US20180020724A1 - Data Connection for an Electronic Smoking Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A data exchange system comprises an electronic smoking device that includes identifying data and a database configured to i) receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device, ii) receive user data for a user of the electronic smoking device from a processor, iii) associate the identifying data with user data to generate a user record, and iv) store the user record.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to electronic smoking devices and in particular electronic cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), typically has a housing accommodating an electric power source (e.g., a single use or rechargeable battery, electrical plug, or other power source), and an electrically operable atomizer. The atomizer vaporizes or atomizes liquid supplied from a reservoir and provides vaporized or atomized liquid as an aerosol. Control electronics control the activation of the atomizer. In some electronic cigarettes, an airflow sensor is provided within the electronic smoking device, which detects a user puffing on the device (e.g., by sensing an under-pressure or an airflow pattern through the device). The airflow sensor indicates or signals the puff to the control electronics to power up the device and generate vapor. In other e-cigarettes, a switch is used to power up the e-cigarette to generate a puff of vapor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a data exchange system for an electronic smoking device. The system comprises the electronic smoking device comprising identifying data. The system also comprises a database configured to i) receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device, ii) receive user data for a user of the electronic smoking device from a processor, iii) associate the identifying data with user data to generate a user record, and iv) store the user record.
• The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which they are obtained as described above, will become more apparent and be more clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the drawings, the same element numbers indicate the same elements in each of the views:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary e-cigarette;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating data communication pathways between an exemplary e-cigarette and a processor;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data exchange system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device will be exemplarily described with reference to an e-cigarette. As is shown inFIG. 1, an e-cigarette (or eCig)10 typically has a housing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having anend cap12. The cylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube. InFIG. 1, the cylindrical hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structure having apower supply portion14 and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16. Together thepower supply portion14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 form a cylindrical tube which can be approximately the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about 100 mm with a 7.5 mm diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm, and diameters from 5 to 28 mm.
• Thepower supply portion14 and atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 are typically made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum, or of hardwearing plastic) and act together with theend cap12 to provide a housing to contain the components of thee-cigarette10. Thepower supply portion14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 may be configured to fit together by, for example, a friction push fit, a snap fit, a bayonet attachment, a magnetic fit, or screw threads. Theend cap12 is provided at the front end of thepower supply portion14. Theend cap12 may be made from translucent plastic or other translucent material to allow a light-emitting diode (LED)18 positioned near the end cap to emit light through the end cap. Alternatively, the end cap may be made of metal or other materials that do not allow light to pass.
• An air inlet may be provided in the end cap, at the edge of the inlet next to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of the cylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of thepower supply portion14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16.FIG. 1 shows a pair ofair inlets20 provided at the intersection between thepower supply portion14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16.
• A power supply, preferably abattery22, theLED18,control electronics24 and, optionally, anairflow sensor26 are provided within the cylindrical hollow tubepower supply portion14. Thebattery22 is electrically connected to thecontrol electronics24, which are electrically connected to theLED18 and theairflow sensor26. In this example, theLED18 is at the front end of thepower supply portion14, adjacent to theend cap12; and thecontrol electronics24 andairflow sensor26 are provided in the central cavity at the other end of thebattery22 adjacent the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16.
• Theairflow sensor26 acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffing or sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 of thee-cigarette10. Theairflow sensor26 can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such as a microphone switch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move by variations in air pressure. Alternatively, the sensor may be, for example, a Hall element or an electro-mechanical sensor.
• Thecontrol electronics24 are also connected to anatomizer28. In the example shown, theatomizer28 includes aheating coil30 which is wrapped around awick32 extending across acentral passage34 of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16. Thecentral passage34 may, for example, be defined by one or more walls of the liquid reservoir and/or one or more walls of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 of thee-cigarette10. Thecoil30 may be positioned anywhere in theatomizer28 and may be transverse or parallel to a longitudinal axis of a cylindricalliquid reservoir36. Thewick32 andheating coil30 do not completely block thecentral passage34. Rather an air gap is provided on either side of theheating coil30 enabling air to flow past theheating coil30 and thewick32. The atomizer may alternatively use other forms of heating elements, such as ceramic heaters, or fiber or mesh material heaters. Nonresistance heating elements such as sonic, piezo, and jet spray may also be used in the atomizer in place of the heating coil.
• Thecentral passage34 is surrounded by the cylindricalliquid reservoir36 with the ends of thewick32 abutting or extending into theliquid reservoir36. Thewick32 may be a porous material such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers or cotton or bamboo yarn, with liquid in theliquid reservoir36 drawn by capillary action from the ends of thewick32 towards the central portion of thewick32 encircled by theheating coil30.
• Theliquid reservoir36 may alternatively include wadding (not shown inFIG. 1) soaked in liquid which encircles thecentral passage34 with the ends of thewick32 abutting the wadding. In other embodiments, the liquid reservoir may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid and with the ends of thewick32 extending into the toroidal cavity.
• Anair inhalation port38 is provided at the back end of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 remote from theend cap12. Theinhalation port38 may be formed from the cylindrical hollow tube atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 or may be formed in an end cap.
• In use, a user sucks on thee-cigarette10. This causes air to be drawn into thee-cigarette10 via one or more air inlets, such asair inlets20, and to be drawn through thecentral passage34 towards theair inhalation port38. The change in air pressure which arises is detected by theairflow sensor26, which generates an electrical signal that is passed to thecontrol electronics24. In response to the signal, thecontrol electronics24 activate theheating coil30, which causes liquid present in thewick32 to be vaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and liquid components) within thecentral passage34. As the user continues to suck on thee-cigarette10, this aerosol is drawn through thecentral passage34 and inhaled by the user. At the same time, thecontrol electronics24 also activate theLED18 causing theLED18 to light up, which is visible via thetranslucent end cap12. Activation of the LED may mimic the appearance of a glowing ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid present in thewick32 is converted into an aerosol, more liquid is drawn into thewick32 from theliquid reservoir36 by capillary action and thus is available to be converted into an aerosol through subsequent activation of theheating coil30.
• Some e-cigarette are intended to be disposable and the electric power in thebattery22 is intended to be sufficient to vaporize the liquid contained within theliquid reservoir36, after which thee-cigarette10 is thrown away. In other embodiments, thebattery22 is rechargeable and theliquid reservoir36 is refillable. In the cases where theliquid reservoir36 is a toroidal cavity, this may be achieved by refilling theliquid reservoir36 via a refill port (not shown inFIG. 1). In other embodiments, the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 of thee-cigarette10 is detachable from thepower supply portion14 and a new atomizer/liquid reservoir portion16 can be fitted with a newliquid reservoir36 thereby replenishing the supply of liquid. In some cases, replacing theliquid reservoir36 may involve replacement of theheating coil30 and thewick32 along with the replacement of theliquid reservoir36. A replaceable unit comprising theatomizer28 and theliquid reservoir36 may be referred to as a cartomizer.
• The new liquid reservoir may be in the form of a cartridge (not shown inFIG. 1) defining a passage (or multiple passages) through which a user inhales aerosol. In other embodiments, the aerosol may flow around the exterior of the cartridge to theair inhalation port38.
• Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure and function of atypical e-cigarette10, variations also exist. For example, theLED18 may be omitted. Theairflow sensor26 may be placed, for example, adjacent to theend cap12 rather than in the middle of the e-cigarette. Theairflow sensor26 may be replaced by, or supplemented with, a switch which enables a user to activate the e-cigarette manually rather than in response to the detection of a change in airflow or air pressure.
• Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus, for example, the atomizer may have a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous body soaked in liquid. In this design, aerosol is generated by evaporating the liquid within the porous body either by activation of the coil heating the porous body or alternatively by the heated air passing over or through the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use a piezoelectric atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or in the absence of a heater.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting data exchange pathways between the e-cigarette10, acharger40, and aprocessor42. The e-cigarette10 can connect to acharger40 in order to charge the battery22 (seeFIG. 1) of thee-cigarette10. In addition to this charging function, thecharger40 can exchange data with thee-cigarette10. The data exchange can occur, for example, through a dedicated data line or signals obtained from a power line connecting thecharger40 and the e-cigarette10 during charging. When a data line is used to transfer data between the e-cigarette10 and thecharger40, the data line can be a physical wire connection or a wireless communication. In an embodiment, the data that can be transferred from the e-cigarette10 to thecharger40 includes identifying data, such as a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a line number, or a barcode associated with thee-cigarette10. In another embodiment, the data that can be transferred from the e-cigarette10 to thecharger40 includes usage data, such as a number of puffs taken, an average length of puffs taken, a smoke juice level, a smoke juice flavor, or a location of use.
• Thecharger40 can also exchange data with theprocessor42, such as through a dedicated data line or power line as described above. In an embodiment, theprocessor42 can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, or a mobile device, such as a smart phone. In another embodiment, theprocessor42 can be a charging or holding pack for thee-cigarette10. Theprocessor42 may have a custom communication driver (e.g., an application) that enables it to exchange data with thecharger40. The data that can be transferred from thecharger40 to theprocessor42 includes identifying and usage data from thee-cigarette10, for example, as described above. In an embodiment, data can also be transferred from theprocessor42 to thecharger40, including data related to various charging protocols, for example.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplarydata exchange system300. Atstep44, calibration and/or serialization of the e-cigarette10 occurs. This step typically takes place at a factory or manufacturing facility. The e-cigarette can be calibrated according to various factors. For example, in a system using a flow sensor, in order to ensure that the output of the flow sensor is accurate, the manufacturing system may present one or more known reference flows to the e-cigarette during the calibration procedure. The flow sensor can then calibrate its signal to the reference flow using offset and/or multiplying factors. Another calibration may be for voltage measurement purposes. The manufacturing system can present a known reference voltage, and the e-cigarette can then compare its voltage reading to the known reference and produce an offset so that it reports the same voltage level as the reference. In the above two cases, the calibration can either be done by a processor and then the calibration parameters can be sent to the e-cigarette, or the calibration can be done by the e-cigarette itself. In addition to or instead of calibration, the e-cigarette can be assigned a serial number or other identifying label, such as a batch code, a date of production, a line number, or a barcode.
• Once the calibration/serialization step44 has occurred, the identifying data associated with the e-cigarette10 can be transferred to adatabase46 for storage and processing. Thedatabase46 can be a manufacturing database, which may also include marketing information or link to a separate database with marketing information. Identifying data from the e-cigarette10 can be transferred to thedatabase46 via aprocessor42A. Identifying data from the e-cigarette10 can be transferred to theprocessor42A either directly (e.g., via a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, between the e-cigarette10 and theprocessor42A) or via a charger, such as described above with respect toFIG. 2. Theprocessor42A can then transfer the data to thedatabase46 either directly or via acommunication network48, such as a server-based network, LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth network, cellular network and/or the like.
• Subsequent to the calibration/serialization step44 and the transfer of identifying data to thedatabase46, the e-cigarette is shipped atstep50 and sold in a retail setting, such as a store, kiosk, or online retailer, atstep52. After purchase, a user may register the e-cigarette10 during auser registration step54. The user may register the e-cigarette by using aprocessor42B, for example. In addition, a communication network (not shown inFIG. 3) may be used in the process of registration.
• During theuser registration step54, the user may enter demographic data (e.g., name, age, gender, location, hobbies, flavor preferences, etc.) as well as the identifying data from the purchasede-cigarette10 into theprocessor42B. Theprocessor42B can then communicate this information to thedatabase46 either directly or via a communication network (not shown inFIG. 3).
• Next, the user will eventually connect the registerede-cigarette10 to a charger atstep56. While thee-cigarette10 is charging, usage data can be transferred from the charger to theprocessor42B, as described above with respect toFIG. 2. In some embodiments, the e-cigarette may be connected directly to theprocessor42B without using the charger as an intermediary.
• In an embodiment, usage data can include a number of puffs taken, an average length of puffs taken, a smoke juice level, a smoke juice flavour, or a location of use of thee-cigarette10. Once the usage data has been transferred to theprocessor42B, it can subsequently be transferred to thedatabase46. Thedatabase46 can then associate the user data (including demographic and usage data) with the identifying data for a givene-cigarette10, thereby creating a user record. Thedatabase46 can store multiple user records.
• User records stored within thedatabase46 can be used for several purposes. In an embodiment, user records can be used to provide firmware updates to the user for theire-cigarette10. If a user record indicates that a particular device requires a firmware update (e.g., based on date of purchase, level of use, location of use, and/or the like), thedatabase46 can provide the firmware update to theprocessor42B. Theprocessor42B may have an application (i.e., an “app”) enabling it to receive and communicate the firmware update. When the user connects theire-cigarette10 to theprocessor42B (either directly or via a charger), the firmware can be updated. Alternatively, a user can obtain a firmware update for theire-cigarette10 by requesting it directly from a processor or communication network (e.g. the manufacturer's website) that can communicate with thedatabase46.
• Other uses of user records stored within thedatabase46 include tracing a given device, providing customer support, preventing piracy related to the sale of electronic smoking devices, and providing marketing information or opportunities. In an embodiment, thedatabase46 can use user records to provide a coupon, a rebate, an offer, a deal, a name of a vendor, a location of a vendor, an inventory of a vendor, an electronic purchase order, or an electronic payment. This marketing information can be provided to the user via theprocessor42B, for example.
• In summary, in one aspect a data exchange system for an electronic smoking device is provided, the data exchange system comprising the electronic smoking device comprising identifying data; and a database configured to i) receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device, ii) receive user data for a user of the electronic smoking device from a processor, iii) associate the identifying data with user data to generate a user record, and iv) store the user record.
• In one aspect, the electronic smoking device comprises firmware; wherein the database is further configured to provide a firmware update to the processor based on the user record; and wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the firmware update to the electronic smoking device.
• In one aspect, the database is further configured to provide marketing information to the processor based on the user record.
• The marketing information may comprise at least one of the following: a coupon, a rebate, an advertisement, an offer, a deal, a name of a vendor, a location of the vendor, an inventory of the vendor, an electronic purchase order, or an electronic payment.
• In one aspect, the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.
• In one aspect, the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device.
• In one aspect, the processor comprises at least one of a personal computer or a mobile device.
• In one aspect, the database is configured to receive the identifying data or the user data via a communication network.
• In one aspect, the processor is configured to receive the user data from the electronic smoking device via a charger.
• In one aspect, the database is configured to receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device via a processor.
• Further provided is a method for providing a firmware update to an electronic smoking device, the method comprising: assigning identifying data to the electronic smoking device; collecting user data for a user of the electronic smoking device; associating the identifying data with the user data to generate a user record; providing the firmware update based on the user record.
• In one aspect, the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.
• In one aspect, the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device.
• In one aspect, providing the firmware update to the electronic smoking device comprises transmitting the firmware update to a processor configured to communicate with the electronic smoking device.
• In one aspect, the processor comprises a personal computer or a mobile device.
• Further provided is a method for generating a user record associated with a user of an electronic smoking device, the method comprising: assigning identifying data to the electronic smoking device; collecting user data for a user of the electronic smoking device; and associating the identifying data with the user data to generate a user record.
• In one aspect, the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.
• In one aspect, the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device.
• In one aspect, the method further comprises tracing the electronic smoking device using the user record.
• In one aspect, the method further comprises providing marketing information to the user based on the user record.
• While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
• 10 electronic smoking device
• 12 end cap
• 14 power supply portion
• 16 atomizer/liquid reservoir portion
• 18 light-emitting diode (LED)
• 20 air inlets
• 22 battery
• 24 control electronics
• 26 airflow sensor
• 28 atomizer
• 30 heating coil
• 32 wick
• 34 central passage
• 36 liquid reservoir
• 38 air inhalation port
• 40 charger
• 42/42A/42B processor
• 44 calibration/serialization step
• 46 database
• 48 communication network
• 50 shipping step
• 52 retail step
• 54 user registration step
• 56 connect and charge step

Claims (20)

1. A data exchange system for an electronic smoking device (10), the system comprising:

the electronic smoking device (10) comprising identifying data; and

a database (46) configured to i) receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device (10), ii) receive user data for a user of the electronic smoking device (10) from a processor (42), iii) associate the identifying data with user data to generate a user record, and iv) store the user record.

2. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic smoking device (10) comprises firmware; wherein the database (46) is further configured to provide a firmware update to the processor (42) based on the user record; and wherein the processor (42) is further configured to transmit the firmware update to the electronic smoking device (10).

3. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the database (46) is further configured to provide marketing information to the processor (42) based on the user record.

4. The data exchange system ofclaim 3, wherein the marketing information comprises at least one of the following: a coupon, a rebate, an advertisement, an offer, a deal, a name of a vendor, a location of the vendor, an inventory of the vendor, an electronic purchase order, or an electronic payment.

5. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.

6. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device (10).

7. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor (42) comprises at least one of a personal computer or a mobile device.

8. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the database (46) is configured to receive the identifying data or the user data via a communication network (48).

9. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor (42) is configured to receive the user data from the electronic smoking device (10) via a charger (40).

10. The data exchange system ofclaim 1, wherein the database (46) is configured to receive the identifying data from the electronic smoking device (10) via a processor (42).

11. A method for providing a firmware update to an electronic smoking device (10), the method comprising:

assigning identifying data to the electronic smoking device (10);

collecting user data for a user of the electronic smoking device (10);

associating the identifying data with the user data to generate a user record;

providing the firmware update based on the user record.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.

13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device (10).

14. The method ofclaim 11, wherein providing the firmware update to the electronic smoking device comprises transmitting the firmware update to a processor (42) configured to communicate with the electronic smoking device (10).

15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the processor (42) comprises a personal computer or a mobile device.

16. A method for generating a user record associated with a user of an electronic smoking device (10), the method comprising:

assigning identifying data to the electronic smoking device (10);

collecting user data for a user of the electronic smoking device (10); and

associating the identifying data with the user data to generate a user record.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the identifying data comprises at least one of a serial number, a calibration parameter, a batch code, a date, a line number, or a barcode.

18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the user data comprises at least one of a user demographic, a number of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, an average length of puffs taken on the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice level of the electronic smoking device, a smoke juice flavour used in the electronic smoking device, or a location of the electronic smoking device (10).

19. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising tracing the electronic smoking device (10) using the user record.

20. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising providing marketing information to the user based on the user record.

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