Electronic Cigarette Wireless Control for Non-Smoking Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of electronic cigarettes in public places can lead to discomfort for others due to the emission of vapor, as existing solutions do not effectively prevent vaping in non-smoking areas.

Innovation Solution

A control method that establishes a wireless connection between a terminal and an electronic cigarette, detecting non-smoking areas through wireless access points or positioning information, and sends a smoking banning signal to the electronic cigarette to stop atomization when it enters such areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If electronic cigarettes are used in public places, then vapor emission increases, but air quality deteriorates and discomfort to others increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor emissionVSAvoidair quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors location information and compares it with non-smoking area boundaries to provide real-time feedback. When the electronic cigarette enters a non-smoking area, the system automatically sends a banning signal to stop atomization, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the electronic cigarette and the non-smoking area detection system. It receives location data from the electronic cigarette, processes the information against stored boundary data, and transmits control signals back to the electronic cigarette, enabling indirect control of vaping behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If location-based monitoring is implemented, then vaping control in non-smoking areas improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaping controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs multiple functions: it stores boundary data of non-smoking areas, receives location information from electronic cigarettes, processes compliance determination, and transmits control signals. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated systems into a single versatile device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic cigarette autonomously provides its own location information to the terminal device, and the terminal device automatically compares this information against stored boundaries to determine compliance. The system serves itself by using the electronic cigarette's inherent positioning capability without requiring external active monitoring or complex infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3681179B1Control method and apparatus for electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 CHANGZHOU PATENT ELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD
  • EP3681179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681179B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A control method and apparatus for an electronic cigarette are disclosed. The method includes: after a terminal establishes a wireless connection with an electronic cigarette bound with the terminal, the terminal detecting whether the terminal or the electronic cigarette enters a non-smoking area; when the terminal detects that the terminal or the electronic cigarette enters a non-smoking area, the terminal sending a smoking banning signal to the electronic cigarette; wherein the smoking banning signal is used to instruct the electronic cigarette, after receiving the smoking banning signal, to stop atomizing in response to the smoking triggering signal, thereby solving the problem that some users use the electronic cigarette in public places to reduce the air quality, and achieving the effect of improving the air quality in public places.