Vapour Generating Device with Integrated GNSS Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of vaping devices face difficulties in locating designated vaping areas within rapidly changing urban environments, as they often need to carry and use separate navigational devices like smartphones to find permitted vaping locations, which can be inconvenient and lead to forgotten devices when restrictions are enforced.

Innovation Solution

A vapour generating device equipped with a GNSS receiver, processor, and visual indicator that determines the direction to nearby vaping areas or points of interest, allowing users to navigate without relying on external devices, using LED strips or a ring indicator to provide intuitive directional guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users carry a smartphone to find vaping areas, then navigation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the navigation function with the vaping device itself by integrating a receiver, processor, and indicator into the vaping device. This merging eliminates the need for users to carry a separate smartphone for navigation purposes, directly resolving the technical contradiction by providing accurate direction finding while reducing user burden and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If users use a smartphone maps application to find vaping areas, then directional information is provided, but loss of time occurs when users forget their smartphone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional informationVSAvoidtime to retrieve smartphone
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vaping device provides navigation services to itself by integrating the necessary components (receiver, processor, indicator) directly into the device. This self-service capability ensures that directional information is always available when the user needs it, eliminating the time loss associated with forgetting a smartphone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If designated vaping areas are frequently updated in rapidly changing cities, then adaptability to current regulations is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring location increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to regulation changesVSAvoidlocation detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated system continuously receives positioning signals and processes location data to provide real-time directional feedback to the user. This feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt to changing vaping area locations dynamically, resolving the contradiction by making location detection easier while maintaining adaptability to regulatory changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to find vaping areas or shops without needing a smartphone, reducing the burden of carrying additional devices and ensuring accurate, real-time navigation to the nearest permitted location, while minimizing battery drain and user effort.

Implementation Method 1

a receiver configured to receive a positioning signal; a processor configured to determine a direction from a determined position of the vapour generating device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System):

Implementation Method 2

using LED strips or a ring indicator to provide intuitive directional guidance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLED (Light Emitting Diode): Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4110119B1A method and vapour generating device for indicating a direction to an area of interest
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4110119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4110119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4110119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vapour generating device is disclosed. The vapour generating device comprises a vapour generating means configured to generate aerosol; a receiver configured to receive a positioning signal; a processor configured to determine a direction from a determined position of the vapour generating device to an area of interest; and an indicator configured to indicate to a user of the vapour generating device the direction to the area of interest. The vapour generating device enables a user to be guided to an area of interest such as a designated vaping area or a retail establishment selling vaping supplies.