AU2019203395B2 - Electronic smoking device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic smoking device includes a first sensor for detecting a users action for smoking, an air inlet, an air flow path extending from the air inlet, a liquid compartment storing a smoking liquid, a dispensing control device configured to selectively dispense the smoking liquid from the liquid compartment, a vaporizing compartment connected to the liquid compartment and the air flow path, a heater located at the vaporizing compartment, a controller configured to activate the heater to vaporize the smoking liquid dispensed from the liquid compartment when the user's action for smoking is detected by the first sensor, and a smoke outlet connected to the vaporizing compartment, wherein an amount of the smoking liquid dispensed by the dispensing control device is responsive to an amount of air flowing in the vaporizing compartment.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional

Application No. 61/330,140 filed on April 30, 2010, which is hereby

incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth

herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure

[0003] This disclosure is directed to an electronic smoking device, and

particularly to an electronic smoking device and an associated pack with

enhanced features and functionalities for use therewith.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Electronic cigarettes are a popular alternative to traditional

tobacco based cigarettes that must be burned in order to generate smoke for

inhalation. Electronic cigarettes provide a vapor for inhalation, but do not

contain certain byproducts of combustion that may be harmful to human

health. However, electronic cigarettes are a relatively new invention and

current systems do not deliver the same "quality" of experience as traditional

cigarettes. For example, electronic cigarettes have relatively slow rate of

vaporization and this tends to produce an inconsistent quality of vapor. This

may be due to the use of a wick that transports liquid from a disposable

cartridge to the vaporizing element. The "wicking" method of fluid transport is

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

a relatively slow method and therefore limits the rate at which the user can

smoke the cigarette. Additionally, the Nick limits the ability to control and

monitor the amount of nicotine delivered to the user. Finally, the wick

construction is more difficult to assemble and automate manufacturing, has

limited quality, and may be contaminated.

[0006] Additionally, the user interface of early generation electronic

cigarettes do not provide clear and intuitive information to the user. For

example, while traditional cigarettes provide a visual indication when the

smoking product has been exhausted, electronic cigarettes do not provide a

similar clear indication.

[0007] Some users chose to smoke electronic cigarettes as part of a

smoking cessation program. However, it is often difficult for the user to

determine the exact amount of the product being consumed and thus difficult

to measure the progress of such a cessation program. Accordingly, there is a

need for an improved electronic cigarette.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] According to an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic smoking

device includes a first sensor for detecting a user's action for smoking, an air

inlet, an air flow path extending from the air inlet, a liquid compartment storing

a smoking liquid, a dispensing control device configured to selectively

dispense the smoking liquid from the liquid compartment, a vaporizing

compartment connected to the liquid compartment and the air flow path, a

heater located at the vaporizing compartment, a controller configured to

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activate the heater to vaporize the smoking liquid dispensed from the liquid

compartment when the user's action for smoking is detected by the first

sensor, and a smoke outlet connected to the vaporizing compartment,

wherein an amount of the smoking liquid dispensed by the dispensing control

device is responsive to an amount of air flowing in the vaporizing

compartment.

[0009] The liquid compartment may include an opening connected to

the vaporizing compartment, and the dispensing control device may cover the

opening of the liquid compartment.

[0010] The first sensor may include at least one of an air flow sensor,

an acoustic sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, a capacitive sensor,

an optical sensor, a hall effect sensor, and an electromagnetic field sensor.

[0011] The controller may be configured to limit an amount of the

smoking liquid vaporized by the heater per predetermined period of time. The

controller may be configured to disable the electronic smoking device when

an accumulated period of time the heater has been turned on reaches a

predetermined value.

[0012] The electronic smoking device may further include a second

sensor for detecting at least one of an internal voltage and an internal current

of the heater, wherein the controller may be configured to adjust a heating

operation of the heater based on at least one of the internal voltage and the

internal current.

[0013] The electronic smoking device may further include a

rechargeable battery for powering the electronic smoking device, and a

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charge/discharge protection circuit for the rechargeable battery. The heater

may include a solid state heater.

[0014] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic

smoking device includes a first sensor for detecting a user's action for

smoking, an air inlet, an air flow path extending from the air inlet, a liquid

compartment storing a smoking liquid, a vaporizing compartment connected

to the air flow path, a micro liquid screen connected to the liquid compartment

to selectively dispense the smoking liquid from the liquid compartment to the

vaporizing compartment, a heater located at the vaporizing compartment, a

controller configured to activate the heater to vaporize the smoking liquid

dispensed from the liquid compartment when the user's action for smoking is

detected by the first sensor, and a smoke outlet connected to the vaporizing

compartment.

[0015] The micro liquid screen may include a micro aperture pattern,

wherein the smoking liquid may be dispensed through the micro aperture

pattern when the air flowing in the vaporizing chamber breaks surface tension

of the smoking liquid formed at the micro aperture pattern.

[0016] The liquid compartment may include an opening connected to

the vaporizing compartment, and the micro liquid screen may cover the

opening of the liquid compartment.

[0017] The first sensor may include at least one of an air flow sensor,

an acoustic sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, a capacitive sensor,

an optical sensor, a hall effect sensor, and an electromagnetic field sensor.

[0018] The controller may be configured to limit an amount of the

smoking liquid vaporized by the heater per predetermined period of time. The

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controller may be configured to disable the electronic smoking device when

an accumulated period of time the heater has been turned on reaches a

predetermined value.

[0019] The electronic smoking device may further include a second

sensor for detecting at least one of an internal voltage and an internal current

of the heater, wherein the controller may be configured to adjust a heating

operation of the heater.

[0020] The electronic smoking device may further include a

rechargeable battery for powering the electronic smoking device, and a

charge/discharge protection circuit for the rechargeable battery. The heater

comprises a solid state heater.

[0021] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a pack for an

electronic smoking device includes a rechargeable battery for powering the

pack, a power interface configured to receive electric power from an external

power source to charge the rechargeable battery, a communication interface

configured to exchange data with a first external device, and a smoking

device connector configured to engage the electronic smoking device and

provide electric power to the electronic smoking device.

[0022] The smoking device connector may be further configured to

exchange data with the electronic smoking device, wherein the pack may

further include a user interface and a controller configured to operate the user

interface in response to data received from the electronic smoking device via

the smoking device connector.

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[00231 The pack may further include a user interface, wherein the user

interface may include at least one of an LED lamp, a vibrating motor, a

display, and a sound device.

[0024] The pack may further include a communication interface,

wherein the communication interface may include at least one of a wired

communication interface and a wireless communication interface. The

wireless communication interface may be configured to connect the pack to a

wireless communication network and exchange data with a second external

device in the wireless ommunication network.

[0025] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the

disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following

detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood

that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed

description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without

limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a

further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a

part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure arid together

with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail

than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and

the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

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[0027] FIG. 1A shows a structural overview of an electronic smoking

device constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. IB shows a schematic overview of another aspect of the

electronic smoking device constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2A shows a cross-section view of an exemplary design of

the electronic smoking devices shown in FIGS. 1A and 1, constructed

according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the electronic smoking

device shown in FIG. 2A.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of an air flow path, a

container, a housing and a micromesh screen of the electronic smoking

device shown in FIG. 2A, constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the micrornesh screen shown

in FIG. 3, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a solid state heater of the

electronic smoking device shown in FIG. 2A, constructed according to the

principles of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows the solid state heater shown in FIG. 5 arranged in

association with the micromesh screen shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a pack for the electronic

smoking device, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of another pack for electronic

smoking device, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

[0037] FIG. 7C shows a bottom perspective view of the pack shown in

FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows a schematic overview of the pack shown in FIG. 7

constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows a conceptual overview of a system for exchanging

data over various communication channels using the pack shown in FIG. 7,

constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0040] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic of a sensor for the electronic

smoking device constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0041] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a schematic of another sensor for the

electronic smoking device constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure.

[0042] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a schematic of yet another sensor for the

electronic smoking device constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure.

[0043] FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 show flowcharts of various

processes for carrying several advanced functionalities in an electronic

smoking device according to the principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0044] The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and

advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the

non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated

in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It

should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be

employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize,

even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components

and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily

obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are

intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure

may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the

embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments

herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which

is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is

noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the

several views of the drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1A shows a structural overview of an electronic smoking

device (ESD) 100 constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

The ESD 100 may be disposable or reusable. The ESD 100 may have a

multi-body construction including two or more bodies. For example, the ESD

100 may be a reusable ESD including a first body 100A and a second body

100B and/or the like, that may be easily connected to and disconnected from

each other anytime without using any special tools. For example, each body

may include threaded parts. Each body may be covered by a different

housing. The second body 100B may contain consumable material, such as,

e.g., smoking liquid and/or the like. When the consumable material is fully

consumed, the second body 100B may be disconnected from the first body

100A and replaced with a new one. Also, the second body 100B may be

replaced with another one with a different flavor, strength, type and/or the like.

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Alternatively, the ESD 100 may have a single body construction, as shown in

FIG. 2A. Regardless of the construction type, the ESD 100 may have an

elongated shape with a first end 102 and a second end 104, as shown in FIG.

2A, which may be similar to a conventional cigarette shape. Other non

conventional cigarette shapes are also contemplated. For example, the ESD

100 may have a smoking pipe shape or the like.

[0046] The ESD 100 may include an air inlet 120, an air flow path 122,

a vaporizing chamber 124, a smoke outlet 126, a power supply unit 130, a

sensor 132, a container 140, a dispensing control device 141, a heater 146,

and/or the like. Further, the ESD 100 may include a controller, such as, e.g.,

microcontroller, microprocessor, a custom analog circuit, an application

specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) (e,g,

field programmable gate array (FPGA) and the like) and/or the like arid basic

digital and analog circuit equivalents thereof, which is explained below in

detail with reference to FIG. 1B. The air inlet 120 may extend from, for

example, an exterior surface of the housing 110 as shown in FIG. 2A. The air

flow path 122 may be connected to the air inlet 120 and extending to the

vaporizing chamber 124. The smoke outlet 126 may be connected to the

vaporizing chamber 124. The smoke outlet 126 may be formed at the second

end 104 of the ESD 100 and connected to the vaporizing chamber 124.

When a user sucks the second end 104 of the ESD 100, air outside the air

inlet 120 may be pulled in and moved to the vaporizing chamber 124 via the

air flow path 122, as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 1. The heater 146

may be a solid state heater shown in FIG. 5 or the like, and located in the

vaporizing chamber 124. The container 140 may contain the smoking liquid

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and connected to the vaporizing chamber 124. The container 140 may have

an opening connected to the vaporizing chamber 124. The container 140

may be a single container or a group of containers, such as, e.g., containers

140A, 140B and the like, that are connected to or separated from each other.

[0047] The dispensing control device 141 may be connected to the

container 140 in order to control flow of the smoking liquid from the container

140 to the vaporizing chamber 124. When the user is not smoking the ESD

100, the dispensing control device 141 may not dispense the smoking liquid

from the container 140, which is described below in detail with reference to

FIGS. 3 and 4. The dispensing control device 141 may not need any electric

power from, for example, the power supply unit 130 and/or the like, for

operation.

[0048] In one aspect, the dispensing control device 141 may be a micro

liquid screen 141, such as, e.g., micro-etched screen, micromesh screen and

the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the micro liquid screen 141 may have a micro

aperture pattern 141', which may keep the smoking liquid from seeping out

therethrough by a surface tension and/or the like when the ESD 100 is not

being used or when an air flow within the vaporizing chamber 124 is minimal.

When an external force is applied, the smoking liquid may flow through the

micro liquid screen 141. For example, when the user sucks the second end

104 of the ESD 100, an air flow may be formed in the vaporizing chamber 124

from the air flow path 122 to the smokeoutlet 126, which may temporarily

break the surface tension of the smoking liquid formed at the micro aperture

pattern 141' of the at the micro liquid screen 141. When the air flow is

discontinued, the surface tension may be reestablished at the micro aperture

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pattern 141' of the micro liquid screen 141, and the smoking liquid may stop

being drawn therethrough. The micro liquid screen 141 may have a circular

shape with a diameter larger than that of the container 140. One side of the

micro liquid screen 141 may face an opening of the container 140 and the air

flow path 122, and the other side may face the vaporizing chamber 124 and

the heater 141.

[0049] The micro liquid screen 141 may be a passive device that does

not require electric power and a control signal. Other passive or active

filtering/screening devices are also contemplated for the dispensing control

device 141. For example, the dispensing control device may be a semi-active

dispensing device, such as, e.g., electro-permeable membrane or the like,

which does not allow a liquid to flow therethrough unless an electrical field is

applied thereto. Alternatively or additionally, an active dispensing device 142

may be connected to the container 140 in order to consistently dispense

substantially the same amount of smoking liquid to the vaporizing chamber

124 each time. As shown in FIG. 6 the dispensing control device 141 and the

heater 146 may be located adjacent to each other with a very small gap

therebetween, in order to efficiently vaporize the smoking liquid.

[0050] The power supply unit 130 may be connected to one or more

components that require electric power, such as, e.g., the sensor 132, the

active dispensing device 142, the heater 146, and the like, via a power bus

160. The power supply unit 130 may include a battery (not shown), such as,

e.g, a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery aid/or the like. The power

unit 130 may further include a power control logic (not shown) for carrying out

charging of the battery, detecting the battery charge status, performing power

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save operations and/or the like. The power supply unit 130 may include a

non-contact inductive recharging system such that the ESD 100 may be

charged without being physically connected to an external power source. A

contact charging system is also contemplated

[0051] The sensor 132 may be configured to detect the user's action for

smoking, such as, e.g., sucking of the second end 104 of the ESD 100,

touching of a specific area of the ESD 100 and/or the like. When the user's

action for smoking is detected, the sensor 132 may send a signal to other

components via a data bus 144. For example, the sensor 132 may send a

signal to turn on the heater 146. Also, the sensor 132 may send a signal to

the active dispensing device 142 (if utilized) to dispense a predetermined

amount of the smoking liquid to the vaporizing chamber 124. When the

smoking liquid is dispensed from the container 140 and the heater 146 is

turned on, the smoking liquid may be mixed with the air from the air flow path

122 and vaporized by the heat from the heater 146 within the vaporizing

chamber 124. The resultant vapor (i.e., smoke) may be pulled out from the

vaporizing chamber 144 via the smoke outlet 126 for the user's oral

inhalation, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 1. In order to prevent the

smoke generated in the vaporizing chamber 144 from flowing towards the air

inlet 120, the air flow path 122 may include a backflow prevention screen or

filter 138.

[0052] When the user's action for smoking is stopped, the sensor 132

may send another signal to turn off the heater 146, the active dispensing

device 142, and/or the like, and vaporization and/or dispensing of the smoking

liquid may stop immediately. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 132

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may be connected only to the power supply unit 130. When the user's action

for smoking is detected, the sensor 132 may send a signal to the power

supply unit 130. In response to the signal, the power supply unit 130 may turn

on other components, such as, e.g., the heater 146 and the like, to vaporize

the smoking liquid.

[0053] In an embodiment, the sensor 132 may be an air flow sensor.

For example, the sensor 132 may be connected to the air inlet 120, the air

flow path 122, and/or the like, as shown in FIG. 1. When the user sucks the

second end 104 of the ESD 100, some of the air pulled in from the air inlet

120 may be moved towards the sensor 132, which may be detected by the

sensor 132. Additionally or alternatively, a capacitive sensor 148 may be

used to detect the user's touching of a specific area of the housing 100. For

example, the capacitive sensor 148 may be formed at the second end 104 of

the ESD 100. When the ESD 100 is moved to the user's mouth and the

user's lip touches the second end 104, a change in capacitance may be

detected by the capacitive sensor 148, and the capacitive sensor 148 may

send a signal to activate the heater 146 and the like. Other types of sensors

are also contemplated for detecting the user's action for smoking, including,

for example, an acoustic sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, an

optical sensor, a Hall Effect sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, and/or

the like.

[0054] The ESD 100 may further include a communication unit 136 for

wired (e.g., SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or the like) and/or wireless

communications with other devices, such as, e.g., a pack 200 (shown in FIG.

7) for the ESD 100, a computer 310 (shown in FIG. 9) and/or the like. The

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communication unit 136 may also connect the ESD 100 to a wired network

(eg.,LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet and/or the like) and/or a wireless network

(e.g.,a WIFI network, a Bluetooth network, a cellular data network and/or the

like). For example, the communication unit 136 may send usage data, system

diagnostics data, system error data, and/or the like to the pack 200, the

computer 320, and/or the like. To establish wireless communication, the

communication unit 136 may include an antenna and/or the like. The ESD

100 may include a terminal 162 for wired communication. The terminal 162

may be connected to another terminal, such as, e.g., a cigarette connector

216 (shown in FIG. 8) of the pack 200 or the like, in order to exchange data.

The terminal 140 may also be used to receive power from the pack 200 or

other external power source and recharge the battery in the powersupply unit

130.

[0055] When the ESD 100 has a multi-body construction, the ESD 100

may include two or more terminals 162 to establish power and/or data

connection therebetween. For example, in FIG. 1, the first body 100A may

include a first terminal 162A and the second body 100B may include a second

terminal 162B. The first terminal 162A may be connected to a first power bus

160A and a first data bus 144A. The second terminal 162B may be

connected to a second power bus 160B and a second data bus 144B. When

the first and second bodies 100A and 100B are connected to each other, the

first and second terminals 162A and 162B may be connected to each other.

Also, the first power bus 160A and the first data bus 144A are connected to

the second power bus 160B and the second data bus 144B, respectively. To

charge the battery in the power supply unit 130, exchange data and/or the

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like, the first body 100A may be disconnected from the second body 100B and

connected to the pack 200 or the like, which may, in turn, connect the first

terminal 162A to the cigarette connector 216 of the pack 200 or the like.

Alternatively, a separate terminal (not shown) may be provided to the ESD

100 for charging and/or wired communications with an external device.

[0056] The ESD 100 may further include one or more user interface

devices, such as, e.g., an LED unit 134, a sound generator (not shown), a

vibrating motor (not shown), and/or the like. The LED unit 134 may be

connected to the power supply unit 130 via the power bus 160A and the data

bus 144A, respectively. The LED unit 134 may provide a visual indication

when the ESD 100 is operating. Additionally, when there is an issue and/or

problern within the ESD 100, the integrated sensor/controller circuit 132 may

control the LED unit 134 to generate a different visual indication. For

example, when the container 140 is almost empty or the battery charge level

is low, the LED unit 134 may blinkinacertainpattern(e.g.,blinking with

longer intervals for thirty seconds). When the heater 146 is malfunctioning,

the heater 146 may be disabled and control the LED unit 134 may blink in a

different pattern (e.g., blinking with shorter intervals for one minute). Other

user interface devices may be used to show a text, image, and/or the like,

anid/or generate a sound, a vibration, and/or the like.

[0057] In the ESD 100 shown in FIG. 1A, the sensor 132 alone may not

be able to control the user interface devices, thecommunication unit 136, the

sensors 132 and 148 and/or the like. Furthermore, it may not be possible to

carry out more complex and sophisticated operations with the sensor 132

alone. Thus, as noted above, a controller, such as, e.g., microcontroller,

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microprocessor, a custom analog circuit, an application-specific integrated

circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) (e.g., field programmable

gate array (FPGA) and the like) and/or the like and basic digital and analog

circuit equivalents thereof, may be included the ESD 100. For example, FIG.

1B shows a structural overview of another ESD 100' constructed according to

the principles of the disclosure. The ESD 100' may include a controller 170, a

signal generator 172, a signal to power converter 174, a voltage sensor 176, a

current sensor 178, a memory 180, and/or the like. Further, the ESD 100

may include a power interface 130A', a charge/discharge protection circuit

130B', a battery 130C, one or more sensors (e.g., sensor 132A, sensor 132B

and/or the like), a user interface 134', a communication interface 136 a

heater 146' and/or the like, which may be similar to the components of the

ESD 100 shown in FIG. IA. Two or more components may be integrated as a

single chip, a logic module, a PCB, or the like, to reduce size and

manufacturing costs and simplify the manufacturing process. For example,

the controller 170 and a sensor 132A may be integrated as a single

semiconductor chip.

[0058] The controller 170 may perform various operations, such as,

e.g., heater calibration, heating parameter adjustment/control, dosage control,

data processing, wired/wireless communications, more comprehensive user

interaction, and/or the like. The memory 180 may store instructions executed

by the controller 170 to operate the ESD 100' and carry out various basic and

advanced operations. Further, the memory 180 may store data collected by

the controller 170, such as, e.g., usage data, reference data, diagnostics data,

error data, and/or the like. The charge/discharge protection circuit 130B' may

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be provided to protect the battery 130C' from being overcharged, overly

discharged, damaged by an excessive power and/or the like. Electric power

received by the power interface 130A' may be provided to the battery 130C'

via the charge/discharge protection circuit 130'. Alternatively, the controller

170 may perform the charge/discharge protection operation when the

charge/discharge protection circuit 130B' is not available. In this case, the

electric power received by the power interface 130A' may be provided to the

battery 130C' via the controller 170.

[0059] The signal generator 172 may be connected to the controller

170, the battery 1300 and/or the like, and may configured to generate a

power control signal, such as, e.g., a current level signal, a voltage level

signal, a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and the like, to control the

power supplied to the heater 146'. Alternatively, the power control signal may

be generated by the controller 170. The converter 174 may be connected to

the signal generator 172 or the controller 170 to convert the power control

signal from the signal generator 172 to an electrical power provided to the

heater 146. With this configuration, the power from the battery 130C' may be

transferred to the heater 146' via the signal generator 172 or via the signal

generator 172 and the converter 174. Alternatively, the power from the

battery 130C' may be transferred to the signal generator 172 via the controller

170 and transferred to the heater 146 directly or via the signal to power

converter 174.

[0060] The voltage sensor 176 and the current sensor 178 may be

provided to detect an internal voltage and current of the heater 146',

respectively, for heater calibration, heating parameter control and/or the like.

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For example, each heater 146 may have a slightly different heating

temperature, which may be caused by a small deviation in resistance. To

produce a more consistent unit-to-unit heating temperature, the integrated

sensor/controller circuit 132 may measure a resistance of the heater 146 and

adjust heating parameters (e.g., an input current level, heating duration,

voltage level, and/or the like) accordingly. Also, the heating temperature of

the heater 146 may change while the heater 146 is turned on. The integrated

sensor 132 / controller 170 circuit may monitor a change in resistance while

the heater 146 is turned on and adjust the current level in a real-time basis to

maintain the heating temperature at substantially the same level. Further, the

integrated sensor 132 / controller circuit 170 may monitor whether or not the

heater 146 is overheating and/or malfunctioning, and disable the heater 146

for safety purposes when the heating temperature is higher than a

predetermined temperature range and/or the heater 146 or other component

is malfunctioning.

[0061] For example, FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 show various

processes for carrying out advanced functionalities in the ESD 100 or ESD

100' according to the principles of the disclosure. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart

for a process 1600 for heater characterization based heat control refinement

according to the principles of the disclosure. Upon starting the process 1600

(at 1610), TIME may be set to zero (0) (at 1620). When the sensor 132 (i.e.,

air flow sensor) is not on (NO at 1630), the process 1600 may move back to

set TIME to zero (0) (at 1620). When the sensor is on (YES at 1630), the

controller 170 may read an air flow rate (at 1640). Then the controller 170

may look up a characterization formula (e.g., one or more time versus

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temperature curves or the like) or table (e.g., lookup table or the like) based

on at least one of the air flow rate and the time in order to obtain COMMAND

VALUE, which is a value that the controller 170 determines to be for the

heater 146 at any moment in time (at 1650). The COMMAND VALUE may

then be applied to the heater 146, and the heater 146 generates heat based

on the COMMAND VALUE (at 1660). The controller 170 may then wait for a

time period TIME STEP (e.g., I second) (at 1670), which defines a time

interval between the air flow rate reading (at 1640) and the TIME STEP is

added to the current TIME (at 1680) and the process 1600 may move back to

checking whether the sensor 132 is on or not (at 1630).

[0062] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart for process 1700 for heater self

calibration control according to the principles of the disclosure. Upon starting

the process 1700 (at 1710), REFERENCE COMMAND may be applied to the

heater 146. The REFERENCE COMMAND may be a heater command value

established by the manufacturer to test a resistance of the heater 146. Then

the voltage sensor 176 may read the internal voltage (i.e., HEATER

VOLTAGE) of the heater 146 (at 1730). The HEATER VOLTAGE may be

then compared to REFERENCE VOLTAGE, which may be a normal voltage

drop expected to be measured across the heater 146 based on the

characterization of the heater wire at the manufacturer. When the HEATER

VOLTAGE is greater than the REFERENCE VOLTAGE (YES at 1740), the

value of the HEATER VOLTAGE divided by the REFERENCE VOLTAGE may

be set as COMPENSATION FACTOR (at 1750), which may be a value, by

which future heater commands may be multiplied for the purpose of

compensating for inconsistency of the heater resistance value among the

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

heaters. The COMPENSATION FACTOR may be initially set to one (1).

When the HEATER VOLTAGE is the smaller than the REFERENCE

VOLTAGE (NO at 1740, YES at 1760), the value of the HEATER VOLTAGE

divided by the REFERENCE VOLTAGE may be set as the COMPENSATION

FACTOR (at 1770). When the HEATER VOLTAGE is not greater than the

REFERENCE VOLTAGE (NO at 1740) and not smaller than the

REFERENCE VOLTAGE (NO at 1760), there may be no change in the

COMPENSATION FACTOR and the process 1700 may terminate (at 1780).

[0063] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart for a process 1800 for current

monitoring based heater control according to the principles ofthe disclosure.

Upon starting the process (at 1810), TARGET COMMAND may be set as

COMMAND VALUE (at 1820). The TARGET COMMAND may be a constant

that sets a target heat command for the heater 146 typically based on

characterizations of the heater wire at the manufacturer. The COMMAND

VALUE may be a value that the controller 170 may send to the heater 146.

The COMMAND VALUE may be a value that the controller 170 believes the

heater command should be at any moment in time. When the sensor 132

(e.g., inhalation sensor) is turned off (NO at 1830), the process 1800 may

move back to step 1820. When the sensor 132 is turned on (YES at 1830), a

heater control signal may be generated based on the COMMAND VALUE (at

1840) and the current sensor 178 may read an internal current of the heater

146 (at 1850) and store it as SENSOR CURRENT. Then, the SENSOR

CURRENT may be compared to the TARGET COMMAND (at 1860, 1870).

WHEN the SENSOR CURRENT is greater than the TARGET COMMAND

(YES at 1860), an absolute value of COMMAND VALUE-(COMMAND

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

VALUE-TARGET COMMAND) may be set as a new COMMAND VALUE (at

1865) and the process 1800 may move to step 1830. When the SENSOR

CURRENT is smaller than the TARGET COMMAND (NO at 1860, YES at

1870), an absolute value of COMMAND VALUE + (COMMAND VALUE

TARGET COMMAND) may be set as the new COMMAND VALUE (at 1875)

and the process 1800 may move to step 1830. When the SENSOR

CURRENT is not greater than and not smaller than the TARGET COMMAND

(NO at 1860, NO at 1870), no change may be made to the COMMAND

VALUE and the process 1800 may move to step 1830.

[0064] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart for a process 1900 for limiting

smoking liquid deterioration and contamination after the first use according to

the principles of the disclosure. Upon starting the process 1900 (at 1910), the

controller may read the sensor 132 (at 1920) to check whether the sensor 1.32

is on or not. When the sensor 132 is not on (NO at 1930), the process 1900

may move back to read the sensor 132 (at 1920). When the sensor 132 is on

(YES at 1930), the controller 170 may wait for a predetermined period of time

TIME STEP (at 1940) and increment CUMULATIVE TIME by the TIME STEP

(at 1950). The CUMULATIVE TIME may be a count value that indicates a

total period of time since the heater 146 was first activated during the life of

the ESD 100'. Then the CUMULATIVE TIME may be compared to TOTAL

TIME LIMIT, which is a constant that sets an upper limit for the total period of

time that may elapse between a first use and a last use of the ESD 100'

When the CUMULATIVE TIME has not reached the TOTAL TIME LIMIT (NO

at 1960), and the process 1900 may move back to step 1940. When the

CUMULATIVE TIME has reached the TOTAL TIME LIMIT (YES at 1960), the

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

ESD 100' may be disabled permanently (at 1970), and the process 1900 may

terminate at 1980.

[0065] FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of a process 2000 for simplified

dosage and/or heater control according to the principles of the disclosure.

Upon starting the process 2000, the controller 170 may read the sensor 132

(at 2020). When the sensor 132 is not on (NO at 2030), the controller 170

may keep reading the sensor 132 (at 2020). When the sensor 132 is on (YES

at 2030), the controller 170 may compare HEATER ON TIME and RECENT

TIME. The HEATER ON TIME may indicate a period of time the heater 146

has been turned on since the last time the heater 146 has been turned off.

The RECENT TIME may be a constant that sets a limit for the time period the

heater 146 may stay turned on during any given period of time, thereby

establishing a limit for the dosage per unit time that may be delivered. When

the HEATER ON TIME is greater than the RECENT TIME (YES at 2040), the

process 2000 may move to reading the sensor 132 (at 2020). When the

HEATER ON TIME is smaller than the RECENT TIME (NO at 2040), a

CUMULATIVE ON TIME may be compared to TOTAL TIME (at 2050). THE

CUMULATIVE ON TIME may be a count value that indicates the total time the

heater has been turned on during the produce life of the ESD 100'. The

TOTAL TIME may be a constant that sets a total period of time the heater 146

may stay turned on the product life of the ESD 100'. When the CUMULATIVE

ON TIME has not reached the TOTAL TIME (NO at 2050), the heater 146

may be turned on (at 2055) and the process 2000 may move back to step

2020. When the CUMULATIVE ON TIME has reached the TOTAL TIME

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

(YES at 2050), the ESD 100' may be permanently disabled (at 2060), and the

process 2000 may terminate (at 2070).

[0066] FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of a process 2100 for stuck sensor

checking, heater temperature control, and forced system halting according to

the principles of the disclosure. Upon starting the process 2110, the controller

170 may initialize both a stuck sensor value STUCK SENSOR and a sensor

state SENSOR STATE by indicating them as false values (at 2112), and read

an input of the sensor 132 (at 2114). When the SENSOR STATE is positive

(YES at 2120), the controller 170 may set the SENSOR STATE as a true

value, increment a stuck counter value STUCK COUNTER by the factor of

one (1) (at 2124). When the STUCK COUNTER is equal to or larger than a

stuck counter limit value STUCK COUNTER LIMIT (YES at 2130), the

controller 170 may set the STUCK SENSOR as a true value (at 2132). When

the STUCK COUNTER is not equal to or larger than the STUCK COUNTER

LIMIT (NO at 2130), the controller 170 may set the STUCK SENSOR as a

false value (at 2134). When the SENSOR STATE is negative (NO at 2120),

the controller 170 may set the SENSOR STATE as a false value (at 2126),

initialize the STUCK COUNT to zero (0) (at 2128), which may complete stuck

sensor checking.

[0067] After setting the STUCK SENSOR as a true value (at 2132), the

controller 170 may turn off the heater 146 (at 2152). Alternatively, after

setting the STUCK SENSOR as a false value (at 2134), the controller 170

may check whether or not the sensor 132 is on (at 2140). When the sensor

132 is on (YES at 2140), a value of TIME STEP multiplied by RISE RATE

may be added to a running average value RUNNING AVERAGE (at 2142).

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

When the sensor 132 is not on (NO at 2140), thevalue of TIME STEP

multiplied by RISE RATE may be subtracted from the RUNNING AVERAGE

(at 2144). Then, the controller 170 may check whether or riot the sensor 132

is on (at 2150). When the sensor 132 is not on (NO at 2150), the controller

170 may turn off the heater 146 (at 2152) and wait for the TIME STEP (at

2170), and the process 2100 may move back to read the sensor input (at

2114). When the sensor 132 is on (YES at 2150), the controller 170 may

check whether the RUNNING AVERAGE is equal to or larger than a heat time

limit value HEAT TIME LIMIT (at 2160). When the RUNNING AVERAGE is

not equal to or larger than the HEAT TIME LIMIT (NO at 2160), the controller

170 may turn on the heater 146 and the process 2100 may move to step

2170. When the RUNNING AVERAGE is equal to or larger than the HEAT

TIME LIMIT (YES at 2160), the controller 170 may turn off the heater 146 (at

2164) and forcefully halt the ESD 100' for a period FORCE OFF TIME (at

2166). Then, the value of the FALSE OFF TIME multiplied by the FALL RATE

may be subtracted from the RUNNING AVERAGE (at 2168) and the process

2100 may move to step 2170. Accordingly, the controller 170 may execute

this process to avoid issues of the sensor being stuck and control the

temperature of the heater 146.

[0068] FIG. 2A shows a cross-section view of an exemplary design of

the ESD 100 shown in FIG. 1, constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure. FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the ESD 100 shown in FIG.

2A. As rioted above, the ESD 100 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B may a single

body construction and covered by a single housing 110 such that the ESD

100 may not be accidentally disassembled or broken into pieces. Further, the

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

single body construction may be easier and less costly to design and

manufacture. Thus, the single body construction may be more suitable for a

disposable ESD.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B concurrently, the housing 100

may have an elongated tubular shape with the LED unit 134 formed at the first

end 102 and the smoke outlet 126 formed at the second end 104. The air

inlet 120 may extend inwardly from the housing 110 and may be connected to

the air flow path 122. The ESD 100 may further include a wall structure 131

in order to completely separate a compartment that contains the battery 130

from the air inlet 120, the air flow path 122, the container 140 and/or the like

such that components in each section may be safely sealed off from each

other and functions of the components may be isolated from each other. The

smoke outlet 126 may be formed at a tip end piece 150. The heater 146 may

be fixed by pushing the tip end piece 150 into an opening of the housing 110

at the second end 104.

[0070] In one aspect, the container 140 may surround the air flow path

122. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the container 140 may have an

elongated tubular shape and surrounded by the housing 110. The air flow

path 122 may extend along the center of the container 140. The air flow path

122 may also have an elongated tubular shape with a smaller diameter. The

housing 110, the container 140 and the air flow path 122 may be concentric.

As noted above, the air flow path 122 may be connected to the air inlet 120 at

one end and the other end may be connected to the vaporizing chamber 124.

The container 140 may also connected to the vaporizing chamber 124. In

order to control dispensing of the smoking liquid from the container 140 to the

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

vaporizing chamber 124, the dispensing control device 141 may be formed

between the container 140 and the vaporizing chamber 124.

[0071] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the pack 200 for an ESD,

constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The pack 200 may

have a conventional cigarette pack shape but other shapes are also

contemplated. FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of another pack 200' and

FIG. 7C shows a bottom perspective view of the pack 200' shown in FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8 shows a structural overview of the pack 200 of FIG. 7A and the pack

200' of FIGS. 7B and 7C, constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 concurrently, the pack 200

may include a main body 202, a lid 204, one or more user interface devices

(e.g., an indication light 206 (in FIG. 7A), 206A and 206B (in FIG. 7B), a

switch 208, a vibration motor 234 (shown in Fig 8), a further display (not

shown), a sound device (not shown) and/or the like), one or more connectors

(e.g. a cigarette connector 216, a power connector 222, a data connector 224

and/or the like) and/or the like. The pack 200 may further include a controller

210, a memory 212, a communication processor 214, an antenna 218, a

battery 220, a lid switch 232, a lid switch plunger 232, and/or the like. The lid

switch plunger 232' may be connected to the lid switch 232 and configured to

detecting opening and closing of the lid 204.

[0072] As noted above, the cigarette connector 216 may be onnected

to the terminal 162 of the ESD 100 to charge the battery in the power supply

unit 130, exchange data with the integrated sensor/controller circuit 132

and/or the like. The terminal 162 and the cigarette connector 216 may be

connected by a threaded type connection. Other connection types are also

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

contemplated, including, such as, e.g., a non-threaded type connection, a

stationary connection, a push-in (pressing) connection, and/or the like. The

power connector 222 may be connected to an external power source (USB,

transformer, or the like) to charge the battery 220. Additionally or

alternatively, the pack 200 may include a non-contact inductive recharging

system such that the pack 200 may be charged without being physically

connected to any external power source. The battery 220 and the battery 130

in ESD 100 may be charged at different voltages. Thus, the pack 200 may

include multiple internal voltage nets (not shown). The data connector 224

may be connected to, for example, the user's computer 310 (shown in FIG. 9)

and/or the like to exchange data between the pack 200 and the computer 310.

The power connector 222 and the data connector 224 may be combined. For

example, the pack 200' may include a USB connector 221 (shown in FIG.

7C), a FireWire connector and/or the like, that may function as both the power

connector 222 and the data connector 224.

[0073] The controller 210 may be configured to control overall

operations of the pack 200 including one or more components noted above.

For example, the controller 210 may carry out a power saving scheme by, for

example, entering a power save mode or the like, when the power connector

222 is disconnected from an external power source and the lid 204 has not

been opened for a predetermined period of time. Opening and closing the lid

204 may be detected by the lid switch 232. Also, the controller 210 may

detect the battery charge level of the battery 220 in the pack 200 and the

battery in the ESD 100 when the ESD 100 is connected to the pack 200.

Further, the controller 210 may operate the user interface devices to indicate

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

a status of the ESD 100 and the pack 200. For example, the controller 210

may operate the LED indicator 206 to blink with longer intervals when the

ESD 100 is connected to the cigarette connector 216 and being charged by

the battery 220 or an external power source. When there is a problem with

the ESD 100 or the pack 200, the controller 210 may show an alert message

or an error message on the display (not shown), generate an alert sound

and/or the like. For example, when the container 140 is empty or the battery

charge level is low in the ESD 100, the controller 210 may show a message

on the display, activate the vibration motor 234 and/or the like. Further, when

the heater 146 is overheating or malfunctioning, the controller 210 may control

the LED indicator 206 to blink with shorter intervals, display a heater error

message on the display, generate an alert sound and/or the like. In other

words, any error detected in the ESD 100 may be transmitted to the pack 200.

Further, when the pack 200 is connected to an external device, such as, e.g.,

computer or the like, an error message may be displayed on the external

device.

[0074] The communication processor 214 may carry out wired

communications via the data connector 224 and/or wireless communications

via the antenna 218, which is described below in detail with reference to FIG.

9. The memory 212 may include instructions to be executed by the controller

210 to can-y out various operations. The memory 212 may further include

usage information (e.g., smoking liquid level in the container 140, how many

containers 140 have been consumed, amount of nicotine consumed, and/or

the like), product information (e.g., model number, serial number and/or the

like), user information (e.g., the user's name, sex, age, address, job,

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

educational background, job, professional background, interests, hobbies,

likes and don't-likes and/or the like) and/or the like. Theuser informationmay

be received from the user's computer 310 via the data connector 224 or

wirelessly via the antenna 218 and stored in the memory 212. Alternatively,

the user information may be received by a social network website, such as,

e.g., Facebook TM, LinkedIn T M, Eharmony T M and/or the like, via the data

connector 224 or wirelessly via the antenna 218.

[0075] The data stored in the pack 200 (e.g., the usage information,the

product information, the user information and/or the like) may be shared with

other devices and/or entities (e.g., vendors, healthcare service providers,

social networks and/or the like). For example, FIG. 9 shows a conceptual

overview of a system 300 for exchanging data of the pack 200 over various

communication channels, constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure. The system 300 may be a network of a plurality of communication

devices, such as, e.g., one or more packs 200 (e.g., a first pack 200A owned

by a first user 310A, a second pack 200B owned by a second user 310B

and/or the like), one or more computers 320 (e.g., a desktop PC 320A, a

laptop PC 320B, a mobile phone (not shown), a personal data assistant (PDA)

(not shown), a tablet PC (not shown) and/or the like) and/or the like, that are

connected to each other via various wired and/or wireless communication

channels 360 (e.g., LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth

network, cellular network and/or the like). The user 310 may download and

install a software application in her or his computers 320 such that the

computer 320 and the pack 200 may exchange data with each other. Further.,

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

an app may be installed in the user's smartphone, which may be then

connected to the pack 200 directly or via the communication channels 360.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 9, the packs 200A and 200B may

communicate directly with each other via the communication processor 214

and the antenna 218. For example, the packs 200A and 200B may exchange

the user information with each other. When the users 310A and 310B have

the same hobby or graduated from the same school, the controller 210 in

each of the packs 200A and 200B may operate the user interface devices to

notify the match. For example, the pack 200A may make a sound and/or

show a message that the user 310B who graduated from the same school is

near by the user 310A on the display. Additionally, a smartphone or a tablet

computer running the app noted above may be used to interact with other

users. Accordingly, the packs 200A and 200B may be used for social

networking devices.

[0077] Further, the packs 200A and 200B may be connected directly to

the wired and/or wireless communication channels 360 or indirectly via the

computers 320A and 320B, respectively. Based on the usage data, the pack

200A may automatically send an order request to the vendor 340 when the

user 310A needs more disposable ESDs or a new supply of the second

bodies 100B. Further, the packs 200B may send usage data to the

healthcare service provider 330, such as, e.g., a physician's office, a hospital

and/or the like, such that a physician, a nurse, a hospital staff and/or the like

may track and analyze nicotine consumption by the user 310B. The user

310B may also use the usage data to monitor how much she or he smokes

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

and check whether she or he has been smoking less or more for a period

time.

[0078] Furthermore, the ESD 100 may be susceptible to bacterial

growth after a certain period of time. The usage data may be used to

determine how long the ESD 100 has been used and automatically disable

the ESD 100 when the ESD 100 has been used for a certain period of time

and/or severity of the usage.

[0079] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic of a sensor for the electronic

smoking device constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. As

shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the sensor may include an emitter (IR or visible)

1006, detector 1004, rotating disk 1002 with windows, stator 1010, and a

holder 1012. The disk 1002 may have slantedwindows to convert airflow into

rotary thrust. Airflow causes the disk 1002 to spin. The rate of spin

corresponds to airflow. The rate of spin may be detected by frequency of light

pulses from the emitter device 1006 received by detector 1004. Other

embodiments exist where disk has a reflective surface. The emitter 1006 and

detector 1004 are arranged on the same side of the disk 1002. The detector

1004 looks for pulses in reflections from the disk surface as the disk 1002

spins. Other embodiments exists where axis of disk is rotated 90° relative to

the air flow, similar to a water wheel.

[0080] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a schematic of another sensor for the

electronic smoking device constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, a housing 1212 includes a stator

1210 and a disk 1202 that may have slanted windows to convert airflow into

rotary thrust. Airflow causes disk 1202 to spin. The rate of spin corresponds

Attorney Docket No. 2061205-5002WO

to airflow. The rate of spin may be detected by frequency of pulses received

by Hall Effect sensor 1206 from magnets 1208. Other embodiments exist

where capacitive sensing regions or physical contacts are used instead of Hall

Effect sensor 1206 and magnets 1208. Other embodiments exist where

electric field can be applied to electromagnet (not shown). The electromagnet

will prevent the disk from spinning. This provides the ability to stop airflow if

so desired in order to control dosage.

[0081] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a schematic of yet another sensor forthe

electronic smoking device constructed according to the principles of the

disclosure. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the sensor includes a housing 1402,

plunger with holes 1404 to allow airflow, holder 1406, spring 1406, an emitter

(IR or visible) 1408, a detector 1410, and Windows 1412 in the plunger 1404.

Airflow causes plunger 1404 to compress the spring 1406. The windows

1412 in the plunger 1404 produce "light/no light condition that can be read by

detector 1410. The number of windows corresponds to amount of airflow.

This configuration may be used for optical sensors, capacitive sensors, hall

effect sensors and the like.

[0082] While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary

embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be

practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be

an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications, or

modifications of the disclosure.

[0083] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the

context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises"

and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step

or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or

group of integers or steps.

[0084] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not

be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms

part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (11)

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows:

1. A method for controlling dosage in an electronic smoking device using a controller therein, the method comprising: sensing, via a sensor, an airflow through a flow path in a body of the electronic smoking device, the flow path extending between an air inlet and a vaporizer; releasing a liquid from a liquid compartment in the electronic smoking device into the airflow of the flow path via a dispensing control device; receiving the liquid and the airflow at the vaporizer positioned within the body of the electronic smoking device; activating the vaporizer to generate vaporized liquid; and controlling airflow through the body with the sensor to limit dosage.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling activation of the vaporizer to limit dosage.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller tracks cumulative activation of the vaporizer and limits activation of the vaporizer when the cumulative activation time exceeds a threshold.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein periodic activation of the vaporizer is limited.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising operating the vaporizer according to time data stored in memory of a controller connected to the vaporizer.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising detecting a user action with a sensor connected to the vaporizer to control dosage.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling dispensing of liquid from the compartment to the vaporizer to limit dosage.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising dispensing the same amount of liquid per user action.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting a user action with a sensor controlling a dispensing device to control dosage.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling airflow through the body with a sensor to limit dosage.