobacco, and the released compound may be nicotine. The term "tobacco" includes any tobacco plant material from one or more species of tobacco plants such as Nicotiana rusticaand and Nicotiana tabacum, including tobacco leaves, tobacco plugs, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, shaped tobacco, or powdered tobacco, and combinations thereof.

[0208] In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material may include materials from any member of the Nicotiana genus. Further, the tobacco material may include a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, special tobacco, blends thereof, etc. The tobacco material may be provided in any suitable form, including processed tobacco materials such as tobacco laminas, expanded volume tobacco or puff tobacco, processed tobacco stems such as cut rolls or cut puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, etc., but are not limited thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass. Further, in some examples, the tobacco material may be mixed and / or combined with at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, sub-combinations thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0209] In addition, the present compound may be a natural component of a medicinal plant having a medically recognized therapeutic effect. For example, the medicinal plant may be cannabis, and the compound may be a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body to produce various effects. As a result, cannabinoids are used for various medicinal effects (e.g., treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, mental disorders). The fibrous material can contain substances of leaves and / or flowers of one or more cannabis plants such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis. In some examples, the fibrous material is a mixture of 60 - 80% (e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20 - 40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabis indica.

[0210] Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), etc. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an exemplary embodiment, heat from the first heater and / or the second heater may cause decarboxylation to convert tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in a capsule (e.g., capsule 800 or 900) into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or convert cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the capsule into cannabidiol (CBD).

[0211] In an example where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present within a capsule, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion cause a decrease in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during heating of the capsule. Similarly, in an example where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present within a capsule, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). During heating of the capsule, at least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD).

[0212] Furthermore, the compound may be a non-naturally derived additive that is later introduced into the fibrous material or may additionally be included. In one example, the fibrous material may include at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, combinations thereof, etc. (e.g., in the form of gauze). In another example, the fibrous material may be a cellulose material (e.g., a non-tobacco and / or non-cannabis material). In any example, the introduced compound may include nicotine, cannabinoids, and / or flavorants. The flavorants may be of natural origin, such as plant extracts (e.g., tobacco extract, cannabis extract), and / or of artificial origin. In yet another example, when the fibrous material includes tobacco and / or cannabis, the compound may be one or more flavorants (e.g., menthol, mint, vanilla) or may additionally be included. Thus, the compound in the aerosol-forming substrate may include natural components and / or non-naturally derived additives. In this regard, it should be understood that the existing levels of natural components of the aerosol-forming substrate may be increased by supplementation. For example, the existing level of nicotine contained in a certain amount of tobacco can be increased by supplementing with an extract containing nicotine. Similarly, the existing level of one or more cannabinoids contained in the amount of cannabis may be increased by supplementing with an extract containing such cannabinoids.

[0213] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, when the capsule 800 is inserted into the heat-not-burn aerosol generating device 1000, the control circuit 1045 may instruct the power supply 1035 to supply current to the first electrode 1055a, the second electrode 1055b, the third electrode 1055c, and / or the fourth electrode 1055d. The supply of current from the power supply 1035 may be performed in response to manual operation (e.g., button actuation) or automatic operation (e.g., puff actuation). As a result of the current, the capsule 800 may be heated to generate an aerosol.

[0214] The additional details of the heat-not-burn aerosol generating device 1000 including the capsule 800, the mouthpiece 1015, the device body 1025, the power source 1035, the control circuit 1045, the first electrode 1055a, the second electrode 1055b, the third electrode 1055c, and the fourth electrode 1055d are described in U.S. Application No. 15 / 845,501 (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000DM-000012-US) entitled "VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME", filed on December 18, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The capsules, aerosol forming substrates, and related aspects discussed herein are described in more detail in U.S. Application No. 16 / 252,951, filed on January 21, 2019, entitled "CAPSULE, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL", Atty Dkt No. 24000NV-000521-US, and U.S. Application No. 16 / 451,662, filed on June 25, 2019, entitled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL" Atty.Dkt.No.24000NV-000522-US, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0215] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of another heat-not-burn aerosol generation device according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 28, the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 2000 may particularly include a mouthpiece 2015 and a device body 2025. It should be understood that the features related to the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000 of FIG. 27 are also applicable to the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 2000 and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. As shown in FIG. 28, a sensor 2075 may be included to measure the temperature of the capsule within the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 2000. For example, the sensor 2075 may be an infrared (IR) sensor configured to perform non-contact temperature sensing of the capsule. The sensor 2075 may be arranged to be located downstream and above the capsule within the device body 2025. Further, the sensor 2075 may be offset from the aerosol path and oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 2000. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis may be orthogonal to the plane corresponding to the surface of the capsule, and the angle may be 8 to 20 degrees (e.g., 13 to 15 degrees) with respect to the longitudinal axis. As a result, deposits and sediments from the generated aerosol may be reduced or prevented, thereby improving the performance and lifespan of the sensor 2075.

[0216] FIG. 29 is a plan view of an arrangement including a capsule engaged by an electrode and a seal of a heat-not-burn aerosol generation device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 29. FIG. 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 29. Referring to FIGS. 29-31, the capsule 900 within the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device may be engaged by a first seal 1165a and a second seal 1165b. The first seal 1165a may be engaged to a side surface of the capsule 900 corresponding to the first heater, while the second seal 1165b may be engaged to a side surface of the capsule 900 corresponding to the second heater (or vice versa). When engaged, the first seal 1165a and the second seal 1165b may be at a peripheral edge of the cavity so as to surround a heat-not-burn aerosol forming substrate disposed therein.

[0217] The first electrode 1155a, the second electrode 1155b, the third electrode 1155c, and the fourth electrode 1155d are configured to be in electrical contact with the capsule 900. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first electrode 1155a and the third electrode 1155c may then be in electrical contact with the first heater, and the second electrode 1155b and the fourth electrode 1155d may be in electrical contact with the second heater. However, it should be understood that in a non-limiting embodiment including a capsule having only one heater, the first electrode 1155a and the third electrode 1155c (or the second electrode 1155b and the fourth electrode 1155d) may be omitted.

[0218] When engaged with the heater, the first electrode 1155a and the third electrode 1155c are within the region surrounded by the first seal 1165a, and the second electrode 1155b and the fourth electrode 1155d are within the region surrounded by the second seal 1165b. Also, the first electrode 1155a and the third electrode 1155c may be adjacent to the opposite side of the first seal 1165a such that the first heater is pressed against the underlying first frame. Similarly, the second electrode 1155b and the fourth electrode 1155d may be adjacent to the opposite side of the second seal 1165b such that the second heater is pressed against the underlying second frame. In an exemplary embodiment including a third frame, the heater may be pressed against the underlying third frame by the electrodes.

[0219] Note that the first electrode 1155a, the second electrode 1155b, the third electrode 1155c, and the fourth electrode 1155d may be in the shape of blades. Further, in order to reduce contact resistance, the first electrode 1155a, the second electrode 1155b, the third electrode 1155c, and the fourth electrode 1155d may be formed of steel and coated with titanium nitride. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade may have a straight edge. Alternatively, the blade may be serrated in order to enhance electrical contact when the surface of the heater has irregularities (e.g., a mesh-shaped heater).

[0220] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first electrode 1155a, the second electrode 1155b, the third electrode 1155c, the fourth electrode 1155d, the capsule 900, the first seal 1165a, and the second seal 1165d may be included in the heat-not-burn aerosol generating device 1000. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first electrode 1155a, the second electrode 1155b, the third electrode 1155c, the fourth electrode 1155d, and the capsule 900 are examples of the first electrode 1055a, the second electrode 1055b, the third electrode 1055c, the fourth electrode 1055d, and the capsule 800.

[0221] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 1045 and the power supply 1035 of the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device 1000 are each implemented by the device system 2100 and the power supply 2110 described above with reference to FIGS. 21A-23. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the capsule 800 includes a control circuit, and the control circuit of the capsule 800 is implemented by the pod system 2200 described above with reference to FIGS. 21A-23.

[0222] Examples of heating engine control algorithms according to at least some exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 24-25G. Outline of a heating engine control algorithm

[0223] First, an overview of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and related inputs will be described with reference to FIG. 24. Next, an exemplary implementation 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). Further, an exemplary implementation of the buttonless vaping function 2310 that can 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. For simplicity, the algorithms in FIGS. 24 - 26 will be described below mainly with reference to the device system 2100 and the pod system 2200 of the non - nicotine e - vapor device 500. However, as described above, the heat - not - burn aerosol generation devices 1000 and 2000 can also include the device system 2100 and the pod system 2200. As a result, the details of the algorithms in FIGS. 24 - 26 described below with reference to a non - nicotine e - vapor device (e.g., the non - nicotine e - vapor device 500), or its elements, can also be applied to the heat - not - burn aerosol generation devices 1000 and 2000, or their elements. Further, the details of the algorithms in FIGS. 24 - 26 described below with reference to a non - nicotine vapor or non - nicotine pre - vapor formulation may also be applied to an aerosol or an aerosol - forming substrate, respectively.

[0224] Referring to FIG. 24, FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a heating engine control algorithm 2300 and related 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 based on the generated power level (e.g., using pulse width modulation (PWM) or another known method). For example, the heating engine driver 2305 may control the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 via the main body electrical / data interface 2210. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, both the heating engine control algorithm 2300 and the heating engine driver 2305 are implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500). Thus, 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.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 24, the heating engine control algorithm 2300 may generate a power level supplied to the heating engine driver 2305 using one or more of a plurality of inputs. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the inputs to the heating engine control algorithm 2300 may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the vaping mode generated by the buttonless vaping function 2310, one or more operating points generated by the first calibration mapping function 2320, the predicted temperature of the heating engine 2215 generated by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2330, the heating engine temperature and electrical performance values provided by the heating engine sensor 2222 (which may be included in the pod sensor 2220), the air flow rate and wick wetness values provided by the pod sensor 2220, the vaping profile information provided by the adult vapor vaping profile update function 2340, the non-nicotine e-vapor device temperature information provided by the device sensor 2125, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material level and / or flow rate information provided by the liquid level and flow rate prediction function 2350, the battery health information provided by the battery health function 2360, and the time information provided by the clock 2370. The pod sensor 2220 may also be referred to herein as smart pod sensors. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine control algorithm operates according to at least the following three states: an off state, a preheat state, and an on state. The off state, the preheat state, and the on state may also be referred to herein as "vaping mode states" or "operation modes".

[0226] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the off state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 is relatively small or, alternatively, no power is supplied. The preheating state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 is higher than the amount of power supplied in the off state. The on state is a state in which the heating engine control algorithm 2300 controls the heating engine driver 2305 such that the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 is higher than the amount of power supplied in the preheating state. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 during the preheating operation mode is an amount that heats the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation housed in the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 to a temperature below the boiling point of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation (or the aerosol generation temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate of the capsule 800), and the amount of power supplied to the heating engine 2215 during the second operation mode is an amount that heats the heater to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation housed in the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 (or the aerosol generation temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate of the capsule 800).

[0227] Next, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A and the buttonless vaping function 2310 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 26. Example of a setpoint heating engine control algorithm

[0228] FIG. 25A is a block diagram showing a setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A according to at least some exemplary embodiments. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is an exemplary implementation of the heating engine control algorithm 2300 shown in FIG. 24.

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

[0230] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in the setpoint heating 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 heating engine 2215 (e.g., via the heating engine driver 2305) is static throughout the activation period of the heating engine 2215 or, alternatively, throughout the duration of the vaping mode. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a single power level is transmitted to the heating engine driver 2305, and the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 by the heating engine driver 2305 is proportional to the power level transmitted to the heating engine driver 2305. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, upon receiving a single power level, the heating engine driver 2305 may immediately set the level of power output to the heating engine 2215 (e.g., by adjusting the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation drive signal applied to the heating engine 2215).

[0231] Referring to FIG. 25A, the setpoint 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 the smart pod sensor 2220), a buttonless vaping function 2310, and a first calibration mapping function 2320. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may operate based on inputs received from an AV vaping profile update function 2340.

[0232] Next, the clock 2370, the heating engine sensor 2222, the buttonless vaping function 2310, the first calibration mapping function 2320, and the AV vaping profile update function 2340 will be described in detail below.

[0233] The clock 2370 outputs a periodic timing signal according to a known method. The heating engine sensor 2222 detects a heating engine temperature value and / or an electrical performance value related to the heating engine 2215 according to a known method. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine sensor provides the detected heating engine temperature value and / or electrical performance value to the heating engine driver 2305 as, for example, a feedback value. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine driver 2305 adjusts the amount of power provided to the heating engine 2215 based on the feedback value. Next, the buttonless vaping function 2310 will be described below with reference to FIG. 26.

[0234] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs, as the current vaping mode state, any one of three states: an off state, a preheating state, and an on state, to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing 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 a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500).

[0235] Referring to FIG. 26, in the initial state, 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.

[0236] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from the off state to the on state based on detecting vapor inhalation during the off state. For example, in operation S2420, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether vapor inhalation is occurring. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 can determine whether a vapor inhalation scenario is occurring based on the airflow information generated by the pod sensor 2220 and / or the device sensor 2124. For example, when the airflow information indicates an airflow volume equal to or greater than a threshold value, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a vapor inhalation scenario is occurring. If vapor inhalation occurs during the off state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470. In operation S2470, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from the off state to the on state and outputs the on state as the current vaping mode state.

[0237] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from an off state to a pre-heating state based on detecting a hand-to-mouth (HMG) gesture during the off state. HMG refers to a gesture in which an adult vaper's hand moves towards the adult vaper's mouth. HMG made with respect to a non-nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., a non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 and / or a non-nicotine e-vaping device including the device body 100 or the dispensing body 204) may indicate that vaping is about to start soon. An exemplary method of detecting HMG is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0108840, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0238] Returning to operation S2420, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, if no vaping draw occurs during the off state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2430. In operation S2430, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether an HMG has occurred. If an HMG occurs 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 an off state to a pre-heating state and outputs the pre-heating 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 either a vaping draw or an HMG. For example, returning to operation S2430, if no HMG occurs during the off state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the off state as the current vaping mode state and returns to operation S2420.

[0239] When returning to operation S2440, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current vaping mode state from the preheating state to the on state based on detecting vapor suction during the preheating state. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds from operation S2440 to operation S2450. In operation S2450, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether vapor suction is occurring. If vapor suction occurs during the preheating state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470, thereby transitioning from the preheating state to the on state. As described above, in operation S2470, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs the on state as the current vaping mode state.

[0240] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions from the preheating state to the off state based on the occurrence of a preheating timeout event during the preheating state. For example, in operation S2450, if no vapor suction occurs during the preheating state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2460. In operation S2460, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether a preheating timeout event has occurred. The buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a preheating timeout event has occurred if the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the time spent in the preheating state exceeds the preheating timeout value. If the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that a preheating timeout event has occurred during the preheating state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby transitioning the current vaping mode state from the preheating state to the off state. As described above, in operation S2410, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs the off state as the current vaping mode state.

[0241] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the preheating state as the current vaping mode state until the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects either a vapor draw or a preheating timeout. For example, when returning to operation S2460, during the preheating state, if no preheating timeout event has occurred and no vapor draw scenario has been detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the preheating state and returns to operation S2450.

[0242] When returning to operation S2470, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions from the on state to the off state based on the end of a vapor draw scenario or the detection of a vaping timeout event. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds from operation S2470 to operation S2480. In operation S2480, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines whether the vapor draw scenario has ended or a vaping timeout event has occurred. For example, based on the 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 scenario detected in step S2420 or step S2450 has ended. For example, after vapor draw is detected, if the airflow information indicates that the airflow volume has dropped below a threshold, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the vapor draw scenario has ended. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the threshold used to detect the start of a vapor draw scenario in operation S2420 or S2450 may have a different value from the threshold used to detect the end of a vapor draw scenario in operation S2480.

[0243] Furthermore, when the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines that the stay time in the on state exceeds the vaping timeout value, it determines that a vaping timeout event has occurred. When the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects either the end of a vapor inhalation scenario or the occurrence of a vaping timeout event during the on state, the buttonless vaping function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby enabling the transition of 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 either the end of a vapor inhalation scenario or the occurrence of a vaping timeout event. For example, when returning to operation S2480, if a vaping timeout event has not occurred during the on state and the end of the current vapor inhalation scenario has not been detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the on state and repeats operation S2480.

[0244] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine whether a preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2460 and / or whether a preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2480 based on a timer value including a preheating timeout value and / or a vaping timeout value. For example, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine that a preheating timeout event has occurred in operation S2460 of FIG. 26 when the buttonless vaping function 2310 detects a preheating vaping state duration that exceeds the preheating timeout value. The preheating timeout value may be, for example, 1 to 2 seconds. Further, 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 an on-vaping state duration that exceeds the vaping timeout value. The vaping timeout value may be, for example, about 7 to 10 seconds. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 can track the length of a continuous on or preheating vaping state using the clock signal output by the clock 2370. Further, the values of the preheating timeout and the vaping timeout are not limited to the exemplary time durations described above. For example, the time duration of the preheating timeout value and / or the vaping timeout value may be set according to the preference of the designer or manufacturer of the non-nicotine e-vaper device 500, for example.

[0245] Furthermore, as described above, the buttonless vaping function 2310 determines the current vaping mode state to one of three states (i.e., off, preheating, on). However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the preheating state may be omitted, and the buttonless vaping function 2310 may determine the current vaping mode state to one of only two states, on and off. For example, referring to FIG. 26, when the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may omit operations S2430, S2440, S2450, and S2460. Furthermore, when the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may execute operation S2420 without transitioning to the preheating state. For example, the buttonless vaping function may maintain the off state (N) while no vapor inhalation is detected, and in response to detecting vapor inhalation (Y), proceed to operation S2470 to transition the current vaping mode state from the off state to the on state and execute operation S2420. Furthermore, when the preheating state is omitted, the buttonless vaping function 2310 may execute the remaining operations S2410, S2470, and S2480 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 26. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 continuously determines the current vaping mode state according to the operations described above with reference to FIG. 26 and continuously outputs the determined current vaping mode. Next, the first calibration mapping function 2320 will be described below.

[0246] The first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs an operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the operating point corresponds to a power value or power level, examples of which include, but are not limited to, 1W, 2.567W, 20W, 32.15W, and 52,663W.

[0247] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads one or more operating points from a detachable pod installed in a non-nicotine e-vapor device and outputs one of the one or more operating points to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vapor device 500) implementing the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be configured to detect power information from a detachable pod 300 installed in the non-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., pre-heating, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 may include operating points for the pre-heating state and the on state and may not include operating points for the off state.

[0248] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from a detachable pod, receives a rough preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, selects from among the read operating points the operating point or points corresponding to the rough preference level, and outputs the selected operating point or points to the set point 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 operating points for each possible combination of a rough preference level and a vaping mode state (pre-heating, on, and off). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the power information read from the pod 300 may include operating points for each rough preference level regarding the on state, only one operating point for the pre-heating state, and may include only one operating point (or alternatively, no operating points) for the off state.

[0249] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads an operating point from a detachable pod, receives a fine preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, adjusts the read operating point based on the fine preference level, and outputs the adjusted operating point to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, the fine preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340 may indicate the adjustment to be made to the operating point. For example, the fine preference level may indicate the adjustment direction and adjustment amount (e.g., sign and magnitude: +3W, -4.823W, +10.645W, etc.).

[0250] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may 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 exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from a detachable pod, receives a coarse preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340, selects an operating point corresponding to the coarse preference level from among the read operating points, 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.

[0251] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 is implemented by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a non-nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vaping device 500). Thus, herein, any or all operations described as being performed by the first calibration mapping function 2320 may be performed or controlled by the controller 2105. Next, the AV vaping profile update function 2340, the coarse preference level, and the fine preference level will be described in more detail below.

[0252] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputs one or both of the coarse preference level and the fine preference level described above with reference to the first calibration mapping function 2320. Here, an example in which the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputs the coarse preference level will be described below.

[0253] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaper may operate an input device of a non-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 non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may include an on-product control 2150. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the on-product control 2150 can include a device that can be manually operated by an adult vaper to indicate a selection of any device or value. Exemplary embodiments include, but are not limited to, one or more buttons, dials, capacitive sensors, and sliders. For example, if the on-product control 2150 includes a slider, the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be capable of detecting the position of an adult vaper's finger along the length of the slider according to known methods. For example, the slider may include a capacitive sensor along the length of the slider. Further, the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be able to detect the position of the adult vaper's finger along the length of the slider based on the signal generated by the capacitive sensor according to known methods. As another example, the slider may include a mechanical element coupled to a track running along the length of the slider. The mechanical element may be configured to be slid up and down the track by an adult vaper's finger. Further, the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be able to detect the position of the mechanical element along the length of the slider.

[0254] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the length of the slider may be divided into a plurality of consecutive regions, and a plurality of coarse preference levels may be respectively assigned to the plurality of consecutive regions. For example, in a scenario where five coarse preference levels are respectively assigned to five consecutive regions of the length of the slider, an adult vaper can select a specific preference level from the five coarse preference levels by operating the slider (e.g., by moving the adult vaper's finger and / or mechanical element to a position along the length of the slider within the region to which a specific coarse preference level is assigned). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the slider may be implemented as one or more capacitive touch sensors.

[0255] In addition to or instead of including a slider, the on-product control 2150 may include one or more buttons that facilitate the selection of a specific preference level from the coarse preference levels described above. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing body includes first and second buttons 118, 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the coarse preference levels (e.g., five coarse preference levels) may cycle in response to the operation of one or both of the first and second buttons 118, 120. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first and second buttons are implemented as touch sensors that may be mechanical (e.g., mechanical buttons) and / or capacitive (e.g., capacitive sensors).

[0256] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may provide a display (e.g., visual, tactile, and / or auditory display) for identifying the currently selected harshness preference level from among a plurality of available harshness preference levels. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second button 120 is a strength button, and by operating the second button 120, the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 can progress from the current harshness preference level to the next harshness preference level. Further, the light guide component illustrated in FIG. 1 may provide different visual displays for different harshness preference levels (e.g., by changing the color, length, size, or brightness of the light emitted by the light guide component), thereby enabling the currently selected harshness preference level to be identified.

[0257] Next, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputs the selected harshness preference level to the first calibration mapping function 2320. Further, the five harshness preference levels may each correspond to five operating points read by the first calibration mapping function 2320 from a detachable pod (e.g., pod 300) attached to the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. Accordingly, the first calibration mapping function 2320 outputs the operating point corresponding to the received harshness preference level from among the five operating points read from the detachable pod. Next, an example in which the AV vaping profile update function 2340 outputs a fine preference level will be described below.

[0258] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaper can operate an input device to select one of a plurality of fine preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the input device may be a wireless electronic device (e.g., a wireless communication device), examples of which include, but are not limited to, smartphones and tablets. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device runs an application or app that can be used by the adult vaper to select fine preference values for adjusting the operating point. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a non-nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vaping device 500) and a wireless electronic device may communicate wirelessly (e.g., via a wireless communication link) with each other using any known wireless technology, examples of which include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, Wireless USB, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, etc. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device is a smartphone that runs an app that causes the smartphone to create a graphical user interface (GUI) with which the adult vaper can interact to select a fine preference level. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the GUI includes an app slider. The app slider may be an image of a slider output on the smartphone display, and the adult vaper can operate it using the smartphone's touch screen, keys, buttons, and / or other input devices. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the app slider enables the adult vaper to finely or precisely adjust the operating point (e.g., 7W). For example, if the initial operating point is 7W and the adult vaper can adjust the initial operating point in 1mW increments within a range of ±128mW using the app slider, the adult vaper can select an adjusted operating point between 6872mW and 7128mW.According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the smartphone can wirelessly transmit to the non-nicotine e-vaping device a fine preference level indicating an adjustment selected by the adult vaper via the app's slider. In the non-nicotine e-vaping device, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 receives the fine preference level and provides the fine preference level to the first calibration mapping function 2320. As described above, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may adjust the operating point before outputting the adjusted operating point to the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A using the fine preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340.

[0259] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 writes the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level selected by the adult vaper to the memory (e.g., the non-volatile memory 2205b) of a detachable pod (e.g., the detachable pod 300) attached to the non-nicotine e-vaping device (e.g., the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500). Thus, when the detachable pod (e.g., the pod 300) is reattached to the non-nicotine e-vaping device after being removed for some time, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read from the memory of the reattached detachable pod the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level previously selected by the adult vaper. Further, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may generate an adjusted operating point using the previously selected coarse preference level and / or fine preference level.

[0260] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 writes entries of the vaping profile to the vaping profile database. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaping profile database may be stored in the memory (e.g., storage medium 2145) of the dispenser body (e.g., device body 100) of a non-nicotine e-vaper device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vaper device 500). Each vaping profile entry can include a coarse preference level and / or a fine preference level selected by an adult vaper, and formulation type information (e.g., non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation identifier) that identifies the formulation type of the non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation included in the detachable pod that was attached to the non-nicotine e-vaper device when the adult vaper selected the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, when a new unused detachable pod is attached to the non-nicotine e-vaper device, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can read the non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation identifier of the new detachable pod and compare the read non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation identifier with the vaping profile entries stored in the vaping profile database. When the first calibration mapping function 2320 identifies a vaping profile entry having a non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation identifier that matches the non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation identifier of the newly installed detachable pod, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may read the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level included in the identified vaping profile entry. Further, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may generate an adjusted operating point using the read coarse preference level and / or fine preference level.According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can read the identity (e.g., formulation type) of the nicotine-free pre-vaporizer formulation of the detachable pod in a manner similar to that described above with respect to reading the operating point from an image (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) or the memory of the detachable pod disposed on the detachable pod (e.g., pod 300).

[0261] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 tracks the coarse preference level and / or the fine preference level selected by the adult vaper over time and stores the tracked coarse preference level and / or fine preference level in the memory of the nicotine-free e-vaporizer device 500 (e.g., the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the nicotine-free e-vaporizer device 500). Further, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can determine a predicted coarse preference level based on the tracked coarse preference level and / or a predicted fine preference level based on the tracked fine preference level. The predicted coarse preference level and the predicted fine preference level may sometimes be referred to herein as predicted vaping preference levels.

[0262] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the average, median, or mode of the tracked coarse preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted coarse preference value is the average, 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.

[0263] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine-grained preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked fine-grained preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine-grained preference value is the mean, median, or mode of the tracked fine-grained preference levels that fall within a window (e.g., the last 10 tracked fine-grained preference levels). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the predicted fine-grained preference value is a weighted average of the tracked fine-grained preference levels.

[0264] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate different predicted vaping preference values for different time periods of a day. Exemplary time periods of a day are time periods during a day (e.g., 8 am to 12 noon; 12 noon to 4 pm, etc.). Thus, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate the predicted rough preference level in the morning based only on the rough preference levels tracked during the morning (e.g., 8 am to 12 noon), and calculate the predicted rough preference level in the afternoon based only on the rough preference levels tracked during the afternoon (e.g., 12 noon to 4 pm). Further, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate the predicted fine preference level in the morning based only on the fine preference levels tracked during the morning (e.g., 8 am to 12 noon), and calculate the predicted fine preference level in the afternoon based only on the fine preference levels tracked during the afternoon (e.g., 12 noon to 4 pm). The AV vaping profile update function 2340 may store the above predicted vaping preference levels in the memory of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., the storage medium 2145 of the device body 100 of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500). According to at least some exemplary embodiments, at the startup of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, the first calibration mapping function 2320 can determine the current time (e.g., 2 pm), read out the stored vaping preference levels corresponding to the current time (e.g., the predicted rough preference value and the predicted rough preference level in the afternoon) from the memory of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, and generate an operating point adjusted using the read out vaping preference levels.

[0265] Returning to FIG. 25A, the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A can also include a decrement time operation 2610, a first transfer curve selection operation 2620, a vaporizing mode identification operation 2630, and a first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, any or all of the decrement time operation 2610, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, the vaporizing mode identification operation 2630, and the first power level setting operation 2640 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A may be executed continuously. Next, the decrement time operation 2610 will be described in more detail below.

[0266] The decrement time operation 2610 decrements a timer value based on the current time input from the clock 2370. As will be described in more detail below, the timer value may be used by other operations, such as, for example, the first power level setting operation 2640. Next, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 will be described in more detail below.

[0267] In the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, the setpoint 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 the first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 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.

[0268] 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 to the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A by the first calibration mapping function 2320 include two operating points, an operating point in the pre-heating vaping mode state and an operating point in 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 whose levels change over time for one or both of the pre-heating and on-vaping mode states, as will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 25G and 25H.

[0269] Returning to FIG. 25A, as described above, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first calibration mapping function 2320 may output a plurality of operating points respectively 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 setpoint 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, when the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the 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 setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the on vaping mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the transfer curve corresponding to the on vaping mode state to the first power level setting operation 2640. Further, when the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is in the off vaping mode state, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may provide the transfer curve corresponding to the off vaping mode state to the first power level setting operation 2640. 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 level of power to the heating engine 2215 or not providing power for the off vaping mode state.According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selects a transfer curve to provide to the first power level setting operation 2640 based on the vaping mode state information received from the vaping mode identification operation 2630. Next, the vaping mode identification operation 2630 will be described in more detail below. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the transfer curve provided by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 may be a power value or may correspond to a power value.

[0270] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the vaping mode identification operation 2630 determines the current vaping mode state (e.g., off, preheat, or on) of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A 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 select a transfer curve to provide to the first power level setting 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. Next, the first power level setting operation 2640 will be described in more detail below.

[0271] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the first power level setting operation 2640 receives a transfer curve from the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 and outputs a first power level waveform 2710 according to the operating point or operating points included in the received transfer curve. The first power level setting operation 2640 may output the first power level waveform 2710 to the heating engine driver 2305, and the heating engine driver 2305 may cause the power supply 2110 to supply power to the heating engine 2215 according to the first power level waveform 2710.

[0272] FIG. 25B is a diagram showing an example of at least a part of the power level waveform output by the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A. For example, FIG. 25B shows an example of at least a part of the first power level waveform 2710 output by the first power level setting operation 2640 when the vaping mode state output from the buttonless vaping function 2310 and / or the vaping mode identification operation 2630 transitions according to the following sequence: off → preheating → on → off. In this specification, the term "power level waveform" temporally represents a waveform corresponding to the power level output by the heating engine control algorithm to the heating engine driver 2305. Further, the term "power level waveform" is considered to be synonymous with "power waveform" and is sometimes called "power waveform". According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine driver 2305 increases or decreases the amount of power provided to the heater 2215 by the power supply 2110 in a manner proportional to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level of the power level waveform output to the heating engine driver 2305.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 25B, the first power level waveform 2710 output by the first power level setting operation 2640 starts at a power level corresponding to the off vaping mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the off vaping mode state), rises from the power level corresponding to the off vaping mode state to the power level corresponding to the preheating vaping mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the preheating vaping mode state), rises from the power level corresponding to the preheating vaping mode state to the power level corresponding to the on vaping mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the preheating vaping mode state), rises from the power level corresponding to the preheating vaping mode state to the power level corresponding to the on vaping mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the on vaping mode state), and then returns and drops from the power level corresponding to the on vaping mode state to the power level corresponding to the off vaping mode state (e.g., in response to the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 selecting a transfer curve corresponding to the off vaping mode state).

[0274] As shown in FIG. 25A, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the decrement time operation 2610 may cause the first power level setting operation 2640 to perform a shutdown operation regarding the heating engine 2215 by sending a timer shutdown signal to the first power level setting operation 2640. The timer shutdown signal may sometimes 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 implement a shutdown of the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 by controlling the power level output by the first power level setting operation 2640. For example, in addition to or instead of the buttonless vaping function 2310 implementing a shutdown of the power supplied to the heating engine 2215 (for example, tracking preheating timeout events and / or vaping timeout events and outputting the off state as the current vaping mode state in the manner described above with reference to operations S2460 and S2480 in FIG. 26), the decrement time operation 2610 may track a preheating timeout value and / or a vaping timeout value with respect to the length of time that the current vaping mode state of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A is maintained as the preheating state or the on state. Further, in response to the decrement time operation 2610 determining that the preheating timeout value or the vaping timeout value has been exceeded, the decrement time operation 2610 sends a timer shutdown signal to the first power level setting operation 2640, and the first power level setting operation 2640 responds to the timer shutdown signal by outputting a power level or a power level waveform to the heating engine driver 2305, and the heating engine driver 2305 cuts off or stops the supply of power to the heating engine 2215.According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to the first power level setting operation 2640 receiving a timer shutdown signal from the decrement time operation 2610, the first power level setting operation 2640 disconnects or stops the supply of power to the heating engine 2215 by the heating engine driver 2305, regardless of the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, to stop the supply of power to the heating engine 2215.

[0275] Next, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B will be described below with reference to FIGS. 25C and 25D. Example of an adaptive heating engine control algorithm

[0276] FIG. 25C is a block diagram showing the 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 shown in FIG. 24.

[0277] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500). Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0278] Referring to FIG. 25C, according to at least some examples, during the vaping drawing scenario, the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B may correspond to the magnitude of the measured airflow rate. As used herein, the terms "airflow" and "airflow rate" refer to the speed at which air flows (i.e., the amount of air passing through per unit time) and may be measured, for example, in units of milliliters per second (mL / s).

[0279] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 25C, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B may have the same structure as the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A of FIG. 25A, except that the first power level setting operation 2640 is replaced by the adaptive power level setting operation 2642. Relative to the first power level setting operation 2640, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may additionally receive airflow measurements from one or more sensors of the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the hot wire anemometer flow sensor included in the heating engine sensor 2222, the pod sensor 2220, or the device sensor 2125). For example, the heating engine sensor 2222 may repeatedly measure the airflow rate of the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or the pod 300 with respect to the airflow and output the measured airflow to the adaptive power level setting operation 2642.

[0280] Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, during the on - vaping mode state, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may output a second power waveform 2720 based on both (i) the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 and (ii) the measured airflow output by the heating engine sensor 2222 and / or the pod sensor 2220. For example, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 may perform a mathematical operation on the power level corresponding to the output transfer curve such that the value of the adaptive power level increases as the measured airflow increases, thereby generating an adaptive power level. For example, FIG. 25D shows an exemplary relationship between the detected airflow and the adaptive power level generated by the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B according to at least some exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 25D, the adaptive power level increases as the measured airflow increases. In the example shown in FIG. 25D, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 is configured such that the relationship between the adaptive power level and the measured airflow is substantially linear. However, at least some exemplary embodiments are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 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 adaptive power level and the measured airflow is not linear. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the relationship between the adaptive power level and the measured airflow (i.e., the manner in which the adaptive power level generated changes with the change in the measured airflow) may be set according to the preference of the designer or manufacturer of the non - nicotine e - vapor device 500 and / or the pod 300.

[0281] Accordingly, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B controls the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215, and thus the temperature and / or volume of the vapor generated by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300, to change the amount of power applied to the heating engine 2215 as the airflow through the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300 changes. As a result, the temperature and / or volume of the vapor generated by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may be adjusted by adjusting the airflow of air through the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300.

[0282] Furthermore, the decrement time operation 2610 of the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B may operate in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 25A, for example, by outputting a timer shutdown signal. Further, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 responds to the timer shutdown signal by outputting to the heating engine driver 2305 a power level or power level waveform such that the heating engine driver 2305 cuts off or stops supplying power to the heating engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 receiving a timer shutdown signal from the decrement time operation 2610, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating engine 2215, regardless of the transfer curve output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 and regardless of the measured airflow.

[0283] For ease of explanation, the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B has been described above mainly with reference to the heating engine sensor 2222. However, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the measurements described with reference to FIGS. 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. Further, for ease of explanation, the process of generating an adaptive power level that varies in response to the measured air flow has been described above with reference to the heating engine control algorithm (i.e., the adaptive heating engine control algorithm 2300B), which is a modification of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A of FIG. 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 adaptive power level that varies in response to the measured air flow in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 25C.

[0284] Next, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C will be described below with reference to FIGS. 25E - 25F. Example of a temperature heating engine control algorithm

[0285] FIG. 25E is a block diagram showing the 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 shown in FIG. 24.

[0286] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C is executed by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vapor device 500). Thus, any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C (or elements thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0287] Referring to FIG. 25E, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C uses a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller 2670 to control the amount of power applied to a heating engine 2215 to achieve a desired temperature. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, as described in more detail below, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C determines a heater temperature value (e.g., heating engine temperature estimate 2674), obtains a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676), and controls, 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.

[0288] The second calibration mapping function 2324 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C may be different from the first calibration mapping function 2320 of the setpoint heating engine control algorithm 2300A in FIG. 25A in that the second calibration mapping function 2324 may output the operating point in the form of a temperature value instead of a power level. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may read the temperature value from the pod 300, or alternatively, read the operating point represented by the power value from the pod 300 and convert the operating point to a temperature value. Thus, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may output a plurality of temperature values corresponding to a plurality of vaping mode states (off, preheating, and on), respectively. Further, similar to that described above for the operating point output by the first calibration mapping function 2320, the second calibration mapping function 2324 may select the temperature value to be output for one or more of the off, preheating, and on vaping mode states based on one or both of the coarse preference level and the fine preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340.

[0289] Thereby, the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C selects, from among the temperature values output by the second calibration mapping function 2324, the temperature value corresponding 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.

[0290] As a result, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 2300C detects power information indicating a plurality of temperature set points from the detachable pod 300 included in the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500, determines the current operating mode of the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the vaping mode state output by the vaping mode identification operation 2630), and selects a temperature set point corresponding to the determined current operating mode from among the plurality of temperature set points as the target temperature value, thereby obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676).

[0291] Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the target temperature 2676 functions as a set point (i.e., a temperature set point) in a PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 2670. Other elements of the PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 2670 are as follows: the second power level setting operation 2644 is output by the PID controller 2670, and a power control signal 2672 for controlling the level of the third power waveform 2730 output by the second power level setting operation 2644 functions as a control variable of the PID control loop, and the estimated heating engine temperature 2674 output by the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 functions as a process variable of the PID control loop.

[0292] As described above, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the estimated heating engine temperature 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 measurement values from a heating engine sensor 2222 that indicate, for example, the current of the heater 2215, such as heater current heater_I, the voltage of the heater 2215, such as heater 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 can be derived or estimated. Further, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may use the electrical measurement values of the heater 2215 to determine the resistance of the heater 2215, heater resistance heater_R (e.g., using Ohm's law or other known methods). For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may determine the quotient of the heater voltage heater_V divided by the heater current heater_I as the heater resistance heater_R (i.e., heater_V / heater_I = heater_R).

[0293] Further, the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 may store a look-up table (LUT) that stores a plurality of heater resistance values as indices of a plurality of corresponding heater temperature values also stored in the LUT (e.g., in the storage medium 2145 of the device system 2100 or the non-volatile memory 2205b of the pod system 2200). As a result, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may use the previously determined heater resistance heater_R as an index of the LUT to identify (e.g., look up) the corresponding heater temperature heater_T from among the heater temperatures stored in the LUT to estimate the current temperature of the heater 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the heating engine temperature prediction function 2660 may output the heater temperature heater_T identified from the LUT as the estimated heating engine temperature 2674.

[0294] As a result, the PID controller 2670 continuously corrects the level of the power control signal 2672 so that the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 2676 and the estimated heating engine temperature 2674 becomes small or, alternatively, is minimized, or so that the third power waveform 2730 output to the heating engine driver 2305 is controlled by the second power level setting operation 2644. The difference between the target temperature 2676 and the estimated heating engine temperature 2674 can also be regarded as an error value that the PID controller 2670 acts to reduce or minimize. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second power level setting operation 2644 outputs the third power waveform 2730 such that the level of the third power waveform 2730 is controlled by the power control signal 2672. Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 25B, the heating engine driver 2305 increases or decreases the amount of power provided to the heater 2215 by the power supply 2110 in a manner proportional to an 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 reduces or, alternatively, minimizes the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value (e.g., the target temperature 2676) and the heater temperature value (e.g., the estimated heating engine temperature 2674), and controls the power level provided to the heater 2215 (e.g., by the power supply 2110 of the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500).

[0295] For example, FIG. 25F shows an example of at least a part of a power level waveform generated by a temperature heating engine control algorithm of 2300C according to at least some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 25 shows an exemplary manner in which the level of a third power waveform 2730 may change over time as the PID controller 2670 continuously corrects the power control signal 2672 provided to the second power level setting operation 2644. FIG. 25 shows an exemplary manner in which the level of the third power waveform 2730 may change when the vaping mode state output from the buttonless vaping function 2310 and / or the vaping mode identification operation 2630 transitions according to the following sequence: off → preheating → on → off.

[0296] Returning to FIG. 25E, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID controller 2670 may operate according to a known PID control method. According to at least some exemplary 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 use the two or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 2672 according to a known method.

[0297] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the pod 300 may store PID parameters for calibrating the PID controller 2670, and the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may calibrate the PID controller 2670 based on the stored parameters. For example, the PID parameters stored in the pod 300 may include any or all of a proportional gain K p , an integral gain K i , and a derivative gain K. dMoreover, the PID parameters stored in the pod 300 may further include other known PID controller parameters. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID parameters stored in the pod 300 may be selected to correspond to the characteristics of the formulation type of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation included within the pod 300 (e.g., by the designer or manufacturer of the pod 300). Thus, pods having non-nicotine pre-vapor formulations of different formulation types may have different PID parameters stored within or on the pod, and thus, the operation of the PID controller 2670 may be tailored to the characteristics of each different formulation type.

[0298] Furthermore, the decrement time operation 2610 of the temperature heating engine control algorithm at 2300C may operate in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 25A, for example, by outputting a timer shutdown signal. Additionally, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the second power level setting operation 2644 responds to the timer shutdown signal by outputting a power level or power level waveform to the heating engine driver 2305 such that the heating engine driver 2305 cuts off or stops the supply of power to the heating engine 2215. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in response to the second power level setting operation 2644 receiving the timer shutdown signal from the decrement time operation 2610, the second power level setting operation 2644 causes the heating engine driver 2305 to cut off or stop the supply of power to the heating engine 2215, regardless of the power control signal 2672 output by the first transfer curve selection operation 2620, thereby stopping the supply of power to the heating engine 2215.

[0299] Next, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D will be described below with reference to FIGS. 25G-25H. Example of a waveform heating engine control algorithm

[0300] FIG. 25G is a block diagram showing 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 shown in FIG. 24.

[0301] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D is executed by a controller 2105 of a device system 2100 included in a non-nicotine e-vapor device (e.g., non-nicotine e-vapor device 500). Thus, any or all operations described herein as being performed by the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D (or an element thereof) may be performed by the controller 2105.

[0302] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D may control the power applied to a heater 2215 (e.g., by a power supply 2110) during an on-vaping mode state so as to achieve a specified sequence (i.e., waveform) of heater temperatures, thereby resulting in a specified sequence of temperatures and / or volumes of vapor generated by the non-nicotine e-vapor device 500 and / or pod 300.

[0303] 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 it includes 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.

[0304] The third calibration mapping function 2326 may operate in the same manner as described above for the second calibration mapping function 2324 of FIG. 25E, except that instead of outputting one temperature value corresponding to the on-bypassing mode state, it outputs a waveform including a plurality of temperature values.

[0305] Furthermore, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 may operate in the same manner as described above for the second transfer curve selection operation 2624 of FIG. 25E, except that instead of outputting one target temperature 2676 corresponding to the on-bypassing mode state, it outputs a waveform including a plurality of target temperatures 2676 as shown in FIG. 25H.

[0306] FIG. 25H shows an example of at least a portion of a target temperature waveform 2676A generated by a waveform heating engine control algorithm 2300D according to at least some exemplary embodiments. The target temperature waveform 2676A shown in FIG. 25H shows the target temperature 2676 output by the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 over time. For example, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the target temperature waveform 2676A corresponds to the waveform of the temperature 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 the current time from the clock 2370. Thus, the third transfer curve selection operation 2626 may use 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.

[0307] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a calibration mapping function (e.g., the first calibration mapping function 2320) may read and output a waveform of an operating point (i.e., a power value) in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the waveform of the temperature value output by the third calibration mapping function 2326. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a transfer curve selection operation (e.g., the first transfer curve selection operation 2620 of the set point heating engine control algorithm 2300A) may output a power level waveform including a plurality of different power levels for the on-vaping mode state in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the plurality of target temperatures corresponding to the on-vaping mode state in the target temperature waveform 2676A output by the third transfer curve selection operation 2626.

[0308] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the shape of the waveform of the temperature value or the operating point read by the calibration mapping function from a pod (e.g., pod 300) may be set according to the characteristics of the formulation type of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation contained in the pod (e.g., by the designer or manufacturer of the pod). Thus, pods having non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulations of different formulation types may have different temperature value waveforms or operating point waveforms stored in or on the pod.

[0309] Furthermore, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the device body 100 may store one or more waveforms. For example, one or more waveforms may be stored in the device body 100 as a sequence of offsets applied to temperature values or operating points (e.g., a single temperature value or operating point) output by a calibration mapping function (e.g., the third calibration mapping function 2326) with respect to the on-vaping mode state. For example, a transfer curve selection operation (e.g., the third transfer curve selection operation 2626) may read one or more waveforms stored in the device body 100 to generate a target temperature waveform or a power waveform having a plurality of different values with respect to the on-vaping mode, such as the target temperature waveform 2676A illustrated in FIG. 25H, and apply an offset corresponding to the read waveform to the on-state temperature value or operating point output by the calibration mapping function.

[0310] Although numerous exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such changes that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a heater of a non-nicotine e-vaping device, wherein the non-nicotine e-vaping device comprises a detachable container for containing a non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation, the method comprising: detecting, from the detachable container, power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point, the power information comprising a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to a plurality of rough preference levels, the plurality of operating points comprising the first operating point and the second operating point; receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the non-nicotine e-vaping device, a selection of a rough preference level from among the plurality of rough preference levels; selecting, from among the plurality of operating points, an operating point corresponding to the selected rough preference level as the second operating point; supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information, wherein supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information comprises: determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point; supplying the first amount of power to the heater in a first operating mode of the heater; determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point; supplying the second amount of power to the heater in a second operating mode of the heater, wherein the second amount of power is higher than the first amount of power.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first amount of power supplied in the first operating mode is an amount that causes the heater to heat the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation contained in the non-nicotine e-vaping device to a temperature below the boiling point of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation; and the second amount of power supplied in the second operating mode is an amount that causes the heater to heat the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation contained in the non-nicotine e-vaping device to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the non-nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation is contained in the detachable container.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the detachable container includes the heater.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the second amount of power comprises: receiving, by the non-nicotine e-vaping device from an external element, a selection of a fine preference level from among a plurality of fine preference levels; determining the second power amount based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 6** In the method according to claim 5, the external element is a wireless communication device, receiving the selection of the fine preference level comprises receiving, by the non-nicotine e-vaping device, the selection of the fine preference level via a wireless communication link between the non-nicotine e-vaping device and the external element. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 7** In the method according to claim 1, the plurality of operating points comprises a first plurality of operating points, the method comprises receiving, via the one or more touch sensors disposed on the non-nicotine e-vaping device, a selection of a second coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels; selecting the operating point as the first operating point from among the first plurality of operating points, the operating point corresponding to the selected second coarse preference level. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 8** In the method according to claim 7, determining the first power amount comprises receiving, by the non-nicotine e-vaping device from an external element, a selection of a fine preference level from among a plurality of fine preference levels; determining the first power amount based on the first operating point and the selected fine preference level. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 9** In the method according to claim 8, the external element is a wireless communication device, receiving the selection of the fine preference level comprises receiving, by the non-nicotine e-vaping device, the selection of the fine preference level via a wireless communication link between the non-nicotine e-vaping device and the external element. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 10** In the method according to claim 8, the plurality of operating points comprises a second plurality of operating points, selecting the operating point from among the plurality of operating points comprises selecting the operating point from among the second plurality of operating points. A method comprising the steps of: **Claim 11** In the method according to claim 10, determining the second power amount Determining the second amount of electric power based on the second operating point and the selected fine preference level, Method. **Claim 12** In the method according to claim 11, The external element is a wireless communication device, Receiving the selection of the fine preference level, The method comprising receiving, by the non-nicotine e-cigarette device, the selection of the fine preference level via a wireless communication link between the non-nicotine e-cigarette device and the external element. **Claim 13** In the method according to claim 1, Detecting the power information, The method comprising reading, by the non-nicotine e-cigarette device, the power information from an image disposed on the detachable container. **Claim 14** In the method according to claim 13, The image comprises a QR code (registered trademark), Reading the power information, The method comprising reading, by the non-nicotine e-cigarette device, the power information from the QR code (registered trademark) disposed on the detachable container. **Claim 15** In the method according to claim 1, Detecting the power information, The method comprising reading, by the non-nicotine e-cigarette device, the power information from the memory of the detachable container. **Claim 16** A method for controlling a heater of a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device, The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device comprises a detachable container for containing an aerosol-forming substrate, The method comprises, Detecting power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point from the detachable container, the power information comprising a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to a plurality of coarse preference levels, the plurality of operating points comprising the first operating point and the second operating point, Receiving, via one or more touch sensors disposed on the heat-not-burn aerosol generating device, a selection of a coarse preference level from among the plurality of coarse preference levels, Selecting, from among the plurality of operating points, the operating point corresponding to the selected coarse preference level as the second operating point, Supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information, wherein supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information, Determining a first amount of electric power based on the first operating point; In the first operating mode of the heater, supplying the first amount of electric power to the heater; Determining a second amount of electric power based on the second operating point; In the second operating mode of the heater, supplying the second amount of electric power to the heater, which is performed by; The second amount of electric power is higher than the first amount of electric power.

17. In the method according to claim 16, The first amount of electric power supplied during the first operating mode is an amount by which the heater heats the aerosol-forming substrate accommodated in the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device to a temperature lower than the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The second amount of electric power supplied during the second operating mode is an amount by which the heater heats the aerosol-forming substrate accommodated in the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device to a temperature equal to or higher than the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate.

18. In the method according to claim 16, The power information includes a plurality of operating points respectively corresponding to a plurality of rough preference levels. The method includes: Receiving a selection of a rough preference level from among the plurality of rough preference levels via the one or more touch sensors disposed on the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device; Selecting, as the second operating point, the operating point corresponding to the selected rough preference level among the plurality of operating points. Method.

19. In the method according to claim 16, The plurality of operating points includes a first plurality of operating points. The method includes: Receiving a selection of a second rough preference level from among the plurality of rough preference levels via the one or more touch sensors disposed on the heat-not-burn aerosol generation device; Selecting, as the first operating point, the operating point corresponding to the selected second rough preference level among the plurality of operating points.

20. In the method according to claim 16, Detecting the power information includes: The heat-not-burn aerosol generation device reads the power information from an image disposed on the detachable container.

21. In the method according to claim 16, Detecting the power information includes: A method, wherein the heat not burn aerosol generation device reads the power information from the memory of the detachable container.

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