WO2022148877A1

WO2022148877A1 - Electronic smoking article with tooth identification

Info

Publication number: WO2022148877A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/050392
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alec WRIGHT
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2021-01-11
Filing date: 2022-01-11
Publication date: 2022-07-14

Abstract

Electronic smoking device comprising a mouth piece, the mouth piece having partially contact with teeth and being attached to a body section, wherein the body section comprises a battery and an electronic chipset. According to the invention the mouth piece further comprises at least one sensor, whereas the sensor is a biometric contact sensor designed for capturing toothprints.

Description

Electronic smoking article with tooth identification

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic smoking device which vapours a smokable substance and thereby provides an inhalable aerosol. Such electronic smoking devices are widely used and known from the state of the art. Usually these smoking devices comprise a battery as power supply unit, an electronic control system for controlling a heating section which thereby is able to vapour the fluid, and a mouth piece, wherein the mouthpiece provides the vapoured fluid to a customer.

Electronic smoking devices which are known from the state of the art are usually used by pressing a button and/or a similar interface. Normally by pressing the button or interacting with a similar interface, the heating section in the device starts to heat the smokable fluid inside the device and thereby inhalable vapour is released. This method is usually quite simple, so anyone who has access to the device can use it. The advantage of this simple operation is also a disadvantage, considering that there is no particular safety mechanism in the device to prevent unauthorised use. This makes it possible for children, for example, to use the device if they have access to it. It might also be possible to provide medication through an electronic smoking device, which would make user identification even more important.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide more safety regarding to unauthorized usage of electronic smoking articles, especially to prevent the usage of electronic smoking articles for children, but also to avoid usage of accidently mixed up devices which might contain a medication for an individual consumer. This object is achieved by the electronic smoking article of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are object of the subclaims.

An electronic smoking device according to the invention comprises a mouth piece, the mouth piece having at least partially contact with teeth and being attached to a body section, wherein the body section comprises a battery and an electronic chipset.

According to the invention the mouth piece further comprises at least one sensor, whereas the sensor is preferably a biometric contact sensor designed for capturing tooth prints.

A biometric sensor is understood to be a sensor that is suitable and intended to record biometric values and/or measurement data, in specific personal data or personal- related data. In particular, these data are personal data which are related to the teeth of a related person. It is conceivable that the data is pressure map of a toothprint of at least one tooth and/ or multiple tooth in at least one tooth row. It is also conceivable the data is a specific resonance frequency of at least one tooth and/or the jaw. Further it is conceivable, that the data is an electromagnetic wave spectrum, preferably a light spectrum, with which a tooth is recognisable.

It is conceivable that the sensor is able to capture toothprints in various ways, wherein the detection might occur via a personalized tooth pressure profile, or a spectral analysis of the tooth via a specific radiation. Also the authorization of a customer might occur by measuring the specific resonance frequency of at least one tooth.

Preferably the electronic smoking device extends in a longitudinal direction which is a straight line that preferably runs longitudinally through the body section and through the mouth piece of the device. Preferably the electronic smoking device further extends in a width direction, wherein the width direction represents the diameter of the electronic smoking device and is preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

In a preferred embodiment the mouth piece is replaceable and especially detachable and attachable to the body section. It is conceivable that the mouth piece can be attached and detached to and from the body section via a clicking and/or a push-fit mechanism. Also a twisting mechanism and/or a magnetic attachment of the mouthpiece to the body section is conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment the mouth piece further comprises at least one wired and/or wireless data connection to the body section. It is conceivable that this data connection is achieved by a conductive contact closure between two sets of electrical contacts, wherein the first set of electrical contacts is arranged at the body section of the electronic smoking device and the second set of electric contacts is arranged at the mouthpiece. The electrical contacts are preferably arranged such that by attaching the mouthpiece to the body section, a conductive closure is achieved between the body section and the mouthpiece.

It is also conceivable that an electrical conductive part of the mouth piece and body section are used to provide a data signal between the two components. It is conceivable that for example a metal hull of the electronic smoking device is used as electrical ground, and conductive parts which are preferably arranged in the inside the device are used as data and electric plus connection. Using the hull as a wire saves at least one wire and/or electric conductive section on the body section as well as on the mouthpiece.

It is also conceivable that a data connection between the mouthpiece and the body section is wireless. In this case it is conceivable that the signal is transferred via a wireless transfer protocol and/or an inductive signal which could be achieved by coils. It is also conceivable that the mouthpiece has its own electric chipset which is preferably powered from the battery of the body section via induction.

Preferably the chipset of the mouthpiece enables an RFID signal when recognizing an authorized customer, and the RFID signal then causes an unlocking of the electronic smoking device. A wireless communication would prevent corrosion of electric conductive contacts which would be arranged at a connection point between mouth piece and body section. Especially considering that electronic smoking products might be cleaned by rinsing them with water, a conventional electric conductive contact could corrode. ln a preferred embodiment the sensor of the mouthpiece and the chipset of the body section communicate with each other via a data connection. It is conceivable that the sensor provides customer related data to the chipset of the body section, wherein it is conceivable that customer related data are identification data from the tooth detection sensor and/or various other data, preferably containing customer settings. The chipset would then preferably progress the identification data signals to either unlock the electronic smoking device or keep it locked. In case of the mouthpiece comprising its own chipset, it is conceivable, that the data which is transferred from the mouthpiece is pre-processed and thereby the data which is transmitted via the data connection from the mouth piece to the body section is a binary signal for either locking or unlocking the device. If the mouthpiece only comprises the sensor, a full customer related data set is transmitted to the chipset of the body section. Regarding to a received signal from the sensor inside the mouthpiece, the chipset can unlock the electronic smoking device to provide vapour for an authorized customer.

In a preferred embodiment the chipset has interfaces for at least one wireless communication protocol. It is conceivable that the chipset inside the body section comprises a Wi-Fi interface which would allow an integration of the smoking device into a consumer’s intranet. Preferably a wireless communication protocol enables the possibility to connect various electronic smoking devices to each other and thus allow a customer to smoke all electronic smoking devices connected in the network after having registered his tooth profile on a first electronic smoking device.

It is conceivable that a smoking device detects an unauthorized person trying to smoke, and shares that information with further devices in the network. This would allow to lock all devices in the network permanently or temporarily until they are unlocked again with a specific method and/or master key, and/or after a predetermined time. Unlocking the devices can preferably be achieved by a master device connected to the network which allows an authorized user to enter a password.

In a preferred embodiment the chipset and by that the electronic smoking device is also connected to the internet and/or an user account of a customer. This would allow a user to once create a user profile and register his tooth profile, wherein afterwards the user has access to every other smoking device which has a tooth identification sensor and is connected to the internet. Also it is conceivable that a user can use his smartphone to unlock electronic devices when they have permanently locked themselves after detecting an unauthorized person trying to smoke. Preferably the user is also able to assign parameters of the smoking device to his toothprint, wherein the parameters would be set automatically on an electronic smoking device by recognizing a customer. Preferably such parameters are selected from a group of parameters which contains vaporizing temperature, flowrate, taste and nicotine content.

In another preferred embodiment the device comprises a toothprint detecting device which serves to detect the toothprint of a user.

Preferably the toothprint detecting device is based on a piezoelectric sensor system.

The piezoelectric sensor preferably comprises two main elements, a silicon-based semi-conductor and incompressible silicon oil. When pressure is applied to the sensor the silicon oil applies a force to the silicon semiconductor and the resistance of this then preferably changes. Depending on how much force is applied in turn alters the resistance and this electrical signal can then be measured. By using an XY array (two dimensional array) of semiconducting sensors allows a pressure map to be built of the item in contact with the sensor array.

It is conceivable that the toothprint detecting device can also be based on a capacitance sensor system.

Preferably an embodiment with a capacitance sensor comprises an array of sensors and an incompressible silicon oil. Preferably the oil is in contact with a sensing diaphragm or membrane. When pressure is applied to the sensor the oil applies force to the diaphragm which thereby is squeezed and changes its capacity. Due to multiple sensors on the sensor area the capacitance values and especially their resulting electric signal can be plotted in a two dimensional array and thereby forms the pressure maps.

In a preferred embodiment the chipset is able to differentiate between a child and an adult via the data from the sensor. Preferably the chipset is able to detect a child with the data from the sensor without further calibration. Very preferably the chipset also does not unlock the device by detecting a tooth profile which is similar to a tooth profile of a child. Also preferably a person with a similar tooth profile to a child has to register his tooth profile in the chipset to be able to unlock the device. It is conceivable that the registration of a user with a similar tooth profile to a child has to validate his age via an identification document. Preferably the chipset unlocks the device by detecting a toothprint which is equivalent to that of an adult.

In a preferred embodiment the toothprint detecting device comprises a pressure mapping system and/or a tactile sensor. Preferably the tactile sensor is a flexible film with a thickness in range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, very preferably 1 mm. The sensor measures preferably at least force and pressure between two surfaces being pressed by at least two teeth. Preferably the sensor provides minimal interference between the teeth, allowing the interface pressure data to be obtained. It is conceivable that the tactile sensor comprises a number of sensing elements on a sensing area. It is possible that the number of sensing elements per sensing area is in range of 100 sensing elements per cm² and 800 sensing elements per cm². It is also possible that the density of the sensing elements is 250 sensing elements per cm². Preferably the sensing elements are positioned at a distance in range of 0.05 mm and 0.8 mm. The sensing area preferably depends on the required number of sensing elements and the distance between them. It is conceivable that the sensing area has a minimum size of 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm, and a maximum size of 3 cm x 3 cm.

Preferably the pressure mapping system comprises data acquisition electronics, sensors and software. The pressure data collected from the sensor preferably offers vital and/or unique toothprint information of the user. It is conceivable that the pressure mapping system comprises reference data, preferably tooth profiles. Also preferably the pressure mapping system compares the measured interface pressure data with the reference data.

In a preferred embodiment the chipset comprises a storage unit to be able to store at least one tooth profile. Preferably the pressure mapping system is linked to the storage unit. It is conceivable that a storage unit can store multiple tooth profiles to be able to recognize more than just one users. In a further embodiment the device comprises a comparing device which is suited for comparing a toothprint received by the sensor device to a toothprint stored in the memory device. It is conceivable that the chipset is also able to store specifically set parameters by each customer so that the user-specific parameter configuration also works without an internet connection after a one time setup. It is also conceivable that the chipset stores tooth profiles of unauthorized persons, preferably children, after they have tried to unlock the device. If the same unauthorized person should try to unlock the device again, a recognition of this person could be faster which can reduce the probability of unintentional unlocking. Preferably the chip also comprises an artificial intelligence algorithm to process data faster every time the electronic smoking device is used.

In a preferred embodiment the electronic smoking device is locked and can be unlocked by the chipset with corresponding data from the sensor. It is conceivable that the electronic smoking device further comprises a button, which, when triggered by a user, enables the identification process.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor provides data which is characteristic for a contact with at least one tooth. Preferably the Sensor detects incisors, because they are easier to reach. Preferably the sensor provides data which is characteristic for a contact with multiple teeth in order to be able to match the toothprint more accurately with a previously stored toothprint. It is conceivable that at least one sensor in the mouthpiece must have contact with at least one tooth for the device to be activated.

Preferably a second sensor is also attached to the surface area of the mouth piece, wherein both sensors are arranged at opposite ends of the mouth piece regarding to the width direction. It is conceivable that this doubles the toothprint size and by that also enhances the precision of the unlocking mechanism. An according sensor is thereby preferably suited to evaluate the contact with at least two teeth. Also a specific position of two teeth with respect to each other may be used to identify the user. Very preferably the sensor thereby evaluates data from at least one tooth from the upper jaw and at least from one tooth from the lower jaw. Preferably the mouthpiece has an oval and/or flat shape in the region where the sensor is located to improve the contact area between the at least one tooth and the sensor surface.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a pressure and/or light based sensor. It is conceivable that a pressure sensor needs physical contact with the at least one tooth of a user. Also it is conceivable that a pressure sensor creates a pressure map when biting on it. Preferably the sensor is a light based sensor which is able to identify teeth by a spectral analysis. Preferably the sensor has an electromagnetic wave source and a receiver, wherein the source provides a specific spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths and the receiver detects the radiation which was beamed through at least one tooth and detects a toothprint according to the received signal. Very preferably the unlocking mechanism works by measuring a specific resonance frequency of at least one tooth and recognizes a user by the resonance of his teeth.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor is attached at least partially on the surface area of the mouth piece. It is conceivable that a sensor which is located on the surface of the mouthpiece provides more accurate data than a sensor which is built inside the mouthpiece. Preferably the sensor is completely attached on the surface area of the mouth piece. A Sensor which is attached on the surface of the mouth piece is easier accessible and delivers more accurate data.

Also it is conceivable that a light based sensor can be built in the inside of the mouthpiece, wherein the surface of the mouth piece then is preferably made of a translucent and/or transparent material.

In a preferred embodiment the surface of the sensor is made of a material with reversibly deformable and/or plastic deformable properties and/or of a silicon based material. It is conceivable that the sensor comprises at least two flexible polyester sheets that have electrical conductors printed on them. The printed conductors are preferably applied on the surface in a pattern. The pattern could be columns, stripes, or other evenly distributed pattern. A sensor which is made of a reversibly deformable material is preferably able to be used by different users. A reversibly deformable sensor surface does deform once a user bites on the sensor, but once the user stops biting on it, the material adopts its initial form. It is conceivable that a reversibly deformable sensor surface can be a silicon based material. The embodiment of a sensor with a reversibly deformable surface would allow to share one mouthpiece with various users. It is conceivable that a mouth piece comprising a sensor with a plastic deformation surface is only usable by one person. A plastic deformation surface would deform when the user first bites on it and thereby the mouthpiece would be customized to one specific toothprint. It is conceivable that the usage of a sensor with plastic deformable properties ensures a higher grade of security due to the physical fitting.

Preferably the sensor surface can be made of any plastic and/or transparent glass. For a sensor which detects teeth by their resonance frequency it is conceivable that also metal surfaces and/or other stiff material can be used.

In a preferred embodiment a mouth piece with a plastic deformation surface of the sensor is personalisable by a first bite of a customer. Preferably the surface area of a sensor is protected with a protective film before its first usage. Very preferably the protection film has to be removed before the personalization and afterwards the user can bite onto the surface area of the sensor to personalize it with his toothprint. It is conceivable that during and/or after the personalization the material stiffens to keep the toothprint inside the material.

A method for operating an electronic smoking device according to the invention comprises the following steps:

First at least one tooth has to be placed or is placed on the sensor, then the data from the sensor is provided to the chipset and analysed by the chipset and afterwards the chipset operates the electronic smoking device when a predefined toothprint and/or adult is recognized and/or prevents operation of the electronic device when a toothprint is recognized that does not meet predefined criteria.

It is conceivable that also further steps, such as physical interaction with a button to switch on the device and sensor, can be introduced. Preferably an additional button which turns on the sensor and the device improves the battery life due to the fact that the sensor does not always has to be turned on or rest in a standby mode. It is conceivable that this activation can be performed by a bite of the user. Also it is conceivable that the toothprint sensor is activated by movement of the electronic smoking device, wherein the electronic smoking device would then comprise a further motion sensor.

It is also conceivable that the electronic smoking device stays turned on and/or unlocked for a while after being used so that the user does not have to unlock the electronic smoking device every time he uses it. Preferably the electronic smoking device comprises a position sensor wherein the electronic smoking device then could be turned on until the user puts it out of his hand.

Further advantages and embodiments are illustrated in the attached drawing.

Herein show:

Fig. 1 smoking articles box 1 according to the invention

Figure 1 shows a two dimensional view onto an electronic smoking article 1 according to the invention. The electronic smoking article 1 is arranged with its length direction being parallel to the longitudinal direction L and its transverse direction being parallel to the width direction W and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L.

Figure 1 illustrates the body section 7 and the mouth piece 2 and thereby shows the respective components which are located inside the body section 7 and the mouthpiece 2. The body section 7 comprises the battery 5, the chipset 6 and the part of the data connection 10 which belongs to the body section 7.

The battery 5 is preferably arranged in the part of the body section 7 which is the furthest away from the mouth piece 2, wherein the chipset 6 is preferably located in the middle of the electronic smoking article along the longitudinal direction L as well as the width direction W.

The chipset 6 preferably is connected to the part of the data connection 10a which belongs to the body section 7 via wires 8. The part of the data connection 10a which belongs to the body section 7 is arranged at the end of the body section 7 along the longitudinal direction L which shows towards the mouthpiece 2.

Furthermore, preferably the part of the data connection 10b which belongs to the mouth piece 2 is arranged at the end of the mouth piece 2 along the longitudinal direction L which shows towards the body section 7. The part of the data connection 10b which belongs to the mouth piece 2 is connected to the sensor 3 via wires 8. By attaching the mouth piece 2 to the body section 7, the two parts of the data connection 10a and 10b contact each other, forming the data connection 10 and enabling the sensor 3 to send data to the chipset 6. Preferably the mouth piece 2 comprises the sensor 3 which is arranged at a position so that a user can easily reach it with his teeth 4.

In figure 1 the sensor 3 has two surfaces 9, wherein both of the surfaces are arranged at opposite ends of the mouth piece regarding to the width direction W. This arrangement of the sensor surfaces 9 allows an identification of teeth 4 from of the upper and lower jaw at the same time. The sensors 3 in figure 1 are preferably attached inside the mouth piece 2, wherein the surfaces 9 build one surface area with the surface of the mouth piece 2.

Reference signs

1 electronic smoking device

2 mouth piece 3 sensor

4 tooth

5 battery section

6 chipset

7 body section of electronic smoking device 8 wire

9 sensor surface

10 data connection

10a part of the data connection which belongs to the body section

10b part of the data connection which belongs to the mouth piece

L longitudinal direction of electronic smoking device

W width direction of electronic smoking device

Claims

Electronic smoking article with tooth identification Claims

1. Electronic smoking device (1) comprising a mouth piece (2), the mouth piece (2) having partially contact with teeth (4) and being attached to a body section (7), wherein the body section (7) comprises a battery (5) and an electronic chipset (6), characterized in that, the mouth piece (2) further comprises at least one sensor (3), whereas the sensor (3) is a biometric contact sensor (3) designed for capturing toothprints.

2. The electronic smoking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the mouth piece (2) is replaceable and especially detachable and attachable to the body section (7).

3. The electronic smoking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the mouth piece (2) further comprises at least one wired and/or wireless data connection (10) to the body section (7).

4. The electronic smoking device according to the previous claim, characterized in that, the sensor (3) of the mouth piece and the chipset (6) of the body section are communicating with each other via a data connection (10).

5. The electronic smoking device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that, the chipset (6) has interfaces for at least one wireless communication protocol.

6. The electronic smoking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the chipset (6) and by that the electronic smoking device (1) is also connected to the internet and/or an user account of a customer.

7. The electronic smoking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the chipset (6) is able to differentiate between a child and an adult via the data from the sensor (3).

8. The electronic smoking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the chipset (6) comprises a storage unit to be able to store at least one tooth (4) profile.

9. The electronic smoking device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that, the electronic smoking device (1) is locked and can be unlocked by the chipset (6) with corresponding data from the sensor (3).

10. The electronic smoking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the sensor (3) provides data which is characteristic for a contact with at least one tooth (4).

11. The electronic smoking device according to claim 10, characterized in that, the sensor (3) is a pressure and/or light based sensor (3).

12. The electronic smoking device according to claim 10 and 11, characterized in that, the sensor (3) is attached at least partially on the surface area of the mouth piece (2).

13. The electronic smoking device according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, the surface (9) of the sensor (3) is made of a material with reversibly deformable and/or plastic deformable properties and/or of a silicon based material.

14. The electronic smoking device according to claim 13, characterized in that, a mouth piece (2) with a plastic deformation surface (9) of the sensor (3) is personalisable by a first bite of a customer.

15. A method for operating an electronic smoking device (1) comprising a mouth piece (2), the mouth piece (2) having partially contact with teeth (4) and being attached to a body section (7), wherein the body section (7) comprises a battery (5) and an electronic chipset (6), ch aracterized in that, first at least one tooth has to be placed on the sensor (3), then the data from the sensor (3) is provided to the chipset (6) and analysed by the chipset (6) and afterwards the chipset (6) operates the electronic smoking device (1) when a predefined toothprint and/or adult is recognized.