WO2021121753A1

WO2021121753A1 - Electronic cigarette with integrated hands-free speakerphone

Info

Publication number: WO2021121753A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/080656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Fietzek; Marco Panizza; Yannick PERIN; Michael Spunt; Richard STAUFER
Original assignee: Panasonic Industry Europe GmbH
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-11-02
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: DE102019135579B4; DE102019135579A1

Abstract

An electronic cigarette (10) is provided, which is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate (18) and to deliver the aerosol to a user. The electronic cigarette (10) comprises a housing (12), a mouthpiece (14) configured to be applied to the mouth of the user, an aerosol-producing unit (16) configured to produce the aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate (18) when activated by the user, and an audio communication unit (20) being connectable with an electronic communication device (22). The audio communication unit (20) is configured to establish audio communication between the user and the electronic communication device (22). The audio communication unit (20) comprises an audio output device (24) and an audio input device (26). The electronic cigarette (10) further comprises a control unit (28) being connected with the aerosol-producing unit (16) and the audio communication unit (20) for controlling the operation of the electronic cigarette (10) in case of a smoking event.

Description

Electronic Cigarette with integrated hands-free speakerphone

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette.

An electronic cigarette, also known as an electronic vaping device or a vaporizer is an electronic smoking system, where a substrate is subject to heating or other kind of treatment in order to be released and delivered to a user in an inhalable form. The substrate might contain flavourings and/or other substances and might be a solid or a liquid. In case of a solid substrate, it might be heated to a smoldering point, whereas in case of a liquid substrate, it might be vaporized by heating and/or nebulized by an atomizer to produce an aerosol. Such devices can reduce the health risks as compared to the conventional cigarettes and are considered to be a healthier alternative to conventional cigarettes.

Some users like to talk on their mobile phone when they’re smoking. Conventional cigarettes weigh a few grams only. Thus, they can be easily held with a hand holding the phone or using lip tension. The other hand can be used e.g. for social interaction (like shaking hands with other people), holding food or drinks or carrying bags.

Vaporizers weigh significantly more than conventional cigarettes, so that said actions cannot be performed. Rather, vaporizer users engaged in a phone conversation need their both hands to hold the phone and the vaporizer.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the process of holding a conversation via a portable electronic communication device (e.g. a mobile phone or the like) when using a vaporizer. Solving this problem allows to further reduce the consumption of conventional cigarettes and to get rid of unhealthy habits since said actions can be performed also with an electronic cigarette.

This problem is solved by the electronic cigarette according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and refinements of the present invention are de scribed in the respective sub-claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic ciga rette configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate and to deliver the aerosol to a user, whereas the electronic cigarette comprises a hous ing, a mouthpiece configured to be applied to the mouth of the user, an aerosol- producing unit configured to produce the aerosol from the aerosol-forming sub strate when activated by the user, an audio communication unit being connecta ble with an electronic communication device. The audio communication unit is configured to establish audio communication between the user and the electronic communication device. The audio communication unit comprises an audio output device and an audio input device.

The electronic cigarette further comprises a control unit being connected with the aerosol-producing unit and the audio communication unit for controlling the op eration of the electronic cigarette in case of a smoking event. The electronic ciga rette with the above features provides a hands-free system which allows the user to hold a conversation via the electronic communication device while smoking. This has the advantage that the user does not need to use his hands in order to operate the electronic communication device. Therefore, the user is provided with a greater freedom when using the electronic cigarette.

The electronic cigarette may further comprise a pressure sensor connected with the control unit, the pressure sensor being configured to detect if the user sucks on the mouthpiece and to transmit a signal to the control unit to signalize the smoking event. This feature allows an intuitive use of the electronic cigarette which resembles the use of a conventional cigarette.

The electronic cigarette may further comprise a control switch being connected with the control unit, wherein the control switch is configured to signalize the smoking event to the control unit when the control switch is activated by the user. This feature provides a quick and simple opportunity to signalize the smoking event.

The control unit may be configured to activate the aerosol-producing unit in case of the smoking event.

The control unit may be configured to mute the audio input device in case of the smoking event. The control unit can comprise a noise reduction module, which is configured to, in case of the smoking event, at least partly, remove noise from an audio signal captured by the audio input device. These features allow to avoid sending disturbing noise, like e.g. hissing sounds, which might be produced when the user sucks on the cigarette, via the audio input device. Therefore, the quality of the audio communication via the audio communication unit can be improved.

The audio input device can comprise a microphone. The audio output device can comprise a loudspeaker. These features provide simple and effective opportunities to realize the audio communication between the user and the electronic communication device.

The audio output device can comprise a sonic transducer, the sonic transducer being configured to convert an electric audio output signal into audible mechanical vibrations of the housing. The provision of this feature allows to enhance the quality and the efficiency of the audio output. Furthemore, the audio output device becomes waterproof and dirt proof, since no holes in the housing are necessary.

The housing can comprise at least two parts, the parts being acoustically decoupled. The housing may comprise a thin metal. These features allow an efficient operation of the audio output device.

The aerosol-producing element can comprise an electric heating element config ured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-producing element can comprise a piezoelectric element configured to apply ultrasound to the aerosol-forming substrate. This feature provides an effective and healthy alternative to conventional vaporizing and/or aerosol production methods.

The audio communication unit and the electronic communication device may be connectable via a wireless connection. This provides a quick, easy and user- friendly way to connect the electronic cigarette with the electronic communication device.

The electronic cigarette may further comprise a notification unit connected to the control unit, the notification unit being connectable with the electronic communi cation device, wherein the notification unit is controlled by the control unit to send, to the electronic communication device, a notification in case of the smok ing event. This feature allows the user to communicate his intention to smoke to, e.g. , other users of electronic or conventional cigarettes, who might join him. Therefore, the social aspect of smoking becomes more pronounced for the user of the electronic cigarette.

The electronic communication device can comprise a mobile phone.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 each shows a schematic view of an electronic cigarette accord ing to different embodiments;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a housing with a loudspeaker;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a housing with a sonic transducer.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the sonic transducer in side the housing.

Like reference characters are used to identify like elements correspondingly throughout the specification and drawings.

Each of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shows a schematic and simplified view of an electronic cigarette 10 according to different embodiments. The electronic cigarette 10 can comprise a housing 12, a mouthpiece 14, which can be configured to be applied to the mouth of a user and an aerosol-producing unit 16 configured to produce the aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate 18 when activated by the user. The aerosol-forming substrate 18 can be contained in a cartridge 19. The aerosol- producing unit 16 can comprise an electric heating element 16a which can be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-producing unit 16 can comprise a piezoelectric element, which can be configured to apply ultrasound to the aerosol-forming substrate 18.

The electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise an audio communication unit 20, which can be connectable with an electronic communication device 22. The elec tronic communication device 22 may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, or the like. The audio communication unit 20 and the electronic communication device 22 may be connectable via a wireless connection such as, for example, a Bluetooth connection. The audio communication unit 20 can be configured to establish audio communi cation between the user and the electronic communication device 22. The audio communication unit 20 can comprise an audio output device 24 and an audio in put device 26. The electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise a control unit 28, which can be connected with the aerosol-producing unit 16 and the audio com munication unit 20 for controlling the operation of the electronic cigarette 10 in case of a smoking event. The electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise a power supply unit 30, which can be configured to supply the electronic cigarette 10 with electric power. The power supply unit 30 can comprise an electric battery 32.

The electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise a notification unit 29, which can be connected to the control unit 28. The notification unit 29 can be connectable with the electronic communication device 22. The notification unit 29 can be con trolled by the control unit 28 to send, to the electronic communication device 22, a notification in case of the smoking event.

The electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise a control switch 34, which can be connected with the control unit 28. The control switch 34 can be configured to signalize the smoking event to the control unit 28 when the control switch 34 is activated by the user.

In an embodiment shown on Fig. 2, the electronic cigarette 10 can further comprise a pressure sensor 36, which can be configured to detect if the user sucks on the mouthpiece 14 and to transmit a signal to the control unit 28 to signalize the smoking event. The pressure sensor 36 may transmit an analog pressure signal to the control unit 28, whereupon the control unit may decide, if the smoking event is taking place. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure sensor 36 itself may process the analog pressure signal to decide, if the smoking event is happening or not, whereupon the pressure sensor 36 may transmit the correponding signal to the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 can be configured to activate the aerosol-producing unit 16 in case of the smoking event. The control unit 28 can further be configured to mute the audio input device 26 in case of the smoking event. Additionally or alterna tively, the control unit 28 can comprise a noise reduction module, which, in case of the smoking event, is configured to, at least partly, remove noise from an audio signal captured by the audio input device. Just by way of example, to this end the noise reduction module can be configured to perform a spectral filtering of the captured audio signal, so that the spectral components of the noise are eliminated from the audio signal. Due to these features, the quality of the audio communica tion via the audio communication unit 20 can be significantly improved, since the noise, e.g. disturbing hissing sounds, which might be produced when the user sucks on the mouthpiece, is prevented from being sent via the audio input device 26.

The audio input device 26 can comprise a microphone 26. The audio output device

24 can comprise a sonic transducer 24, which can be configured to convert an electric audio output signal into audible mechanical vibrations of the housing 12. In an embodiment shown on Fig. 3, the audio output device 24 alternatively or additionally may comprise a loudspeaker 24a.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the housing with the loudspeaker 24a, whereas Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the housing 12 with the sonic transducer 24. The sound waves 38 are produced by the loudspeaker 24a or the sonic transducer 24. The housing 12 can comprise at least two parts 12a, 12b, which can be acoustically decoupled. The acoustical decoupling of the parts 12a, 12b can be performed, e.g. , by the provision of a plastic or a rubber piece 13 between the parts 12a, 12b of the housing 12. The first part 12a may comprise the mouthpiece 14, whereas the other part 12b may comprise the audio output device 24. By means of such an acoustical decoupling of the parts 12a, 12b of the housing, the quality of the sound produced by the audio output device 24 can be improved, since the acoustic vibrations of the housing are prevented from being damped e.g. by contact with the hands or the mouth of the user.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the sonic transducer 24 inside the housing 12. The sonic transducer 24 can comprise an electromagnetic coil 25 located between the poles N, S of a permanent magnet. The electromagnetic coil

25 can be in a mechanical contact with the housing 12, so that when an electrical audio signal is applied to the coil, the coil and the housing are forced to oscillate according to the electrical sound signal. The housing 12 can comprise a thin metal. This allows the sonic transducer 24 to efficiently convert an electric audio signal into acoustic vibrations of the housing, so that the sound waves 38 produced by the housing 12 can be better perceived by the user.

The sonic trancducer 24 can be configured to process and to adapt the sound signal according to the the frequency response characteristic of the housing in order to compensate the non-linearity of the housing. To this end, the transducer can, e.g. , comprise an equalizer module, which can perform a Fourier transform of the sound signal and enhance or reduce the frequency components according to the frequency response characteristic of the housing in such a way that after performing an inverse Fourier transform of the processed sound signal, the loudness of the different frequency components of the sound signal becomes approximately equal. In this way, the quality of the audio output can be further enhanced.

The provision of the audio output device 24 in form of a sonic transcuder 24 has a further advantage in that the audio output device 24 becomes waterproof and dirt proof, since the electrical audio signal is transformed into mechanical vibrations of the housing 12 directly by the sonic transcuder 24, which is located inside the housing 12. Therefore, the provision of e.g. holes in the housing 12 (see Fig. 4), which can be necessary in the case of a loudspeaker 24a, is not needed any more.

The electronic cigarette 10, provided with the features as described above, allows to simplify the process of holding a phone conversation when using the vaporizer 10 and hence to reduce the consumption of conventional cigarettes and to get rid of unhealthy habits. The user can leave his phone in garments’ pockets or bags. The vaporizer 10 simultaneously serves its main purpose and as a hands-free speakerphone. In addition to major components such as battery 32, control electronics 28, heating element 16a, liquid cartridge 19 and mouthpiece 12, components for sound conversion and wireless data transmission are being added. User’s voice can be picked up with a microphone 26. Other party’s voice is output through a speaker 24a or a transducer 24 exciting the vaporizer’s housing 12 to oscillate in sync with the sound signal. Data can be transmitted using any suitable technology implementation such as a Bluetooth IC or module and peripheral components.

The microphone 26 can be muted during sucking of vaporized liquid to avoid uncomfortable sensations for other party. This can be done using the button 34 controlling the heating element 16a common to vaporizers. Or, alternatively, a pressure sensor 36 can be used to detect sucking and, consequently, engage muting of the microphone 26. The invention frees users hand for other tasks and reduces the risk of a dropped and potentially damaged phone. People switching from conventional cigarettes to vaporizers can reduce the danger to their health. Hence, the healthcare costs are reduced in the long run.

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette ( 10) configured to generate an aerosol from an aero- sol-forming substrate ( 18) and to deliver the aerosol to a user, the electronic ciga rette ( 10) comprising: a housing ( 12); a mouthpiece ( 14) configured to be applied to the mouth of the user; an aerosol-producing unit ( 16) configured to produce the aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate ( 18) when activated by the user; an audio communication unit (20) being connectable with an electronic communication device (22), the audio communication unit (20) being configured to establish audio communication between the user and the electronic communica tion device (22), the audio communication unit (20) comprising an audio output device (24) and an audio input device (26); and a control unit (28) being connected with the aerosol-producing unit ( 16) and the audio communication unit (20) for controlling the operation of the elec tronic cigarette ( 10) in case of a smoking event.

2. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor (36) connected with the control unit (28), the pressure sensor (36) being configured to detect if the user sucks on the mouthpiece ( 14) and to trans mit a signal to the control unit (28) to signalize the smoking event.

3. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, fur ther comprising a control switch (34) being connected with the control unit (28), wherein the control switch (34) is configured to signalize the smoking event to the control unit (28) when the control switch is activated by the user.

4. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (28) is configured to activate the aerosol-producing unit ( 16) in case of the smoking event.

5. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (28) is configured to mute the audio input device (26) in case of the smoking event.

6. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (28) comprises a noise reduction module, which is con- figured to, in case of the smoking event, at least partly, remove noise from an au dio signal captured by the audio input device (26).

7. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio input device (26) comprises a microphone.

8. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio output device (24) comprises a loudspeaker (24a).

9. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio output device (24) comprises a sonic transducer (24), the sonic transducer (24) being configured to convert an electric audio output signal into audible mechanical vibrations of the housing ( 12).

10. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing ( 12) comprises at least two parts ( 12a, 12b), the parts ( 12a, 12b) being acoustically decoupled.

1 1. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing ( 12) comprises thin metal.

12. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-producing unit ( 16) comprises an electric heating element ( 16a) configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate ( 18).

13. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-producing unit ( 16) comprises a piezoelectric element ( 16b) configured to apply ultrasound to the aerosol-forming substrate ( 18).

14. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio communication unit (20) and the electronic communication de vice (22) are connectable via a wireless connection.

15. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, fur ther comprising a notification unit (29) connected to the control unit, the notifica tion unit (29) being connectable with the electronic communication device (22), wherein the notification unit ( 19) is controlled by the control unit (28) to send, to the electronic communication device (22), a notification in case of the smoking event.

16. The electronic cigarette ( 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic communication device (22) comprises a mobile phone (22).