ELECTRONIC VAPING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refillable liquid mouthpiece or pod for a vaping device that includes capacitive sensing plates in the liquid reservoir of the tip. A liquid filling device supplies liquid to the vaping device, drawn from a refill bottle. The filling device includes a capacitance measurement circuit. A microcontroller uses data from the capacitance measurement circuit to determine whether the liquid level in the liquid reservoir of the tip is above or below a threshold level. If it is below, a liquid pump in the filling device is activated to draw liquid from the refill bottle and pump it through the vaping device into the liquid reservoir of the tip. Pumping ceases once the liquid reaches the threshold level.

Description

Field of Invention The field of the invention relates to an electronic vaping system. Vaping systems provide an inhalable aerosol that may contain nicotine or other substances; they are typically used as alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Background of the Invention Vaping devices come in various form factors; the simplest use small pods attached to a slim body, which contains a battery and simple control electronics. The pod is pre-filled at a factory with a liquid, often called e-liquid, and includes a small reservoir (typically 0.7 ml to 1.3 ml) of this liquid, a small wick, and a heating element wound around the wick. When the user inhales, a small pressure switch is activated, which in turn causes current to heat the coil and generate a spray that is inhaled. The pods can hold the equivalent of 10 or 20 nicotine cigarettes, and regular vapers may use 1 or 2 pods per day. The pods are not recyclable, and there is growing concern about the tens of millions of these pods currently being discarded in landfills. Some vaping device designs can Ref. 317248 refillable e-cigarettes, and therefore do not use these small pre-filled pods. Instead, a user opens a small bottle of e-liquid, unscrews their vaping device to expose an internal liquid reservoir, and drips or squeezes its contents into the reservoir; however, this can be somewhat complicated and inconvenient. The overall user interaction with conventional refillable e-cigarettes (which covers all aspects of how the user controls, refills, recharges, and generally interacts with the device) can be complex, and this is reflected in their often quite technical design, with several control buttons. The overall user interaction is rarely intuitively clear. This is very different from the simple and straightforward (and, for smokers, deeply appealing) ritual of opening a pack of conventional cigarettes and lighting them.The complex user interaction that characterizes conventional refillable electronic cigarettes has nothing to do with the attractive ritual or simplicity of opening a pack of cigarettes and lighting them. Designing a vaping system that replicates the simplicity of a conventional cigarette is a considerable challenge, but it is key to the mass adoption of electronic cigarettes by smokers, and therefore key to achieving their considerable public health potential. This description is based on the descriptions in the following patent publications, the contents of which are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent permitted: US 9,247,773, US10,131,532, US10,149,497 and US10285449. Brief Description of the Invention The invention is a vaping system that includes: (a) an automatically refillable liquid reservoir that supplies liquid to an atomizer; (b) a liquid level sensing subsystem that directly or indirectly measures, infers or detects the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid reservoir, by measuring the electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir that vary depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir; and (c) a fluid transfer system configured to automatically transfer liquid to the liquid reservoir under the control of the liquid level sensing subsystem. Brief Description of the Figures The invention will be described with reference to the following figures, which show features and aspects of the AYR vaping system. Figure 1 shows the range of four different vaping devices in the AYR vaping system. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a case κ c ι\ of filling and recharging for a vaping device. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vaping device. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the refill and recharge case with its extruded outer cover removed, showing the key internal components. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the refill and refill case with its extruded outer cover removed, and the refill bottle shown outside the case. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the filling and refilling case. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the vaping device body with the tip or capsule removed. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vaping device body. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper end of the vaping device body, showing the liquid, electrical, and power interfaces. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of the vaping device body, showing the liquid filling opening and valve. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tip or capsule. Figure 12 is a view of the capsule with the external nozzle removed, showing the κ detection plates internal capacitive c. Figure 13 is a view of the capsule with the external nozzle removed, showing one of the internal capacitive sensing plates and the silicone sleeve that surrounds and supports an atomizing element within the silicone sleeve. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the capsule, showing how all the elements shown in the exploded view of Figure 11 fit together. Figure 15 shows dimensioned engineering drawings of the capsule. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the inner part of the capsule called the chimney, which directs a vortex of air towards the atomization unit. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the complete capsule, showing how all the elements shown in the exploded view of Figure 11 fit together. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the refill fluid bottle that is inserted into the refill and recharge case. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the refill liquid bottle, disassembled to show the authentication chip, cap, stopper, and dip tube separated from the bottle body. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of > k6! CC i the refillable liquid bottle with the child-resistant cap. 2 Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the refill liquid bottle without the child-resistant cap. Figure 22 is an additional cross-sectional view of the refill liquid bottle without the child-resistant cap. Figure 23 is a perspective view of the peristaltic motor and pump. Figure 24 is a front view of the peristaltic motor and pump. Figure 25 is a front view of the peristaltic motor and pump including the liquid tube. Figure 26 is a schematic of the electrical and electronic components in the refill and recharge case and the Wi-Fi docking station into which it is inserted. Figure 27 is a schematic of the electrical and electronic components in the vaping device (VD) body and the tip or pod. Figure 28 is a schematic of the electrical and electronic components in a Wi-Fi coupling with an integral pump and a custom ASIC. Figure 29 is a schematic of the electrical and electronic components in a vaping device (VD) body and tip that is refilled and recharged using the coupling shown in Figure 28, which also includes an ASIC. Figure 30 is a perspective view of the refill and recharge case over the Wi-Fi docking station into which it is inserted and the general data connectivity schemes available. Figure 31 is a schematic of the liquid level detection system that measures the liquid level at the tip and controls the fluid filling pump. Figure 32 is a schematic of the capacitance measurement circuit used in the liquid level detection system. Figure 33 is a graph showing the capacitance measurements against the liquid mass achieved by the liquid level detection system. Figure 34 is a graph showing the capacitance measurements versus temperature achieved by the liquid level detection system. Figure 35 shows several views of a soft bag design of a liquid-filled bottle. Detailed Description of the Invention We will describe an implementation of the invention called the AYR™ vaping system. The AYR vaping device includes a number of features that aid in manufacturability, ease of use, and recyclability. We organize these features into the following four main areas: A. Mechanical or construction characteristics B. Software / Electronics Features C. Data and connectivity characteristics D. Liquid handling and filling characteristics A preliminary note on terminology: While the primary use case we describe is for an e-liquid vaping device that provides an inhalable nicotine mist or spray, some features are more broadly applicable, including, for example, vaping devices that do not use liquids but instead heat tobacco without burning it. Therefore, the terms 'vaping', 'vaping device', 'vaping device', 'personal vaporizing device', and 'PV' should be broadly interpreted to include electronic cigarette-type devices of all form factors (including closed pods or open tanks, or any other system), heat-not-burn vaping devices, hybrid devices that combine both heat-not-burn with liquid atomization, and devices that allow not only nicotine but also other substances, such as CBD and THC, to be inhaled, whether for medicinal or recreational purposes. Therefore, a 'vaping' or 'vaporizing' device can be used to deliver any atomizable liquid; the term 'liquid' and 'e-liquid' should be interpreted broadly to cover any liquid, gel, or > k9! E-liquid and any other atomizable substance, including nicotine and nicotine salts of varying concentrations, zero-nicotine liquids, CBD liquids, THC liquids, medicated liquids, liquids with any flavoring or botanical or synthetic constituent. The term 'atomizer' should be interpreted broadly to cover any device that can create an atomization, aerosol, mist, or fine droplets for the purpose of inhalation; an atomizer may include a heated element (e.g., a coil of wire wound around a wick, or a flat heating element formed into a wick, a micro-engineered steel sheet, or indeed any other system that generates atomization, aerosol, mist, or fine droplets, such as a piezoelectric cold fog generator). A vaping device may also be a consumer device or a medically approved device. One specific implementation, which we will describe and is known as the AYR™ system, uses a heated coil mounted within a ceramic wick that carries nicotine-containing e-liquid from a reservoir to the heated coil. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to that specific implementation. A. Mechanical or Construction Characteristics General Description of the AYR Vaping System The AYR vaping system is a flexible vaping platform encompassing four main variants: AYRVape™, > κ £ c C i AYRBase™, AYRCase™, and AYRMod™. All variants use the same underlying software and hardware, resulting in economies of scale in development and manufacturing. We will describe each in turn, at a high level. Figure 1 shows each of these four variants; running from left to right, we have AYRVape, usually denoted by 1, which has the form factor of a conventional pod-type prefilled vaping device, such as a Vype ePod™. This can be used as a standalone vaping system, using prefilled, single-use, disposable e-liquid pods 2 that are not user-refillable. A pod 2 slides into the top of the vaping device body 10; the pods 2 are color-coded on their lower half, with different colors representing different flavors.The capsules include an authentication chip that is read by a microprocessor in the device body. The authentication chip prevents the use of counterfeit capsules and also prevents illicit refilling (for example, with illegal liquids that have not undergone proper safety testing). The authentication chip also stores a complete record of the capsule's filling date, the liquid's batch number, and the payment of any applicable taxes or excise duties. Because these pods contain a relatively small amount of liquid (e.g., 1.5 ml), they need to be replaced perhaps daily for a regular user. This has a significant environmental impact because these pods are not recyclable. It can also be frustrating for users who run out of pods, making them more likely to return to smoking cigarettes. AYRBase, usually denoted as 6, addresses these problems. It is a desktop docking station into which the user inserts their vaping device. Instead of a pod that has been factory-filled with liquid, the user slides a special refillable pod onto the vaping device body. The vaping device body is therefore compatible with both pre-filled and refillable pods.The refillable pod 11 includes elements of a liquid level sensing system: a pair of sensing plates in the liquid reservoir, extending substantially to half the height of that reservoir. The sensing plates are used to measure capacitance; capacitance increases as the liquid level in the reservoir rises. A capacitance measurement circuit (usually in the fill base 6) controls the liquid pump: if the capacitance is below a threshold when the vaping device is placed in the coupling 6 and a liquid level measurement is taken, then the pump is activated, pumping fresh liquid into the refillable pod 11 until the threshold is reached. The prefilled pods 2 >. k12! CC i (i.e., factory prefilled) do not include 2 detection plates. Therefore, the coupling 6 automatically fills the specially designed refillable pod 11, installed in the vaping device body 10, with fresh e-liquid. The refillable pod 11 has the same external dimensions as the non-refillable single-use pods 2, but is a single color. The e-liquid comes from a 10ml liquid refill canister 5 that is inserted into the base of the coupling 6 and connected to a fluid transfer system in the coupling 6. The liquid refill canister 5 is fully recyclable and also includes an anti-counterfeiting or authentication component so that only authorized canisters are recognized and usable by the coupling (or vaping device). Refilling the canisters by the user results in a canister from which liquid cannot be pumped, rendering the refill useless.While 10 ml is the maximum permitted capacity in the EU, in other markets, much larger bottles could be used legally, which may appeal to cost-conscious consumers. The Vape Device 1 is therefore a hybrid; it can function as a conventional vape device with pre-filled pods, but also as a refillable vape device. Normally, a user will maintain docking 6 > k13! CC i at home or on your office desk; the 2 vape device 10 and refillable pod 11 is filled with the user's desired e-liquid flavor in less than 10 seconds; when removed from the desktop docking, it is effectively a new and full vape device, without the need to discard the pod each time it is refilled. Some users prefer not to have a desktop power and e-liquid refill dock, but instead include all that functionality in a portable case: this is AYRCase, usually indicated by 7. The portable case stores, automatically recharges, and refills the vaping device 10 and the refillable pod or tip 11. It includes a large rechargeable battery; the refill bottle 5 is inserted into the base of the case 7, where it docks with a fluid transfer system in the case. The final AYR variant is the AYRMod, usually indicated with an 8: this is a one-piece vaping device with a large battery of at least 2,000mAh for high-power vaping; the same refillable bottle 5 is now inserted directly into the vaping device 8; the AYRMod 8 vaping device also works with the same refillable tip 11 used across the entire AYR range, as well as the same refillable tips 2 that also work across the entire range. Because the refillable tip 11 does not need to be discarded after its e-liquid is depleted, but can be refilled and reused multiple times (typically 10–20 times), it can incorporate more sophisticated and expensive atomizing technology (such as the wickless, coilless Distiller Piate™ or BAT's pureTech™ stainless steel leaf atomizer) than a conventional single-use disposable pod, leading to better and safer aerosol production. Further details on this leaf atomizer technology can be found in WO2018211252 and WO2018224823, the contents of which are incorporated for reference to the maximum permitted grade. The Ayr system uses a closed-loop temperature control system that maintains the heating coil within the desired temperature range to ensure the safe and predictable generation of chemicals in the resulting aerosol. For example, it prevents the formation of formaldehyde in the aerosol, or the formation of THC from CBD liquids, which can occur if the coil temperature is too high. For nicotine e-liquid with a 50:50 PV / VG mix, this is 280 degrees Celsius, plus or minus 20 degrees Celsius. Precise temperature control of the heating element has also been found to significantly increase its lifespan, minimizing the environmental impact of these devices.Precise temperature control of the atomizing element, along with the use of a liquid refill bottle, has been found to synergistically minimize the overall environmental impact of the AYR system, as the pods last much longer before requiring replacement and the refill bottles are recyclable. Now we will take a closer look at each variant. AYRVape Overview At AYRVape, the AYR 1 0 vaping device body takes 2 pre-filled e-liquid pods. The pods are 'sealed', meaning that each pod is sealed after authorized filling with e-liquid and then the end user cannot refill it: this ensures compliance with safety regulations (such as the European Tobacco Products Regulation 2014 / 40 / EU) and ensures that only the highest quality e-liquid from an authorized source is present in the pod. The different flavor pods use different colors on their lower half; this is the portion that is fully inserted into the vape device body. A small cutout 3 on the main vape device body 10 displays the color, so the user can see at a glance which flavor is being used. The vape device body 10 includes a USB charging port and can be recharged from a conventional USB charging dock or pad 4. However, the internal engineering of the vaporizer body or vaping device differs from a conventional body because it includes features that allow it to work with a refillable tip or pod, and not just with a conventional pre-filled sealed pod (i.e., one that is filled by a manufacturer and sold to the consumer pre-filled and is not intended to be refilled). It has a fluid intake opening or nozzle and a valve to which an external source of e-liquid can be connected; in the AYR system, this is a 10ml e-liquid refill bottle.The fluid intake opening or nozzle is connected via a liquid tube or pathway; the tube or pathway carries liquid (pumped from an external electric pump for the AYRBase 6 and AYRCase 7 variants; pumped from an internal pump for the AYRMod 8 variant) to the refillable atomizing pod 11 located on top of the body 10; the body includes a circuit that detects the liquid level in the refillable pod or tip so that automatic refilling can start and stop correctly; it also includes a temperature regulation circuit so that the atomizer heats the liquid to the correct temperature; and it also includes the same anti-counterfeiting or authentication components as the prefilled pods 2, so that only authorized pods 11 can be used with the system. The vaping device 10 can track a wide variety of performance and other data. It can send this data, via physical contacts, to the desktop docking station 6 or the portable refill and recharge case 7. The docking station 6 or case 7 may then include built-in Wi-Fi or 3G / 4G / 5G connectivity to a web server that offers age verification and data analysis services, or it may dock or connect with an accessory that provides this connectivity. Alternatively, the vaping device 10 may itself include short-range wireless connectivity (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or UWB) to a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, etc.or another user device (the term 'smartphone' will be used generically to cover any type of connected device) and use the connectivity capabilities of that smartphone to connect to a remote server; direct connectivity can also be implemented from the vaping device 10 or 8 to the smartphone and then to the Web (e.g., via Bluetooth Web and a smartphone browser that both supports Bluetooth Web and works on iOS and Android, or UWB, or any other suitable system). Connectivity to a web server-based age verification system allows the server to send an unlock signal (directly or indirectly) to the Vape Device 10, either directly or through any intermediary device(s) in place, to permit normal vaping only if the user meets the age verification system's requirements. The Vape Device 10 also captures a wide range of > κ £ c C 1 information on use and device, which may be particularly relevant when the device is used as part of a clinical trial, or when the user is interested in monitoring use, for example, as an aid to a smoking cessation or nicotine quitting program. AYRBase Overview As stated above, a non-refillable pre-filled pod 2 can be replaced with a refillable pod or tip 11. This brings us to the AYRBase variant 6; the same AYRVape vaporizer body 10 can be placed in a base or desktop docking station 6; a small liquid refill bottle (e.g., 10 ml) 5 is inserted into the docking station 6 and a small electric micropump (e.g., a peristaltic or piezoelectric pump or other low-cost pump) in the docking station then automatically draws the liquid from the refill bottle 5 and pumps it into the vaping device body 10; it then flows upwards through the body via a liquid path and into the refillable tip 11. The refillable pod or tip 11 includes a liquid level detection subsystem (e.g., capacitive sensing plates inside the liquid reservoir of pod 11, which is gradually filled with liquid during refilling). This subsystem allows the changing capacitance of the reservoir to be measured by a capacitive sensing circuit, which in turn automatically activates the electric micro-pump when the detected liquid level in the tip's reservoir falls below a defined amount. The pump then deactivates the micro-pump when the liquid level reaches that defined amount, indicating sufficient liquid in the refillable tip's reservoir. Once refilling stops, the vaping device is ready for use. For the AYRBase 6, Dock 6 includes a power charging system to recharge the rechargeable battery in the vape device body 10. A typical user might dock the vape device body 10 into Dock 6; the body 10 is then refilled (taking less than 10 seconds for a full refill of typically 1 ml) from the refill liquid bottle 5, and the battery continues charging in the vape device. Many users like to dock the body 10 to the vape device 10, 11 at night, just as they dock or connect their smartphones to a charger. In the morning, the vape device 10, 11 is ready to use, with a fully recharged battery and a full liquid reservoir, just like a brand new vape device. The AYR 5 refill bottle eliminates the cost and waste of disposing of conventional single-use, non-refillable prefilled pods. These conventional non-refillable prefilled pods are virtually impossible to recycle, as they include not only a plastic casing but also a fine-wire heating coil and a ceramic wick. However, AYR 5 refill bottles are fully recyclable. Furthermore, while they are limited to 10 ml capacity in the EU, these limits may not apply in other markets. Therefore, a 50 ml or 100 ml+ bottle could be used, providing very economical e-liquid from a fully recyclable source. An AYR refillable pod or tip, which uses a conventional heating wire wound around a ceramic core, will need replacing, typically after 30 ml of e-liquid has passed through it, as residue builds up over time and affects vaping performance. Since a conventional pre-filled tip holds 0.7–1.5 ml of e-liquid, the AYR refillable tip is used 20–40 times more than a non-refillable pod or tip in a conventional system. The combination of a large refillable bottle with a very long-lasting atomizer allows for economical and environmentally friendly vaping. Therefore, AYR is considerably more environmentally friendly than conventional atomizer-type pod-based vaping devices, such as Juul™ pods. An AYR refillable tip uses more advanced atomization technology designed for greater longevity, such as a micro-engineered stainless steel blade, for example, the Distiller system. British American Tobacco's Piate™ foot may need to be replaced even less frequently and is therefore potentially even more environmentally friendly. AYRBase 6 includes Wi-Fi connectivity to the user's smartphone; the smartphone can communicate with a remote server. A small icon, which appears as an app icon (but is not actually an app, i.e., something available on the Apple App Store or Android Play Store or another digital distribution center), appears on the user's smartphone screen alongside the app icons; selecting this small icon automatically executes a routine that loads a specific URL in the smartphone's web browser; this is the URL of a remote server that provides age verification services and can also ingest and analyze device usage data. General Description of AYRCase The same vape device body 10 with a refillable tip 11 can be used not only in the AYRBase 6 docking station, but also in the AYRCase 7 portable case, shown third from the left in Figure 1. The AYRCase 7 includes the same micro-pump as the AYRBase 6 and accepts the same 10ml e-liquid refill bottle. However, it is a fully portable solution, allowing the user to carry the AYR vape device 10, 11 for several days at a time, fully protected in the case 7 and ready to automatically recharge and refill with atomizable e-liquid whenever the vape device 10, 11 is reinserted into the case 7.The 10, 11 vape device also remains fully compatible with pre-filled pods 2; therefore, a user can try different flavors of pre-filled pods and then purchase the more expensive 10 mi 5 refill bottle once they have decided on a favorite flavor or flavors. General Description of AYRMod The final variant is a one-piece vape device with a large battery, typically at least 2000 mAh, called the AYRMod 8; smaller or larger batteries are also possible. The same refill bottle 5 now inserts directly into the AYRMod 8; the AYRMod 8 also works with the same refillable tip 11 used across the entire AYR range. The main difference is the increased battery performance, thus appealing to users who enjoy the experience and a higher-powered 'mod'-style vape device. The AYRMod 8 is also fully compatible with pre-filled pods 2; therefore, a user can try different flavors from the pre-filled pods and then purchase the more expensive 10ml (or other capacity) refill bottle 5 once they have decided on a favorite flavor or flavors.In some markets, as noted above, the regulations allow refilling bottles of more than 10 ml, and in those markets, AYRMod 8 could use refill bottles of 20 ml or more. In the following table, we summarize some key features of AYR that are absent in a conventional pod-type vaping system. AYR System Features: Conventional Pod System. Hybrid platform supporting both pre-filled and refillable pods. Not restricted to pre-filled pods only. Sophisticated, high-performance atomization technology can be used. Not inherently restricted to low-cost, disposable atomizers with the associated contamination risks. The key consumable is a fully recyclable, ultra-low-cost, sealed e-liquid refill bottle or pod designed for fully automated mass manufacturing. Not the pod itself, a much more complex consumable that includes an atomizer and is not recyclable. Long shelf life of sealed e-liquid refill bottles or pods for maximum appeal to distributors, retailers, and consumers. Not inherently limited by nicotine / atomizer contamination.The pre-filled capsules and 10ml refill bottles include an authentication chip for protection against counterfeiting and to prevent user refilling. No – the authentication chip is absent; counterfeits are becoming increasingly common, and the danger of illicit liquids is becoming evident. The modular design supports a family of different products, appealing to different users and channels, and enabling rapid product iteration, a quick response to test results and changing market conditions and consumer needs, all with the possibility of substantial equivalence under PTMA. No – just one product. It collects and shares valuable data that provides insights into behavior and electronic compliance, driving consumer engagement and future channel innovation.No - data capture is completely absent; no automatic electronic compliance. The duration of a vaping session can be equivalent to smoking a cigarette, allowing for intuitive awareness of e-liquid consumption. No - common all-day grazing. The single-bottle or pod design (e.g., 5ml or 10ml) can be used across a wide range of devices, including sub-ohm modifications, to maximize appeal to distributors, retailers, and consumers, and further reduce costs through economies of scale. No, the pods are for a single device design. Precise closed-loop atomizer temperature control ensures predictable vapor production and extended atomizer life. No, the atomizer temperature can vary widely. The following table lists the types of data (all of which are timestamped) that the AYR vaping system collects and, subject to user consent and applicable data protection laws, is sent to a remote server for analysis. > k25! CC i Data Captured by AYR Vaping device operating status: unlocked Vaping device operating status: locked Vaping device handling status: inserted in the case or docking station Vaping device handling status: removed from case or docking Vaping device operating status: firmware version Vaping device operating status: firmware updated Vaping device operating status: inhalation initiated Vaping device operation status: inhalation completed Vaping device operation status: session started Vaping device operation status: session ended Vaping device operating status: refilled Vaping device operating status: fill level reading Heating status: atomizer temperature Heating state: discreet mode enabled Heating status: discreet mode disabled Heating state: ambient temperature Case or coupling status: active Case or coupling status: on standby Case or docking status: set time / date Case or coupling status: load status Case or docking status: charging Case or coupling status: fault condition Case or docking status: firmware version Case or docking status: firmware version Case or docking status: firmware updated PV status: inserted PV status: removed PV status: filling started PV status: landfill stopped PV status: fluid level Bottle condition: batch number Bottle condition: type of flavor or liquid Bottle condition: nicotine concentration Bottle status: Unique ID Bottle status: non-tamperable countdown counter value Bottle status: Excise tax payment ID or unique code Because AYR is a data-centric and fully connected system, it enables the generation of valuable feedback and insights. This can be in real time or near real time, where the vaping device is connected to a remote server (for example, the vaping device can deliver real-time data because it includes an integrated wireless module, or it can send real-time data via Bluetooth to a smartphone, which can then forward that data to the remote server). Alternatively, the data can be downloaded from the vaping device to a portable or desktop docking station, for example, overnight when The vaping device is returned to the docking station for an overnight power recharge, and then the docking station sends the data; this may only happen once or twice a day. Data of this accuracy and comprehensiveness is especially important for public health agencies and scientists seeking to better understand how vaping devices are used. We summarize them in the following table: Data Captured by AYR Vision: Flavor and concentration of e-liquid. Feedback to bottle filling and logistics factories to ensure the most popular flavors are in store and online when needed. Flavor and concentration of new e-liquids being vaped in test releases. Feedback to e-liquid and flavor development specialists – ensures rapid, evidence-based creation and rollout of new flavors. Geolocation (e.g., via a smartphone app where the vaping device is tethered or connected via a short signal). Feedback to bottle filling and logistics factories to ensure the most popular flavors are in store or online in cities or regions where > κ £ c C Range (such as Bluetooth or UWB) of the flavor and concentration of the e-liquid to be vaped. More are needed. E-liquid level in the bottle. The SMS text or app can tell the user when to buy more - for example, through electronic fulfillment, and provide special offers / coupons to use in vape shops or online. Flavor and concentration of the e-liquid to be vaped. Feedback to consumers suggesting other flavors they might like. Self-reporting (via the app) on ongoing cigarette consumption. Feedback on the impact on cigarette consumption. Patterns of use over time. Correlation with advertising or marketing to determine effectiveness. Patterns of use over time. Insight into the product's lasting appeal. Time of use; time of each vaping session (was it more like smoking? More like a cigarette?); amount of e-liquid consumed. Insight into how consumers actually use these products.Self-reporting (via the app) of age, sex, and other demographic data. Demographic insights into device usage, how, and when. Excise tax payment data. Insights and validation for tax authorities. Now we will delve deeper into capturing the specific features in AYR that are not present in conventional vaping systems. Vaping device that works with both pre-filled and refillable tips or pods In the previous section, we described how AYR is a hybrid vaping device: it can use conventional pre-filled sealed pods 2 (sometimes called cartomizers); these slide into, snap into, or fit into the AYR vaping device body 10; a magnetic attachment can be used. But it can also use refillable pods 11, which again slide into, snap into, or fit into the AYR vaping device body 10 in the conventional way. The vaping device 10 can be inserted into a refilling dock (such as a desktop docking station 6 for AYRBase or a portable case 7 for AYRCase), and a refill bottle 5 connected to a pump in the docking 6, 7 then automatically replenishes the e-liquid into the vaping device pod 11. Alternatively, the vaping device itself can include the pump and refill bottle 5, as in AYRMod.This platform approach increases the reuse of components across multiple devices, each serving different market segments, reduces engineering development time due to the similarity of core aspects across all devices, and reduces regulatory costs and effort because components relevant to regulatory approval are essentially shared. We can summarize and generalize this characteristic as follows: A portable vaping device configured to work with; (a) a non-user-refillable liquid reservoir (or 'capsule') and atomizer combination that (i) can be attached to, and removed from, a main body of the device and that (ii) are supplied to an end user pre-filled with liquid; and to also operate with: (b) a user-refillable combined liquid reservoir (or 'capsule') and atomizer that can be (i) attached to, and removed from, the main body of the device and are (ii) configured to be automatically refilled with liquid multiple times using a fluid transfer system. Some optional features: • The size and shape of the pre-filled pod and the refillable pod match each other to allow the same main body of the vaping device to work with both the pre-filled pod and the refillable pod. • The main body of the vaping device is configured to slide, dock, or otherwise fit with a desktop docking station that is configured to fill and refill a refillable pod installed in the device. • The main body of the device is configured to slide, dock, or otherwise fit with a portable docking station that is in turn configured to fill and recharge a κ capsule c refillable installed in the device. • The portable docking station is a case that safely stores the device and automatically refills and recharges it. The vaping device body includes a fluid path leading from a fluid inlet to a stem or nozzle or opening that is configured to engage with a reciprocal opening, stem or nozzle on the refillable pod. The vaping device body includes a slot or other opening that reveals a portion of a pod inserted or otherwise attached to the body to allow the user to taste the liquid in that pod. • The refillable capsule includes a liquid level detection subsystem. • The vaping device body includes a subsystem that measures or uses signals from the liquid level detection subsystem in the refillable pod. The vaping device body includes a subsystem that sends signals from the liquid level detection subsystem in the refillable pod to a microcontroller that controls a fluid transfer system. The microcontroller is in the vaping device itself, in a desktop dock, or in a κ dock. c ι\ of portable case. • The fluid transfer system is in the vaping device itself, or a desktop or laptop case docking station, and is configured to refill a refillable pod installed in the device. The fluid transfer system automatically stops pumping when the liquid in the refillable capsule's liquid reservoir reaches a preset level or amount. The portable vaping device includes a rechargeable battery, a fluid transfer system, a liquid level detection subsystem, and a liquid filling container. The portable vaping device includes a rechargeable battery and is configured to be coupled with an external fluid transfer system and an external liquid level detection subsystem. • The refillable capsule is also provided pre-filled with liquid at a point of sale. • The refillable tank that is configured to be refilled using the pump is provided empty of liquid at a point of sale. • The pre-filled capsule includes an authentication chip or module. • The refillable capsule includes an authentication chip or module. • The vaping device body includes an authentication subsystem that reads the authentication chip or module and only works if an authentication routine is passed. • The pre-filled or refillable pod uses an atomizer that is one of the following: a cotton wick and wire coil; a ceramic wick and wire coil; a ceramic wick and flat coil; a ceramic wick and non-flat coil; a wickless and coilless atomizer; a metal leaf type atomizer. In this document, we will follow this approach of expressing a generalization of a feature, along with some optional features that can be implemented with that feature. Any generalized feature can be combined with one or more compatible generalized features, and any optional feature can be combined with one or more generalized features and one or more optional features. Pre-filled and refillable tips or pods that work with different types of vaping devices In the previous section, we also analyzed things from the perspective of the characteristics of a portable vaping device 10, 8 that can work with different types of pods, both pre-filled closed pods 2 and > κ34! CC and also automatically refillable pods 11. In AYR, the 2 pre-filled and refillable pods work with a portable vaping device that can be refilled from a desktop dock 6 (AYRDock) or a portable dock 7, such as a refill and recharge case (AYRCase), as well as when the vaping device is a standalone device 8 to which the refill bottle 5 or container (AYRMod 8) can be directly attached. Therefore, we can also look at things from the perspective of a refillable pod that can work with different types of vaping devices (e.g., a standalone vaping device with an integrated pump and refill bottle; a vaping device in combination with a refill docking station for that device; a vaping device in combination with a refill docking case for that device). We can generalize as follows: A vaping system comprising (i) a refillable tip or pod and (ii) a non-refillable prefilled tip or pod, each configured to fit into, or attach to, two or more of the following vaping devices: (a) a portable vaping device body without an integral liquid transfer pump; (b) a portable vaping device body configured to be coupled with a liquid filling coupling that includes a liquid pump; κ c (c) a portable vaping device body configured to be coupled with a portable case including a liquid pump; and (d) a portable vaping device body with an integral liquid pump. Some optional features: • The size and shape of the pre-filled pod and the refillable pod match each other to allow the same main body of the vaping device to work with both the pre-filled pod and the refillable pod. The portable vaping device body includes a fluid path leading from a fluid inlet to a stem or dowel or opening that is configured to engage with a reciprocal opening, stem or dowel in the refillable pod. The portable vaping device body includes a slot or other opening that reveals a portion of a pod inserted or otherwise attached to the device to allow the user to dispense the liquid in that pod. • The refillable capsule includes a liquid level detection subsystem. • The portable vaping device body includes a subsystem that measures or uses signals from the liquid level detection subsystem in the refillable pod. The portable vaping device body includes a subsystem that sends signals from the liquid level detection subsystem in the refillable pod to a microcontroller that controls a fluid transfer system. • The microcontroller is in the vaping device body itself, in a desktop dock, or in a portable case dock. • The fluid transfer system is in the vaping device body itself, or in a desktop or laptop case docking, and is configured to fill a refillable pod installed in the device. • The fluid transfer system automatically stops doming when the liquid in the liquid reservoir in the refillable capsule reaches a preset level or quantity. • The portable vaping device body includes a rechargeable battery, fluid transfer system, liquid level detection system, and liquid filling container. • The vaping device body includes a rechargeable battery and is configured to be coupled with an external fluid transfer system and an external liquid level detection subsystem. • The refillable capsule is also provided pre-filled with liquid at a point of sale. κ c The refillable tank that is configured to be refilled using the pump is provided empty of liquid at a point of sale. • The pre-filled capsule includes an authentication chip or module. • The refillable capsule includes an authentication chip or module. • The vaping device body includes an authentication subsystem that reads the authentication chip or module and only works if an authentication routine is passed. The AYRCase system Now we will describe the AYR system in more detail. We will describe the complete AYR Case system. Figure 2 shows the AYRCase refill and fill case, usually designated 200. It houses a personal vaping device (PV), the top of which is visible at 201, shown in Figure 3. The case 200 includes a PV ejector switch 202 that, when pushed, releases a latch that otherwise holds a spring compressed by the PV when fully inserted into the case. This allows the PV 201 to rise several millimeters for easy grasping by the user (e.g., when holding the case with one hand, the user can trigger the latch and then grasp the PV with their lips to fully extract it from the case). The case includes a display (not shown) on its top surface that shows various operating parameters (e.g., whether the case is pumping e-liquid, the e-liquid level in the refill bottle, the battery level in the case, and connectivity status).A ribbed metal extrusion 203 provides the outer cover; that is, it is readily available in low cost and in different materials, colors, and finishes. The extrusion 203 is a one-piece sleeve that slides onto an internal chassis, making assembly, as well as disassembly for repairs or recycling, quick and efficient. The case is activated by pressing or touching the power button 204. In Figure 3, the PV or vaping device is shown: it includes a vaping device body 301 and a tip or pod 302 that slides into the vaping device body 301 and is secured with a magnetic or friction clasp. As noted earlier, this tip or pod can be any pre-filled, single-use, non-recyclable tip that includes a small e-liquid reservoir and an integral heating atomizer. Alternatively, it can be a refillable tip. The external dimensions of the lower portion of both types of pods are identical so that both can fit into the vaping device body 303. Careful positioning of the various interfaces (power, data, and e-liquid) is required to ensure compatibility of both pre-filled and refillable pods with the device body 301.In addition to the 301 vape device body that allows for refillability, the AYR system also includes a standard vape device body (not shown) that is only compatible with pre-filled pods; this is a very low manufacturing cost version for users who only want to use pre-filled pods. As with the case, a ribbed 304 metal extrusion provides the outer cover; that is, again, low-cost, different materials, colors, and finishes are readily available. The 304 extrusion is a one-piece sleeve that slides onto an internal chassis, making assembly, as well as disassembly for repairs or recycling, quick and efficient. A series of eight 303 LEDs runs down the side of the 303 device body; when the vaping device is removed from the case ready for a vaping session, the eight LEDs illuminate. A timer or other measuring system sequences each light progressively; for example, after 10 seconds of inhalation, or 5 inhalations (or some other number), the first or top light turns off; after another 10 seconds of inhalation or 5 inhalations, the first and second lights turn off. And so on, until all the lights are off. κ £ When the final light illuminates, approximately the equivalent of nicotine consumed in a single cigarette has been delivered or inhaled. The final light can be programmed to last slightly longer than the other lights, corresponding to the typical smoker's ritual of trying to get the most out of their last cigarette puff. The AYR system mimics these smoking rituals as closely as possible; doing so maximizes the likelihood that smokers will switch from cigarettes to vaping. Returning to the case, we can remove the metal sleeve extrusion 400, as shown in Figure 4. We can see the PV 401 in its storage position, along with the 10 ml atomizable liquid refill bottle 402, main battery 403, and electric peristaltic pump 404. Figure 5 shows the case 501 with the refill bottle 502 outside of the case 501; the bottle 502 includes a child-resistant cap 503; this cap 503 is removed in normal use before the bottle 502 is inserted into the case 501. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the case, with the liquid filling bottle 601 in position, but with the PV removed, showing the channel 602 that receives the PV. The key elements in the case are a main battery 603, which is used to recharge the smaller battery in the PV; an electric motor 604 that drives a peristaltic pump 605, which automatically draws liquid from the > k41! CC 1 refill bottle 601 along a food-grade grade 2 tube (not shown) that is resistant to e-liquid leaching. The tube continues to a liquid feed nozzle and valve 606 in the housing; when the PV is pressed against the nozzle, the valve opens, allowing the liquid to be pumped into the PV device body and into the tip. Figure 7 shows the PV; a tip or capsule 701 is shown removed from the main body 702 of the PV; it is secured in position in the PV by a small magnet. The tip or capsule 701 can be prefilled with liquid at a liquid filling facility and cannot be refilled at all. Alternatively, it can be refilled using the case or another form of attachment. The external size and shape are the same for both variants, for complete compatibility. The prefilled capsule includes a colored rib 703; capsules with different liquid flavors use different colors. The refillable capsule has a different color or pattern.Rib 703 slides into slot 704 on the case; the rib has a dual function: firstly, to ensure that the capsule 701 slides into the device body 702 in the correct orientation (the physical and electrical interfaces are not symmetrical) and secondly, to give a visual indication of the type or flavor of capsule being used. Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the refillable variant of the PV. It includes a liquid filling opening and valve 801, a liquid path 802 from the liquid filling opening and valve 801 to a liquid nozzle 803 that mates with an opening at the base of a refillable tip 804. The liquid path 802 is formed from a channel molded into the plastic chassis to which the main components in the PV are attached (e.g., the small rechargeable battery, main circuit board) and over which an extruded metal outer sleeve 805 can slide to form the finished vaping device.Therefore, the chassis molding forms three sides of the 802 liquid transfer channel; it is covered with a film of PET or ultrasonically welded plastic; this is a cheap and easy way to manufacture to create a liquid path in the PV and eliminates the need for a separate small-bore liquid tube. As shown in Figure 9, the PV has a liquid filling nozzle 901 that mates with a liquid filling opening in the base of the refillable capsule. The PV includes an air pressure drop signal nozzle 902 that is connected to an air pressure sensor in the PV; when the user inhales, the negative air pressure is communicated to the air pressure sensor via > k43! CC i the air pressure drop signal nozzle 902. This pressure drop path 2 is completely separate from any airflow path that may contain e-liquid droplets or condensation, to minimize the risk of damaging the air pressure sensor with liquid nicotine or other chemicals that could affect the proper functioning of the air pressure sensor. This separation is especially important when using a sensitive pressure measuring device, such as a solid-state MEMS pressure sensor, as these devices must be protected from e-liquid contamination and benefit from having a dedicated and separate air pressure path.These types of sensors are especially useful when the device needs to track exactly detailed metrics on inhalation - that is, not just counting each inhalation, but also measuring and recording exactly the profiles of concentration, depth, volume, duration and air speed over time for each inhalation (and also exhalation where it is useful to be able to track exhalation data, as a form of spirometer - this data could be especially valuable when the device is used in clinical trials for smokers where it is valuable to track improvements in lung performance, for example, when trial participants reduce or quit smoking). The energy to the heating coil is through κ c ι\ of electrical power contacts, one of which is shown in 904 . The PV also includes 4 pogo pin connectors The 903 pins provide electrical and signal contacts to a capacitive sensing circuit. This sensing circuit is located in the external coupling for the AYRDock and AYRCase variants; it is located within the vaping device itself for the AYRMod variant. The refillable pod includes a pair of capacitive plates in the e-liquid reservoir, and the four pogo pins provide the signals between the capacitive plates and the capacitive sensing circuit, which is a specialized chip or ASIC incorporating the required circuitry. The Figure shows the base of the PV; a spring-mounted fill valve 101 disengages when the PV is pushed down against the fill nozzle in the housing and provides an unobstructed fluid path from the fill opening 102 at the base of the PV upward through the fluid channel 103, leading to the tip fill nozzle. Figure 11 is an exploded view of the tip. The key components are a base cap 110, four pogo pin contacts 111, a liquid fill opening with a one-way valve 112 that opens only when the pump is actively pumping liquid into the pressurized tip liquid reservoir, a liquid stem 113 that sits on the valve 112, and a silicone atomizer base 114 on which the atomizing unit sits. The atomizing unit contains a ceramic wick 115 around which a stainless steel heating coil wire 116 is wound, although any other atomizing system is possible. Power cables 117 supply power to the heating coil wire 116. An inner silicone cylinder, which sits inside the generally cylindrical outer silicone sleeve 119, is formed from a lower section, called the chimney 118, and an upper section 120, which supports the ceramic wick 115. The silicone chimney 118 sits on the atomizer base 114. Air flows upward through the central opening of the chimney 118 and over the wick 115 and coil 116, forming an aerosol that includes droplets of the liquid. A liquid reservoir is formed by the inner surface of the mouthpiece 121 and the outer surface of the outer silicone sleeve 119. A pair of channels is formed between the outer silicone sleeve 119 and the inner silicone parts 118, 120 that fit inside the outer sleeve 119. These are liquid channels that feed liquid from the liquid reservoir and up to the wick 115. A pair of stainless steel capacitive sensing plates 122 and 123 are located inside the liquid reservoir.The following figures will expand on this description. Figure 12 shows the fully reassembled tip, but with only the nozzle 121 raised. The pair of stainless steel capacitive sensing plates 122 and 123 are shown; these completely enclose the outer silicone sleeve 119 shown in Figure 11 above, which in turn completely encloses the upper and lower sections of the inner silicone cylinder 118, 120. The capacitive plates 122 and 123 have flat sides and a partially cylindrical curved center section 124; this partially cylindrical center section 124 sits on the cylindrical outer silicone sleeve 119. The outer region of the stainless steel capacitive sensing plates 122 and 123 and the plastic nozzle 121, when the nozzle 121 is fitted into the atomizer base 114, is the liquid reservoir and is therefore normally filled with liquid. The 121 cover slides over this unit and liquid leaks are prevented by double O-rings. During use, a typical scenario is that the liquid level detection system determines whether the liquid level in this reservoir is above or below a threshold, typically full or 2 / 3 full. This measurement routine takes place when the PV is placed in the case and the case is oriented vertically (as measured by an accelerometer chip in the case). By restricting filling to when the device is vertical, the challenge of accurately detecting the amount of liquid in the reservoir is greatly reduced. If the level is below the threshold, the pump is activated and continues pumping liquid into the tip reservoir until the threshold is reached. Further details of the liquid level detection system are given in Section D. Figure 13 shows this arrangement with one of the stainless steel capacitive sensing plates removed, leaving only the rear sensing plate 122; it shows the generally cylindrical outer silicone sleeve 119 that forms an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. The outer silicone sleeve 119 shows two ridges 130 extending to each side; inside the sleeve 119 are the generally cylindrical lower and outer silicone inner parts 118, 120; these parts 118, 120 fit tightly inside the outer silicone sleeve 119, apart from a channel behind each ridge: each channel is a liquid path 131 from the reservoir and into the wick; the channel is formed by the opening between the inner surface of the outer silicone sleeve 119 and the outer surface of the silicone parts 118, 120 defined by the ridges 130.The gap between the opposing capacitive sensing plates 122 and 123 (not shown) is clearly visible; this gap is necessary for capacitive measurement. Precise and consistent separation of the capacitive plates is required for accurate and consistent capacitive measurement; this is facilitated by the outer silicone sleeve 119 and the small ribs or features on the atomizer base 132. Figure 14 shows this internal structure more clearly in a cross-sectional perspective view of the fully assembled pod; the outer silicone sleeve 119 includes ridges that define an internal pair of channels 131 through which liquid can pass; the cross-section is a slice passing through these channels 131. The internal silicone portion that sits inside the outer silicone sleeve 119 is formed from a lower section, called the chimney 118, and an upper portion 120, which supports the ceramic wick 115. Air passes through this chimney 118 and through a pair of oppositely angled openings 140 into the atomization chamber surrounding the ceramic wick 115 and the heating coil 116. As previously stated, the ceramic wick 115 is mounted in the upper silicone inner cylinder 120. Liquid channels 131 feed the ceramic wick with liquid. In a conventional pod, the atomizing coil is placed at the base of the pod; this is undesirable with a refillable system because a refillable system needs a way to vent air from the tank, since that tank is filled by a pump; that means some form of air valve or channel that connects seamlessly to the external atmosphere to equalize the pressure. In Figure 14, this is the air vent 142, sealed by an air-permeable but liquid-impermeable barrier 143. But the presence of that air vent 142 or channel means that if the wick is placed at the base, then normal static atmospheric pressure will tend to cause liquid to leak from the tank, through the wick, and down through the base of the pod.In a conventional pod, this happens much less easily because there is no direct air venting to the e-liquid reservoir; as the e-liquid is consumed, a partial vacuum forms, which tends to restrict leaks. In the AYR system, we position the atomizing element (e.g., the 118 wick and 116 coil, or any other atomizing device) at least halfway vertically into the e-liquid reservoir. It is much closer to the mouthpiece opening, which in turn produces warmer vapor. It is typically 10-15 mm from the mouthpiece end, approximately 20-25 mm above the pod base, and 10-15 mm from the base of the e-liquid reservoir. Figure 15 is an engineering drawing of one implementation, providing precise dimensions. The liquid channels 131 at its base 141 are open at the bottom of the liquid reservoir and therefore liquid enters easily into the channels 131; When a user inhales, the reduction in air pressure in channels 131 causes the liquid in these channels to rise and feed the ceramic wick 115, in the same way that liquid is drawn through a straw when inhaling. Once the user stops inhaling, the pressure drops and the liquid falls back down channels 131; this prevents continuous contact of the liquid with the wick 115, which could otherwise lead to leakage through the wick 115 and out of the capsule. The liquid is pumped into the reservoir through valve 112 and the liquid stem 113, which leads directly to the base of the liquid reservoir. Figure 16 shows stack 118 in more detail, including openings 140 and 141. Opening 140 directs air approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise to the vertical, as viewed from one position; the other opening 141 directs air 45 degrees clockwise to the vertical, as viewed from the same position. This causes the air to form a torsional vortex or other turbulent flow around the atomizing coil, leading to improved vapor production (e.g., larger and more consistent aerosol output) and a more uniform temperature distribution along the heating element. This minimizes the risk of hot spots and thus provides more predictable aerosol constituents and a much lower risk of contaminants that might otherwise be caused by hot spots. c ι\ hot localized in the heating element. Figure 16 shows another cross-section through the fully assembled refillable tip. Let us now turn to the refill bottle, shown in Figure 18. It is typically 10 ml in liquid capacity, but this capacity is chosen to comply with EU regulations; in other markets, significantly larger refill bottles are possible, potentially offering even greater value to consumers. The bottle has a body 170, which is a very low-cost blow-molded plastic bottle. A child-resistant screw cap 171 screws onto a short neck. On the shoulder of the bottle is a molded feature 172 designed to allow a small memory chip to either snap into place or slide into position. Figure 19 is an exploded view; the bottle 170 includes a child-resistant cap 170 that screws onto a very short threaded neck; unlike a conventional e-liquid filling bottle, there is no pouring spout or tapered projection from which the user can pour the liquid; in the AYR system, the liquid is automatically drawn out by a pump, and the user never manually pours liquid from the bottle. The bottle includes an encryption chip or security authentication chip that presses into or slides into a small recess 172 on the upper shoulder of the cap; the recess may be dovetail-shaped so that the chip can be easily inserted and also removed when the bottle is being cleaned for reuse or recycling.Reading and writing to and from the chip can be implemented using a 1-Wire protocol with physical contacts on the device (e.g., the case or desktop dock or mod-type vaping device) into which the 170 bottle is inserted. Alternatively, wireless reading and writing to the chip can be implemented (e.g., using RFID). Wireless reading of chip data is especially useful for quickly reading bottles in their packaging—for example, by regulators or agencies seeking to verify the origin of the bottle and its contents. At a factory, distributor, retail outlet, or with an end user, an agent could, using a wireless reading device, scan all the packaged bottles, download all their data (e.g., unique number, batch number, liquid type), and write that data to a central database so there is a record of exactly which bottles are and where. Counterfeits can be easily identified, as they will not have an RFID data tag, or the data on that tag will be a duplicate of an existing tag.The label might also have a tax or customs stamp written on it, or evidence that the duty has been paid; then, an agent >. k53! CC can quickly scan bottles to verify that the correct tax has been paid. The same authentication chip can also be used for capsules. More specifically, the authentication chip stores a complete record of the bottle's filling date, the liquid's batch number for full traceability, and the excise tax record or tax payment. The excise tax payment record can be a unique sequence generated by an excise tax payment system, linked to the liquid's batch number, and written to the authentication chip when the pod or bottle is filled with liquid at the filling facility. These unique sequences are purchased by the device supplier (or the pod or capsule supplier) from the relevant government agency responsible for collecting excise tax for the market where the pod or bottle will be sold. The excise tax number can be encrypted (e.g., with the liquid's batch number) or otherwise encrypted to make counterfeiting more difficult.The vaping device or docking station can be programmed not to function if there is no valid and authentic decrypted excise record in the pod or refill bottle - i.e., the vaping device or docking station implements a verification routine to decrypt and authenticate the excise record; it can also store a record of >. k54! CC i previous excise tax records and only work 2 if the excise tax record is unique and not present in that record. Authentication can be completely local to the vaping device or docking station, meaning no communication with an external server is required. When the vaping device or docking station is connected to the internet, it also uses a remote authentication server and shares the excise tax data it has downloaded from the pod or refill bottle, so that there is a central record of the use of excise tax-paid consumables, available for government agencies to review and audit.The authentication chip can be used to capture excise tax payments on other vaping consumables—for example, on small tobacco sticks used in non-burning heat devices—thus creating a single, uniform global system for capturing excise taxes on products designed to replace cigarettes. Providing a cost-effective way to levy or collect taxes on e-liquid bottles and testing bottles for customs or tax compliance will become increasingly important as government tax revenues from cigarettes decline and it becomes fiscally necessary to begin collecting taxes on vaping devices and related consumables, such as bottles. CC ί of liquid or cartomizers. 2 The bottle includes a dip tube connected to an element we refer to as a 'stopper' or other form of seal or plug 182; the stopper 182 is located inside the only opening in the bottle 170, which is closed by the child-resistant screw cap 171. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view through the bottle with the cap or stopper screwed on. Figures 21 and 22 are cross-sectional views of the bottle with the cap or stopper removed, as it would be when the bottle is placed in the AYRCase, AYRDock, or AYRMod device. The dovetail shape of the crypto-chip 172 rebate is clearly visible, as is the structure of the stopper. The stopper 182 is cylindrical and sits inside the short neck of the bottle; it includes an external annular section 210 through which air can pass into and out of the bottle's interior 212 for pressure equalization; the underside of the ring 210 is sealed with a membrane 211 made of a material such as PTFE that is porous to air but impermeable to liquid. Air must pass into the bottle 212 when liquid is drawn from it through the dip tube 181 by the pump during normal operation, otherwise a partial vacuum will form, making it impossible to pump liquid from the bottle. During bottle filling at the time of manufacture, a conventional liquid filling platform, such as those typically used for high-speed e-liquid bottle filling, can be used to pour liquid through the bottle neck without the cap 182 in position. After filling, the cap 182 is then pushed into the bottle and the child-resistant cap 171 is screwed on. This allows for fast and efficient bottle filling with minimal modifications to existing e-liquid filling manufacturing lines. When the bottle is in position in the case, docking station, or vaping device, a nozzle in the case or docking station fits snugly into the center hole 213 of the cap 182 and over the inlet to the dip tube 181; the nozzle is connected to the pump in the case, docking station, or device, so that when the pump is activated, the liquid is drawn up the dip tube 181, through the center hole, and then into the nozzle of the device. Figure 23 shows a perspective view of the motor 220 used to drive the peristaltic rotor. The liquid tube (not shown), which connects to the mouthpiece that in turn attaches to the liquid filling bottle, passes over a portion of the rotor. As the rotor turns, it moves the liquid through the tube via a peristaltic motion, from the bottle to the liquid reservoir of the pod or refillable tip of the vaping device. The motor's rotating shaft 222 has a ring 223 with an eccentric shape mounted on it. The outer surface of the eccentric ring 223 is a low-friction surface, which contacts a low-friction surface of an outer circular ring 224. Figure 24 is a front view of this system; Figure 25 includes the peristaltic tube.When the motor shaft 222 and eccentric ring 223 rotate, the outer circular ring 224 moves laterally but does not rotate. A food-grade peristaltic tube (tested to ensure minimal impact from nicotine or e-liquid) runs around a section of the outer circular ring 224, and the lateral movement compresses the tube. As the more eccentric portion of the inner ring rotates, the surface of the circular ring that rests on this portion is pushed radially outward. This rotating portion causes peristaltic compression of the tube, forcing the liquid to move along its length. This movement is completely reversible, allowing liquid to be drawn from the vaping device and refillable pod and pumped back into the refill bottle. This is useful when changing flavors, as it minimizes flavor mixing. We can summarize some of the key features as follows: > k58! CC i High Coil 2 For a user-replaceable, refillable cap, pod, or cartomizer, we have found that the conventional placement of the atomizing unit at or near the base of the tip is problematic because the tip has to vent to the atmosphere to equalize pressure during liquid filling and consumption during normal vaping. Because the atomizing unit typically includes a wick that is gravity- or capillary-fed liquid from a liquid reservoir in the tip, the atmospheric pressure on the surface of the liquid in the reservoir and the hydrostatic pressure of that liquid are sufficient to overcome any surface tension effects that would otherwise limit the flow of liquid through the wick and into the atomizing chamber, and from there to the base of the tip or inhalation chamber, from where it can easily leak.We've found that the solution is to move the coil upwards from the base to a sufficient vertical height at the tip to prevent leaks through the wick caused by atmospheric pressure in the e-liquid and the hydrostatic pressure of that e-liquid in the reservoir. For example, if the e-liquid reservoir is typically filled to a height of x cm above the base of the tip, then we position the wick feeding the atomization unit to minimize the vertical distance between this wick position and the normal maximum fill level of the reservoir; for example, we could also position the wick approximately x cm from the base. Different wick behaviors, wick geometries, and atomizer geometries (whether wick-based or wickless) will determine the optimal positioning. We can generalize as follows: A vaping device that includes an automatically refillable liquid reservoir that includes a path for equalizing air pressure to the external atmosphere, and an atomizing unit configured to draw liquid from the reservoir; wherein the atomizing unit is placed relative to the surface of the liquid in the tank when the vertically oriented tank contains a maximum of liquid, so that the pressure exerted on and / or by the liquid is not sufficient to cause the liquid to flow through the atomizing unit and cause liquid leakage. Some optional features: • The pressure exerted on and by the liquid is due to the atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the liquid and the hydrostatic pressure of the weight of the liquid. • The atomizing unit is placed, at least in part, on or above the surface of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically. • The atomizing unit includes a liquid path that allows liquid from the liquid reservoir to leak onto the surface of a capsule containing the atomizing unit and liquid reservoir, and the atomizing unit is positioned vertically relative to the liquid reservoir so that the pressure exerted on and / or by the liquid at any point in the liquid path is not sufficient to cause the liquid to flow through the liquid path and cause liquid leakage. • The liquid path in or through the atomizing unit is arranged substantially in or above the surface of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically, so that the pressure exerted on and / or by the liquid at any point in the liquid path is not sufficient to make the liquid flow through the liquid path and cause liquid leakage. • The liquid path in or through the atomizing unit is arranged sufficiently close to the liquid surface in the tank when the tank contains a maximum of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically, so that the pressure exerted on and / or by the liquid is not sufficient to make the liquid flow through the liquid path and cause liquid leakage. > k61! CC i • The atomizing unit is placed at least 2 parts below the surface of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, but still at least 90% of the vertical height of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically. • The atomizing unit is placed at least partly below the surface of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, but still at least 75% of the vertical height of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically. • The atomizing unit includes a wick and the wick is placed, at least in part, on or above the surface of the liquid in the tank when the tank contains a maximum amount of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically. • The atomizing unit includes a wick and the lowest portion of the wick is placed on or above the surface of the liquid in the reservoir when the reservoir contains a maximum amount of liquid, when the device is oriented vertically. • The liquid reservoir and atomizing unit are formed into a tip or capsule that can be replaced by the user and slides or otherwise attaches to the vaping device body. We can also view this in structural, rather than functional, terms, using the base of the liquid reservoir as a baseline: A vaporization device includes an automatically refillable liquid reservoir of maximum vertical liquid height, measured from the liquid base of the reservoir, and an atomizing unit configured to draw liquid from the reservoir; wherein the atomizing unit is positioned substantially higher or above the base of the reservoir, when the device is placed vertically, in a position at least 1 / 4 H upwards from the base of the reservoir. Some optional features: • The atomizing unit is placed in a position at least 1 / 3 H above the base. • The atomizing unit is placed in a position at least 1 / 2 H above the base. • The liquid reservoir and atomizing unit are formed into a tip or capsule that can be replaced by the user and slides or otherwise attaches to the vaping device body. Atomizer that is placed near the nozzle One consequence of moving the atomizing unit upwards from its traditional position at the base of a pod or tip is that it is now much closer to the mouthpiece. This, in turn, can lead to warmer vapor, which is generally more satisfying for a smoker looking to use a vaping device to quit smoking. We can generalize as follows: A vaping device comprising an automatically refillable liquid reservoir and an atomizing unit configured to draw liquid from the reservoir and deliver an aerosol to a mouthpiece; wherein the midpoint or center of the atomizing unit is positioned less than 20 mm from the mouthpiece end, and preferably between 10 mm and 15 mm from the mouthpiece end. Siphon tubes A challenge faced by the engineers of AYR, when the atomization unit was moved upwards from the base of the tip, focused on how to feed e-liquid into the atomization unit. Atmospheric pressure on the e-liquid surface or hydrostatic pressure / gravity combined with the capillary action of a wick is usually sufficient for a conventional tip design, as the wick and atomization unit are typically located at the base of the pod or cartomizer. In AYR, the e-liquid feed path had to prevent excess e-liquid from moving into the atomization unit, which would cause leaks, while also preventing inadequate amounts of e-liquid from entering the unit, as this would result in a poor vaping experience. The solution achieved was to use one or more narrow liquid feed channels leading from the base of the liquid reservoir to the wick. These channels have a sufficiently restricted cross-sectional area so that the ordinary act of inhaling into the device's mouthpiece, which creates negative pressure (negative relative to atmospheric pressure) in the atomizing chamber and, consequently, negative pressure in the wick leading to the atomizing chamber, is sufficient to cause the liquid in the feed channels to rise and make contact with and enter the wick, and thus the atomizing chamber, even when the liquid level in the reservoir is low or the reservoir is in a horizontal position. We can call this a siphon, in the broad sense of the word, meaning any system where liquid flows through tunnels.(Strictly speaking, a siphon can be thought of as a combination of atmospheric pressure pushing liquid up a tube—which we have in the AYR system—and then gravity pulling it down to a level below the level at the source, which we don't have.) In fact, the operation is more similar to sucking liquid through a straw. We can generalize as follows: A vaping device that includes an automatically refillable liquid reservoir and an atomizing unit configured to draw liquid from the liquid reservoir and deliver an aerosol to a mouthpiece, wherein the liquid reservoir is connected to the bottom of one or more liquid channels and the atomizing unit is connected to the top of the channel or channels, each channel being configured so that when a user inhales into the mouthpiece, the reduction in air pressure causes the liquid to flow upwards through the channel or channels and into the atomizing unit. Some optional features: • When the user stops inhaling, the liquid stops flowing up the channel or each channel. • Each channel connects to the liquid reservoir at the base of the liquid reservoir. • The length or cross-sectional area of ​​each channel is selected to provide adequate liquid transport in the atomizing unit while minimizing liquid leakage from the nozzle. • The liquid reservoir includes an air-permeable membrane, impermeable to liquids, that vents to the outside atmosphere. • The liquid reservoir, atomizing unit, nozzle, and channels are formed into a tip or capsule that can be replaced by the user and slides into or is otherwise attached to the vaping device body. • The atomization unit includes a wick element κ c IX of ceramic that is arranged horizontally when the tip is in a vertical position. Each channel is formed as a groove in a generally cylindrical member that fits by pressure or friction within a larger, generally cylindrical member. The atomizing unit is placed in a vertical position with respect to the surface of the liquid in the tank when the vertically oriented tank contains a maximum of liquid, so that the atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the liquid is not sufficient to cause the liquid to flow through the atomizing unit and cause liquid leakage. The atomizing unit is positioned substantially higher or above the base of the tank when the device is placed vertically, at a position at least 1 / 4 H upwards from the base of the tank. The liquid reservoir, atomizing unit, nozzle, and channels are formed into a refillable tip or pod that is user-replaceable and slides into or otherwise attaches to the vaping device body. Turbulent Flow Another challenge AYR engineers faced when moving the atomization unit upwards from the base of the tip was that the air moving towards the atomization unit would flow upwards along a path that is κ The airflow path is significantly longer than in a conventional cartomizer capsule. In a conventional capsule, the atomizing unit is usually positioned at the base of the capsule and therefore very close to the beginning of the air inlet path. The problem with extending the airflow path length is that it increases the likelihood and extent of laminar airflow. Laminar airflow over an atomizing unit is undesirable because it leads to areas on the heating surface with limited contact with the moving air. The moving air is not evenly distributed over the heating surface. This can lead to hot spots on the heating surface that are higher than desired. Excessive temperatures, even in very localized areas, can lead to the formation of contaminants or undesirable byproducts in the vapor.In the AYR atomization unit, we use a specific mechanism to introduce turbulent flow; the air flowing through a chimney into the atomization unit hits one or more nozzles or openings at the top of the chimney that are configured to direct the laminar air into a turbulent pattern or vortex. We can generalize as follows: A vaporizer that includes an atomizer and an air supply nozzle system configured to direct air, drawn through the vaporizer, towards the atomizer, κ c in which the air supply nozzle system includes one or more nozzles or openings configured to direct air not substantially vertically towards the atomizer, when the vaporizer is in an upright position, but instead at an angle or direction that is at an angle to the vertical to create a substantially non-laminar, turbulent, twisted, or vortex airflow over the atomizer. Some optional features: • Each nozzle or opening is configured so that air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 5 degrees from the vertical through the atomizer. • Each nozzle or opening is configured so that air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 10 degrees from the vertical through the atomizer. Each nozzle or opening is configured so that air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 20 degrees from the vertical through the atomizer. Each nozzle or opening is configured so that air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 30 degrees from the vertical through the atomizer. Each nozzle or opening is configured so that κ c the air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 40 degrees with respect to the vertical through the atomizer. Each nozzle or opening is configured so that air exits the nozzle or opening at an angle of at least 50 degrees from the vertical through the atomizer. There are at least a pair of nozzles or openings, each nozzle offset laterally from a line that defines the middle of the atomizer and configured to direct air in a direction opposite to the other nozzle, so that the air forms a vortex that flows around the atomizer. The air supply nozzle system sits on an air wick or chimney that supplies non-turbulent or substantially laminar air to the air supply nozzle system. • The atomizer is placed in an air chimney that supplies air with important laminar flow properties. • The atomizer and nozzles or openings are formed into a refillable or prefilled tip or pod that is user replaceable and slides into or otherwise attaches to the vaping device body. PET-covered channel A complex vaping device like AYR is > k70! The CC is potentially quite expensive and difficult to manufacture; cost reduction is an ever-present requirement. The normal way one would transfer liquid through a vaping device is from an inlet opening that connects to a pump (which is external to the vaping device in the AYRBase and AYRCase variants, and internal to it in the variant AYRMod) is through a specialized tube. However, the space available for a tube is very limited, so the tube must be very narrow and manufactured with high tolerances; and bends in the tube are difficult to manufacture, thus imposing design limitations. In the AYR vaping device body, we use the plastic molding that forms the internal chassis to which the battery, circuit board, and other main components are attached; we create a narrow channel in that molding. This channel forms three sides of the liquid's path upward through the vaping device. A transparent plastic film is ultrasonically welded to form the channel's cover, in a manner similar to that used in a different, non-analogous situation: transporting liquid ink in an inkjet printer cartridge a short distance from an ink reservoir to the inkjet printhead.The channel doesn't need to be straight; it can be curved. This is easily done in a molded plastic part. This provides a fluid transfer path that is very inexpensive to manufacture, reducing product costs and ensuring reliability. We can generalize as follows: A vaporization device comprising (i) a liquid reservoir supplying liquid to an atomizer; (ii) an orifice, opening or nozzle configured to allow the device to be filled with atomizable liquid from a liquid source; and (iii) a liquid path connecting the liquid reservoir to the orifice, opening or nozzle; wherein the liquid path includes a channel covered with a plastic film. Some optional features: • The sides of the channel are formed from the chassis or other components that are integral to the vaping device body. • The sides of the channel are formed from the molded plastic chassis of the vaporization device. • The movie is PET. • The film is ultrasonically welded to the sides of the channel. • The channel includes one or more changes of direction. Capsule or Bottle Characteristics Quick Refill Bottle In the previous section, we described how the AYR design reduces the cost of products for the vaporization device. The same imperative exists to reduce the cost of the refillable e-liquid bottle; the imperative is even greater for the bottle, since it is the primary consumable in the AYR system, and a typical consumer will purchase twenty or more refillable bottles for each vaping device. A critical element for the refill bottle is ensuring it allows for quick and efficient filling with e-liquid at the e-liquid filling facility; and it does so with an inexpensive, easy-to-manufacture, and easily recyclable structure. With AYR, the refill bottle, typically 10 ml in capacity, is a very low-cost blow-molded bottle with a short, screw-on neck; the mouth allows for the insertion or use of a nozzle connected to an automatic e-liquid filling system to pour e-liquid into the bottle; no costly modifications are needed at standard industry e-liquid filling facilities. Once filled, a structure we refer to as the 'plug' is inserted into the neck; it is specially configured to engage with the e-liquid filling system on the vaping device, dock, or case.More specifically, the cap is a single molded piece that serves two distinct functions: it has a central opening that receives an e-liquid nozzle connected to the e-liquid pump; this central opening is connected to a downstem that runs underneath to the base of the bottle, ensuring that all the liquid can be pumped out. Surrounding the central opening in the cap is an annular opening through which air can enter and exit the bottle, allowing for rapid equalization of pressure to atmospheric pressure; a liquid-impermeable, but air-permeable, barrier seals one side of the annular air channel. We can generalize as follows: A liquid-filling bottle with a mouth configured to (i) allow a nozzle connected to an automatic liquid-filling system to be inserted, or otherwise used, to pour liquid into the bottle through the mouth when the bottle is being filled in a filling factory and (ii) receive a plug or seal that is configured both to engage with a fluid transfer system and also to allow equalization of air pressure within the bottle. Some optional features: • The stopper is made from a single molding. • The cap includes a first opening configured to receive a liquid filling nozzle from a filling system to draw liquid out of the bottle, and a second opening that is configured to allow air to pass in and out of the bottle during filling or emptying of the bottle to equalize the air pressure inside the bottle. The first opening is an internal channel or opening. • The nozzle friction fits into the first opening. • The second opening is an external channel. • The outer channel is arranged concentrically around the inner channel. • The second opening includes an air vent that is permeable to air, but impermeable to e-liquid. • The first opening is connected to a diving tube. • The cap includes a first nozzle configured to engage with a liquid filling opening that is part of a filling system, for extracting liquid from the bottle, and a second nozzle or opening that is configured to allow air to enter and exit the bottle during filling or emptying of the bottle to equalize the air pressure inside the bottle. • The first nozzle is an internal nozzle. • The first friction of the nozzle fits to engage with a liquid filling opening that is part of a filling system. • The second nozzle or opening is arranged to surround the inner nozzle. • The second nozzle or opening is arranged concentrically around the inner nozzle. The second nozzle or opening includes an air vent that is permeable to air, but impermeable to e-liquid. • During the filling with e-liquid at the time of manufacture, the liquid is poured or pumped into the bottle through the mouth of the bottle and then the cap is placed on the bottle, and then a childproof cap is placed on the bottle. • The bottle is a blow-molded plastic bottle. • The bottle is not refillable by the user. • The bottle is substantially rigid. • The bottle includes a neck that defines the mouth, and the neck is a threaded neck configured for a child-resistant screw cap. Dual-use liquid filling bottle The AYR bottle is a rigid, blow-molded bottle. It is designed exclusively for use with an AYR automated e-liquid filling system. However, so-called open-tank systems remain very popular; these require a liquid filling bottle that the user can place over an open atomizer or hook onto the vaping device with a filling nozzle, and simply squeeze to drip or manually pump e-liquid into the device. The AYR bottle can be modified so that it can also be used to fill an open-tank system; this then needs to have flexible walls instead of rigid ones. We can generalize as follows: A flexible-walled liquid filling bottle that is configured to be both (a) manually squeezable to allow a consumer to manually supply liquid to a reservoir in a vaping device and (b) received in a vaping system and connected to a pump in that vaping system that automatically pumps liquid from the bottle to a liquid reservoir that carries the liquid to an atomizing unit. Bottle with a dovetail rebate for a security or data chip One of the main advantages of the AYR system is that the primary consumable, the refill bottle, is recyclable. Since tens of millions of these bottles can potentially be manufactured, recyclability is crucial. One feature that could hinder recycling is the presence of a small authentication or memory chip, which may be cryptographically secure. This memory device stores various data elements (e.g., match number, date of manufacture, liquid type, a counter that counts down each time a defined amount of liquid is pumped from the bottle). This would normally be fixed in place, but that presents problems when it comes to recycling, including cleaning the bottle for reuse.In the AYR refill bottle, a specially formed channel receives the memory device and mechanically secures it within the channel; it can then be removed from the bottle for recycling. The channel could be a simple dovetail-shaped recess into which a standard memory chip can be easily slid or pressed; when the bottle is returned for recycling, the memory device can be easily slid or pushed out of the recess and recycled separately. We can generalize as follows: A liquid refill bottle configured to mate with a fluid transfer system in a vaping system, the bottle includes a section or recess into which an authentication chip or other authentication memory component can be physically inserted and then retained by the shape of the section, or recess, until it is physically removed to allow recycling of the bottle. Some optional features: • The section is a dovetail section and the component slides into the section. • The component is secured in its position in the section or recess without any glue or other chemical bonding. • The chip or component stores data that defines the liquid content of the bottle. • The chip or component stores data that defines the temperature-dependent characteristics of the substance. • The chip or component stores data related to the number of times liquid has been extracted from the bottle, or the amount of liquid that has been extracted from the bottle, to prevent the bottle from being usable if filled by an end user. • The chip uses an EEPROM emulation mode that irreversibly reduces a counter. Peak bag The bottle described above is a hard plastic bottle. Another approach is to use a spout pouch configured to store nicotine e-liquid or CBD / THC liquid. Soft pouches are used for other foods and liquids, but their use for nicotine e-liquid or CBD / THC liquid has not been established. Figure 35 shows the soft pouch with a short pouch; the soft pouch can be mounted on a plastic cart. The filling case or coupling includes the cart, which a user slides out of the coupling or case and then slides the soft pouch into the cart, locking a recess or channel that runs around the spout or neck of the soft pouch with a feature or ridge on the cart. This ensures precise alignment of the spout, when the cart is slid back into the coupling or case, with the nozzle in the coupling or case that is connected to the fluid transfer system. We can generalize as follows: A bag made of a flexible barrier film or films and including a spout configured to couple with a fluid transfer system in a vaping system. Some optional features: • The bag is completely filled at the filling point with liquid without leaving substantially any air inside the spout bag. • The bag is a vertical spout bag. • The bag is configured to attach to a cart that is part of an atomization system, where the cart receives the bag. • The bag connects directly to a fluid transfer system configured to automatically extract the liquid from the bag and transfer that liquid to a reservoir of an atomization system. The fluid transfer system is configured to automatically extract both fluid and air from the bag. The fluid transfer system pumps air from a membrane or air-permeable device that is part of, or in communication with, the atomization system. • The bag stores data (for example, on a chip or barcode or QR code, etc.) that defines the > κ £ c C i temperature-dependent characteristics of the substance 2 (e.g., e-liquid, CBD) in the bag. • The bag includes a silicone plug inserted after filling that allows the liquid to flow out of the air bag and prevents it from passing back into the bag. • The bag or spout pouch stores e-liquid or CBD and is vacuum sealed. • The pouch or spout pouch stores e-liquid or CBD and includes a chip that uses an EEPROM emulation mode that irreversibly decrements a counter. • The fluid transfer system includes a valve that stops or limits the flow of air back into the bag or beak bag. • The valve is part of a pump that works to pump liquid from the bag or spout bag, such as a roller or rotor of a peristaltic pump. B. Software / electronics Figure 26 is a schematic block diagram of the key electronic components in the Fill and Refill Case (AYRCase) and the Wi-Fi docking station on which the case sits. Figure 30 shows the external appearance of the case and the Wi-Fi docking station, as well as the data connectivity scheme. The Wi-Fi docking station reads data from the vaping device and refill bottle and sends it over a local Wi-Fi link and then over the internet to a remote server. The remote server implements various functions, such as age verification and data analysis. A user's smartphone can display data, such as nicotine usage data—especially useful for those working to quit nicotine—on a website hosted by the remote server. There is no direct connection between the smartphone, the vaping device, and the Wi-Fi docking station.Wi-Fi connectivity can be implemented not only in a separate docking station, but also directly in the case and even in the vaping device itself. Direct connectivity between the docking station and the vaping device is also possible, typically via Bluetooth. The smartphone then sends data (via wireless networks or Wi-Fi) to the remote server. Referring back to Figure 26, the case includes an electric pump and pump controller, a rechargeable battery, and related electronics, including a PMIC (power management IC), a microcontroller, and 1-wire protocol interfaces for the PV and the liquid filling capsule or bottle. A USB-C data and charging port is included. Data (e.g., usage data and device performance data) is stored in the case's memory (4 Mbit serial flash). When the case is paired with the Wi-Fi docking station, this data is sent via the 1-wire interface to the docking station, which then transmits it via a local Wi-Fi connection to a remote web-based server. Figure 27 is a schematic block diagram of the key electronic components in the vaping device body and the refillable tip. The vaping device body (labeled 'PV') includes a capacitive measurement circuit or chip, which will be described in more detail in a later section. It also includes an accelerometer (i.e., any form of orientation sensor) used to determine when the vaporizer is substantially upright or vertical. The device is configured to be refillable only when the personal vaporizer is substantially upright or vertical, as determined by the accelerometer. Allowing liquid to be refilled only when the device is substantially vertical or upright greatly simplifies measuring the liquid level in the reservoir of the vaporizing device and ensures that it is not overfilled or underfilled. Due to the number of discrete electronic components, there is considerable scope for consolidating many of these into a custom ASIC; this leads to faster manufacturing, greater reliability, and lower cost. Figure 28 shows how a custom ASIC can be used in a Wi-Fi docking station that also refills and recharges the vaping device. κ £ c C i (i.e., the AYRBase implementation): The ASIC would typically include not only Wi-Fi, but also Bluetooth capability, a PMIC (power management IC), a microcontroller, USB handling, and the pump interface. Figure 29 shows how a custom ASIC can also be used in the vaping device: the ASIC could include the coil voltage and current sensing circuit used to regulate the heating element temperature, a microcontroller, the capacitance measurement circuit, the coil on / off switch, serial flash memory, and a PMIC. Custom ASICs could also include UWB functionality. We can summarize and generalize the key characteristics as follows: Vaping protected against counterfeiting, with age verification A major problem in the vaping industry is the prevalence of counterfeit pods and the ease with which licensed pods can be refilled by users with illicit or contaminated e-liquids. Another significant issue is the easy availability and appeal of these devices to young people, despite responsible manufacturers specifically targeting adult vapers. These two problems are interconnected because counterfeit pods or contaminated e-liquids are especially dangerous for underage users (who are inherently more vulnerable to contamination), and underage users are more likely to purchase counterfeit or contaminated products because they are often cheaper and available through unregulated channels that otherwise cater only to adults. One feature of AYR is that it provides a unified solution to these related problems. In the AYR system, the refill bottle includes an authentication chip. But the pod itself is also protected against counterfeiting (for example, it includes a secure authentication chip with a unique ID available only to authorized pods), and the vaporization device can verify that a valid ID is present on any pod attached to it. The device includes connectivity (typically via a connected smartphone) to a remote server, allowing the device to report the pod's unique ID to the server and obtain permission to use that pod again; thus, the server can prevent the use of duplicate pods with duplicate IDs. Connectivity is also used to allow the user, again typically using a connected smartphone, to interact with a web server-based age verification system: For example, when a new vaping device is used for the first time by a specific user, that user has to pair that device with their smartphone and initiate the web server-based age verification system; this can use a variety of age verification approaches to ensure that the user is an adult (e.g., checking against electoral rolls, or credit card availability, or passport records or driver's licenses, etc.); only once the user has been verified as an adult is the paired vaping device unlocked.This general approach minimizes the risks associated with the use of minors and also the use of counterfeit capsules or capsules that have been refilled with contaminated liquids. We can generalize in the following way: A vaping system comprising an atomizer pod pre-filled with an atomizable liquid and a main vaping device body, wherein the pod includes an authentication chip or memory and the vaping device body includes a pod authentication subsystem that allows a pod to be used with that body only if certain pod criteria are met; and the vaping device body further includes a wireless connectivity subsystem that (i) exchanges data with an application or browser running on the user's smartphone, the application or browser > x £ cc i that connects to a web server-based pod usage and age verification system 2 and (ii) is configured to unlock the body to allow normal vaping use only if that user passes the age requirements of the age verification system and the pod is authorized for use. Some optional features: • The authentication chip or memory is a memory, security chip or crypto-chip that stores an identifier that allows the source of the capsule and / or the liquid in it to be authenticated, verified or determined. • The capsule authentication subsystem (a) determines locally or using a remote server whether the values ​​contained in the authentication memory or chip meet the capsule criteria and (b) permits the use of that capsule only if the capsule criteria and age requirements are met. • A counter on the authentication chip or memory decreases each time the capsule is used, such as each time an inhalation is taken, and is initially set to a number corresponding to the total expected number of inhalations from a single prefilled capsule, and the capsule authentication subsystem is configured to prevent further use of a specific capsule once the counter falls below a set figure. • The memory uses an EEPROM emulation mode that reduces > k87! CC ï irreversibly a counter. 2 • The capsule authentication subsystem sends a signal to the authentication chip or memory in the capsule each time an inhalation occurs. • The capsule authentication subsystem causes the counter on the authentication chip or memory in the capsule to decrease each time an inhalation occurs. • The capsule authentication subsystem reads from the authentication chip or memory in the capsule an identifier that allows verification or determination of the capsule's source, and the wireless connectivity subsystem is configured to (i) send that identifier to a remote server to process that identifier and (ii) receive a permit or deny signal from the remote server. • A browser automatically executes or runs a URL for the web server-based age verification system, and the wireless connectivity subsystem connects via Wi-Fi to the web server. • The browser opens or starts to run the URL when the user taps an icon designed to look like an application icon on their smartphone device. • The main body of the vaping device includes a Wi-Fi connectivity module or is configured to dock with a docking station or case that includes a Wi-Fi connectivity module. • The vaping device body includes a location module, such as a GPS or UWB module, and the module sends location data to a geofencing system that determines whether the vaping device body is in an area where vaping is permitted or not and sends a signal to the vaping device body that blocks its use if it is in an area where vaping is not permitted. • The vaping device body includes a receiver that listens for location-specific signals, such as signals from a UWB beacon, and the vaping device body locks itself out of use if it picks up the signal. • The web server-based age verification system verifies a user's age using one or more of the following: self-verification of age by the user; age verification using a linked credit card or other age-verified card or payment system for the user; age verification using information from the user's passport; age verification using information from the user's social security or national insurance or similar records; age verification using information from the user's driver's license; age verification using information from one or more of the user's social media accounts; age verification using information derived from behavioral analysis systems. Bottle that cannot be refilled by the user With conventional pods or tips, a user can purchase a legitimate pod, use it, and then refill it with new e-liquid, which may contain illicit ingredients or contaminants that could lead to injury or illness. The pod can then be reinserted into a vaping device. To prevent this type of user refilling, the AYR refill bottle includes a secure memory chip with a counter that is set to a suitable number, such as 256. Each time e-liquid is automatically drawn from the refill bottle by the fluid transfer system, the system checks the number on the counter and decrements it by 1. Once the counter reaches zero, the fluid transfer system will no longer draw e-liquid from that bottle; in fact, it is locked for further use, even if a user were to refill it. The same system can be used in a pre-filled pod. We can generalize as follows: A vaping system comprising a liquid filling container or bottle and a liquid transfer system configured to automatically transfer liquid from the bottle or container to a liquid reservoir in a vaping device; wherein the bottle or container includes a counter on a memory chip that is configured to change its value when a defined type of event affects the bottle or container, such that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the bottle or container is locked for further use. A liquid filling container that stores liquid for a vaping device, wherein the capsule includes a counter on a memory chip that is set to change its value when a defined type of event affects the capsule, so that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the container is locked for further use. As noted above, the approach of using a secure counter applies not only to refilling bottles, but also to pre-filled cartomizer pods. We can generalize as follows: A vaping system that includes a pre-filled liquid pod configured for a vaping device, the pod includes a counter on a memory chip that is set to change its value when a defined type of event affects the pod, so that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the pod is locked for further use. A pre-filled liquid pod configured for a vaping device, the pod includes a counter on a memory chip that is set to change its value when a defined type of event affects the pod, so that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the pod is locked for further use. Some optional features: • The type of event defined is the use of the capsule, such as the extraction of liquid from the capsule. • The capsule includes a memory chip with an EEPROM emulation mode that allows writing to the chip's counter each time the defined event type affects the capsule. • The counter starts at a set number, such as 256, and decreases by 1 each time the defined event type affects the capsule. • The controller must read a value greater than 1 on the counter to allow the extraction of liquid from that container. • The capsule is configured to slide into or otherwise attach to the vaping device body. PIN lock Another feature of AYR devices is that the user can lock and unlock them; the case includes a locking system where the user must enter a correct sequence of numbers or other identifier to activate or unlock the system. A simple, low-cost system combines a display, such as a low-cost OLED matrix display (e.g., 96 x 64), with an actuator of > κ £ A simple mechanical scroll system allows the user to input two forward, backward, and select controls. This enables the user to quickly enter, for example, a 4-digit security PIN to lock and unlock the device. The system can be adapted to allow the user to scroll through different numbers or other identifiers and select the appropriate one. It can be implemented in a filling case or docking station for a vaping device, or directly on the personal vaping device. Constant temperature controller The AYR system can regulate the heating element temperature to within 20 degrees or better. Precise temperature regulation is crucial, as it allows for the identification and testing of vapor constituents to ensure safety. Most atomizer heating systems lack effective temperature regulation, which can lead to temperature spikes in the coil and potentially the production of undesirable chemicals in the inhaled vapor. Precise temperature regulation also significantly increases the atomizer unit's lifespan. The AYR system operates by measuring the current passing through the heating element at a known voltage. It calculates the resistance from this data and then uses stored data to determine the resistance-temperature coefficient of the heating element.This feeds into a closed-loop temperature control system; the power ratio of a PWM current source supplying the heating element is adjusted to ensure the temperature is within a required level or range. The closed loop is damped by the liquid feeding the atomization system. We can generalize as follows: A liquid atomization system with a heating element configured to heat an atomizable liquid and produce a vapor, atomization, or mist, and controlled by a constant temperature controller, the controller directly or indirectly measuring the current through a heating element using a power source with a known voltage and enabling a microcontroller or processor to (a) calculate or determine the resistance of the heating element and (b) calculate, from stored data, the resistance temperature coefficient of the material from which the heating element is made, or (c) look up the temperature of the heating element; and in which the controller is configured to use a closed-loop temperature control algorithm to regulate power, current, or voltage to stabilize the temperature of the heating element at a preset level or range by adjusting the power duty ratio. Some optional features: • The controller operates a closed-loop temperature control algorithm and regularly adjusts the power service ratio after each instance of the measured current. • The current is measured approximately 30 times per second. • The preset level is approximately 280 degrees Celsius when the liquid is a PV / VG e-liquid. • The preset level varies depending on the type or chemical composition of the liquid. • A heating element made of a material with a temperature resistance coefficient that is substantially linear, such as 316L stainless steel. • The control circuit is configured to be dampened by the thermal mass of the atomizable liquid. Elegant data termination Because the vaping device sends data to a host (e.g., a docking station or case), it is important that the data is not corrupted. But the vaping device can be quickly removed from the dock and case, and doing so while sending or receiving data can... c. This can cause corruption. We solve this problem by providing a small switch (on the device, case, or dock) that activates as soon as the vaping device moves out of position, but before data contact is lost (data contact is provided via spring-mounted pogo pins, so these pins maintain contact momentarily while the vaping device moves up and out of the dock or case). When the switch is activated, a control routine aborts the data transfer and brings it to a quick but controlled termination. We can generalize as follows: A liquid filling device that stores a vaping device and allows the vaping device to be ejected or removed, and the filling device and / or vaping device includes a switch that (a) is activated when the vaping device begins to be ejected or removed from the filling device and (b) sends a signal to ensure that any data communication between the vaping device and the filling device terminates in a controlled manner before the data connection is lost. Vertical fill Measuring the amount of e-liquid in a very small reservoir (the capacity is approximately 2 ml) is challenging. The AYR system must do this economically and reliably in mass-produced products. AYR uses a sophisticated e-liquid level sending system that determines if the e-liquid level in the refillable pod is below a threshold and therefore needs to be refilled. While it would be possible to compensate for a device tilting using the built-in accelerometer, that isn't entirely reliable. Instead, AYR measures the e-liquid level in the refillable pod specifically when the vaping device to which the pod is attached is substantially upright or vertical. This is achieved using the accelerometer, which can be located in the vaping device, the docking station, or both.Only when the device is substantially upright or vertical, and a liquid level measurement is completed indicating that the liquid level in the capsule reservoir is below a threshold, does the fluid transfer system activate and liquid is pumped into the liquid reservoir from the filling bottle. We can generalize as follows: A vaping system that is configured to automatically refill a vaping device only when the vaping device, or a liquid reservoir in the device, is substantially upright or vertical. Some optional features: • The system includes an accelerometer that sends a signal when it is substantially upright or vertical. • Only when the device is substantially upright or vertical, and a liquid level measurement is completed indicating that the liquid level in the capsule reservoir is below a threshold, is a fluid transfer system activated and liquid is pumped into the liquid reservoir from the refill bottle. Light patterns The AYR vaping device includes a series of lights that gradually dim as the user vapes, turning completely off after the user has vaped the equivalent of a single cigarette or for a duration equivalent to smoking one cigarette. These lights can be repurposed for other effects, such as creating light patterns controlled by the device's accelerometer. We can generalize as follows: A vaping device that includes a series of lights that progressively turn off as the user vapes, but can also be controlled to light up together or in a sequential sequence or otherwise to form a light pattern. Some optional features: • There is a line of 5 or more lights on one side of the vaping device. There is one or more circular light rings around the vaping device. • An accelerometer provides an input to a microcontroller which in turn controls the series of lights. • The light pattern is a simultaneous pulse of all lights. • The light pattern is the sequential illumination of the lights to form a pattern that moves down, up, or down and up in the vaping device. • A specific light pattern indicates that the tip needs to be changed. • A specific light pattern indicates that the device needs to be refilled with liquid. • A specific light pattern indicates that the device is locked for use. C. Data and connectivity AYR Sessions A major challenge for smokers who want to quit by transitioning to vaping is that most vaping devices make it difficult to establish any kind of relationship between the amount of nicotine they inhale while vaping and what would otherwise be inhaled from cigarettes. Some conventional e-liquid pods contain the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes, but there is no exact way to know when you are consuming or vaping nicotine equivalent to just one of your regular cigarettes. AYR addresses this by allowing a user, when setting up their AYR device, to configure it to deliver parameters such as time and / or number of puffs that will provide approximately the same amount of nicotine for a normal or average puff as a single cigarette of the brand they actually smoke. As noted earlier, the AYR vaping device has a series of lights running along one side of the device (typically eight) that progressively turn off as the session continues; when all the lights go out, the session ends. Once sessions expire, the user will have to wait a preset time or return the device to its case (if it has one), or take some other action or step that allows them to more easily stop and thus control the amount of vaping they are undertaking, all in a way that they can relate to their smoking habits. By mimicking smoking habits in this way, and providing clear visual, auditory, and / or haptic feedback on the progress of a session, including its start and end, the risk of a user increasing their nicotine intake when switching from cigarettes to vaping is minimized. The user can set nicotine reduction or cessation goals through an app, and these goals are 100 can be used to modify the parameters of successive sessions or a session schedule, so that they can be fulfilled. We can generalize as follows: A vaping system configured to allow a vaping device to be used for a single session, a session having a limited time or limited degree of vaping during which the vaping device is operable and for which the vaping device provides an initial and final visual, haptic and / or sonic marker; and in which the system is configured to receive from a user a selection or indication of the type or brand of cigarette he or she is currently smoking, and then the system automatically adjusts the time or other parameters of the single session so that the amount of nicotine generated by the vaping device, or inhaled by a user, during that session is approximately equivalent to the amount of nicotine associated with smoking a single cigarette of that specific type or brand of cigarette. Some optional features: • A session is a preset time during which the vaping device is operational before automatically and temporarily ceasing to function. • A session is a pre-established duration of vaping, such as the number of puffs or the amount of liquid atomized, during which the vaping device is ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 101 operational before automatically and temporarily ceasing to function. • The vaping device is programmed to automatically stop working for a user-defined preset time after a session expires. • The vaping device is programmed to automatically resume normal operation if it is returned to its docking station or case and then removed from that docking station or case. • The system includes a smartphone or tablet application that is configured to allow the user to enter a specific type or brand of cigarette. • The system is configured to receive from a user a selection or indication of the nicotine reduction or cessation goals they are planning to achieve, and then the system automatically adjusts the time or other parameters of a single-session program so that the amount of nicotine generated by the vaping device during that session program meets the user's nicotine reduction goals. Wi-Fi connected vaping device AYR is a 'connected' vaping device; by connected, we mean that the device has some form of data connectivity or the ability to send data, or receive data, or both send and receive data - for example, ao 102 A user's smartphone or smartwatch, etc., and / or a remote server, either directly or indirectly. Connectivity also allows the user to control the vaping device from their smartphone, etc., and for the vaping device to send useful data, such as consumption or usage data, battery level data, or e-liquid level data, etc., to the remote server. It also allows the user to order consumables (e.g., new pre-filled pods or heating bars, etc.). Connectivity also makes it possible to obtain valuable insights into user behavior from the data. Connected vaping devices have been discussed for many years; connectivity is enabled by including within the device itself some data connectivity system - for example, a Bluetooth modem, along with a mobile application for the user's smartphone. The Bluetooth connectivity approach, which links the vaping device to a user's smartphone running a mobile app, is the overwhelmingly standard way of implementing connectivity. This represents a very strong technical bias that colors the thinking of the typical engineer. Faced with the challenge of making a non-connected vaping device into a connected vaping device accessible from the user's smartphone, the typical engineer's inevitable response is, therefore, to include iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 103 Bluetooth connectivity directly into the vaping device and build a companion mobile application, which is then available in the smartphone provider's app store. But including a Bluetooth modem inside a portable vaping device is problematic because it significantly increases the device's complexity and adds new failure modes to the device - although it may seem relatively simple, ensuring that Bluetooth works reliably across the full range of possible smartphones and other devices can be challenging. Furthermore, not all users will want or use connectivity. And a significant number of potential users will be alarmed by the device being connected, for reasons of personal privacy; simply not enabling connectivity is rarely enough for these potential users, because they fear that covert monitoring is still taking place. And an additional layer of complexity arises because it requires a mobile application to be available for the user's smartphone operating system (for example, from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store). But that operating system provider can impose different rules on which applications are or are not available in its store. For example, the Google Play Store is currently very permissive. But the App iii bnn / ι ζηζ / κ / γίΛΐ 104 The Apple App Store does not allow companion apps for nicotine vaping devices. However, it does allow companion apps for devices that allow the inhalation of CBD or THC. These rules can change at short notice; for example, the Google Play Store could also choose to prohibit apps related to nicotine vaping devices. This is a surprisingly complex set of technical challenges - namely, designing a portable vaping device system that: • It is potentially connectable, yet still has the lowest cost and complexity. • It is potentially connectable, but it cannot compromise the personal privacy of those users who are sensitive to that issue. • It is potentially connectable, but is not affected by the inconsistent rules imposed by device providers for companion apps available in their online app stores. While it would be possible to integrate full 3G or 4G wireless connectivity into a vaping device, that would significantly increase the price; instead, it's preferable to leverage existing connectivity infrastructure. The approach we've chosen with the AYR case is for the vaping device to collect data and for iin?nn / i ζπζ / ε / υιλι The case also collects data; when the vaping device is inserted into the case, the case collects PV data. The case itself does not include a Wi-Fi module, although that is a possible variant. In the current variant, the case is slotted into a slim dock (see Figure 30) that includes a Wi-Fi module and antenna. The dock also powers the case via a USB-C port to charge its internal rechargeable battery. The case transfers data to the Wi-Fi dock via USB-C, and that data is then sent over a local Wi-Fi network to which the user has connected the dock in the usual way. The data is sent to a remote server for processing; the related data is then provided to the user when they open a web browser to a specific URL. BLE is used as a transport protocol that runs over Wi-Fi, so the vaping device appears as an IoT endpoint and a smartphone app from an app store isn't needed. Instead, only a web browser is required. A single connectivity API, namely the BLE API, is used; the case treats the Wi-Fi and charging dock as an additional BLE module with the same interaction protocol and communicates with it in terms of BLE features (e.g., notifying about 106 features with UUIDs (since they have changed). A specific AYR protocol over BLE is implemented only once and is used both to communicate with a connected smartphone and with a web-based user application; the web-based user application is presented on the user's smartphone screen as an icon like the icon of a conventional app from the App Store or Play Store, although it is not actually one. The coupling for the AYRCase is, therefore, essentially a charging platform with a Wi-Fi module integrated into it. A Wi-Fi module could also be included in a dock designed to receive only the vaping device itself. The dock in the AYRDock variant, which both recharges and refills the vaping device with e-liquid, can also incorporate the Wi-Fi module. We can summarize and generalize it in the following way: A vaping system comprising: (i) a vaping device including a rechargeable battery and a data port; and (ii) a first charging system for that vaping device configured to supply power to the rechargeable battery; and (iii) a separate second charging system configured to receive the vaping device and to supply power to the rechargeable battery and to receive ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 107 data from the vaping device through the data port; and (iv) a mobile website configured to be hosted on a remote server and accessible from the end user's smartphone, smartwatch, or other personal device; and in which the second charging system includes a Wi-Fi module, chip or unit configured to send the data received from the vaping device to the mobile website hosted on the remote server via the Internet. The first charging method is usually just a standard USB charging cable that connects directly to the vaping device. The second charging method is usually one of the following: (a) a charging dock to which a vaping device is directly attached and which has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity; (b) a filling and refill case into which a vaping device is inserted, plus a docking station for that case with built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity, as shown in Figure 30; (c) a filling and refill case into which a vaping device is inserted for storage, wherein the case itself has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity; iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 108 (d) a USB charging cable including a WiFi module, the charging cable plugs directly into the vaping device; (e) a USB charging cable terminating in a platform with a USB connector, wherein the platform includes a Wi-Fi module and the vaping device attaches to the platform. This architecture resolves the complex set of technical challenges described above. Data is sent, as previously mentioned, to the remote server for processing and possible display on the mobile website. Because a mobile website is used and there is no need to download an app from the device manufacturer's app store (e.g., Apple App Store or Google Play Store), the mobile website can provide full and consistent functionality across all devices, whether Apple iOS or Android, and regardless of whether the inhaled substance is nicotine, CBD, THC, or anything else. Full functionality is possible, such as ordering new pre-filled capsules or other consumables. Furthermore, users who do not require any connectivity can simply use the first charging system, which lacks data connectivity (this could be as simple as a USB power cable).They will have full confidence that there is no possibility of compromising data privacy, since. 109 can simply choose not to use the second charging system, which would provide connectivity. Other users who want data connectivity and a fully functional connected experience using their smartphone or other smart device only need to use the second charging system, for example, a charging dock into which a vaping device is attached and which has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity; or a refill and recharge case into which a vaping device is inserted, where the case itself is placed in a dock with built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity; or a USB charging cable that includes a Wi-Fi module. Some optional features: • The first charging system is a charging cable that plugs directly into the vaping device. • The first charging system is a desktop docking station, but without any Wi-Fi module, chip, or unit. • The first charging system is a docking station that connects to a USB port or other port on a computer or other device to receive power from the computer or other device. ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι κ c ι\ 110 The second charging system is a charging dock into which the vaping device is directly attached and which has integrated Wi-Fi-based data connectivity. The second charging system is a filling and recharging case into which a vaping device is inserted, plus a docking station for that case with built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity. The second charging system is a filling and recharging case into which a vaping device is inserted for storage, where the case itself has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity. • The second charging system is a USB charging cable that includes a Wi-Fi module. • The second charging system is a USB charging cable that terminates in a platform with a USB connector, where the platform includes a Wi-Fi module. BLE is used as a transport protocol that runs over Wi-Fi so that the vaping device appears as an IoT endpoint. BLE is used as a transport protocol that runs over Wi-Fi so that the vaping device appears as an IoT endpoint, so a smartphone app from an app store is not needed, only a web browser. κ c ι\ 111 The system uses a single connectivity API, namely the BLE API. Another approach is to integrate the Wi-Fi module directly into the vaping device instead of having a separate dock; we can generalize this as follows: A portable vaping device system comprising: (i) a portable vaping device that includes a rechargeable battery and a data port; and (ii) a mobile website configured to be hosted on a remote server and accessible from the end user's smartphone, smartwatch, or other personal device; wherein the vaping device includes a Wi-Fi module, chip, or unit configured to send data to the mobile website hosted on the remote server via the Internet. Server analytics As noted earlier, AYR is a Wi-Fi-connected device that provides data (with user consent) to a server that analyzes the data and generates consumer or behavioral insights based on usage data. This contrasts with the standard approach, which requires a Bluetooth connectivity module and a smartphone app, which may not be available for major operating systems such as Apple iOS. Providing a Wi-Fi-connected device 112 is key to obtaining representative and high-quality data that will be extracted to gain insights into consumer behavior; vaping systems that use only Bluetooth connectivity may be biased to cover only users who can pair their vaping systems with Android smartphones, compromising the quality of the resulting data and, therefore, the information. We can generalize as follows: A vaping data analysis system comprising a vaping system and a remote server, wherein the vaping system collects usage data relating to how the device is being used by a consumer and sends that usage data directly or indirectly to a remote server using WiFi connectivity to the Internet, the WiFi connectivity being established by the vaping device; and the server analyzes the data and generates consumer data or behavior information based on the usage data. Some optional features: • Wi-Fi connectivity is provided by a charging dock into which a vaping device is directly attached and which has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity. • Wi-Fi connectivity is provided by a refill and recharge case into which a vaping device is inserted, plus a docking station for that case with connectivity 113 data based on built-in Wi-Fi. • Wi-Fi connectivity is provided by means of a refill and recharge case into which a vaping device is inserted for storage, where the case itself has built-in Wi-Fi-based data connectivity. • Wi-Fi connectivity is provided by a USB charging cable that includes a Wi-Fi module; the charging cable connects directly to the vaping device. • Wi-Fi connectivity is provided by a USB charging cable that terminates in a platform with a USB connector, where the platform includes a Wi-Fi module and the vaping device attaches to the platform. • Usage data refers to the flavor and concentration of the liquid being atomized; and the remote server generates data comprising feedback, such as real-time feedback, for liquid filling and logistics systems to ensure that the most popular flavors are in store and online when needed. • Usage data refers to the flavor and concentration of newly released liquids that are atomized; and the remote server generates data comprising feedback, such as real-time feedback, to liquid and flavor houses to ensure the rapid, evidence-based creation and release of new flavors, including flavors that appeal to smokers and not underage users. 114 • Usage data refers to the geolocation of flavors and concentrations of the atomized liquid; and the remote server generates data comprising feedback, such as real-time feedback, to logistics and pod filling systems to ensure that the most popular flavors are in store or online in the cities or regions where they are most needed. • Usage data refers to characteristics associated with underage consumers of liquid and the remote server generates data comprising warning messages for those consumers or other people. • Usage data refers to characteristics associated with underage consumers of the liquid and the remote server generates data that comprises an alert signal for an adult or organization, such as a school or university. • Usage data refers to characteristics associated with underage consumers of the liquid and a geolocation of the atomizing device and the remote server generates data that comprises an alert signal for an adult or an organization, such as a school or college. • Usage data refers to characteristics associated with underage consumers of the liquid and the remote server generates data comprising a signal that stops or blocks the atomizing device. 115 • Usage data refers to the liquid level in the device and associated capsules; and the remote server generates data including messages that urge the user to purchase more capsules or liquid - for example, through electronic fulfillment, and provide special offers / coupons for use in stores or online. • Usage data refers to the flavor and / or concentration of the atomized liquid; and the remote server generates real-time feedback to consumers suggesting other flavors they might like. • Usage data refers to self-reporting of ongoing cigarette consumption; and the remote server generates real-time feedback on the positive health impact of reducing cigarette consumption. • Usage data refers to patterns or usage over time; and the remote server generates data that refers to any correlation with advertising or marketing to determine the effectiveness of that advertising or marketing. • Usage data refers to patterns or usage over time; and the remote server generates data that provides information about product usage for regulators or healthcare providers. • Usage data refers to usage times, the duration of each session, or the amount of liquid consumed; and the remote server generates data that provides information in κ c 116 real-time usage. Usage data refers to the age, gender, and other demographic data of users; and the remote server generates real-time demographic information about who is using the device. Vaping device connected to UWB The UWB (Ultra Wideband) standard allows adding very low-cost, low-power chips to electronic devices and making those devices location-aware with an accuracy of a few centimeters and able to exchange data (such as location data) with other devices (including UWB-equipped smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone 11).Therefore, a vaping device equipped with UWB capability could establish its location with great accuracy and share that location with other devices; this would allow vaping devices to automatically deactivate in areas where vaping is not permitted (such as airplanes, or within school buildings or larger school facilities); for example, a UWB beacon (fixed or mobile) in a restricted vaping area could be continuously transmitting a message or flag that any UWB-equipped vaping device would pick up when it is close enough to or within a defined no-vaping area; the reception of that message or flag would be automatically processed by the device. κ £117 c C i vaping device and would lead to its disabling; 2 would display a warning light or message alerting the user to this cause of disabling. The UWB beacon could be an authorized user's smartphone or tablet: therefore, a school teacher could activate the flag or message at any time or place and thus disable vaping devices that pick up that flag or message. We can generalize as follows: A portable vaping device that includes a UWB chip or ASIC that integrates UWB functionality. Some optional features: • The UWB chip or ASIC that integrates the UWB functionality provides geolocation and / or geofencing capabilities to prevent the operation of portable vaping devices in defined areas. • The vaping device hears a specific message or flag transmission from a UWB device that causes the device to automatically shut down. • The vaping device tracks your location using UWB and determines whether you are in a place where vaping is allowed or not, and if you are in a place where vaping is not allowed, then it is disabled. • The vaping device tracks your location using UWB and share that location with another enabled device 118 for UWB. • The UWB-enabled device with which location data is shared determines whether vaping is allowed at the location of the vaping device and sends a flag or message to that vaping device if vaping is not allowed. • The UWB-enabled device with which location data is shared is a smartphone. • The UWB-enabled device with which location data is shared is a base that refills the vaping device with liquid and recharges a battery in the vaping device. • The UWB-enabled device with which location data is shared is a portable refill and recharge case that fills the vaping device with liquid and recharges a battery in the vaping device. D. Handling and filling of liquid As described earlier in this document, A YR uses an active fluid management system to automatically refill a small liquid reservoir or chamber (typically with a liquid capacity of between 1 ml and 2 ml) in the vaping device up to a predetermined fixed threshold. This small liquid reservoir supplies liquid to the atomizing unit, which generates an aerosol from that liquid. This active fluid management system is used to automatically refill the device without requiring the user to manually refill the reservoir. 119. The user fills a vaporizing device with liquid from a larger reservoir—typically a user-replaceable, but not user-refillable, bottle, such as a 10 ml refill bottle. The active fluid handling system is very compact and cost-effective and is based on measuring the electrical capacitance of the small chamber; this capacitance changes with the volume of liquid in this chamber. While this section will describe the capacitive system in detail, there are other liquid level sensing technologies that the AYR system could use, such as simple optical systems in which a beam of light is sent through a transparent-walled liquid reservoir at a point located halfway through that reservoir; if the beam is interrupted in a way that is characteristic of absorption by the type of liquid in the reservoir, then the system assumes that the reservoir is at least half full of liquid and pumping is not activated.But if the beam isn't interrupted in that way, the system assumes the tank needs filling and pumping is activated. The light beam and sensor are housed in the coupling or enclosure. However, we've found the capacitance measurement system to be reliable and cost-effective. Basic operation Figure 31 shows a simplified block diagram of the core elements of the complete vaping system. The fluid reservoir 301 in the vaping device contains a The heating coil 302 is supported in a silicone sleeve. The amount of fluid in the small chamber is detected by reading the electrical capacitance between the two capacitor sensing plates 303 in the chamber. This capacitance is approximately proportional to the amount of e-liquid in the chamber. The microcontroller 304 in the filling device controls the peristaltic pump 305 by comparing the capacitance of the small liquid reservoir in the vaping device to a preset threshold. If the capacitance is below this threshold, it will activate the pump and draw liquid from the sealed reservoir (e.g., a 10ml liquid refill bottle) and pump it into the liquid reservoir 301 until the level reaches this threshold. Closed-circuit control The refill function is only activated after the vaporizer has finished a vaping session and has been returned to the refill device (e.g., the desktop dock for AYRBase or the refill and refill case for AYRCase) and placed upright. When the vaporizer has an integrated internal e-liquid pump (AYRMod), the refill function is activated again after the vaporizer has finished a vaping session and is placed upright. Once activated, the microcontroller implements a 121 Closed-loop pump control, pumping liquid until a preset threshold is reached. This maintains the liquid level in the vaporizer at approximately the same level. In AYR devices, the level is approximately 50%–60% of the maximum liquid capacity of 2 ml—that is, approximately 1 ml. Capacitance measurement The sensor capacitance in the vaping device is measured using a parallel resonance method. An inductor-capacitor tank oscillator circuit is used; the exact resonant frequency is detected; the value of the external sensing capacitor is calculated from this resonant frequency. To ensure high accuracy and repeatability, each measuring circuit is individually calibrated on the production line to compensate for all parasitic capacitance on the circuit board and the interconnections between the vaporizer and the measuring circuit. Figure 32 shows a simplified schematic. This circuit is designed to measure capacitance in the 0–20 pF range. The calibration constants obtained from the production line calibration process are stored in non-volatile memory (in the vaping device) and used by the system software to remove static parasitic capacitance. The current implementation uses a specialized integrated circuit to form the oscillator and 122 frequency measurement functions. Over time, this could evolve into a more discreet and cost-effective design; integrating so many functions into a custom ASIO driver is a key approach to reducing the device's cost of goods sold (COG). Characterization and authentication of the liquid The sensor's capacitance change is proportional to the amount of liquid in the chamber, but it also depends on the liquid's chemical composition (e.g., nicotine concentration, whether it's a nicotine salt, flavorings, water content, and PV and VG ratios) and the liquid's temperature. This means that each liquid formulation must be characterized in terms of liquid weight versus capacitance reading, and these constants must be stored with the liquid in the large reservoir, such as the 10ml refill bottle. This data is stored on a small serial ROM chip attached to the large reservoir, which can then be read by the microcontroller in the vaping device before filling begins. Additionally, this ROM chip contains (i) an encrypted secret key used to authenticate the reservoir (pod) and (ii) a countdown timer (only) to prevent filling with unknown liquids. If authentication and refill prevention are not required, the e-liquid characteristics iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 123 could be stored optically in the capsule to reduce cost, for example, as a barcode or other glyph. Figure 33 shows the test results plotting liquid mass versus sensor capacitance for two different samples of the same liquid within the measurement circuit system. Error bars are also shown for the samples. While adequate linearity and absolute accuracy are demonstrated, these readings can be further improved with additional calibration steps. However, they illustrate the fundamental ability to accurately detect whether the liquid mass in the small reservoir is above or below a threshold and to keep the pump off or on, respectively. Temperature compensation Capacitance readings depend not only on the volume of liquid in the reservoir containing the capacitance plates, but also, generally, on the liquid formulation. They can also be slightly dependent on the liquid's temperature. To compensate for this temperature change in the threshold that causes the pump to remain off or turn on, there is a temperature sensor located near the tip of the vaporizer that measures the ambient temperature. The microprocessor uses this to compensate for the effect of temperature on the threshold values. These threshold values ​​are characterized at 5°C and 45°C and are stored. 124 in the serial ROM in the 10ml bottle or capsule. The microprocessor also prohibits filling the vaporizer if the ambient temperature is outside this range. Figure 34 shows the raw capacitance readings overlaid with ambient temperature over time as the vaporizer is first heated to 45°C and then cooled to 5°C using the actual AYR capacitance-based liquid level measurement system. Readings were taken from seven tips (each circle in the graph is associated with a single device) at 5°C and 20°C, and from eight tips at 40°C. Each tip contains 1.4 g of liquid. As can be seen, there is very little change in the measured capacitance range as a function of temperature, and therefore, for the specific system used at AYR, as shown in Figure 31, there is no requirement to compensate for purely temperature-dependent capacitance changes. Change of taste The peristaltic pump is bidirectional, so when a flavor change is required, the microcontroller can pump the e-liquid in reverse from the vaporizer tip back to the main reservoir or refill the bottle. This won't completely empty the vaporizer of all the e-liquid, as some will remain saturated in the heating coil, but it will help reduce cross-contamination of flavors. 125 We can summarize and generalize the key characteristics as follows: Liquid level detection A vaping system that includes: (a) an automatically refillable liquid reservoir that supplies liquid to an atomizer; (b) a liquid level detection subsystem that directly or indirectly measures, infers or detects the amount of liquid, or liquid level, in the liquid reservoir by measuring the electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir that vary according to the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir; and (c) a fluid transfer system configured to automatically transfer liquid to the liquid reservoir under the control of the liquid level detection subsystem. Some optional features: Characteristic electrical characteristics • The electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem are capacitance, or a variable, such as resonant frequency, that corresponds to capacitance. • The liquid level detection subsystem is a capacitive detection system that measures capacitance using two capacitive sensors in the liquid tank, and that iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 126 Capacitance varies, approximately, in inverse proportion to the amount or level of liquid in the reservoir. • The liquid level detection subsystem detects the resonant frequency of an LC resonator circuit that includes capacitance sensors in the liquid tank and converts this measured resonant frequency into a digital value that corresponds to the capacitance, which in turn corresponds to the liquid level in the liquid tank. • A change in the measured resonant frequency corresponds to a change in capacitance, which in turn corresponds to a change in the liquid level in the liquid reservoir. • The liquid level sensing subsystem is individually calibrated during manufacturing or build time using calibration parameters that compensate for parasitic capacitance, and these are stored in memory in the vaping system that includes that calibrated liquid level sensing subsystem. • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in or associated with the liquid tank and is excited by an AC signal and the capacitance is then measured using a parallel resonance circuit, that capacitance varies with the liquid level in the liquid tank. II l^nn / l 7A7 / E / YILI The electrical characteristics measured by the 127 Liquid level detection subsystem includes one or more of: impedance, reactance or resistance, or a digital value corresponding to impedance, reactance or resistance. • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in or associated with the liquid tank and is excited by an AC signal and then the impedance is measured using a bridge circuit, varying that impedance with the liquid level in the liquid tank. • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in or associated with the liquid tank and is excited by an AC signal at a frequency that is sufficiently high, such as a 100 KHz signal, that the capacitive reactance is the dominant component of the liquid tank's impedance, reducing the importance of resistance (which is more susceptible to changes in the device's orientation); and the impedance is then measured using a bridge circuit, varying that impedance with the liquid level in the liquid tank. • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in or associated with the liquid tank and is excited by an AC excitation signal, such as a 100 KHz signal, and the impedance is approximately proportional to the attenuation of the excitation signal. Characteristics of the liquid level detection subsystem iin?nn / i ζπζ / ε / υιλι 128 • The liquid subsystem level detection provides closed-loop control of the fluid transfer system, which is set to pump liquid into the reservoir until a predefined electrical characteristic threshold is reached. Predefined electrical characteristic threshold for the liquid tank that fills to approximately half full The total capacity of the liquid tank is approximately 2 ml The predefined electrical characteristic threshold corresponds to approximately 1 ml of liquid in the tank. • The liquid level detection subsystem compares the measured electrical characteristics with one or more stored values ​​of those electrical characteristics, and controls the fluid transfer system depending on the result of that comparison. • The fluid transfer system is configured to pump liquid into the liquid reservoir, under the control of the liquid level detection subsystem, until a preset electrical characteristic threshold is measured. • The liquid level detection subsystem turns on the pump if the measured electrical characteristic falls below a predefined level and turns off the pump if the ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 129 The measured electrical characteristic reaches that same predefined level. • The liquid level detection subsystem turns on the pump if the measured electrical characteristic exceeds a predefined level and turns off the pump if the measured electrical characteristic falls below approximately that same predefined level. • The liquid level detection subsystem turns on the pump if the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid tank is below a predefined level. • The liquid level detection subsystem shuts off the pump if the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid tank reaches a predefined level. • The liquid level detection subsystem turns on the pump if the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid tank is below a predefined level and turns off the pump if the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid tank reaches approximately the same predefined level. • The liquid level detection subsystem measures the orientation of the tank or receives an input from a subsystem that measures the orientation of the tank and allows measuring the electrical characteristics and / or refilling, only where the orientation is within a preset range. iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 130 • The liquid level detection subsystem measures the orientation of the tank or receives an input from a subsystem that measures the orientation of the tank and allows measuring the electrical characteristics and / or refilling, only where the orientation is substantially vertical. • The liquid level detection subsystem measures the orientation of the tank or receives an input from a subsystem that measures the orientation of the tank, using an ASIC that includes the measurement circuit for the liquid level detection subsystem. Atomizer Features • The liquid reservoir is part of a refillable tip; the complete refillable tip is replaced by the end user when it reaches the end of its useful life. • An atomizer with a porous wick, made of ceramic or other porous material, is fed directly with liquid from the liquid reservoir, with no intermediate reservoirs or liquid channels. • An atomizer with a porous wick, made of ceramic or other porous material, is indirectly fed with liquid from the liquid reservoir, through an intermediate reservoir or one or more liquid conduits, such as liquid siphons. • The liquid level detection subsystem can be used in any of the following types iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 131 of vaping systems: a portable vaping device; a filling and refilling case that is both filled with liquid and recharges a vaping device stored in the case; a docking station that is filled with liquid and recharges a vaping device placed in the docking station; a one-piece vaping device with a battery of at least 1000 mAh. • The vaping device uses a ceramic wick. • The vaping device uses a flat ceramic wick with a substantially flat surface with heating elements formed or placed on that surface. • The vaping device uses a micro-engineered stainless steel blade. • The fluid transfer system extracts the liquid from a fully recyclable, user-replaceable, sealed refill capsule or bottle and pumps it into the fluid reservoir. • The fluid transfer system includes an electric peristaltic pump. Sensor construction features • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor that includes detection structures or plates that are placed inside the liquid tank. • The liquid level detection subsystem comprises two opposing capacitive detection plates or others 132 structures that each include a pair of substantially flat side sections and a circular or curved central section, the flat sections of opposing plates or other structures being substantially parallel to each other. • The central circular or curved section fits around a tube in which an atomizer is placed. • Opposing plates or other structures are located within the liquid reservoir. • The liquid level detection subsystem comprises the liquid level detection subsystem comprising detection plates or other structures mounted against one or more ribs or other physical features that are configured to ensure consistent and accurate separation of opposing plates or other structures. • The liquid level detection subsystem comprises capacitive detection plates or other structures mounted externally to the liquid tank and, instead, placed in a fill coupling. • The liquid level detection subsystem comprises two opposing capacitive detection plates or other structures, each including a substantially flat side section, which are substantially parallel to each other and are mounted externally to the liquid reservoir and instead placed in a fill coupling. • The liquid level detection subsystem is iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 133 connected to a sensor, in or associated with the liquid reservoir, which includes a pair of detection plates or other structures that include substantially concentric sections. • The liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor, in or associated with the liquid tank, which includes a pair of detection plates or other structures made of the same metallic material, such as stainless steel or brass. • The electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem are detected by sensors that are at least partly integral with the walls of the liquid tank. • Capacitive sensors form at least part of the inner and outer walls of the liquid reservoir. • The outer walls of the liquid reservoir are part of the outer casing of the vaping device. • The atomizer includes a metal sheet or plate and this sheet or plate is part of one or more of the capacitive detection plates or other structures. Specific characteristics of liquids • The liquid level detection subsystem compensates for or adjusts the formulation or chemical composition of each specific flavor, concentration, or type of liquid. • Each flavor, concentration, or type of liquid is tested ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 134 specific and the electrical characteristics of each specific liquid are determined based on the mass or weight of the liquid in the liquid tank and the related data values ​​are stored in a manner accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem. • The electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem depend on the chemical composition of the liquid in the liquid reservoir, and the specific data values ​​for a liquid of a specific composition, formulation, or type are stored in a liquid fill bottle in a memory such as a ROM or an optical barcode, for that liquid and are accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem. • Data values ​​that map capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level sensing subsystem at a threshold fill quantity, for a specific liquid, are stored in the fill bottle for that specific liquid and are accessible by the liquid level sensing subsystem. • Data values ​​that map the quantity or mass of a specific liquid against capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level detection subsystem at one or more thresholds or values ​​with respect to the amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir, iin?nn / i ζπζ / ε / υιλι 135 for that specific liquid, are stored and accessible by the vaping system. • Data values ​​are stored in the bottle or capsule that supplies the e-liquid. • Data values ​​are stored in a serial ROM chip in the bottle or capsule. • Data values ​​are stored in a barcode or other optically readable data. Temperature dependence characteristics • The liquid level detection subsystem compensates for or adjusts the liquid temperature using an ambient temperature sensor. • The liquid level detection subsystem prohibits filling operations if the measured temperature, measured with an ambient temperature sensor, falls outside the preset operating limits, such as 5°C and 45°C. • The data sent to the liquid level detection subsystem allows the liquid level detection subsystem to compensate for temperature-dependent variability in the characteristics of liquids with different chemical compositions. • The electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem depend on the temperature, and the stored values ​​of the electrical characteristics include values ​​in and / or between the intervals of ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 136 lower and upper operating temperature of the device, such as 5°C and 45°C. • The vaping system includes an ambient temperature sensor that provides temperature data to the liquid filling subsystem so that the subsystem can compare the measured electrical characteristics with values ​​that are appropriate for the ambient temperature of the atomizer tank. • The vaping system includes a temperature sensor placed adjacent to or close enough to the liquid reservoir to provide an estimate of the liquid temperature in the reservoir. • Data values ​​that characterize how the capacitance of a specific e-liquid or a family or type of liquids varies with temperature are stored and accessible by the vaping system. • Data values ​​characterizing how the capacitance of a specific e-liquid or a family or type of e-liquid varies between a lower temperature limit and an upper temperature limit are stored and accessible by the liquid filling subsystem. • The stored data values ​​of the electrical characteristics are stored in or on a liquid capsule that provides liquid to the fluid transfer system iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi. 137 • The stored values ​​of the electrical characteristics are stored in a ROM chip or other memory in the capsule or liquid bottle. • The pre-stored values ​​of the electrical characteristics are stored in an optically readable barcode on the capsule or liquid bottle. Another aspect is a method for controlling the operation of a fluid transfer subsystem that is part of a vaping system, comprising the step of measuring data relating to the electrical characteristics of a liquid reservoir in the vaping system using a liquid level detection subsystem, varying the electrical characteristics depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir, and automatically controlling a fluid transfer system based on the measured data. Capsule with data on the type of liquid As explained previously, the liquid level detection system detects changes in the electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir, which vary depending on how full the reservoir is. These electrical characteristics can also vary based on parameters such as the type of liquid, its nicotine concentration, whether it is a nicotine salt or not, whether it contains CBD or THC, its water content, its PV / VG ratio, and flavorings. 138 used. Therefore, data defining or referring to these chemical compositions, formulations, or liquid types (more generally, 'liquid parameters') must be available to the liquid level detection system if it is to function accurately and reliably across different liquid compositions, formulations, or liquid types. For the AYR system, we have tested every possible liquid composition, formulation, or liquid and characterized each in terms of liquid mass or weight versus capacitance reading. These constants, for a specific composition, formulation, or liquid type, are then stored in the refill bottle containing that specific composition, formulation, or liquid type. The data is stored in a machine-readable format, typically on a small, low-cost ROM chip. We can generalize as follows: A capsule, bottle, or other container configured to be coupled with a fluid transfer system that automatically fills a reservoir liquid in a vaping device with the liquid stored in the container; The container includes, or is programmed with, machine-readable data relating to or associated with the electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir when liquid of the chemical composition, formulation oiii bnn / i znz / R / YiAi is included 139 type in the container, those electrical characteristics being relevant to the operation of a liquid level detection subsystem that controls the fluid transfer system based on measurements of the electrical characteristics, or data related to those electrical characteristics. Some optional features: • The container includes a memory, such as a chip. ROM or a FLASH memory, which stores or encodes electrical characteristics, or data related to electrical characteristics, of the specific liquid stored in that capsule. • The container includes a machine-readable optical code, such as a barcode, which encodes the electrical characteristics, or data related to those electrical characteristics, of the specific liquid stored in that capsule. • The liquid level detection subsystem reads pre-stored values ​​of the electrical characteristics of or associated with the liquid reservoir in the vaping device, such as capacitance or impedance, which indicate that the liquid reservoir is sufficiently full of liquid, and the liquid level detection subsystem compares the pre-stored values ​​with the measured electrical characteristics, to determine if the ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 140 Fluid transfer system must be turned on or off. • Electrical characteristics depend on the chemical composition of the liquid and previously stored values ​​are specific to a liquid of a specific type, class or flavor. • Electrical characteristics depend on temperature and previously stored values ​​of electrical characteristics include values ​​at the lower and upper operating ranges of the device, such as 5°C and 45°C. • The liquid level detection subsystem compensates for or adjusts the formulation or chemical composition of each specific flavor, concentration, or type of liquid. • Each specific flavor, concentration, or liquid type is tested, and the electrical characteristics of each specific liquid, based on the mass or weight of the liquid in the liquid reservoir, are determined and stored in a manner accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem. • The electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem depend on the chemical composition of the liquid in the liquid reservoir, and the specific values ​​for a given composition, formulation, or liquid type are stored in a liquid fill bottle in a memory, such as an optical barcode or ROM, for that liquid and are accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem.2 • Data mapping capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level detection subsystem at a threshold fill quantity, for a specific liquid, are stored in the fill bottle for that specific liquid and are accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem. • Data mapping the quantity or mass of a specific liquid against capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level detection subsystem at one or more thresholds or values ​​related to the amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir, for that liquid, are stored and accessible by the vaping system. • The data is stored in the bottle or capsule that supplies the e-liquid. • The data is stored on a serial ROM chip in the bottle or capsule. • The data is stored in a barcode or other optically readable data. • Electrical characteristics include temperature-dependent electrical characteristics that allow a liquid level subsystem to compensate for variations in the ambient temperature of the atomizer tank. The electrical characteristics dependent on the 142 temperature are the signal associated with a maximum level or amount of liquid in an atomizer reservoir at the upper and lower limits of the operating temperature of the device to which the reservoir is supplying liquid. · The temperature-dependent electrical characteristics are used by a liquid level sensing subsystem that measures, detects, or infers the liquid level in the liquid tank. • A temperature sensor measures the temperature in the device and the liquid level detection subsystem is blocked from operation if the device temperature, or a temperature related to the device temperature, is higher than a high temperature threshold, or is lower than a low temperature threshold. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A vaping system, characterized in that it includes: (a) an automatically refillable liquid reservoir that supplies liquid to an atomizer; (b) a liquid level sensing subsystem that directly or indirectly measures, infers, or detects the amount of liquid, or the liquid level, in the liquid reservoir by measuring the electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir that vary depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir; and (c) a fluid transfer system configured to automatically transfer liquid to the liquid reservoir under the control of the liquid level sensing subsystem.

2. The vaping system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem are capacitance, or a variable, such as resonant frequency, that corresponds to capacitance.

3. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem detects the resonant frequency iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 144 of an LC resonator circuit including capacitance sensors in the liquid reservoir and converts this measured resonant frequency to a digital value that corresponds to the capacitance, which in turn corresponds to the liquid level in the liquid reservoir; and a change in the measured resonant frequency corresponds to a change in the capacitance, which in turn corresponds to a change in the liquid level in the liquid reservoir.

4. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem is individually calibrated during manufacturing or at the time of construction using calibration parameters that compensate for parasitic capacitance, and these are stored in the memory of the vaping system that includes that calibrated liquid level detection subsystem.

5. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem include one or more of: impedance, reactance or resistance, or a digital value corresponding to the impedance, reactance or resistance.

6. The vaping system according to claim 5, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in oiii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 145 associated with the liquid reservoir and excited by an AC signal, and the impedance is then measured using a bridge circuit, that impedance varying with the liquid level in the liquid reservoir, or (b) the capacitance of the sensor in the vaping device is measured using a parallel resonance circuit, such capacitance varying with the liquid level in the liquid reservoir.

7. The vaping system according to claim 5 or 6 above, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem is connected to a sensor in or associated with the liquid reservoir and is excited by an AC signal at a frequency that is sufficiently high, such as a 100 KHz signal, that capacitive reactance being the dominant component of the liquid reservoir's impedance, reducing the importance of resistance (which is more susceptible to changes in the device's orientation); and the impedance is then measured using a bridge circuit, that impedance varying with the liquid level in the liquid reservoir and being approximately proportional to the attenuation of the excitation signal.

8. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem provides closed-loop control of the fluid transfer system, which is configured to pump liquid into the reservoir until a predefined electrical characteristic threshold is reached.

9. The vaping system according to claim 8, characterized in that the predefined electrical characteristic corresponds to the liquid reservoir being filled to approximately half, such as if the total capacity of the liquid reservoir is approximately 2 ml and the predefined electrical characteristic threshold corresponds to approximately 1 ml of liquid being in the liquid reservoir.

10. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem compares the measured electrical characteristics with one or more stored values ​​of those electrical characteristics, and controls the fluid transfer system depending on the result of that comparison, and wherein the fluid transfer system is configured to pump liquid into the liquid reservoir, under the control of the liquid level detection subsystem, until a preset electrical characteristic threshold is measured.

11. The vaping system according to claim 10, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem turns on the fluid transfer system if the measured electrical characteristic falls below a predefined level and turns off the fluid transfer system if the measured electrical characteristic reaches the same predefined level; or the liquid level detection subsystem turns on the fluid transfer system if the measured electrical characteristic exceeds a predefined level and turns off the fluid transfer system if the measured electrical characteristic falls below approximately the same predefined level.

12. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem turns on the fluid transfer system if the amount of liquid, or the level of the liquid, in the liquid reservoir is below a predefined level, and the liquid level detection subsystem turns off the fluid transfer system if the amount of liquid, or the level of the liquid, in the liquid reservoir reaches a predefined level.

13. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem measures the orientation of the tank, or receives an input from a subsystem that measures the orientation of the tank and allows measuring the electrical characteristics, and / or filling, only when the orientation is within a pre-established range, such as being substantially straight or vertical.

14. The vaping system in accordance with any ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 148 preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid reservoir forms part of a refillable tip, and the complete refillable tip is replaceable by an end user when it reaches the end of its useful life.

15. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem can be operated for use in any of the following types of vaping systems: a portable vaping device; a filling and refilling case that is filled with liquid and recharges a vaping device stored in the case; a docking station that is both filled with liquid and recharges a vaping device placed in the docking station; a one-piece vaping device with a battery of at least 1000 mAh.

16. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the atomizer uses a ceramic wick, or a flat ceramic wick with a substantially flat surface with heating elements formed or placed on that surface, or a micro-engineered stainless steel sheet without a coil.

17. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the fluid transfer system draws liquid from a user-replaceable, fully recyclable, sealed refill capsule or bottle and pumps it into the liquid reservoir. iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 149 18. The liquid level detection subsystem, characterized in that it is connected to a sensor that includes sensor plates or structures that are placed inside the liquid tank.

19. The vaping system according to any claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem comprises two opposing capacitive detection plates or other structures, each including a pair of substantially flat side sections and a circular or curved center section, the flat sections of opposing plates or other structures being substantially parallel to each other.

20. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem comprises detection plates or other structures mounted against one or more ribs or other physical features that are configured to ensure consistent and accurate separation of opposing plates or other structures.

21. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem are detected by sensors that are, at least in part, integral with the walls of the liquid reservoir. 150 22. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the atomizer includes a metal sheet or plate and this sheet or plate forms part of the capacitive sensing plates or other structures.

23. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem comprises capacitive detection plates or other structures mounted externally to the liquid reservoir, such as are placed in a filling coupling or filling case.

24. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem compensates for or adjusts the formulation or chemical composition of each specific flavor, concentration, or liquid type; and wherein each specific flavor, concentration, or liquid type is tested and the electrical characteristics of each specific liquid are determined based on the mass or weight of the liquid in the liquid reservoir and the related data values ​​are stored in a manner accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem.

25. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical characteristics measured by the liquid level detection subsystem depend on the chemical composition of the liquid in the liquid reservoir and the liquid-specific data values ​​of a specific composition, formulation, or liquid type are stored in a liquid filling bottle in a memory such as a ROM or optical barcode for that liquid and are accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem.

26. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the data values ​​mapping the capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level detection subsystem at a threshold fill quantity, for a specific liquid, are stored in a refill bottle for that specific liquid and are accessible to the liquid level detection subsystem from a chip, a barcode and other readable data values ​​on the bottle.

27. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that data values ​​mapping the quantity or mass of a specific liquid against capacitance, or capacitance-related data, measured by the liquid level detection subsystem at one or more thresholds or values ​​related to the amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir, for that specific liquid, are stored and accessible to the vaping system.

28. The vaping system according to any 152 preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem compensates for or adjusts the liquid temperature using an ambient temperature sensor and wherein the data sent to the liquid level detection subsystem allows the liquid level detection subsystem to compensate for temperature-dependent variability in the characteristics of liquids with different chemical compositions.

29. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid level detection subsystem prohibits filling operations if the measured temperature, measured with an ambient temperature sensor, falls outside the pre-established operating limits, such as 5°C and 45°C.

30. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a temperature sensor placed adjacent to or sufficiently close to the liquid reservoir to provide an estimate of the liquid temperature measurement in the reservoir.

31. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the data characterizing how the capacitance of a specific e-liquid or a family or type of e-liquid varies with temperature are stored and are accessible by the vaping system in a chip, barcode or other readable data values ​​in a user-replaceable, closed and non-refillable liquid capsule or bottle that supplies liquid to the fluid transfer system.

32. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a portable vaping device configured to operate with: (a) a non-user-refillable combined atomizer and liquid reservoir that is (i) attachable and removable from a main body of the device and that (ii) is supplied to an end user pre-filled with liquid; and also to operate with: (b) a user-refillable combined atomizer and liquid reservoir that is (i) attachable and removable from the main body of the device and that is (ii) configured to automatically refill with liquid multiple times using the fluid transfer system.

33. A vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes (i) a refillable mouthpiece or pod and (ii) a non-refillable prefilled tip or pod, each of which is configured to fit or attach to two or more of the following vaping devices: (a) a portable vaping device body without an integral fluid transfer system; (b) a portable vaping device body configured to attach to a liquid filling coupling that includes the fluid transfer system; (c) a portable vaping device body configured to attach to a portable case that includes the fluid transfer system; and (d) a portable vaping device body with an integral fluid transfer system.

34. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a vaporization device including (i) a liquid reservoir supplying liquid to an atomizer; (ii) an orifice, opening or nozzle configured to allow the device to be filled with atomizable liquid from a liquid source and (iii) a liquid path connecting the liquid reservoir to the orifice, opening or nozzle; and wherein the liquid path includes a channel covered with a plastic film.

35. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a liquid filling bottle configured to couple with a fluid transfer system in a vaping system, the bottle including a section or recess in which an authentication chip or other authentication memory component can be physically inserted and then retained by the shape of the section or recess until it is physically removed to allow the bottle to be recycled.

36. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an atomizer capsule prefilled with an atomizable liquid and a main body of the vaping device, wherein the capsule includes an authentication or memory chip and the vaping device body includes a capsule authentication subsystem that permits the use of a capsule with that body only if certain capsule criteria are met;and the vaping device body further includes a wireless connectivity subsystem that (i) exchanges data with an application or browser running on a user's smartphone, the application or browser connecting to a web server-based pod usage and age verification system and (ii) is configured to unlock the body to permit normal vaping use only if that user passes the age requirements of the age verification system and the pod is authorized for use.

37. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a liquid filling bottle or container and a liquid transfer system configured to automatically transfer liquid from the bottle or container to a liquid reservoir in a vaping device; wherein the container includes a counter on a memory chip that is configured to change its value when a defined type of event affects the bottle or container, such that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the bottle or container is locked for further use.

38. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a vaping system including a pre-filled pod configured for a vaping device, the pod including a counter on a memory chip that is configured to change its value when a defined type of event affects the pod, such that when the counter reaches a limit (e.g., zero) or other value, the pod is locked for further use.

39. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a liquid atomization system with a heating element configured to heat an atomizable liquid and produce a vapor, atomization, or mist, and which is controlled by a constant temperature controller, the controller directly or indirectly measuring the current through a heating element using a power source with a known voltage and enabling a microcontroller or processor to (a) calculate or determine the resistance of the heating element and (b) calculate, from stored data, the resistance-temperature coefficient of the material from which the heating element is made, or (c) look up the temperature of the heating element;and in which the controller is configured to use a closed-loop temperature control algorithm to regulate power, current, or voltage to stabilize the temperature of the heating element at a preset level or interval by adjusting the power-to-work ratio.

40. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a liquid filling device that stores a vaping device and allows the vaping device to be ejected or removed, and the filling device and / or vaping device includes a switch that (a) is activated when the vaping device begins to be ejected or removed from the filling device and that (b) sends a signal to ensure that any data communication between the vaping device and the filling device terminates in a controlled manner before the data connection is lost.

41. The vaping system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a vaping device that includes a series of lights that progressively turn off when the user vapes, but can also be controlled to light up together or in a sequence or otherwise to form a light pattern.

42. The vaping system according to any claim 158, characterized in that it is configured to allow a vaping device to be used for a single session, a session being a limited time or limited range of vaping during which the vaping device is operational and for which the vaping device provides an initial and final visual, haptic and / or sonic marker; and wherein the system is configured to receive from a user a selection or indication of the type or brand of cigarette he or she is currently smoking, and the system then automatically adjusts the time or other parameters of the single session so that the amount of nicotine generated by the vaping device, or inhaled by a user, during that session is approximately equivalent to the amount of nicotine associated with smoking a single cigarette of that specific type or brand of cigarette.

43. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises: (i) a vaping device including a rechargeable battery and a data port; and (ii) a first charging system for that vaping device configured to supply power to the rechargeable battery; and (iii) a separate second charging system configured to receive the vaping device and to supply power to the rechargeable battery and to receive data from the vaping device via the data port; and (iv) a mobile website configured to be hosted on a remote server and to be accessible from the end user's smartphone, smartwatch, or other personal device;and in which the second charging system includes a Wi-Fi module, chip or unit configured to send the data received from the vaping device to the mobile website hosted on the remote server via the Internet.

44. The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes a portable vaping device system comprising: (i) a portable vaping device including a rechargeable battery and a data port; and (ii) a mobile website configured to be hosted on a remote server and accessible from the end user's smartphone, smartwatch, or other personal device by selecting an icon that opens a web link and not a local vaping-specific application running on the device; and wherein the vaping device includes a Wi-Fi module, chip, or unit configured to send data to the mobile website hosted on the remote server via the Internet.

45. The vaping system in accordance with any ii ibnn / ι ζπζ / β / υιλι 160 above claim, characterized in that it comprises a portable vaping device that includes a UWB chip or ASIC that integrates UWB functionality to provide geolocation and / or geofencing capability to prevent the operation of portable vaping devices in defined areas.

46. ​​The vaping system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a vaping data analysis system including a vaping system and a remote server, wherein the vaping system collects usage data related to the manner in which the device is being used by a consumer and sends that usage data directly or indirectly to a remote server using Wi-Fi connectivity to the internet; the Wi-Fi connectivity is established by the vaping device, and the server analyzes the data and generates information about consumer data or behavior based on the usage data.

47. Method for controlling the operation of a fluid transfer subsystem that is part of a vaping system, characterized in that it comprises the step of measuring data relating to the electrical characteristics of a liquid reservoir in the vaping system using a liquid level detection subsystem, the electrical characteristics varying depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir, and automatically controlling a fluid transfer system in iii^nn / i znz / e / YiAi 161 function of the measured data.

48. The method according to claim 47, characterized in that the vaping system according to any preceding claim 1-46.

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