WO2021072553A1 - Method and apparatus for vape device tuning - Google Patents

Abstract

A vapor inhaler for use with cannabis vaping fluid comprises a reservoir containing a fluid to be vaporized, the fluid containing a cannabinoid compound, a heating element proximate a flow path for vaporizing the fluid, and a controller operable to regulate heat input to the heating element to produce a desired heating curve. The heating curve is defined by a series of target temperatures.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VAPE DEVICE TUNING

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to United States provisional patent application no. 62/923,173, filed on October 18, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] This relates to vaping, and in particular, to customization of vaping device performance for specific fluid formulations and user experiences.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Understanding of cannabis and physiological effects on human users has greatly advanced recently. For example, many specific cannabinoid compounds and types of compounds have been identified, and effects of those compounds have been determined.

[0004] Some cannabinoid compounds have psychotropic effects. Other cannabinoid compounds have little or no psychotropic effects, but have desirable physiological effects. Still other cannabinoid compounds have aesthetic effects or properties, such as characteristic aromas. Moreover, some compounds may have complementary effects in combination with one another, a phenomenon which may referred to as the entourage effect.

[0005] New types of cannabis products are possible which take advantage of these varied effects. For example, cannabinoid compounds may be capable of isolation from cannabis flower. Such compounds may be used to produce fluids such as oils or concentrates having composition specifically designed to produce a particular effect or experience.

[0006] Unfortunately, current devices for administering cannabinoids are often poorly suited for use with these new fluids and limit both the range of possible consumption experiences and the consistency with which experiences can be reproduced. SUMMARY

[0007]An example cannabis vapor inhaler comprises: a reservoir containing a fluid to be vaporized, the fluid comprising a cannabinoid compound; a heating element proximate a fluid flow path from the reservoir, for vaporizing the fluid; a controller operable to regulate heat input to the heating element to produce a desired heating curve defined by a series of target temperatures over time.

[0008]The controller may be operable to regulate heat input by a duty cycle of a pulse- width modulated current flow.

[0009] The controller may be operable to regulate heat input to a heating element to produce desired heating curves at each of multiple regions within said inhaler.

[0010] The cannabis vapor inhaler may comprise a separate heating element for each of said regions.

[0011]The regions may be serially arranged along said fluid flow path and have different lengths measured along said fluid flow path.

[0012] The regions may be defined by baffles within said fluid flow path.

[0013]The cannabis vapor inhaler may comprise a porous medium interposed between said reservoir and said heating element, wherein said porous medium has a first section having a first porosity and a second section having a second porosity, different from said first porosity.

[0014] The first and second sections may correspond respectively to first and second ones of said regions.

[0015] The controller may be operable to regulate heat input to a heating element based on porosity of said first and second sections.

[0016]The cannabis vapor inhaler may comprise an adjustment mechanism to adjust an overlap between said first and second sections. [0017]The cannabis vapor inhaler may comprise machine-readable indicia of characteristics of said fluid.

[0018]The machine-readable indicia may comprise a barcode.

[0019]The machine-readable indicia may comprise a near-field communication (NFC) tag.

[0020] The controller may be operable to repeat said heating curve.

[0021]The controller may be operable to wirelessly receive a message defining said desired heating curve.

[0022] The controller may be operable to receive a message defining said desired heating curve via a Bluetooth connection.

[0023] Example embodiments may include combinations of the foregoing features.

[0024]An example cannabis vapor inhaler comprises: a reservoir containing a fluid to be vaporized, the fluid comprising a cannabinoid compound; a heating element proximate a fluid flow path from the reservoir, for vaporizing the fluid; a controller operable to wirelessly receive a signal comprising instructions corresponding to properties of the vape fluid and to regulate the heating element based on the instructions.

[0025] The controller may be operable to receive said signal by near-field communication (NFC).

[0026] The controller may be operable to receive said signal by Bluetooth.

[0027]The signal may define a heating curve comprising a series of target temperatures over time.

[0028] The signal may comprise target temperatures corresponding to each of a plurality of regions within said inhaler. [0029] The signal may comprise target temperatures corresponding to each of a plurality of heating elements.

[0030] The controller may be operable to regulate said heating element by setting a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated current flow to said heating element.

[0031] Example embodiments may include combinations of the foregoing features.

[0032]An example computing device for controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device comprises: a sensor operable to acquire input data indicative of characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to query a data store based on the input data for a heating curve corresponding to the identified characteristics; wirelessly transmit an instruction signal based on the heating curve to the inhaler device.

[0033]The input data may comprise a formulation identifier corresponding to said fluid.

[0034]The input data may comprise a description of material properties of said fluid.

[0035] The processor may be configured to query a data store by sending a query over a network connection to a server.

[0036] The processor may be configured to query a local data store at said computing device.

[0037] The processor may be configured to wirelessly transmit said instruction signal over a Bluetooth connection.

[0038] The processor may be configured to wirelessly transmit said instruction signal by near-field communication (NFC).

[0039] The sensor may be operable to acquire input data by NFC.

[0040]The sensor may be operable to acquire an image comprising said input data, and said processor is configured to process said image. [0041]The processor may be configured to present a user interface on a display for receiving input user preferences, and wherein said instruction signal is based on said heating curve and said user preferences.

[0042] Example embodiments may include combinations of the foregoing features.

[0043]An example computing device for controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device comprises: a data structure defining relationships between characteristics of vaping fluids and corresponding vaporization parameters; a network interface; a processor in communication with the network interface, the processor configured to receive over the network interface a transmission comprising a request for vaporization instructions, the request including characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; based on the relationships in the data structure, transmit a return message to a handheld computing device by way of the network interface, the return message comprising vaporization instructions for the fluid.

[0044]The data structure may define pairs of fluid identifiers and corresponding heating targets.

[0045] The data structure may define relationships between cannabinoid concentrations and corresponding heating targets.

[0046] The heating targets may comprise heating curves.

[0047] The heating curves may be defined by a series of target temperatures.

[0048] The heating curves may be further defined by a time increment between said target temperatures.

[0049] Example embodiments may include combinations of the foregoing features.

[0050]An example method of controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device comprises: with a digital sensor, reading data indicative of characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; querying a data store to obtain vaporization parameters based on the characteristics; transmitting an instruction signal based on vaporization parameters.

[0051] Querying a data store may comprise sending a query to a server over a network connection.

[0052] Querying a data store may comprise accessing a locally-stored database.

[0053]The characteristics may comprise input data comprise a formulation identifier corresponding to said fluid.

[0054]The characteristics may comprise a description of material properties of said fluid.

[0055]The method may comprise transmitting said instruction signal over a Bluetooth connection.

[0056]The method may comprise transmitting said instruction signal by near-field communication (NFC).

[0057] Reading data may comprise reading data by NFC.

[0058] Reading data may comprise processing an image.

[0059]The method may comprise obtaining input user preferences through a user interface.

[0060] The instruction signal may be based on said vaporization parameters and said user preferences.

[0061] Obtaining input user preferences may comprise presenting, through said user interface, a graphical representation of said vaporization parameters.

[0062] Obtaining input user preferences may comprise presenting, through said user interface, a graphical control for a vaporization parameter.

[0063] The vaporization parameters may comprise heating targets. [0064]The heating targets may comprise heating curves defined by a series of temperature targets over time.

[0065]AII features of exemplary embodiments which are described in this disclosure and are not mutually exclusive can be combined with one another. Elements of one embodiment can be utilized in the other embodiments without further mention. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0066] A detailed description of specific exemplary embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0067] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inhaler device for vaporizing cannabinoid fluids;

[0068] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inhaler device of FIG. 1 ;

[0069] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective and side elevation views of a reservoir and vaporization assembly of the inhaler device of FIG. 1 ;

[0070] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler device of FIG. 1 ;

[0071] FIG. 6 and 7 are side elevation and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a power source of the inhaler device of FIG. 1 ;

[0072] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are cross sectional views of other reservoir and vaporization assemblies;

[0073] FIG. 11A and 11 B are schematic views of porous cores of an inhaler device.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing overlap between core sections of differing porosity; [0075] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of another other reservoir and vaporization assemblies;

[0076] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computing device;

[0077] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of functional components at the computing device of FIG. 12;

[0078] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a data store;

[0079] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a network;

[0080] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a computing device;

[0081] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of functional components at the computing device of FIG. 18; and

[0082] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of another data store.

[0083] In the drawings, exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] FIG. 1 depicts an example inhaler device 100, for producing vapor from a fluid including cannabinoid compounds (a “vape oil”), for inhalation by a user (referred to as “vaping”).

[0085] Inhaler device 100 generally includes a power source 102, namely, a battery pack, a fluid reservoir 104, a vaporization assembly 106, and a mouthpiece 108.

[0086] Reservoir 104 is filled with a cannabis vaping fluid. The fluid may comprise a cannabis-based concentrate along with one or more additives. A wide variety of cannabis-based fluids are possible, with a wide range of compositions. For example, concentrates may contain any of a large number of cannabinoid compounds and may be mixed with additives such as carrier oils in varying proportions. The resulting mixtures contain a diversity of compounds.

[0087] Vaporization of such fluids presents challenges. The compounds present in mixture may vaporize at different temperatures. Moreover, some cannabinoid or additive compounds can have harmful effects when exposed to excessively high temperatures. Accordingly, it is difficult to achieve adequate vaporization performance for multiple types of cannabinoids.

[0088] Viscosity of the vape fluid can also have a profound effect on vaping performance. If the viscosity of a fluid is too high, it may not flow properly and therefore may not be vaporized effectively. In some cases, thick fluids or suspended particulates may cause clogging. On the other hand, fluids with insufficient viscosity may flow too easily through a vaping device and be vaporized too quickly. In some cases, thin fluids may flood the device and cause leakage.

[0089] In addition, user preferences may vary. For a given vape fluid, different users may prefer different mixtures of produced vapor. For example, some users prefer relatively TFIC-heavy vapor, while other users prefer a larger proportion of CBD and related compounds. Other users may desire a specific mix of aromatic compounds such as terpenes.

[0090] Examples of cannabinoids that could be contained in vape fluids include, but are not limited to, include, but are not limited to, cannabichromanon (CBCN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabicitran (CBT), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabicyclovarin (CBLV), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM), cannabidiol-C4 (CBD-C4), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1 ), cannabidiphorol (CBDP), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabifuran (CBF), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabinodivarin (CBVD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinol methylether (CBNM), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2), cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4), cannabiorcol (CBN-C1 ), cannabiripsol (CBR), cannabitriol (CBO), cannabitriolvarin (CBTV), cannabivarin (CBV), dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF), A7-cis-iso tetrahydrocannabivarin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabionolic acid B (THCA-B), A9-tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THC- C1 ), tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), ethoxy- cannabitriolvarin (CBTVE), trihydroxy- A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC), 10-ethoxy- 9hydroxy-A6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 8,9-dihydroxy-A6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 10-oxo- A6a-tetrahydrocannabionol (OTHC), 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-a-a -2-trimethyl-9-n- propyl-2, 6-methano-2H-1-benzoxocin-5-methanol (OH-iso-HHCV), A6a,10a- tetrahydrocannabinol (A6a,10a-THC), A8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Dd-THCV), D9- tetrahydrocannabiphorol (A9-THCP), A9-tetrahydrocannabutol (A9-THCB), derivatives of any thereof, and combinations thereof. Further examples of suitable cannabinoids are discussed in at least PCT Patent Application Pub. No. WO2017/190249 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US2014/0271940, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0091] In some embodiments, vape fluids include tetrahydrocannabinol (TFIC). TFIC is only psychoactive in its decarboxylated state. The carboxylic acid form (TFICA) is non psychoactive. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-TFIC) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (A8-TFIC) produce the effects associated with cannabis by binding to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (TFIC) means one or more of the following compounds: A8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Dd-TFIC), A9-cis- tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-TFIC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-TFIC), D9- tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (TFICA-A), D10-tetrahydrocannabinol (DIO-TFIC), D9- tetrahydrocannabinol-C4, A9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (TFICA-C4), synhexyl (n- hexyl-A3TFIC). In a preferred embodiment, and unless otherwise stated, TFIC means one or more of the following compounds: D9- tetrahydrocannabinol and D8- tetrahydrocannabinol

[0092] In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD). The terms “cannabidiol” or “CBD” are generally understood to refer to one or more of the following compounds, and, unless a particular other stereoisomer or stereoisomers are specified, includes the compound “A2-cannabidiol.” These compounds are: A2-cannabidiol, D5- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-5-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); D4- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); D3- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A3,7-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methylenecyclohex-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A2-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); D1 -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-l-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); and A6-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-6-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3- benzenediol). In a preferred embodiment, and unless otherwise stated, CBD means D2- cannabidiol.

[0093] For the purpose of this specification, the expression “vaporization temperature” in the context of cannabis vaping oil means the temperature which allows formation of an aerosol (commonly called vapor) from the cannabis vaping oil, which contains one or more cannabinoid(s), and which a user of the vaping device can inhale. The vaporization temperature is not a fixed value. Cannabinoids will likely typically evaporate within a range of temperatures, especially when the vaporization is assisted by air flow or suction created by a user’s mouth. For example, CBD doesn’t have a clear set boiling point; it is more in the 160-180 °C range, and while TFIC has been reported as having a boiling point at 157 °C, the fact is that both will start to sublimate off at a lower temperature. At the lower end of the range, the evaporation will be slower and conversely at the high end of the range the evaporation will be quicker. Flence, “vaporization temperature”, therefore, refers to any temperature in that range where a cannabinoid is evaporated for inhalation and subsequent desired effect on the human body. The vaporization temperature of pure cannabinoids can be found, for example, in McPartland and Russo {J. of Cannabis Therapeutics, Vol. 1 , No. 3/4, 2011 , p. 103-132).

[0094] In overview, reservoir 104 is in fluid communication with vaporization assembly 106. Power source 102 is interconnected with vaporization assembly 106 to provide power to a heating element of the vaporization assembly 106. Fluid is drawn from reservoir 104 into vaporization assembly 106, where it is exposed to heat and vaporized. An air passage 124 extends through vaporization assembly 106 and mouthpiece 108. As will be described in greater detail, vapor produced at vaporization assembly 106 becomes entrained in a flow of air in air passage 124 and may be inhaled by a user through mouthpiece 108.

[0095] Reservoir 104 is sealed, such that it cannot be easily refilled. However, in other embodiments, refillable reservoirs may be used. Such reservoirs may have a sealable fill port. Reservoir 104 includes one or more indicia 105 of its contents. As depicted, indicia 105 include visual indicia, namely, a barcode such as a matrix (2-dimensional) barcode or one-dimensional barcode, or label 105-1, and computer-readable signal indicia, namely, a near-field communication (NFC) tag 105-2 and a Bluetooth radio (not shown). Indicia 105 have data that identify a specific mixture within reservoir 104, key constituent compounds within the mixture or both.

[0096] In the depicted embodiment, fluid reservoir 104 and vaporization assembly 106 are integrated within a common housing 112. Power source 102 and mouthpiece 108 are removably attached to housing 112.

[0097] FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged exploded view of inhaler device 100, with power source 102 omitted.

[0098]As depicted, housing 112 mates to a fitting 114 and to collar 109 attached to mouthpiece assembly 108 such that housing 112, fitting 114 and collar 109 cooperatively define fluid reservoir 104. Housing 112 may, for example, be pressed or threaded to fitting 114 and to collar 109.

[0099]Housing 112 and mouthpiece 108 may, for example, be formed of glass or a polymer material. Fitting 114 and collar 109 may for example be polymeric or metallic, e.g. aluminum. Housing 112 forms a fluid-tight seal with fitting 114 and with collar 109. Sealing may be by direct contact with fitting 114 and collar 109. Additionally or alternatively, resilient sealing members such as gaskets or o-rings may be positioned between the housing 112 and the fitting 114 or collar 109.

[0100] Vaporization assembly 106 is received within reservoir 104. Vaporization assembly 106 includes an enclosure 116, an outlet tube 118, an outer core 120 and an inner core 122. [0101] Enclosure 116 houses other components of vaporization assembly 106 and serves as a partition between the vaporization assembly 106 and reservoir 104.

[0102] Outer core 120 and inner core 122 are received within enclosure 116. As depicted, enclosure 116, outer core 120 and inner core 122 are arranged concentrically. Outer core 120 is received within enclosure 116 and inner core 122 is received within outer core 120. The fit between outer core 120 and inner core 122 is preferably very tight, to minimize or eliminate air space between the cores, as such air space may increase likelihood of leakage or clogging. In some embodiments, a thin wick layer, such as a cotton wick layer, may be placed between cores 120, 122 to control flow of fluid from outer core 120 to inner core 122.

[0103] Both of outer core 120 and inner core 122 are porous and have pores of sufficient size to permit flow of vape fluid. In the depicted embodiment, both of outer core 120 and inner core 122 are formed of a ceramic material. However, other materials with suitable porosity, heat capacity and heat transfer characteristics could be used.

[0104] Enclosure 116, outer core 120 and inner core 122 mate to and define a seal with fitting 114 at an inlet end. At an outlet end, enclosure 116 mates to and forms a seal with outlet tube 118. Inhalation by a user through outlet tube 118 draws vapor from enclosure 116 to the outlet tube, and ultimately, into a user’s airway by way of mouthpiece 108.

[0105] Optionally, a vapor sensor 119 may be positioned proximate the junction between enclosure 116 and outlet tube 118. The vapor sensor may be an electronic sensor operable to directly measure or infer the quantity of vapor passing through outlet tube 118 to a user. The sensor may be interconnected with power source 102. The sensor, may, for example, be a flow sensor which produces a signal representative of a volumetric or mass flow rate through outlet tube 118. In other embodiments, the sensor 119 may be an optical sensor which infers the presence of vapor in air based on measuring the air’s transparency. Other suitable sensor types will be apparent. Vapor sensor 119 may be powered by a connection (not shown) with power source 102 [0106] As best shown in FIG. 4, fitting 114 has an air inlet opening formed in its sidewall. The inlet opening communicates with flow passage 124 so that flow of ambient air can be introduced into the flow passage. Flow passage 124 extends through fitting 114 and through the openings defined by inner core 122 and outlet tube 118. Thus, air flowing through passage 124 passes over the interior surface of inner core 122. Outlet tube 118 has an auxiliary inlet opening 126 to allow additional air to be drawn into the airflow after exiting reservoir 104.

[0107]The walls of enclosure 116 of vaporization assembly 106 is substantially impermeable to vape fluid in reservoir 104. Enclosure 116 has a fluid inlet 128 through which vape fluid may pass to contact cores 120, 122.

[0108] Outer core 120 serves as a flow medium between vape fluid in reservoir 104 and inner core 122. Vape fluid passes through pores of outer core 120 and is exposed to inner core 122. Fluid may subsequently pass through pores of inner core 122. After passing through both cores 120, 122, fluid may accumulate, e.g. in droplets on the inner wall of inner core 122, i.e. , within flow passage 124.

[0109] Inner core 122 is heated by a flow of current from power source 102. In the depicted embodiment, inner core 122 is heated by way of an embedded metallic coil. Additionally or alternatively, inner core 122 may be heated by one or more wires positioned around the exterior or interior wall of core 122.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, power source 102 is shown in side elevation and cross- sectional views, respectively. Power source 102 includes a battery cell 130, which may be a lithium ion or other suitable battery type, control circuitry 132, and an electrical interconnect 134. Battery cell 130 communicates with electrical interconnect 134 by way of control circuitry 132. Electrical interconnect 134 is positioned to make contact with a corresponding electrical interconnect on fitting 114 for delivery of electrical current.

[0111] As will be explained in greater detail, control circuitry 132 is configured to tune the performance of inhaler device 100 to match characteristics of the vape fluid to be used, as well as user preferences. Control circuitry 132 may, for example, maintain one or both of inner core 122 and outer core 120 at desired target temperatures.

[0112] Vaporization assembly 106 shown in FIGS. 1-5 has a single heating element, namely a single inner core 122 with an embedded metallic coil. However, in some embodiments, the vaporization assembly may have multiple heating elements defining multiple heating zones. FIGS. 8-9 depict two such example vaporization assemblies, 106’ and 106”. Vaporization assemblies 106’, 106” may be interchangeable with vaporization assembly 106 and like components thereof are identified with like reference characters.

[0113] Vaporization assembly 106’ shown in FIG. 8 has an outer core 120 substantially identical to that of vaporization assembly 106. Inner core 122’ of vaporization assembly 106’ is of similar construction to inner core 122, but inner core 122’ has multiple discrete metallic coils embedded therein. As depicted, four metallic coils 123-1 , 123-2, 123-3, 123-4 (collectively, coils 123) are embedded in inner core 122’. However, any number of coils may be present, subject to space limitations. Each one of metallic coils 123 has a separate electrical connection 160-1 , 160-2, 160-3, 160-4 to power source 102 and power to each of metallic coils 123 may be modulated independently. Thus, metallic coils 123 may be operated in such a way as to target four different heating conditions at four different locations within vaporization assembly 106. For example, in a first section 124- 1 of flow passage 124, metallic coil 123-1 may be modulated to create a first temperature or heat input rate. In a second section, metallic coil 123-2 may be modulated to create a second temperature or target heat rate.

[0114] In the depicted embodiments, a series of baffles 162-1 , 162-2, 162-3 (individually and collectively, baffles 162) are positioned within flow passage 124. As depicted, baffles 162 extend partially across flow passage 124. However, baffles 162 may alternatively span the entirety of flow passage 124 and have one or more holes to permit flow of air and vapor therethrough. Baffles 162 define a labyrinthine path through flow passage 162. Baffles 162 also provide a degree of separation between sections of flow passage 124. Thus, metallic coils 123 and baffles 162 may cooperate to define stratified layers of different temperatures within passage 124, in respective regions 164-1 , 164-2, 164-3, 164-4 (individually and collectively, regions 164) which are separated by baffles 162.

[0115] In some embodiments, baffles 162 may be in electrical contact with power source 102, such that baffles 162 may be heated by power source 102 instead of or in addition to metallic coils 123.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 8, metallic coils 123 and baffles 162 are approximately evenly spaced along the length of inner core 122’, such that they define four heating regions of approximately equal sizes. However, the spacing of coils 123 and baffles 162 may be non-uniform such that some of regions 164 are relatively large and others of regions 164 are relatively small. For example, vaporization assembly 106” shown in FIG. 9 has unevenly spaced baffles 162 and unevenly sized coils 123, and defines thermal regions 164 of different sizes.

[0117] In some embodiments, baffles 162 may be omitted, such that regions 164 are defined by the spacing of coils 123.

[0118] As will be described in further detail, differential temperatures among regions 164 allows for adjustment of the constituents of vapor in the vapor produced. For example, in a heterogenous fluid containing many different compounds, relatively volatile components will vaporize at low temperatures, while less volatile components vaporize only at higher temperatures. For a given fluid of a specific composition, the mixture of vapor produced may be altered by the relative sizes of regions 164 held at high and low temperatures.

[0119] In the example of vaporization assembly 106”, region 164-4 is much larger than regions 164-1 , 164-2 and 164-3. Accordingly, if region 164-4 is held at a relatively low temperature, the resulting vapor mixture would be relatively rich in more volatile compounds with low vaporization points. On the other hand, if region 164-4 is held at a high temperature, the resulting vapor would be relatively rich in less volatile compounds with higher vaporization temperatures.

[0120] As noted, outer core 120 and inner core 122 may be formed from porous materials. Fluid in reservoir 104 may pass through fluid inlet 128 of enclosure 116 and contact outer core 120. The fluid may then flow through outer core 120 and inner core 122. The amount of fluid that flows through cores 120, 122 and the rate at which such flow occurs depends in part on the viscosity of the fluid and the size of pores in cores 120.

[0121] Optimal performance typically occurs when viscosity and pore sizes are carefully matched. If pores are too small or viscosity too high, insufficient vapor may be produced or cores 120, 122 may clog. Alternatively, if pores are too large or viscosity too low, fluid may pass too freely through cores 120, 122, which may result in flooding of flow passage 124 and leakage of fluid from inhaler device 100.

[0122] Such balancing of viscosity and pore size may be particularly challenging in the case of heterogeneous fluids or fluids containing suspended particulate matter.

[0123] In some embodiments, the vaporization assembly is configured to have pores of multiple sizes, or to have pores of adjustable sizes. FIG. 10 depicts one such example vaporization assembly 106’”.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 10, inner core 122 of vaporization assembly 106’” is formed in a plurality of core segments 166-1 , 166-2, 166-3, 166-4 (individually and collectively, inner core segments 166). Although four inner core segments 166 are shown, any number may be present, subject to space constraints.

[0125] Core segments 166 are stacked and cooperatively define inner core 122. In the depicted embodiment, each inner core segment 166 is generally annular and the inner wall of each segment forms a portion of flow passage 124.

[0126] Inner core segments 166 may be formed of different materials having different porosity, or of the same material, but with different porosity. That is, some of inner core segments 166 may have high porosity or large pore sizes, while other segments 166 may have lower porosity or smaller pore sizes.

[0127] H ighly viscous fluid components or particulate matter suspended in fluid may preferentially pass through inner core segments 166 with high porosity and large pore sizes. Less viscous fluid components may preferentially pass through inner core segments 166 with smaller pore sizes.

[0128] Inner core segments 166 may be equal in size or unequal in size. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the axial length of inner core segment 166-4 is larger than that of inner core segments 166-1 , 166-2, 166-3.

[0129]The amount and nature of flow restriction imposed by inner core 122 may be influenced by the porosity and relative size of each inner core segment. Accordingly, core segments 166 may individually and collectively be tuned to match the characteristics of a particular fluid with which inhaler device 100 is to be used.

[0130] For example, a given fluid may have known, specific proportions of low-viscosity components, high-viscosity components, and solid particulate matter.

[0131] Pose sizes of individual core segments 166 may be selected to match the constituent fluid components. Thus, one or more segments have few pores or very small pores to permit relatively free flow of low-viscosity compounds while restricting flow of other compounds. Similarly, one or more inner core segments 166 may have larger pore sizes to permit flow of more viscous components.

[0132] The relative sizes of the inner core segments 166 may be tuned to match the composition of the vape fluid, i.e. the viscosity distribution among components of the vape fluid. Alternatively, the relative sizes may be tuned to influence the composition of the produced vapor. For example, if an inner core segment 166 with large pores is itself relatively large, it will promote production of vapor from viscous components.

[0133] In some embodiments, multi-segment cores may be combined with multiple heating elements 123 in a core, or with baffles 162. For example, vaporization assembly 106’” in FIG. 10 has multiple metallic coils and multiple baffles 162. In such embodiments, the boundaries of inner core segments 166 may generally coincide with boundaries of heating regions 164. For example, in the depicted embodiment, inner core segment 166- 1 is aligned with metallic coil 123-1 and a baffle 162 defining heating region 164-1. Inner core segment 166-2 is aligned with metallic coil 123-2 and a baffle 162 defining heating region 164-2. Inner core segment 166-3 is aligned with metallic coil 123-3 and a baffle 162 defining heating region 164-3 , and inner core segment 166-4 is aligned with metallic coil 123-4 and baffle 162 defining heating region 164-4.

[0134] As will be explained in greater detail, heating may be tuned to suit the porosity configuration of cores 120, 122, and therefore to suit the specific fluid composition in a particular area. For example, if a particular core segment is tuned to have porosity and pore sizes to preferentially admit flow of a particular constituent, a corresponding heating element may likewise be tuned to produce a temperature approximately equal to the vaporization point of that constituent.

[0135] In some embodiments, both the inner core 122 and outer core 120 may have segments with varying porosity. As will be apparent, resistance to flow at any particular part of the vaporization assembly depends on the porosity of both the inner core and the outer core, because fluid must pass through outer core 120 and inner core 122 in series. A low-porosity segment of outer core 120 overlaying a low-porosity segment of inner core 122 would result in flow restriction greater than that of either segment alone. Conversely, a very high-porosity segment of outer core 120 overlaying a low-porosity segment of inner core 122 may impose little or no more flow restriction than the low-porosity segment alone.

[0136] As shown in FIGS. 11A-11 B, one or both of outer core 120 and inner core 122 may have alternating segments of high and low porosity. FIG. 13A shows segments 166 of inner core 122 and segments 168 of outer core 120 which are arranged in an axial pattern, i.e. , which have porosity that varies in the axial direction. FIG. 13B shows segments 166, 168 which have porosity that varies radially.

[0137] FIG. 12 depicts an example overlap between segments 166-1 , 166-2 of inner core 122 and segments 168-1 , 168-2 of outer core 120. Segments 166-1 and 168-1 have low porosity, and segments 166-2, 168-2 have higher porosity. Segments 166-1 , 168-1 overlap one another at region 170, which imposes very large flow restriction, in effect, as though it were a single layer with porosity lower than either of segments 166-1 , 168-1. Segments 166-2, 168-1 overlap one another at region 172 and impose intermediate flow restriction. Segments 166-2, 168-2 overlap one another at region 174 and impose lower flow restriction.

[0138] Inner core 122 and outer core 120 may be movable relative to one another to vary the overlap regions they define and the relative sizes thereof. Cores that radially vary in porosity may be rotatable relative to one another, while core that axially vary in porosity may be axially movable relative to one another.

[0139] FIG. 13 depicts an example mechanism for adjusting the relative positions of outer core 120 and inner core 122. As shown, fitting 114 has an adjustment grip 176. Adjustment grip is fixed to a collar 178 which is fixed to outer core 120 and is free to rotate or to translate axially on fitting 114. Adjustment grip 176 may be turned to rotate collar 178 and outer core 120, or may be pulled toward power source 102 to axially translate outer core 120 relative to inner core 122. Adjustment grip 176 may be marked with a legend to precisely indicate the relative positions of cores 120, 122.

[0140] Control circuitry 132 is depicted in greater detail in FIG. 14. As shown, control circuitry 132 may include digital control logic for modulating power delivery. Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, control circuitry 132 includes a microcontroller 134, which operates an interconnected power delivery unit 136. Microcontroller 134 communicates with a computer-readable storage 138, an input/output (I/O) device 142 and vapor sensor 119.

[0141] Power delivery unit 136 regulates power delivery, for example, by pulse width modulation (PWM). That is, power delivery unit 136 may selectively connect or disconnect battery cell 130 from electrical interconnect 132, such that current flows only when cell 130 and interconnect 132 are connected. The proportion of time during which current flows may be referred to as the duty cycle. The duty cycle in turn determines the average power delivered by way of electrical interconnect 132.

[0142] I/O device 142 comprises a wireless radio operable to send and receive signals with other nearby devices. For example, I/O device 142 may communicate with nearby devices using Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, or other suitable technologies.

[0143] As will be described in greater detail, signals received by I/O device 142 may include instructions defining operation parameters for inhaler device 100. The operation parameters may, for example, correspond to one or more of a specific vape fluid or characteristics of a specific vape fluid, and user preferences. Operation parameters may include any of: target temperatures, heat input rates, heat input profiles, length of operation, duty cycle and voltage.

[0144] In embodiments with a vapor sensor 119, the vapor sensor may send signals to controller 134 indicative of characteristics of the produced vapor, such as quantity or composition characteristics. Such characteristics may be encoded and transmitted to other devices by I/O device 142.

[0145] Storage 138 is a persistent computer-readable data store. Storage 138 may, for example, comprise flash memory or other suitable type of storage device. Storage 128 may store computer-readable instructions such as software or firmware for controlling operation of controller 134 and therefore, power delivery unit 136. Control circuitry 132 may further include volatile memory such as random-access memory (RAM).

[0146] Any of the components of control circuitry 132 may be integrated in one or more semiconductor dies. For example, components may be integrated in a single microcontroller die or system-on-chip. Alternatively, components may be provided in separate dies, interconnected by way of a printed circuit board.

[0147] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing functional components of controller 134. These components may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software and firmware.

[0148] As shown, controller 134 includes an input interpreter 150, a profile definition unit 152, and a timer 154. Input interpreter 150 receives as input, demodulated signals from I/O device 142. Input interpreter 150 is configured to parse received messages. For example, input messages may be received in an encoded format, and input interpreter may decode the messages to identify instructions contained therein.

[0149] Profile definition unit 152 is configured to receive instructions from input interpreter 150, and to compute a corresponding control regime for power delivery unit 136. In some examples, input interpreter 150 may parse an input signal to identify temperature and power delivery rate targets. Those targets may be passed to profile definition unit 152, which may calculate corresponding control inputs for power delivery unit 136. The control inputs may include one or more of a voltage and a duty cycle for a switching element of power deliver unit 136. In some embodiments, the control inputs may be static set points. In other embodiments, the control inputs may be set points that vary over time, e.g. defining a preheating cycle and an active vaping cycle.

[0150] The control inputs computed by profile definition unit 152 may be based at least in part on characteristics of inhaler device 100, and particularly, on characteristics of vaporization assembly 106. For example, for an input message received from I/O device 142 that defines a target temperature for vaping, profile definition unit 152 may compute a corresponding voltage or duty cycle that will produce the desired temperature at the boundary of flow passage 124, based on the size (e.g. thickness), heat capacity and thermal conductivity of inner core 122 and outer core 122, the amount of current delivered by power source 102, and the like. For example, larger cores with higher heat capacity or lower conductivity may require operation of power delivery unit 136 at a higher duty cycle in order to produce a given temperature, relative to smaller cores with lower heat capacity or higher thermal conductivity. Such computations may be done directly by controller 132 upon receipt of instructions from I/O device 142. Alternatively, relationships may be defined by values in look-up tables, or by using static scaling factors.

[0151] FIG. 16 show contents of an example instruction message at I/O device 142. As noted, the instruction message may be received in an encoded format, and FIG. 16 depicts decoded contents.

[0152] As shown, the instruction message 200 includes a series of target values 202. Each value defines a temperature target, namely, a temperature to which a heating element is to be heated. A plurality of values 202 are included in the instruction message. Each value 202 represents a temperature target for a particular period of time. For example, each value 202 may represent a period of 5 seconds. The set of values 202 therefore define a heating curve. In other words, the values 202 define target temperature for the heating element over time.

[0153] Five target values are shown in message 200. Flowever, any number of target values 200 may be provided. In some embodiments, as few as one target value may be provided, in which case instruction message 200 simply directs cores 120, 122 to be maintained at a static temperature.

[0154] Instruction message 200 may also include a time increment value 204 defining the duration represented by each target value. As noted, in the depicted embodiment, each target value corresponds to a 5 second period. Flowever, the duration may be shorter or longer.

[0155] Instruction message 200 may also include a mode value 206. The mode value may specify a desired mode of operation. For example, a mode value of 0 may indicate that the last of target values 202 should be maintained indefinitely, i.e. until a user powers off inhaler device 100. In this mode, the curve defined by target values 202 may be a pre-heat curve, with a temperature to be maintained upon completion of preheating. A mode value of 1 may indicate a loop mode, i.e. that the heating curve is to be repeated. For example, values 202 may define a heating curve according to which cores 120, 122 are cyclically allowed to settle to a low temperature while fluid flows toward inner core 122, then briefly raised to a higher vaping temperature, then allowed to return to the lower temperature. Such a configuration may result in intermittent high-volume “puffs” of vapor, rather than a constant stream of vapor.

[0156] Instruction message 200 may also include a timeout value 208, indicating a time duration for which heating should continue. The duration may, for example, be defined in seconds. [0157] Based on instruction message 200, controller 134 may compute a corresponding set of power delivery parameters. Power delivery parameters include duty cycle and voltage, one or both of which may be varied over time by controller 134.

[0158] In some embodiments, a set of target values 202 may be provided for each one heating element within inhaler device 100. For example, four sets of target values 202 may be provided for a device with four metallic coils 123-1, 123-2, 123-3, 123-4 heating cores 120, 122. In other embodiments, the same target values 202 may be used to control multiple heating elements.

[0159] FIG. 17 depicts a system fortuning performance of inhaler device 100. As shown, inhaler device 100 may be tuned based on instructions from a mobile computing device 300.

[0160]The computing device 300 may be a mobile computing device. Computing device 300 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch or other wearable computing device, or a laptop or desktop PC. The mobile computing device may run any suitable operating system, such as Microsoft™ Windows™, Google™ Android™, Apple OS X™ or iOS™, or the like. Computing device 300 is operable to capture information defining characteristics of vape fluid in reservoir 104, to receive inputs of user preferences, and to derive a corresponding instruction message 200.

[0161] Computing device 300 is capable of communicating with inhaler device 100 byway of I/O device 142. Computing device 300 is also capable of communicating with a server 302 by way of a network 304 such as the internet.

[0162] FIG. 18 depicts components of computing device 300 in greater detail. As shown, computing device 300 comprises a processor 310, memory 312, network interface 314 and storage 316. Computing device 300 may also include one or more of an imaging sensor 320, a Bluetooth radio 322 and a near-field communication (NFC) radio 324.

[0163] Processor 310 may be any suitable processor, such as an ARM-based processor produced by Qualcomm, Samsung or Apple, or an x86-based processor produced by Intel or AMD. Processor 310 is in communication with volatile memory (RAM) 312 and a persistent storage device 316 on which computer-readable instructions are stored.

[0164] Network interface 314 connects computing device 300 to a network such as network 304. The connection may be wired, e.g. by Ethernet or wireless, e.g. by IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), cellular or the like.

[0165] Imaging sensor 320 may be any suitable digital image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS sensor, and is operable to acquire images of a subject for processing by processor 310.

[0166] Bluetooth radio 322 and NFC radio 324 are both interconnected with processor 310 and are operable to send and receive messages according to the Bluetooth and near field communication protocols, respectively.

[0167] FIG. 19 depicts functional components of computing device 300. Such components may be implemented in any combination of hardware, firmware and software. As shown, computing device includes a product identification unit 330, a user interface 332 and an instruction module 334.

[0168] Product identification unit 330 is operable to acquire data representative of characteristics of reservoir 104, namely, of the vape fluid within reservoir 104. The data may uniquely identify the composition of the fluid, or it may identify concentrations of specific compounds within the fluid. In some embodiments, the data may comprise a blend identification number. For example, a first number may be assigned to a high-TFIC formulation, and a second number may be assigned to a high-CBD and low-THC formulation. In such embodiments, the number may be used to retrieve specific vape fluid properties from a data structure. In other embodiments, the data may comprise specific characteristics of the vape fluid, such that no reference to an external data structure (e.g. at the computing device or elsewhere) is necessary.

[0169] In some embodiments, product identification unit 330 acquires the identifying data by an optical scan. For example, computing device 330 may capture an image of a barcode or label on reservoir 104, and processor 310 may process the resulting image to identify the corresponding value. Suitable barcodes may include one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional matrix barcodes such as QR codes.

[0170] In other embodiments, product identification unit 330 acquires the identifying data by interrogation of an NFC device associated with reservoir 104. For example, a user may place NFC radio 324 of computing device 300 in close proximity to an NFC tag on reservoir 104. NFC radio 324 may then read data stored at the NFC tag.

[0171] In other embodiments, product identification unit 330 acquires the data with Bluetooth radio 322. For example, the data may be part of a message sent after pairing of computing device 300 to inhaler device 100.

[0172] Product identification unit 330 is further operable to query a data store based on the acquired data to retrieve associated fluid properties.

[0173] The data store may be a database with one or more tables relating fluid mixture identifiers with vaporization parameters such as heating specifications.

[0174] FIG. 20 shows an example entry in a database table 340 of the data store. Database table 340 includes an ID column 342, containing product identifiers for varieties of vaping fluids. Database table 340 further includes a name column 344 with a descriptive name for each variety, and a summary column 346 with notes such as cannabinoid and terpene content, intended use and effects for each variety. Database table 340 further includes one or more columns 348 containing heating regime parameters. As shown, database 340 includes two columns 348-1 , 348-2, each defining a heating regime for a particular configuration of vaporization assembly. Column 348-1 includes heating regime values for a vaporization assembly with a single heating element. Column 348-2 includes heating regime values for a vaporization assembly with four metallic heating coils 123 and four regions. Additional columns 348 may be present to account for other configurations of vaporization assemblies.

[0175]As depicted, each entry in columns 348 includes a delimited set of target temperature values and a time increment value defining a length of time each temperature target should be maintained. Thus, each set of values defines a heating curve. Each set may be substantially any length. That is, a set may have as little as a single value, indicating a static temperature target, or a larger number of values defining a heating curve of substantially any length.

[0176] The data store containing table 340 may be stored locally at computing device 300, or at server 302. In the latter case, product identification unit 330 may query the data store by way of a message sent to server 302 over network 304, and server 302 may send a response comprising data from the data store.

[0177] Product identification unit 330 is configured to save data returned from the data store, and to provide the data to display module 332.

[0178] Display module 332 is configured to present a user interface on a display of computing device 330, for communicating to a user the characteristics of the vaping fluid in reservoir 104. The user interface may include, for example, the name of the fluid variety, information about its composition, and a representation of the defined heating curve. In some embodiments, the defined heating curve may be represented graphically, e.g. by a plotted line on the display.

[0179] As part of the user interface, display module 332 may present one or more controls for further tuning performance. For example, the user interface may include sliders for adjusting the relative CBD or THC content desired in the produced vapor, or the quantity of vapor desired from each inhalation or “puff”. Such quantity could be computationally approximated based on heat transfer properties such as the heat of vaporization of the vaping fluid, heat capacity, heat transfer characteristics and rate of heat input to the vaporization assembly. Alternatively, vapor characteristics such as quantity and composition of vapor may be measured using sensor 119 and transmitted to computing device 330 by way of I/O device 142. The user interface of display module 332 may present representations of the measured characteristics, along with controls for users to adjust the vapor characteristics. For example, the user interface may include a representation of vapor production rate, along with controls for increasing or decreasing vapor production rate. Operation of such controls may cause instructions to be transmitted to device 100 for adjusting the heating curve. [0180] Additionally or alternatively, the user interface may include controls for adjusting the duration of each puff, e.g., the time duration of the heating curve. For example, the duration may be continuously adjustable to produce short, pulls approximately two seconds in duration, or longer pulls approximately ten seconds in duration, or any other length. User selections would be recorded and passed to instruction module 334.

[0181] In some embodiments, the instructions provided to the heating element of the vaporization assembly 106 may define a heating curve shorter in duration than that selected by a user through the user interface. Thus, the user may continue inhaling after heating stops, such that residual material may be drawn away from vaporization assembly 106. This may reduce the likelihood of clogging within vaporization assembly 106 due to condensation of vapor. Instruction module 334 is configured to convert the received heating curve into instructions for sending to control circuitry 132 of inhaler device 100. Specifically, instruction module 334 receives the heating curve data obtained by product identification unit 330, and the user preference data obtained through display module 322. The heating curve is adjusted based on the user preferences. For example, temperature targets may be increased if the user inputs indicate a preference for a relatively TFIC- heavy vapor. Temperature targets may be decreased if the user inputs indicate a preference for a relatively CBD-heavy vapor. If a user indicates a preference for large “puffs”, additional low-temperature periods may be added to the heating curve, to allow inflow of fluid into cores 120, 122 without immediate vaporization. This may in turn increase the amount of vapor produced when the cores are heated.

[0182] In some embodiments, instruction module 334 is programmed with characteristics of the vaporization device 100. For example, instruction module 334 may be programmed to identify the number of heating elements and heating regions within the vaporization assembly, and to identify porosity characteristics of the cores, e.g. porosity regions and correspondence between porosity regions and heating regions.

[0183] In the case of multiple-element heating regimes, instruction module 334 may match heating regions to porosity regions. For example, high-temperature curves may be assigned to heating elements positioned at high porosity and large pore regions. The high porosity may admit flow of relatively viscous and less volatile fluid components, and high temperatures in such regions may ensure that those less volatile compounds are effectively vaporized.

[0184] Instruction module 334 constructs an instruction message comprising an adjusted series of temperature targets, and sends the instruction message to control circuitry 132 of inhaler device 100.

[0185] As noted, control circuitry receives and parses the instruction message by way of I/O device 142. Based on the instruction message, controller 134 determines timing and one or more of duty cycle and voltage and operates power delivery unit 136 accordingly to deliver vapor.

[0186] Other examples of implementations will become apparent to the reader in view of the teachings of the present description and as such, will not be further described here.

[0187] Note that titles or subtitles may be used throughout the present disclosure for convenience of a reader, but in no way these should limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain theories may be proposed and disclosed herein; however, in no way they, whether they are right or wrong, should limit the scope of the invention so long as the invention is practiced according to the present disclosure without regard for any particular theory or scheme of action. All references cited throughout the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0188] Reference throughout the specification to “some embodiments”, and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the invention is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described inventive features may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.

[0189] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “a” used before a term encompasses embodiments containing one or more to what the term refers. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps.

[0190] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.

[0191] As used in the present disclosure, the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within the error margin generally accepted in the art. Hence, numerical quantities given herein generally include such error margin such that the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

[0192] Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present description that numerous modifications and variations can be made. The scope of the invention is defined more particularly in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A cannabis vapor inhaler, comprising: a. a reservoir containing a fluid to be vaporized, said fluid comprising a cannabinoid compound; b. a heating element proximate a fluid flow path from said reservoir, for vaporizing said fluid; c. a controller operable to regulate heat input to said heating element to produce a desired heating curve defined by a series of target temperatures over time.

2. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 1 , wherein said controller is operable to regulate heat input by a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated current flow.

3. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said controller is operable to regulate heat input to a heating element to produce desired heating curves at each of multiple regions within said inhaler.

4. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 3, comprising a separate heating element for each of said regions.

5. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said regions are serially arranged along said fluid flow path and have different lengths measured along said fluid flow path.

6. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said regions are defined by baffles within said fluid flow path.

7. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising a porous medium interposed between said reservoir and said heating element, wherein said porous medium has a first section having a first porosity and a second section having a second porosity, different from said first porosity.

8. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 7, wherein said first and second sections correspond respectively to first and second ones of said regions.

9. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 8, wherein said controller is operable to regulate heat input to a heating element based on porosity of said first and second sections.

10. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 9, comprising an adjustment mechanism to adjust an overlap between said first and second sections.

11. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising machine- readable indicia of characteristics of said fluid.

12. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 11 , wherein said machine-readable indicia comprise a barcode.

13. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said machine-readable indicia comprise a near-field communication (NFC) tag.

14. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims to 1 to 13, wherein said controller is operable to repeat said heating curve.

15. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said controller is operable to wirelessly receive a message defining said desired heating curve.

16. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 15, wherein said controller is operable to receive a message defining said desired heating curve via a Bluetooth connection.

17. A cannabis vapor inhaler, comprising: a. a reservoir containing a fluid to be vaporized, said fluid comprising a cannabinoid compound; b. a heating element proximate a fluid flow path from said reservoir, for vaporizing said fluid; c. a controller operable to wirelessly receive a signal comprising instructions corresponding to properties of said vape fluid and to regulate said heating element based on said instructions.

18. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 17, wherein said controller is operable to receive said signal by near-field communication (NFC).

19. The cannabis vapor inhaler of claim 17, wherein said controller is operable to receive said signal by Bluetooth.

20. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said signal defines a heating curve comprising a series of target temperatures over time.

21. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said signal comprises target temperatures corresponding to each of a plurality of regions within said inhaler.

22. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said signal comprises target temperatures corresponding to each of a plurality of heating elements.

23. The cannabis vapor inhaler of any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein said controller is operable to regulate said heating element by setting a duty cycle of a pulse- width modulated current flow to said heating element.

24. A computing device for controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device, comprising: a. a sensor operable to acquire input data indicative of characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; b. a processor in communication with said sensor, said processor configured to: i. query a data store based on said input data for a heating curve corresponding to said characteristics; ii. wirelessly transmit an instruction signal based on said heating curve to the inhaler device.

25. The computing device of claim 24, wherein said input data comprise a formulation identifier corresponding to said fluid.

26. The computing device of claim 24, wherein said input data comprise a description of material properties of said fluid.

27. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein said processor is configured to query a data store by sending a query over a network connection to a server.

28. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein said processor is configured to query a local data store at said computing device.

29. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein said processor is configured to wirelessly transmit said instruction signal over a Bluetooth connection.

30. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein said processor is configured to wirelessly transmit said instruction signal by near-field communication (NFC).

31. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein said sensor is operable to acquire input data by NFC.

32. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein said sensor is operable to acquire an image comprising said input data, and said processor is configured to process said image.

33. The computing device of any one of claims 24 to 32, wherein said processor is configured to present a user interface on a display for receiving input user preferences, and wherein said instruction signal is based on said heating curve and said user preferences.

34. A computing device for controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device, comprising: a. a data structure defining relationships between characteristics of vaping fluids and corresponding vaporization parameters; b. a network interface; c. a processor in communication with said network interface, said processor configured to: i. receive over said network interface a transmission comprising a request for vaporization instructions, said request including characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; ii. based on said relationships in said data structure, transmit a return message to a handheld computing device by way of said network interface, said return message comprising vaporization instructions for said fluid.

35. The computing device of claim 34, wherein said data structure defines pairs of fluid identifiers and corresponding heating targets.

36. The computing device of claim 34, wherein said data structure defines relationships between cannabinoid concentrations and corresponding heating targets.

37. The computing device of claim 35 or claim 36, wherein said heating targets comprise heating curves.

38. The computing device of claim 37, wherein said heating curves are defined by a series of target temperatures.

39. The computing device of claim 38, wherein said heating curves are further defined by a time increment between said target temperatures.

40. A method of controlling vaporization of a fluid containing cannabinoid compounds at an inhaler device, comprising: a. with a digital sensor, reading data indicative of characteristics of a fluid to be vaporized; b. querying a data store to obtain vaporization parameters based on said characteristics; c. transmitting an instruction signal based on vaporization parameters.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said querying a data store comprises sending a query to a server over a network connection.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said querying a data store comprises accessing a locally-stored database.

43. The method of any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein said characteristics comprise input data comprise a formulation identifier corresponding to said fluid.

44. The method of any one of claims 40 to 43, wherein said characteristics comprise a description of material properties of said fluid.

45. The method of any one of claims 40 to 44, comprising transmitting said instruction signal over a Bluetooth connection.

46. The method of any one of claims 40 to 44, comprising transmitting said instruction signal by near-field communication (NFC).

47. The method of any one of claims 40 to 46 wherein said reading data comprises reading data by NFC.

48. The method of any one of claims 40 to 46, wherein said reading data comprises processing an image.

49. The method of any one of claims 40 to 48 comprising obtaining input user preferences through a user interface.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said instruction signal is based on said vaporization parameters and said user preferences.

51 .The method of claim 49 or claim 50, wherein said obtaining input user preferences comprises presenting, through said user interface, a graphical representation of said vaporization parameters.

52. The method of any one of claims 49 to 51 , wherein said obtaining input user preferences comprises presenting, through said user interface, a graphical control for a vaporization parameter.

53. The method of any one of claims 40 to 52, wherein said vaporization parameters comprise heating targets.

54. The method claim 53, wherein said heating targets comprise heating curves defined by a series of temperature targets over time.